I think I'm going to buy a Corvette

[SpatiallyAware]

The stereo knob. Too nobby.

 

[yottabit]

OP - I say get the car and enjoy it.

But, I also recommend you DEFINITELY budget for collision insurance. A corvette is not a pussy cat, it is not a Mazda 3. You are 23, and I'm sure you think you can handle 400hp and RWD better than any other human in your state. Or perhaps you think you'll have restraint and never actually use the 400hp. (Not sure why you'd want to buy it then.) Regardless of your self assessment - it is a formidable car, and you'll lose a substantial amount of $$$ if you get in an accident and don't have collision. So pay for the insurance. If you want, go for a high deductable, and you'll only be out 2k if you have an accident, and not 10k+.

400 HP really isn't a lot for a car that's so well set up for it like a Vette

Please don't lecture me, I know a Corvette is not a Mazda 3

My old project car was a modded XR4Ti that made close to 300 whp and weighed about 2700 lbs, with 195 wide tires (before I upgraded them) if you want to talk about lack of rear grip. And I drove it in the winter on occasion. It was also full of headache electrical gremlins and expensive rare parts, which is why I longed for something simpler someday.

I thought the amount of power that car had was about perfect for a fun street car, and that's honestly part of what brought me to the Vette because it should have almost the same power/weight ratio, and be able to put it down much much better on a much more capable platform

As I mentioned before the car is going to be for weekend driving as well as track days ( I live not far from a drag strip and race track ) and a toy to mod. I don't street race and I'm not planning on really pushing it on the street (at least not unless I know it's safe to do so)

That being said quote the collision and see if it makes sense at the time of purchase. It would be some nice peace of mind

B...b...b...but!! The cheap plastic! The feel! I mean yeah, it's one of the best handling, most competent track cars out there, b-b-bu...the feel! And everyone owns one! Not like those ultra-rare, exclusive EVOs and S2000s! How will I EVER garner the respect of the Fast and the Furious crowd?? Would I EVER be able to wipe my mouth and look up at Jeremy Clarkson again?!?

WON'T SOMEONE PLEASE THINK OF THE CHILDREN!

 

[SpatiallyAware]

400hp isn't really a lot.... famous last words. Dude you need a lecture, that's why you're getting one.


Get collision, it's a $20k sports car and you're 23 years old. If you're as rich as you claim then collision is a no-brainer. If you can't afford collision, then skip your fancy lift and insure the car appropriately or keep your existing ride.

 

[Ferzerp]

Buy what you want if you can afford it, be careful, and stick the folks telling you what to do on ignore. (I guess I just told you what to do... doh).

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Buy what you want if you can afford it, be careful, and stick the folks telling you what to do on ignore. (I guess I just told you what to do... doh).

Get off my lawn!!

 

[KentState]

I somewhat agree with SpatiallyAware about the Corvette interior. I didn't have a problem with the center stack, but details like a hard plastic arm rest just seem out of place. The plastic doors are also horrible and start showing scuff marks after a few days. The leather seats start showing creases after a month and look worn out in no time. The guage cluster also looks circa 1990 and not what I would expect in a modern car. Overall, GM has done a much better job on the interiors of their other cars and the C7 needs some love.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

400hp isn't really a lot.... famous last words. Dude you need a lecture, that's why you're getting one.


Get collision, it's a $20k sports car and you're 23 years old. If you're as rich as you claim then collision is a no-brainer. If you can't afford collision, then skip your fancy lift and insure the car appropriately or keep your existing ride.

Famous last words, I wouldn't drive my old GTI without collision insurance much less a 400hp+ corvette.

lol, not a lot of power. Can we update this thread when the idiot wraps it around a pole trying to get laid?

 

[yottabit]

Wow. Maybe you guys should read my comment in the context of my paragraph

I've been drag racing and driving high HP cars since I was 17, 400 hp really is not a lot in a car that is built to handle it

It's not scary like a 1000 whp turbo cobra that can't get traction on the highway. It's not scary like a 400 whp civic that will burn 3rd and it's not even as scary as my ~275 whp Merkur that had drum brakes in back

What do you think I'm going to do? Floor it around a hairpin turn and be surprised by oversteer? It's not even snappy oversteer like a rear engine car. It's nice and progressive.

I mentioned I'm not going to push it on the street. I street raced when I was younger and learned lessons that will last the rest of my life. I'll open it up here and there if it makes sense and it's safe.

I get calling out a 16 year old kid that has never driven a high performance car before, but in my case I've been around high performance cars for quite a while and a 400 hp, 3200 lb factory LS2 car with 285 rear tires isn't that intimidating.

