Allow SO or spouse to drive your vette alone?

[04cmnthru]

Absolutely and without restriction. There is no question that the Vette is mine. And she has driven it several times in the last 2 years. However, she clearly prefers to ride. Its almost (and this is unintended) as if the the ability to drive it anytime puts "pressure" on her so she would rather enjoy the ride.

 

[Bounty Hunter 6]

I let my wife drive mine all the time. I usually TRY to get her to take it out. I know how exciting it is to drive it, and I guess I want her to feel that every once in a while too. I especially like when she takes it after I've got it all clean and polished. Unless she's going to the grocery store, I try to insist. She's been driving sporty cars her whole life, so I don't worry about it. Plus, if she damages any part of it, it's just an excuse to get the tigershark kit!

 

[GEH737]

This has become a real problem for my wife and I. We've been married for five years and I traded in my '95 Convertible for one of the very last '04 CE Convertibles built. It had a sticker price of $59K (I paid much less) and it's my fourth 'Vette, but first brand new one. It only has 2,500 miles on it, and of course I baby it - and plan to keep it as long as possible. Due to a change in financial circumstances, I may never be able to purchase something so extravagant again. I paid for the car 100%, and I realize I'm obsessive about it. My wife says "It's just a car..." that drives me crazy, and she can't figure out why I don't want to drive it in the rain, or that I need to park far away from everyone else. I know I want to keep the car as "new" and as "special" for as long as possible. When I drive it, I treat it like the special vehicle it is. My wife has never abused anything, but has had three cars totaled (seriously, none were her fault). It's the attitude that bothers me. I know that if she doesn't feel it's special, she won't treat it that way (how do you treat a rental car?) Then, if something were to happen, I'd always wonder if it was because of a cavalier attitude towards it. Is it wrong to wait 30 years to get something like this, and want it to be well taken care of??? I'm really curious as to what you think.

 

[MsSchroder]

Is it wrong to wait 30 years to get something like this, and want it to be well taken care of??? I'm really curious as to what you think.

No, it is not wrong. I think you will find agreement on a vast majority of the members here.
One day, she may find something as valuable to her. The day that happens, you should sit her down and ask her to think about that- and think about how it is for you and the vette.

If you are considering letting someone drive it who does not have the same love, admiration, respect for it... you should stop yourself (and them) right there. Because if something were to happen, you would always feel that little twinge of blame.


Tammy

 

[jimmie jam]

This is an easy one

well, lets see..... MY car, um..... ME drive. this is very easy, get your own to drive!!!!! :crazy simple!

 

[TheAnarkist]

In general I never let anyone drive my cars but me.

As for my wife, she doe not drive and has no intention of learning! Yet she has more common sense and knowledge about it then 99% of the people I know that DO drive!

Now I have yet to aquire a Vette. But if I did, would I let her drive it? I doubt it. It has nothing to do with trusting her. it's just if I had one it's be a "special" car. "mine".

It's more of a matter of trusting NO ONE rather than trusting her. It only takes one moment for another driver to "ruin" the day and I know she'd never forgive herself. I would. But she'd blame herself so I wouldn't put her in that position.


IF I were to let my wife drive my Vette (after actually GETTING one!!LOL), it would only be after making sure she could actually DRIVE!! Maybe even as far as high performance driving school.

But then again, she sees a car as "a car". LOL.

My daughters on the other hand...........

Basically my point is that if you don't trust someone enough to let them drive it. That is your perogative. I don't think it means you can't trust them enough to marry as that has nothing to do with how someone drives/treats a vehicle. If the vehicle is special to you, than by all means, keep it "yours"!!

Good luck and much success.

 

[schmaltzr]

Hello,

Do you allow your spouse or significant other to drive your vette alone?

I have been a Corvette lover since the age of 2. Really!!!!!! I owned a 93 that I had to share. When I became single, I purchased my current 2000 coupe. My current boyfriend helped me check the vehicle out. We live together and I contribute financially. I have let him drive the vette 3 times and I am in the car. I have been vocal about it being my car and he has his own Monte Carlo. He likes vettes but his taste is more for 78 Silver Anniversary. I have had somewhat heated discussions about not allowing him to drive my car alone. His family jokes repeatedly with me about not letting him drive by himself. Everyone wants to drive it. I enjoy driving the vette. Please give me feedback and what other owners do.

