**PICS** It's Meant to DRIVE!!

[Bounty Hunter 6]

You can back it up, wash and wax it, pull it back in the garage and cover it up all you want....what a WASTE I SAY!!! (but thank-you, because it makes it enjoyable to buy your car in a couple of years with such low miles!!

)

This is my daily driver....and it's STILL my Pewter Princess...my BABY! I've driven 13,000 miles on it in the past 6 months, to include a trip to Colorado Springs and Clarksville, Tennessee. Do I love my Vette any less?? Heck no!!

I still park away from other people, OR next to really nice cars. I still have to turn around every time I walk away from it at LEAST 3 times to see how beautiful it is. I still peek in the garage sometimes to "make sure the garage door is closed, honey" to just catch a glimpse of it again without getting the "look" eyerole ) from the missus.

It just takes a little loving care...a clay bar now and again, a wash on the weekends, with a coat of NXT (or whatever you may use

) and a coat or two of Carnuba now and again.

It sees rain...that's right people!!! RAIN, the WET STUFF!!

It hasn't melted yet, honest. I know it sounds unbelievable to some of you! If I never drove it in the rain, I wouldn't spend so much on tires, I would just get some slicks to zoom around town.

Different strokes for different folks I guess, and that's all good. It's like family here, and I love this forum. So with that, and without further adieu, I'll post my pictures!! Godspeed and have a great weekend

 

[ZZRider]

Nice pics, thanks for sharing.

I too am a driver, but can't during most of our winter months where I live. When I drive her, I drive her like I think she's meant to be driven. I can't remember the last day I've driven and not seen 100+.

89,000+ on my nicely modded 99. Your vette looks much nicer than mine though.

Have a great day.

 

[Patrick]

Nice pics, Glen. And I completely agree- the car is made to be driven and enjoy. If you buy a car and don't drive it unless it's a "perfect" day, pretty soon you'll be finding all sorts of flaws in the weather: too cold, too windy, streets are wet even though it isn't raining, too hot, foggy, "might" rain later, trip has roads with lots of tar patches, there's bugs flying around, etc. Bottom line: if you own a Corvette, why do you need an excuse to drive it?

I love the pic that shows your reflection as you take the picture. My own Z06 is in need a little washing. I have some bug carcasses on the front nose from a little trip I took last weekend that I need to wash off. (Proof that I don't shy away from taking a cruise.)

Be careful with the carnuba wax, though. I attended a detailing workshop a few months ago, and the guy giving the presentation spoke on how caruba wax, because it's naturally yellow, will have a yellowing effect on a car over time. That's why I use zaino (a polish, rather than a wax.) Haven't been disappointed, either.

So, you passed through Colorado Springs recently? I'm guessing Ft. Carson. I hear with the recent re-alignment/closure list, Ft. Carson is about to gain a whole lot of new population.


-Patrick

 

[vett boy]

Good man.You said it right take care of the car but drive for enjoyment.I don't regret putting 15,000 miles per year.When mine goes up for sale next summer i will have enjoyed a total of 45,000 miles and will get a few thousand dollars less than the guy who put 20,000 on his.What a car to drive!

 

[Bounty Hunter 6]

Be careful with the carnuba wax, though. I attended a detailing workshop a few months ago, and the guy giving the presentation spoke on how caruba wax, because it's naturally yellow, will have a yellowing effect on a car over time. That's why I use zaino (a polish, rather than a wax.)

Thanks for the info Patrick, I hadn't heard that! I was using the DuPont Teflon which has Carnuba in it. Eventually I want to use the Klasse stuff for a base coat because it has such a high temperature tolerance and won't burn off. I usually put the carnuba on as a sacrificial layer because it burns off within a week or so in the Texas heat. I will look into the Zaino some more, I've been wanting to try it! Thanks again!

So, you passed through Colorado Springs recently? I'm guessing Ft. Carson. I hear with the recent re-alignment/closure list, Ft. Carson is about to gain a whole lot of new population.

Actually Peterson AFB to visit a friend. We should be moving there this fall with any luck, and I will be one of the few lucky Army guys working on Peterson instead of Carson. Can't wait...beautiful city!! And a great Corvette Club as I've seen online!! Take care sir, have a good weekend!



