No, not another firstgen, another daily driver.

My Silverado is coming up on 3 years old and over 80,000 miles, with 2 more years of payments. I need to keep it, to haul stuff once or twice a month, and for the AWD in the winter, but I'm getting tired of driving it all the time, tired of feeding it (average about 16 mpg) and the high seating position kills my knees on a long drive.

I want a C4 (oops) vette, 94-96 LT1 or LT4 car. Polo green / Black leather is appealing to me for some reason. I had a new 94, best car I ever owned, 136,000 miles in 4 years without a whimper.

Can't decide if I want a coupe or a vert, the coupes are sooo much better looking, have some storage space, and the top does come off. Also can't decide if I want an auto or a stick. Want to find one under 20K.

Am I nuts?

They dont do anything for me, but its also not my $$ being spent. I vote keep driving the truck, that things bitchin'!

Who wants an auto vette? LOL

And I agree, green, with black interior look fantastic. I'm not a big fan of vettes (excluding early big block, and split-window cars, and the new generation), but then again, I've never driven a nice one. I'd throw a lt1 and 4l60e in a 69-72 Chevelle, black, black interior. Nice big car for storage, dependable, and you dont need to dump loads of money for a daily-driver only.

Jim,

No way. Don't buy a 10 year old 'Vette for a dialy driver. Years ago I had an early built 1969 RS Camaro with no X-code. Two years after I bought that car I chose a 7 year old Z28 w/ t-tops as my daily driver. By the time three years had elapsed after I purchased that Z28 it was toast. The camshaft went flat, it needed brakes all the way around, 4 calipers, all 4 rotors, radiator, trans you name it. Z28's & 'Vettes that are 7 or 10 years old do not make good daily drivers. It sounds like you have a nice truck. Yes the miles per gallon may not be that hot but if the truck is dependable stick with it. Well over a decade has elapsed since I sold that 1969 Camaro & 1984 5.0L H.O. Z28 back in late 1994. A little oevr 2 months ago, I bought another 1969 Camaro. I'm going to stick with my 20th century Ford Explorer as my daily driver and I take care of my cars like most people on this site do.

I know you don't know me. But please for the love of God do not throw good money after bad. That's exactly what will happen if you drive that 10 year old 'Vette on a dialy basis. It will fall apart just like the Z28 I owned did. Then you'll be second guessing yourself. Trust me on this. I speak from experience. Stick with the truck and the Camaro.

I would buy a C4 for a DD anytime. Especially right now, i've seen some go for $12k or less. I sold my 96 LT1 w/ only 43k miles that was a super nice car, with a warranty for $16,500 about 1.5 years ago. I sold it to get a 02 Z. But if I could've kept it, I would have. Such a nice car for the $ I think. Sure you could buy countless beaters for less, but who wants to drive a beater instead of a vette? It's all up to what you want, if I could......I would! :thumbsup:

I voted for "Jim is Nuts"

Not sure what that has to do about buying a new daily driver tho... :)

C3 vette,vert would be cool for a daily driver..or any vette in my opinion..:) ..

One thing i wonder is how would getting in and out of it be if it was your everyday driver. Like all these cars they sit real low to the ground... and getting in and out can be a PITA after a while. Would that really get to you after doing it several times a day, every day?? I think it would for me.

What's the gas mileage of that Vette, and could you stand to sit in it for extended trips like you do in the truck?
Can you afford to be fixing it all the time, unlike the truck now.

get a vette .

Yes I have a 98 (C5) and it gets better miliage than anything else I own. LOL If I were you I would consider the C5 model. It is nice to be able to drive them both. Hense the name redvetteharley. Just food for thought.
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f61/redvetteharley/prom007.jpg
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f61/redvetteharley/69CamaroNewWheels006.jpg
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f61/redvetteharley/VetteHarley.jpg

Jim, you need to provide us with a complete profile of yourself and some pictures. That will determine if you should be seen in a Vette! :D But on a serious note, I would say to check and see how hard it is to get in and out of. The 96 Camaro SS I had earlier this year was not the easiest to get in and out of(it's not tough, but it gets old quick) and I would imagine a Vette is worse. If you're a big guy, you won't like getting in and out. But looking at the miles you put on cars, you probably should get an ambulance. That way you can drive yourself to the hospital when your back gives out from all that driving! :)

A pampered, super-low mileage C4 might make a nice daily driver. If your experience is anything like mine, the C3 will just become another toy and you'll continue driving the truck anyway.