Denise

Okay, I had my very first new car I ever owned when my wife and I got married. She didn't know how to drive a stick shift, so I let her try it once. It was a disaster and I didn't want the marriage to have any conflict over a hunk of metal. I sold the car to help prevent any friction and I kept my pickup truck. 17 years later I got my first 'Vette, it too is a stick shift and my wife hasn't learned how to drive a stick shift. The answer is, marriage is different from being a boy friend. It comes with some definite privledges, expectations and responsibilities. If my wife really wanted to drive the 'Vette, she has every right to do it without me.id She paid for it too! She also knows that if it were damaged I would be really upset but I would get over it becuase she is more imprtant that the car by a long shot. No, If your boyfriend wants to drive a 'Vette, he needs to either buy one himself or marry into one. Until then, do what you are comfortable with. He should also know that if he wrecks it, it could be the end of the relationship as he knows it.

My two cents, - Ron

 

[schmaltzr]

Elaine,

Have you each actually driven each others vette?

I have had it for 3 years. If we did get married, it is a matter of trust for me. His buddies all tell him to take it out with them. God knows what will happen especially if drinking and driving which I am totally against. He would probably take care of it but not how I do. Would he let his buddies drive it? I want to be the one to go fast and use it.

Denise

Oh, Denise, After I read this comment, I the answer is definitely NO! The difference between a 'boyfriend' and a grown man who is your husband is that he wouldn't even bring his buddies into the picture. If he wants to drive it while you're in the car, I can see that. If you think that there is even a remote possibility that he would consider letting one of his 'buddies' drive it afer he knows how you feel about anybody else driving it, you would be better off finding a new boyfirend. He's not serious unless he puts your concerns first and stops listening to his 'buddies'. It already sounds like you're 'Vette is more machine than your boyfriend can handle.

My wife was concerned about letting anybody else drive my 'Vette, but understood when I let them take it for a spin with me in the car with them. You might also look at your insurance. My insurance company is extremely picky about what cars I drive and had to get an underwriter to approve the 'Vette. Your boyfriends insurance company (or his Buddies insurance company if they were allowed behind the wheel) may not cover 'Exotics' in their policy. This may be especially true if he has had any driving incidents with the Police. - Ron

 

[schmaltzr]

OK this should ruffle some feathers here

As a man I would never hesitate to allow a women to drive my cars. I purchased a C5 vette for my wifes birthday and motherday present in may of 02. She drives it better and safer then me. We have a baby sitter and she has been with us since my kids were born.She just got married 2 week end ago and she has permision to use any of my cars while we are away on vacation. I have NO fear of allowing a women to drive my cars.

But as for alowing a man/male to drive my cars I am very carefull,Men just cant help themselfs from trying to push a car up to it limits just to see what it can do weather or not they have the exspereance to control it or not.

I just finished building a 62 tube frame car that has an automatic in it so the wife can drive it.Its taken her quite a bit to get used to,including spinning the car around 180 degrees in a sweeping turn because the trans shifts too hard, But I know she will never push this car past her comfort zone. Where as a man always will.

Denise not allowing her "S0" to drive her car alone has nothing to do with trust,or not building a good relationship.I think its smart.

I dont know him But I do know myself and any time I get in a fast car I have no control over myself I just have to see what the car can do.And the only way for me to do it is to bring the car to its edge.

So you cant get any more honest then this.I vote would be to just say NO.


PS I would not allow him to drive the car till you get married,A women gota save something for the wedding night

Okay, I'm with you on the part of a man being more prone to drive the machine to the edge more quickly. I scared my wife the first time I took a 'Vette for a test drive. Though, my wife is one of those people who take 3 right turns to avoid taking a left turn out of a parking lot. She doesn't like to drive the freeways. I got passed by a van full of teen-agers on Vancouver Island B.C. becuase she wouldn't let me go over the speed limit. I even set the speedometer on KPH so that it would register lower so I could enjoy the drive a little. She panics when I legally pass someone at a reasonable speed. Over caution is sometimes more dangerous than not being cautious enough. I used to drive a motorcycle. Of all the things it taught me was how to predict what may happen in the next 10 seconds, position myself for an emergency 'out' and to leave plenty of room to manuver regardless of if I am waiting in traffic or moving at 100 mph. I really think there isn't any rule about women being better drivers than men or visa versa, it's really about the individual and if their blond or not

 

[Dakota kid]

Must self-respecting men will respect another’s property. A real Man will not push envelope on someone’s car unless that person gives you the Ok.

They ones that do, are nothing more then Boys that are adults that have not grown up yet.

If the person is respectful I don’t see any problem. You cant group a whole in to the same category.

 

[KANE]

Do you allow your spouse or significant other to drive your vette alone?

Yes.

However, SHE IS TERRIFIED OF DRIVING THE CAR!

Seriously, she won't drive it unless she has to. She is affraid she'll be in an accident, or the car will get scratched, or something else bad will happen!

 

[road_racefan]

I would have no problem with my girlfriend driving my car. When I bought the 2001, she got to test drive it too.

However, this is a woman who had a 63 Split windown, and an Jaguar e type.