-Patrick[/QUOTE]

 

[MsSchroder]

Excellent photos! Thanks for posting.
It sounds like the yellow based carnuba won't be a problem for me

Mine is usually "grounded" in the garage, not because she's a "garage princess" but because of my mommy-chauffeur responsiblities... it just doesn't seat 3 . I'm looking forward to the day when I can again spend more time driving and detailing.

Tammy

 

[sweet04]

Great pictures of your baby! My Sweet04 is a daily driver as well, and I have no regrets (although I've heard all the comments :eyerole , I'll take their advice when they start making the payments on her). I do the "triple-take" too when I leave her in the parking deck at work or any other parking lot. I've also gotten up in the middle of the night to "check the garage door".


Best wishes for many more miles of smiles.

 

[BLUBYU]

I guess it depends on why you bought a Corvette in the first place.

I look at the mint, unrestored '67 427 cars with 40K miles on them and drool. Then Icry when I see the price tag ... upwards of 100K. I'm hoping my '03 Z06 which is bone stock, with 5K miles on it, will be my "67 427". I plan to drive it just enough to keep it from falling apart .. I'd guess 2500 miles a year. Hopefully, in 20 years, my car will be a collector piece. I see a lot of Z06 being modded, raced, beat to death ,ect ... which is fine since once all those perish or get cut up beyond recognition, mine will still be bone stock and more in-demand.

You have to admit .. the only thing nicer that a new Vette is an old Vette that looks new!!

 

[jrose7004]

I bought mine to drive!

 

[HotVetteHotBlonde-Wink]

I drive myn daily as well. It just takes alot more cleaning/detailing, and spend more on any small damage done on the roadways (from a-holes that squeeze in front of you with mud all over there vehicles, or rock thrower.). It just cost more to drive it daily. The more its out there the more chance of something occuring. I drive 80 to 100 or more miles a day. Mostly highway. Rush traffic drivers are vicious! And ya, Bounty Hunter6 I always park with several things in mind. I park far away, also where I can check on her if possible through the store window ect. If at a nightclub I check on her couple times an hour write down the make model and plate# to the vehicles in close proximity, just in case, or take a quick digital pic of the cars around me. And I just love to look at her several times while walking away as well. LOL. Know what ya mean, there just so dam good looking!. The other night I went out, and towards the end of the evening all I wanted to do was go drive her on the back roads. Its all I could think of. I really miss her when Im gone for even an hour or two. I even told a guy I met that night out, I really couldnt stay to talk to him anymore cause I wanted to spend time with my car. And it was a great night. Top down/back country roads, cool night air hitting me, but at the same time engine heat coming up from floorboard keeping me warm, stars out, crickets churping, the sound of my engine, the feel of the car around the tight turns. How could you keep that in the garage and only experience that couple times a year when you can all spring summer fall. Yes winter is not as fun, and have to have a second car "when" its heavily icy and snowing. Yes it will be a bear trying to keep her clean in winter if not impossible, but what the hell. But to the people that buy for investment, thats cool to, to each is own. But would like to say one thing, Im learning that I work so long and hard, about to kill myself to buy a nice home and cars, etc, (for money/investment) but I find I dont have the time to enjoy fully what I buy. (to busy making the money to buy it)Thats also the reason I drive her to work and back, etc. Its sometimes the only time I get to enjoy what I worked so hard to get. And your here today but never know when you wont be, so I enjoy what I have now, because again, I may not be here tommarow. And ya cant take it with you when you go. Now that my kids are older,... I buy investment for my kids,... and now, toys for me. They can buy there own toys now. LOL.
Teresa

 

[DoomDriver]

Nice car - - I have one very similar but I notice in your pictures you have colors on the Vette flags in the plastic centre covers of the wheel. Is that aftermarket? - mine are clear???

 

[Bounty Hunter 6]

I bought mine with those, but I've seen them both ways. I believe that they came from the factory this way with the polished alum wheels, but I know that Ecklers, West Coast Corvettes, and many others carry the center caps in various colors and styles.

 

[Chrisr]

Great pics Bounty Hunter 6!!! You hit the nail on the head with your first post. I couldn't agree more with you!!

I drove mine in the rain this past weekend. Nothing a good washing can't take care of!!

I feel bad when I DON'T drive my vette.