I would pick up a few year old C5, lots of them out there now with the arrival of the 2006 model...The only problem for me would be if you can fit a set of golf clubs in them...:clonk:

The way i see it, you only live once so go ahead and get that chick magnet, you will be glad you did, ive owned vettes before and love them, as a matter of fact im looking for a nice low mileage red 81 model to add to my collection as we speak.

Jim
You have a great toy, you did the vett thing. I got pratical with my daily driver and Im very happy with it, I got a used 2003 Impala with lots of options its got a great ride 27 mph around town 30 hwy a huge trunk and it looks good. Its not a vett but the front wheel drive is nice in the winter. 12k with 29000 miles not a scratch on it. No payments Im happy! Chevy did a good job! I would recomend that car to anyone.

Brian

C3 was the body style from 1968-1982. C4 body style ran from 1984-1996. I would say stay away from a C3! Great cars, but not daily drivers! Now a late model C4, NO problem! The price is right, they usually get great gas mileage and are a blast to drive! Especially a 6 speed! Stay away from the early C4's especially the 84! I had one, loved it, and worked on it daily! Whatever you do stay away from any model with the 4+3 trans! When it worked it was nice but having it repaired sucks. Like any other car, there are lemons but they are fun, reliable cars and C4's can be had for a fraction of what they cost new. I say GO FOR IT!

c4, '96 Vettes make great drivers... daily ? depends on how you feel about crawling in and out of one. only complaint I have on my '96 Collector: it IS a PITA to get in and out of regularly. (I'm 5'9, 185, 51 yr old). once I get settled in and start rippin thru the gears, it all comes worth-while, but when it comes time to get out :sad:
c3s will keep your tools shiny: it's always something or another, but I do concede my '82 is the better driving of the three cars I own, and has the best ride.
the most fun about a 'Vette is that someone is ALWAYS wanting to try you. no matter whether it's at a stoplite, on the open freeway, or the backroads.
the Camaro gets me a lots of :thumbsup: , but the 'Vettes gets me more competition :waving:

Hey Jim, its only money and we only live once/(short)! Do what makes you happy (finances provided). Find the best deal you can on the vett. and if you have it a short while and change your mind, sell it and do something else. You know the drill (car guys:clonk: ).

Jim... I say your nuts ... AND I DIG THAT ABOUT YOU !

Seriously,Vette's are a good buy used..My buddy has a 2004 fully loaded vert (58k sticker) with 7,000 miles and he can't give the thing away for 36K less than two years later. So I am sure you can find what you are looking for for under 20k .
However... recently I have been driving my old Grand National...and it has been real fun. Very comfortible , has some juice and easy to get in and out of. Many low milage well kept car are out there for under 20..of course it doesn't handle like a C4 or C5.. a good point was made that these vettes for the last 20 years plus have a real low seating position with a kind of high door sill.. a liitle difficult for us senior citizens to get in and out of .

I believe the deprecation is over on the C4 Vettes and they are as cheap now as they will ever be. The price pendulum will start to swing the other way and prices will rise on these cars just as they did on the earlier Corvettes. If you buy a nice clean C4 for a daily driver (and don’t trash it) there is a good possibility you can drive it for years and sell it for more than you paid for it. In other words a free car!

This thread made me think of this one....

http://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16667&highlight=LT4+corvette

If I'm not mistaken, he scrapped the idea of buying the Vette and bought a truck or SUV or something.

Yeah. For a daily driver, be practical.... gas prices will be going back UP.

If you're looking for a fun DD then do it. My DD is my 97 GMC. When I calculate the costs, there's no financial reason to get another vehicle. So that's not why to do it. Of course, logic may have nothing to do with this!

Jim
You have a great toy, you did the vett thing. I got pratical with my daily driver and Im very happy with it, I got a used 2003 Impala with lots of options its got a great ride 27 mph around town 30 hwy a huge trunk and it looks good. Its not a vett but the front wheel drive is nice in the winter. 12k with 29000 miles not a scratch on it. No payments Im happy! Chevy did a good job! I would recomend that car to anyone.

Brian

Jim, I also have a Impala, it a 2004 SS Indy Special, these are superb cars, front drive, great mileage, comfort, handle well, lots of room for a family, etc. etc. Pretty cheap to get a good used one, I think you would have no regrets.:hurray: PS, I did vote that you are nuts, not on personal knowledge, just anyone that would put it in their survey probally is, lol..............

I plan to add a 1972 Stingray to my collection (which now consists of one 1967 Camaro) at some point in time. Always loved Corvettes. Second only to First Gen Camaros.