400 hp would be a lot more scary in a car that wasn't built for it, or an Ariel Atom

Hater's gonna hate

 

[jlee]

Wow. Maybe you guys should read my comment in the context of my paragraph

I've been drag racing and driving high HP cars since I was 17, 400 hp really is not a lot in a car that is built to handle it

It's not scary like a 1000 whp turbo cobra that can't get traction on the highway. It's not scary like a 400 whp civic that will burn 3rd and it's not even as scary as my ~275 whp Merkur that had drum brakes in back

What do you think I'm going to do? Floor it around a hairpin turn and be surprised by oversteer? It's not even snappy oversteer like a rear engine car. It's nice and progressive.

I mentioned I'm not going to push it on the street. I street raced when I was younger and learned lessons that will last the rest of my life. I'll open it up here and there if it makes sense and it's safe.

I get calling out a 16 year old kid that has never driven a high performance car before, but in my case I've been around high performance cars for quite a while and a 400 hp, 3200 lb factory LS2 car with 285 rear tires isn't that intimidating.

400 hp would be a lot more scary in a car that wasn't built for it, or an Ariel Atom

Hater's gonna hate

I was going to say, 400hp isn't that much these days. Sure it's quick, but it's not omgwtfwhathappened. ~633lbs lighter than my CTS-V with much wider tires and a broad power curve - not going to surprise you like..oh, a peaky mid engine turbo car. :hmm:

 

[exdeath]

Wow. Maybe you guys should read my comment in the context of my paragraph

I've been drag racing and driving high HP cars since I was 17, 400 hp really is not a lot in a car that is built to handle it

It's not scary like a 1000 whp turbo cobra that can't get traction on the highway. It's not scary like a 400 whp civic that will burn 3rd and it's not even as scary as my ~275 whp Merkur that had drum brakes in back

What do you think I'm going to do? Floor it around a hairpin turn and be surprised by oversteer? It's not even snappy oversteer like a rear engine car. It's nice and progressive.

I mentioned I'm not going to push it on the street. I street raced when I was younger and learned lessons that will last the rest of my life. I'll open it up here and there if it makes sense and it's safe.

I get calling out a 16 year old kid that has never driven a high performance car before, but in my case I've been around high performance cars for quite a while and a 400 hp, 3200 lb factory LS2 car with 285 rear tires isn't that intimidating.

400 hp would be a lot more scary in a car that wasn't built for it, or an Ariel Atom

Hater's gonna hate

:thumbsup:

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Wow. Maybe you guys should read my comment in the context of my paragraph

I've been drag racing and driving high HP cars since I was 17, 400 hp really is not a lot in a car that is built to handle it

It's not scary like a 1000 whp turbo cobra that can't get traction on the highway. It's not scary like a 400 whp civic that will burn 3rd and it's not even as scary as my ~275 whp Merkur that had drum brakes in back

What do you think I'm going to do? Floor it around a hairpin turn and be surprised by oversteer? It's not even snappy oversteer like a rear engine car. It's nice and progressive.

I mentioned I'm not going to push it on the street. I street raced when I was younger and learned lessons that will last the rest of my life. I'll open it up here and there if it makes sense and it's safe.

I get calling out a 16 year old kid that has never driven a high performance car before, but in my case I've been around high performance cars for quite a while and a 400 hp, 3200 lb factory LS2 car with 285 rear tires isn't that intimidating.

400 hp would be a lot more scary in a car that wasn't built for it, or an Ariel Atom

Hater's gonna hate

As a, um, somewhat crotchety somewhat old man.... I cannot tell you how many times I have firsthand witnessed guys your age saying the EXACT same things.... Very VERY rarely do they make it through the first year without an incident.

No one is saying don't get the car... We're (or I am, at least) saying you're a fucking idiot for not getting collision on a $20k car at 23 years old.

I've been 'drag racing' and driving performance cars since I was 15 and I still would get full coverage on a car like that.

23... not gonna push it on the street.... lol we don't have an appropriate smiley for this.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I was going to say, 400hp isn't that much these days. Sure it's quick, but it's not omgwtfwhathappened. ~633lbs lighter than my CTS-V with much wider tires and a broad power curve - not going to surprise you like..oh, a peaky mid engine turbo car. :hmm:

The issue isn't the power, or rear tire size, or whatever his excuses are.. it's that it is a $20k vehicle in the hands of a 23 year old.


I really don't care if it's a vette or a camry, a $20k vehicle needs to be fully insured unless you have the bankroll to not only buy it - but replace it, in cash.

...And if he had that kind of money he wouldn't be looking at a corvette.

 

[j&j]

400 flywheel in the ls2 with torque management isn't much at all. my ls3 feels slow, so I can't imagine the LS2 stock...

regards to insurance, well that's flat out stupid, don't try to cheap out on insurance like an idiot.

also, the nannies in the vette, if left on, work very well. that being said, it can be dangerous on the stock shit runflats.

