Is C5 really a daily driver

[Lanzz]

Hi all - this is my first post after lurking here for months.

I am seriously considering purchasing a new or slightly used C5, but I continue to waffle as to whether I can really drive the thing every day.

I live in NYC, and it is a pretty hostile place for a car like that. I currently drive a Camaro SS, and it has held up pretty well for almost two years.

Can anyone give me a realistic picture of 1) tire wear 2) driver's seat wear 3) does anyone live with a 6 spd every day 4) am I nuts for wanting to do this?

Thanks guys and gals...

Ed

 

[Mr.Cool]

Lanzz

It's been a long time since I've driven in that city and I can only imagine that it's gotten worse. But if your comfortable driving your Camaro there I don't see why the C5 would be any problem. My car is a six speed and I really love it but in that kind of city traffic I think it would get old really quick. As for wear mine is holding up just fine. I think your going to love that car.

Tom

 

[Jeffs99C5]

I have a 99 c5 six speed that I have driven daily since MAy 2002. So far I have put 16K on it. It had 35K when I bought it.

The car is a blast. I purchased neoprene seat covers from RKO Sport to prevent premature wear.

I now live in NC and have no problem in the weather down here. However, I moved down from NH last year and by no means would consider driving the Vette in the Northeast winter weather. If I was in stop/go traffic all of the time I might consider an automatic (I know they seem sacreligious).

Hope you get a vette...

 

[wrrvette]

Lanzz,
Bot mine new in May of 2000 and is my daily driver. Lots of traffic here in Chicago also but I have an A4. No seat wear but I just ordered Wet Okole seat covers. I've got 74000 miles on her and love the drive to and back from work every day. My advice is to go for it. Life is too short to drink cheap wine.

 

[singledad_9]

The C5 clutch is not too heavy and driving it in traffic is not bad. I owned a Jensen that had a much heavier clutch and drove that in DC rush hour traffic, though. The C5 is very manageable but I would recommend the Cags kit to avoid the 2nd to 4th lockout.

Now my problem that I have with driving my C5 is where to park it. Normally I park mine where I can minimize the potential for door strikes. When possible, it's parked in a garage at work and it is always covered when parked. The problem you will have is where to park it.

Also the C5 has really great legs, driving it in NYC, you will not be able to use even a small percent of its capabilities. It's kind of like owning a low rider SUV. Sure it probably looks cool, but why would any one do it.

Finally, the C5 attracts attention. In NYC, the last thing you want to do is attract attention. There are people there that do not respect what people have and it might be vandalized.

Just my .02

Good luck

Mike

 

[Joe Vette]

My "02" is my 2nd Vette, the first being a 99 Hardtop and I drive to NYC everyday from Queens. Both cars are 6 speeds. I had the issue with the seats wearing on the 99 and some of the other common issues with the earlier C5's. I park in a garage at home and on 34th St. across from my office. I have never had a problem with anyone messing with my car. As a matter of fact I seem to get more respect from other drivers. Cars stopping to let me pull in and out of the garage merging onto 34th. Maybe they
just want to get a better look. Of course when I need to park on the street you got to be carefull. The same as in any other city.
The bottom line being depending where in NYC you are traveling to and your parking options, the Vette is no worse than any other new or valued car IMHO.
Just have fun and don't drive in the snow. I learned that lesson the hard way, $3,800 hard.

 

[Tom Kearns]

C5 is a daily driver

Just got a 2003 auto and it is a daily driver. Prior car was a 98 C5 Indy Pace Car, 6 speed, ALSO a daily driver. Can't speak to NYC but I drive in Kansas City daily. Had 78,500 miles on the Pace Car. Did replace the drivers side skins on the seat cover as it was showing signs of wear. Got 20,000 on the Goodyears and switched to Firestones. Got 50,000 on the first set then around 10,000 on the second set when I sold the car. Stones were much better in the wet and snow. As long as the snow was 4" or less. Over 4, I parked the car, and took mama's. GO FOR IT ! It's all about DRIVING the car.

 

[DRTH VTR]

DAILY DRIVER

I have a '97 A4 that is my daily driver. The only problems that I have are the occasional snowstorm and road grit paint damage. Driving in the city might be more difficult, but somebody has to make the sacrifice!

