How has Having a Vette Changed Your Life?
04-16-2014, 11:59 AM
#21
Instructor
Member Since: Oct 2013
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I'm a first time Vette owner. Have had my beloved 2012 base coupe now since fall, 2013. I am ridiculously smitten. I have NEVER loved a car before this one.
I spend a significant portion of my weekdays commuting. After decades of a long commute for the ability to live in country and keep a high tech job, last handful of commute years had become overly tedious. I figured - I either had to move closer to my work (and didn't want to give up our ranch) or drive something that made the commute seem shorter.
Mission accomplished. I cannot wait to get into that car in the mornings to drive to work, and cannot wait to get out of work to drive home. Often when I'm almost home, I do another "lap" around the block as I don't want to get out.
And DETAILING! Drive her everyday, and when it's not raining, she is immaculate every day. I just can't seal and wax enough. Every morning starts with the CA duster, a little detail spray, and washing all windows. Prior cars were lucky if they EVER saw wax. Weekends are for the serious preening.
And finally, I swear she's taken 10 years off my life. Just don't know how to describe this one, probably the most significant. I just seem to have more "pep" in my step. All the time.
Interested to know if others have had their quality of life changed, for the better (not like, yeah - I'm struggling to make payments, or no it's just a car!), having a Vette.
I spend a significant portion of my weekdays commuting. After decades of a long commute for the ability to live in country and keep a high tech job, last handful of commute years had become overly tedious. I figured - I either had to move closer to my work (and didn't want to give up our ranch) or drive something that made the commute seem shorter.
Mission accomplished. I cannot wait to get into that car in the mornings to drive to work, and cannot wait to get out of work to drive home. Often when I'm almost home, I do another "lap" around the block as I don't want to get out.
And DETAILING! Drive her everyday, and when it's not raining, she is immaculate every day. I just can't seal and wax enough. Every morning starts with the CA duster, a little detail spray, and washing all windows. Prior cars were lucky if they EVER saw wax. Weekends are for the serious preening.
And finally, I swear she's taken 10 years off my life. Just don't know how to describe this one, probably the most significant. I just seem to have more "pep" in my step. All the time.
Interested to know if others have had their quality of life changed, for the better (not like, yeah - I'm struggling to make payments, or no it's just a car!), having a Vette.
04-16-2014, 01:14 PM
#23
Safety Car
My experience might be a bit different than others. My first car was a 1968 Camaro 327, 4sp. It is now totally restored and goes to shows. It has 204K on it. It is in my garage and only goes to car shows on weekends with no clouds in the sky. 
I had a period of family cars. Then most of the 4 children were gone to college or married.
So I got a 87 Buick GN (in 1992) for 5 years as my DD. Louisville, KY had a VET (vehicle emissions test) and that GN could never pass the test. I sold it and ordered a 97 Camaro Z-28 6 sp as my DD. I had it until I sold it in 2003 rather than trade it in on the new Vette.
In 2003 I retired from the school system. They bought out my sick days which allowed me to ordered a 2003 corvette 6 sp. It was my DD for about a year then I got a Ford Ranger as a DD. The corvette forum made me think I was to polish, wax, clean, look at, but not really drive a corvette.
In 2013 I ordered a new Vette 6 sp. I traded my 03 (52K miles in 10 years) in on the new one. When we put the 2 together out from of the dealer for a pic, my 03 out shined the 13. I then decided I planned to drive this new one. I am 70 and why give a perfectly good undriven Vette to the children. I drive it a lot more, but I still keep it really clean and shinny.
My current opinion is that the car is made to drive and enjoy!!!
I had a period of family cars. Then most of the 4 children were gone to college or married.
So I got a 87 Buick GN (in 1992) for 5 years as my DD. Louisville, KY had a VET (vehicle emissions test) and that GN could never pass the test. I sold it and ordered a 97 Camaro Z-28 6 sp as my DD. I had it until I sold it in 2003 rather than trade it in on the new Vette.