 

[exdeath]

The issue isn't the power, or rear tire size, or whatever his excuses are.. it's that it is a $20k vehicle in the hands of a 23 year old.


I really don't care if it's a vette or a camry, a $20k vehicle needs to be fully insured unless you have the bankroll to not only buy it - but replace it, in cash.

...And if he had that kind of money he wouldn't be looking at a corvette.

Lol wtf?

The Kias, Civics, and Camrys most 16 yr olds are driving are $20k new these days. Get off it.

 

[Sulaco]

I've watched this thread, and threads like it, with amusement for awhile, and I usually try and avoid competing in the Special Olympics (read: jumping into internet debates), I have a few minutes to kill, and I'm feeling kinda derpy, so...

I own an '08 C6 Z06. I have put roughly 16,000 miles on it since purchase. I've now had it for over 2 years.

Here's a shot of the interior, after over 2 years of ownership, taken last week at a cruise:

Notice the startling lack of scuffs on door panels, and deteriorated leather seats.

I have no illusions about the interior of the 'Vette. It's...bland. It's...bleak.

Ok.

It's also one of the most visceral and engaging production cars to drive anywhere in the price range, and often beyond. See, that matters to some folks, more...make that A LOT more, than the plushness of the dash and the Feng Shui of the buttons. If it doesn't to you, that's fine. More power to you. But do not pretend that that somehow translates to other nebulous, generic, undefinable criticisms elsewhere about the car.

"It has a stereotype"-- Ok, Kimberly. Please tell us what that is, before 3rd period starts. I mean, really? Are we in highscool? Basically any high performance sports car. What's that they say about Porsches and Porcupines? Are you ok with having people think THAT when you drive a 911 or Cayman?

"It's not exclusive enough"--See above. But in my neck of the woods, I see as many high end marques (specifically Porsches, BMWs, and Audis) as Z06s. Heck, even regular C6s aren't as prevalent as Z4s and Boxsters.

It's not being butthurt, it's countering hearsay and ignorance, of which the internet has no short supply, with knowledge and experience.
Jeremy Clarkson very famously said you could never daily drive the Z06, or even drive it on public roads. It was too harsh, too jarring, too unrefined. That statement, and ones from other entert...I mean journalists, is latched on to by the ignorant and parroted like a nursery rhyme in a kindergarten.
I've driven it on Ohio public roads for the past 2 years, and a nice long roadtrip across wonderful American interstates. On other automotive forums I visit, I'll have people lecture me at length, before knowing I own one, of how the Z06 will shatter your spine, abort fetuses, and smash atoms if driven over anything but smooth as glass pavement on a track.

One can imagine how tiring this gets when you know it's all (or most of it) is rubbish. If you're after more refinement, more luxury, and yes, even more prestige, I have no problem with that. More power to you. I can totally understand that and there are plenty of cars that do those things better.
But I've never felt the need to make up non-existent or barely existent issues to bring the overall worth of a car down. Even in cars I had no desire to own.

 

[exdeath]

But but but you don't have blue gauges and swiveling back lit cup holders!!

And if I kick your door in, the panel buckles. How cheap is that?

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Lol wtf?

The Kias, Civics, and Camrys most 16 yr olds are driving are $20k new these days. Get off it.

Ok so what? My issue isn't the type of car it's the cost of the car combined with his age.

 

[yottabit]

The issue isn't the power, or rear tire size, or whatever his excuses are.. it's that it is a $20k vehicle in the hands of a 23 year old.


I really don't care if it's a vette or a camry, a $20k vehicle needs to be fully insured unless you have the bankroll to not only buy it - but replace it, in cash.

...And if he had that kind of money he wouldn't be looking at a corvette.

My point is I don't need to have the cash to replace it because it's a TOY

It's not like if it's out of commission I'm suddenly out of a mode of transportation. It just means I won't be going for a Sunday drive that weekend

I most likely will fully insure it but I don't like the idea of having long term liability (big monthly payments forever) on a toy. I'd rather keep those on things more important like retirement, my primary vehicle, house etc.

It all depends on how much it costs like I said. If it's 100 a month or less I'm sure I'll pay it. But if it's jacked up because kids my age crash Corvettes I might take my chances.

People gamble 20k away at casinos and blow it eating out at restaurants over a couple of years, I can't believe you think it's so stupid that I'd be willing to take a risk on 20k that I don't need in any way shape or form, with the potential benefit being saving money in the long haul. Everyone that trades has no insurance on whether or not their 20k is going to increase or decrease in value but they do it anyway. In my case I stand to gain at least 10k over 10 years if I DON'T get in an accident. To me paying an extra $80 a month is like adding 10k to the price of the car over 10 yrs, because I foresee driving it a long time.