 

[c4ever]

Maybe I'm gun shy, but living and working in Manhattan for a good part of my life, I think you're crazy. Whether garaged or not makes no difference to me. The stories I could tell if I had the time. Not to mention the road conditions and filth.
My advice ,
Buy a commuter car, (better yet take the Iron Horse or Subway) unless you've got a lot of money to throw around. It was costing about $200 a month a couple of years ago just for my garage space, and that was down in Chelsea! Just not worth driving it.
IMHO of course

Carlo

 

[Left Lane]

Lanzz: I am a daily C5 driver with 6-speed and love it. I also have the 3-stage ride control which I use frequently. I live in the Pacific Northwest (Portland, OR) area so in terms of ruff roads, rain, sleet, snow, bendy and twisty roads, bad drivers and the such, I go through it daily. Now, I've never driven my C5 in the snow but that's just because it hasn't snowed here yet (this year). People talk about ruff rides - well, this isn't meant as a diss to all of you Mustang owners, but the currnet Mustang has a much ruffer ride than my C5.

I have an option of a second car but why would I want to drive it around when I have a perfectly good, new, beautiful C5 sitting at home? I look at it like this - I paid upwards of $53K for it, I'm gonna use it! I take care it like a mad man, but I'm still going to use it.

I figure if you just practice some good common sense, take care of the car and enjoy it, then do it. If you are worried about the car too much to where it gives you ulcers whenever a mini-van parks next to it and you see 8 kids pile out with extra long hockey sticks and sharp, poky ice skates (who wouldn't?!), maybe you'll want to drive another car on a regular basis and keep the C5 for weekends or days when you just can't stand it any longer.

Like Joe Vette said, I've also experienced the "Leave the Corvette alone" phenomenon. People tend to not mess with you. It's strange. One person told me out of respect for the car... yadda yadda.

As far as the seats go - I haven't seen any wear and tear on them. The leather seating surface looks good and the fabric part that rubs on the trany tube looks good, too.

Hope this helps.

 

[Lanzz]

Thanks for the input all.

 

[Tomrw]

I drive my 2000 C5 rain or shine. It has 25K miles. I work out of an office in my house, so the commuting distance is short. Frankly, if I had to drive 100 miles each way, I'd still have a Vette.
Tom

 

[CKA_Racing]

The car will do just fine. My biggest concern would be the fact that the vette is more of a target than the camaro. Especially you being in NYC, I would be very careful where you park it.
So if you can live with finding the car keyed or worse one day, it will do just fine.

 

[vetu4ya]

Getting caught with the C5s horses and 4 sleds (tires) in snow is no fun at all. Happened to me a few times in my C4. If you don't slide into someone, someone will, more than likely, slide into you. My C5 sits in the garage until the snow is gone for sure.

 

[okieracing]

My wife drives our 02 C5 as a daily driver to work. And I have taken it to work quite a few times (105 miles one way to work) It does great. I drive a lot in heavy stop and go traffic and your leg will get real tired of pushing the clutch in. Suggest an automatic in a lot of stop and go traffic. Will save the leg.:crazy

okieracing

 

[johnl]

I've driven my 97 C5 6sp 120,000 miles daily. I have a 200mi/day commute. I live 1/2 way between 2 offices I have to visit. One takes me across the Bay Bridge. Waiting for the toll booth can be a pain, but I wouldn't trade my m6 for an auto. I like to "drive the car". I've used up a set of F1's in as little as 15,000 mi and pushed one set to 45,000 miles. It's all in how you treat them.
If you are going to spend a lot of tiime in your car you might as well be comfortable.

 

[okieracing]

Hey Johnl

Welcome to the I know how that traffic is that you are in. I work in San Fran. I make that drive from the valley. I went to nights so I wouldn't have to fight all that traffic. I love when I take the Vette to work and race Trans Am's over the San Mateo Bridge.:L Well John Have a good one and have fun.

okieracing

 

[TODD L GRIFFITH]

C5 in all weather

If it is snowing, I rather drive my Silverado, but I've had the C5 out there only after the snow has fallen. I sometimes have trouble getting the C5 out of the driveway, poor traction, even with traction control. It doesn't like ice. There are some nice days during the winter when I drive it. I hate to leave it at home when the sun is shining.