 

[Roadster Fan]

Tammy has driven my vette.......ok, ok, if you ask her, it's really her's, as it has her name beneath the right front fender....thanks to her uncle in the BG plant :eyerole

But that was before I gave her a heart transplant :naughty: Tammy's driven her once since. And once was enough. She's scared of her now :L

I can understand those that don't want others to drive their vette. As for me.....I used to let anyone who wanted to (and could drive a stick) drive it. Now....nobody other than Tammy has driven her. Too easy to get into trouble with it.

Brett

 

[VetteramI]

She can drive anything, anywhere or anytime. Heck I tell her to take one of the vettes when she goes off to work. She loves'em and her passion for them is no less than mine.

 

[ROADAPPLE]

Do you allow your spouse or significant other to drive your vette alone?

Ive heard she usually takes her boyfriend with her.

 

[BruceBed]

My wife won't go near it. I'd let her take it anywhere/anytime. She finds it to be "uncomfortable" and a guy thing. I love to take her out for a drive and she doesn't even like that. I know she would never want to drive it. She thinks I"m too emotionally attached. I would never put my car before my wife, but she thinks otherwise.

 

[67HEAVEN]

I forgot an episode from way back in 1983. We went to a convention in Hartford, hosted by Corvettes Limited of Connecticut.

Great weekend, but I ended up with the flu by the end. It was a 10-hour drive home, and we had to be to work the next morning, so........Mrs. Heaven was nominated to drive the car, while I moaned in the passenger seat. By the way, she doesn't drive a stick-shift, so it got very interesting real soon.

Anyway, about 25 miles was all it took to freak me out completely. I figured if I was gonna die, I'd rather do it behind the wheel, so I took over and we limped home.

After several stops along the way, to empty out "both" ends, I ended up at home curled up around the toilet for the night.

Did I get to work in the morning? otfl Yeah, right!

Has she driven it since?

 

[RodsnRides]

If you are considering letting someone drive it who does not have the same love, admiration, respect for it... you should stop yourself (and them) right there. Because if something were to happen, you would always feel that little twinge of blame.

I'm with you, Tammy. And, Patrick-I agree with what you have to say. Fortunately, I am blessed with a lovely wife who shares my passion for fun vehicles-including motorcycles and trucks. Heck, I gave her an '86 Z-28 Camaro (350, 5-speed, posi) for Valentine's Day. This, so she wouldn't put a lot of miles on her '98 Silverado Z-71 Plus, it bought me some time having to finish HER '67 GTO...

I have let my wife drive my 'Vette. She loved it-especially doing 90 MPH over Lookout Pass in Montana. She has driven it herself once-to get some key copies made. I would let her drive anything I own-she is good at it, conscientious and more careful than I am.

The only other person I have let drive my vehicles is my father-I wanted him to experience the Corvette thrill as well. He is also very careful-I offered him to "stretch her legs" and he still only went 70. But he was right there next to me when we used a GPS to calibrate the speedo in my '70 Chevelle 383 wagon (along with Mom and wife) when we rocked that puppy all the way to 100 MPH. Again, this is Montana, daylight, familiar roads, no drinking. I'm not stupid.... BTW, the wagon's got the full Hotchkiss suspension upgrade (F/R) and awesome SSBC brakes.

That said, I am generally not comfortable letting others drive my vehicles. I know what I have, what it needs, the brakes, steering, etc. Others are not familiar, and may not "get" the fact that some of my cars don't have power steering, power brakes, have 4-wheel drum brakes, etc. People I know, and I know their skills-perhaps. It definitely will depend on the vehicle.

Reading your post, Denise, his background, his brothers and his "buddies"-I have to say NO, sorry-get your own toy.

Rick

 

[trochred99]

Yea, my wife drives it about once every 6 months........and it scares the hell out of me........

 

[JBsC5]

I tried to give my wife my mint low mileage 1999 C5 coupe with an automatic when I went to buy a M12 Z06..(she can't drive a stick and doesn't want to learn)

She didn't want it. I tried to give my wife a brand new C6 A6 coupe and she didn't want it.

My wife doesn't like to drive in the Z06 as a passenger either....

So to answer your question...No my wife doesn't drive my car...

I might get her ? a Solstice turbo with an automatic as she has shown some interest in that car. (solstice but the turbo is my idea! )

Should be about 30 grand and if shes nice I'll get it for her. If shes a pia then I'll step back and I'm sure she'll continue with some SUV ...

An extra bonus would be it would be such an afront to her PIA parents who think sports cars are selfish vehicles...! :lol: but we'll see...

Depends on what my wife wants...

I'll probably still keep a small crossover vehicle around for snow days..

I'm hoping GM has something interesting in this category thats similiar to the FX35 but less expensive...