In 2003 I retired from the school system. They bought out my sick days which allowed me to ordered a 2003 corvette 6 sp. It was my DD for about a year then I got a Ford Ranger as a DD. The corvette forum made me think I was to polish, wax, clean, look at, but not really drive a corvette.
In 2013 I ordered a new Vette 6 sp. I traded my 03 (52K miles in 10 years) in on the new one. When we put the 2 together out from of the dealer for a pic, my 03 out shined the 13. I then decided I planned to drive this new one. I am 70 and why give a perfectly good undriven Vette to the children. I drive it a lot more, but I still keep it really clean and shinny.
My current opinion is that the car is made to drive and enjoy!!!
04-16-2014, 01:19 PM
#24
Team Owner
It caused me to buy a 12-ga. shotgun because my first Vette didn't have a burglar alarm on it, but it got stolen anyway.
I've owned 6 Vettes since then, but I still have the shotgun.
That's about it.
I've owned 6 Vettes since then, but I still have the shotgun.
That's about it.
04-16-2014, 01:21 PM
#25
Team Owner
I have noticed that any friends that I haven't seen for a while will ask "How's the Vette?"...they have never asked about any other car I have owned...
04-16-2014, 01:57 PM
#28
Race Director
Member Since: Feb 2011
Location: Cold Hell, Minnesota...for now
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St. Jude Donor '15-'16-'17-‘18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Its hogging up all the extra space in my garage. 
All of my motorcycles are like..."what the hell?"
All of my motorcycles are like..."what the hell?"
04-16-2014, 02:02 PM
#29
Instructor
04-16-2014, 02:34 PM
#31
Safety Car
I've never looked for a place/road/etc where I can do 150mph safely. I am looking for it now. This is my 2nd full summer with my C6 convertible.It is my 1st corvette. I have wanted one all my life. This car has exceeded all my expectations.
Ive met some great people. I've driven more back roads, applied more coats of wax then I have previously. I rode a motorcycle for 20-25 yrs and had a great time on 2 wheels. I went without a toy for about 10 yrs before I bought the Corvette. The convertible allows for a similar experience to the motorcycle. And I can put the top up when I see the black clouds. Riding in rain is no fun with the Vette. But it really sucks on a bike. And people seem to see the yellow Vette whereas the bike had a certain amount of invisibility to some.
I really enjoyed my bike riding time. But I am enjoying the Vette just as much as the bike. and my wife says she likes riding beside me more than behind me.
Ive met some great people. I've driven more back roads, applied more coats of wax then I have previously. I rode a motorcycle for 20-25 yrs and had a great time on 2 wheels. I went without a toy for about 10 yrs before I bought the Corvette. The convertible allows for a similar experience to the motorcycle. And I can put the top up when I see the black clouds. Riding in rain is no fun with the Vette. But it really sucks on a bike. And people seem to see the yellow Vette whereas the bike had a certain amount of invisibility to some.
I really enjoyed my bike riding time. But I am enjoying the Vette just as much as the bike. and my wife says she likes riding beside me more than behind me.
04-16-2014, 03:27 PM
#32
Melting Slicks
Not one iota. To me it is a car, a fine car, but that's it. I do not lust over owing one [my 8th] nor do I think others should. It is just something money can buy, it is not a dream or anything to wet dream about. I keep mine clean and shining but I do not revere it nor does it do anything to my life. Revering a car sounds rather odd in that it is just an inanimate object.
04-16-2014, 03:32 PM
#33
Safety Car
I met many new people as a result of Vette ownership….most are very nice. Of course there are a few "a-holes" in the mix but overall Vette people are cool.
04-16-2014, 04:01 PM
#34
My Vette has brought me plenty of Happiness when going through a very tough time in my life. The last year has been brutal but when I see my Vette in the garage or am detailing her like the OP does, it really takes my mind off the troubling times and bring some joy to the day. Just looking at her clean, brings a smile to my face.
04-16-2014, 04:25 PM
#39
Pro