Jim I still say your nuts. Notice a trend here.;) 68DaveV (http://www.camaros.net/forums/member.php?u=23809), 69camarofast (http://www.camaros.net/forums/member.php?u=18569), 77thor (http://www.camaros.net/forums/member.php?u=17936), Brian Lewis (http://www.camaros.net/forums/member.php?u=12548), Buck (http://www.camaros.net/forums/member.php?u=15946), ChevyThunder (http://www.camaros.net/forums/member.php?u=15836), clwilcox33 (http://www.camaros.net/forums/member.php?u=19235), HarleyD67 (http://www.camaros.net/forums/member.php?u=20669), Jeff H (http://www.camaros.net/forums/member.php?u=918), MrDanB (http://www.camaros.net/forums/member.php?u=11628), nikkisdad (http://www.camaros.net/forums/member.php?u=20100), Scott Taylor (http://www.camaros.net/forums/member.php?u=11120), South Side Goons & Hitmen (http://www.camaros.net/forums/member.php?u=24124), Wwalstrom (http://www.camaros.net/forums/member.php?u=12904), zuma (http://www.camaros.net/forums/member.php?u=10403)
Get they vette.:thumbsup: end of discussion... You already have a vert so I say get the coupe(yes they do look better) with a stick and enjoy your daily rat race.:D Besides 20+ mpg is way better than the truck and you'd still have that to haul your wife's flowers home.;) Just don't get all Yuppy on us and hang'in out with all your high class vette friends instead of people with character like us.:waving: j/k

Hi Jim,

Get the vette, but wait until spring. The midwest is about to suck for the next 8 months. BTW, I know a guy with a 71 chevelle 4-speed, and a 66 vette with original paint. I figure with the vette, you might as well drive the heck out of it. After all it is fiberglass and original paint. skitch

I voted b,c,d. :)

At least get an LT4 car.

I am seeing GTOs priced pretty well. Gimme an LS2 over and LT1/LT4 anyday.

Wow, great responses, and sooo many since the last time I was on last night, Thanks guys!

Thanks for catching my brain fart. I did of course mean C4, and the only years I'd consider are 94, 95, 96. LT1 / LT4 and traction control are the reasons.

I've had 4 vette's before. A 69 "hot rod" long ago, a 93 bought new, traded in 18 months / 36,000 miles on a 94 (for the LT1 and the traction control) 136,000 miles til traded on a 98, which got away from me after I overcorrected the steering after getting slightly off course due to lack of attention. $17k in damage, 3 months after it was fixed, I sold it to get the Camaro.

The C5 was just too "smooth." Killer car, wicked fast, go kart like handling, but too quiet, too smooth, too refined. A CORVETTE should extract a price on it's driver. For the priviledge of drivers THE WORLDS BEST SPORTS CAR, the owner must pay the price of a harsh ride and a foot tall door sill to climb over. It's only right, as it has been since 1953.

I LIKE Corvette's, a lot. All four were a joy to own and drive. The 94, to me, was the best of the bunch. Now all I ned to do is make some money. I'll have to pay cash, the wife will never go for another car payment. Maybe I can refinance something? Or maybe if I buy her a new car, then it'll be ok?

What's the gas mileage of that Vette, and could you stand to sit in it for extended trips like you do in the truck?
Can you afford to be fixing it all the time, unlike the truck now.

Joe, the LT1 will deleiver 26-28 mpg on the highway, cruise set on 80.
Around 16-18 around town, but the vast majority of my driving is highway.

Jim
You have a great toy, you did the vett thing. I got pratical with my daily driver and Im very happy with it, I got a used 2003 Impala with lots of options its got a great ride 27 mph around town 30 hwy a huge trunk and it looks good. Its not a vett but the front wheel drive is nice in the winter. 12k with 29000 miles not a scratch on it. No payments Im happy! Chevy did a good job! I would recomend that car to anyone.

Brian

Thanks for the logical answer, Brian, but I buy V6, FWD cars for my field service techs. I do not have to be practical, and absolutely refuse to be practical. Besides, in this case practical would be to just continue to drive my truck. But hey, I got an itch.....

.....I do not have to be practical, and absolutely refuse to be practical. ...

I have a forklift you can have? I'll give it to you for free... you just have to pay the shipping. Now, THAT'S impractical. :)

Why don't you buy a new Camaro.


Oh I forgot GM stopped making them.

Why don't you buy a new Camaro.


Oh I forgot GM stopped making them.

Coming (not) soon (enough)...


Jim, are you really ignoring the 05-06 GTO?

I am totally ignoring that GTO, tho I bet I could buy one really cheap. They are ugly with a capitol UG. Looks like a Camry with a v8 swap. Too bad, too, because it's undoubtedly one of the finest performing "sedans" there is.... b ut I don't like ugly.

I htin the 05-06 with the cooler hood they look ok - in a sleeper kind of way....

How abut a used CTS-V? :)

If you want a screamer on the cheap Jim (under 20k), 1994 twin turbo RX-7 would be my choice...super car and super fast, even if it is an import! IMO :D

I would go with the LS1 as one can be had in the 20's and you get alot more engine for the money, but that just what I would do if it were me.

Joe

jim, buy the car and enjoy

Jim, Chevs and Vettes http://www.cnv-corvettes.com/ has your 96 polo green car waiting.

At 22 K this one rocks from the link above.

http://www.liveupdater.com/cnv/ImageLibrary/98redwhtcpe(1).jpg

That may be true, but it isn't polo green that was floating Jim's boat. For a daily commuter looks too much like a cop ticket magnet to me.

He wants a C4 anyway, as I posted before the LS1 would be the way to go for me. Going to that link and seeing this one I had to post a picture of it. That would make an excellent daily driver............waaahooo!!!

This is the one, hope the leather is pink too.http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c257/kareokediva3/pinkvette.jpg

EWWWWW, That's NASTY!!!!

Buy it drive it and if you don't like it sell it. The other thing is it's alot of fun searching for just the right one. Manual convertible is my choice. I forgot you already have one of those. Manual coupe then.

Better idea...Save your money and put it towards the new Camaro...or dare i say the new Challenger!

Took the wide out to Chili's for some fajitas and margeuritas for dinner, afterwards she took a drive thru the local chevy dealers parking lot. They didn't have any C4's, but I think she's warming up to the idea.

hmmm, interesting... she says if I bought one with an automatic, she would drive it sometimes.
Not sure where I should go with that?

I had a 91 my wife really liked it.She drove it to work a few times.We liked to go out on the weekends in it.Makes you feel young again.

hmmm, interesting... she says if I bought one with an automatic, she would drive it sometimes.
Not sure where I should go with that?
The auto is more convenient as a daily driver, but the stick is still more fun.;) On the other hand you really should learn to share.:( At least with the woman that looks the other way on the rest of your toys.:p

ok, it appears this is gonna happen.

Anyone out there know of anyone selling an LT1 C4, lemme know.
Here's what I'm looking for:
94, 95, or 96 only, prefer 96.

#1 polo green / blk #2 Polo Green / Tan #3 blk / gray or tan #4 Silver / blk
Absolutely NO red interiors.
LT1 / automatic, as many options as possible, power leather sport seats, cd, bose, automatic climate control, etc.
Mileage doesn't matter, condition does.

Help me find a car, guys!!!

oh, and don't forget the right price. With high mileage C5's below 20k now, there isn't a C4 on the planet worth more than 15k.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1996-Corvette-w-Rare-Grand-Sport-Option-and-Custom-DVD_W0QQitemZ160032355559QQihZ006QQcategoryZ6168QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Yeah, Jim needs something to make him feel young... :p
I had a 91 my wife really liked it.She drove it to work a few times.We liked to go out on the weekends in it.Makes you feel young again.

You should buy a zero year old vette! :hurray:

jim....have you found your car yet? Might want to take a look at this one, it's right in your backyard.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1996-CORVETTE-CONVERTIBLE_W0QQitemZ120039829355QQihZ002QQcategor yZ6168QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

sean

Jim PM me if your still looking. I ran into guy local here that buys and sells vetts. I can give him your number if you want?

Joe

that vert is pretty, buzz.... close by, too. I shoulda bought something the first day i thought of it... now the wife says i can't spend the money.... we'll see, been a slow summer but getting busier at work now

I have driven a few vettes including a couple of 94-95s. For the price I can think of a lot of better cars out there. My DD is split between a 96 Trans Am and an 88 Monte SS(Sunny days and only has 46k). I like the power of the LT-1 and it gets 20 mpg most of the time. But I like the ride and quiet interior of the Monte. I have thought of an LT-1 upgrade for the Monte but it is too original and nice to hack into. Comparing both to the vettes I have driven, I don't think they arew worth the extra coin at all. I haven't driven a newer vette yet and I hear they are better. The mid 90's are not that great of a car.