There's a reason insurance companies make money. I may be a little radical in these areas but just chalk that up to my personal beliefs I may not lived as many years as all of you but it's been working well for me so far

I guess I think of it as I need to buy insurance on things that would be crippling for me. Homeowners insurance is definitely something I'll be getting, because I'll need a place to live, and I wouldn't be able to buy a new house if mine were destroyed. However if I owned hundreds of houses in geographically diverse locations, it would probably make more sense for me NOT to buy homeowners insurance on all of them. (Because the probability of an event affecting all of them is slim, and if that did happen the insurance companies probably wouldn't pay out anyway like Katrina)

Similarly if something I have is a toy or for recreational purposes, I usually don't get insurance for it like I would if it's something I use primarily

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I've watched this thread, and threads like it, with amusement for awhile, and I usually try and avoid competing in the Special Olympics (read: jumping into internet debates), I have a few minutes to kill, and I'm feeling kinda derpy, so...

I own an '08 C6 Z06. I have put roughly 16,000 miles on it since purchase. I've now had it for over 2 years.

Here's a shot of the interior, after over 2 years of ownership, taken last week at a cruise:

Notice the startling lack of scuffs on door panels, and deteriorated leather seats.

I have no illusions about the interior of the 'Vette. It's...bland. It's...bleak.

Ok.

It's also one of the most visceral and engaging production cars to drive anywhere in the price range, and often beyond. See, that matters to some folks, more...make that A LOT more, than the plushness of the dash and the Feng Shui of the buttons. If it doesn't to you, that's fine. More power to you. But do not pretend that that somehow translates to other nebulous, generic, undefinable criticisms elsewhere about the car.

"It has a stereotype"-- Ok, Kimberly. Please tell us what that is, before 3rd period starts. I mean, really? Are we in highscool? Basically any high performance sports car. What's that they say about Porsches and Porcupines? Are you ok with having people think THAT when you drive a 911 or Cayman?

"It's not exclusive enough"--See above. But in my neck of the woods, I see as many high end marques (specifically Porsches, BMWs, and Audis) as Z06s. Heck, even regular C6s aren't as prevalent as Z4s and Boxsters.

It's not being butthurt, it's countering hearsay and ignorance, of which the internet has no short supply, with knowledge and experience.
Jeremy Clarkson very famously said you could never daily drive the Z06, or even drive it on public roads. It was too harsh, too jarring, too unrefined. That statement, and ones from other entert...I mean journalists, is latched on to by the ignorant and parroted like a nursery rhyme in a kindergarten.
I've driven it on Ohio public roads for the past 2 years, and a nice long roadtrip across wonderful American interstates. On other automotive forums I visit, I'll have people lecture me at length, before knowing I own one, of how the Z06 will shatter your spine, abort fetuses, and smash atoms if driven over anything but smooth as glass pavement on a track.

One can imagine how tiring this gets when you know it's all (or most of it) is rubbish. If you're after more refinement, more luxury, and yes, even more prestige, I have no problem with that. More power to you. I can totally understand that and there are plenty of cars that do those things better.
But I've never felt the need to make up non-existent or barely existent issues to bring the overall worth of a car down. Even in cars I had no desire to own.

The only thing people have issues with (that I've read on these forums, at least) is the overall design choices (both material and layout) of the interior. Everything else about the car is fantastic.

I'm not going to sit here and point out every 'issue' that I personally find, but it's very obvious they spent about 2 days designing the entire interior layout, which I find unacceptable. Seriously. It's fine for a track car, or weekend car, or whatever. It's also fine for a $20k econobox. But when you're paying friggin $75k for a DD you don't need a big reminder in size 85 font to your passenger that they are in a CORVETTE.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

But but but you don't have blue gauges and swiveling back lit cup holders!!

And if I kick your door in, the panel buckles. How cheap is that?

Man you end up so butthurt sometimes... No one is complaining about these things.

Is it too much to ask for quality leather seats on a $75k car? For decent button quality and layout? These are things that add so very little to the cost but provide massive improvements to (most) owner experiences.

We aren't talking about lights or WTFever you're crying over.. These things are your primary interaction with the vehicle.. This is very different from panel quality and cupholders.

 

[KentState]

Notice the startling lack of scuffs on door panels, and deteriorated leather seats.

You can already see some creases in your leather seats that you avoided showing entirely. Surprisingly you passenger door panel looks fine, but that's to be expected when the drivers side gets the most abuse. The crappy door panels and cheap leather is a pretty common complaint over at CorvetteForum.com. These are not the journalists but every day owners.

 

[Sulaco]

But when you're paying friggin $75k for a DD you don't need a big reminder in size 85 font to your passenger that they are in a CORVETTE.

It has surprisingly not been an issue for any of them.

 

[Gillbot]

If you want it OP, get it. Don't listen to or feed the trolls.

 

[Arkaign]

400hp in a c6 is pretty managable. I drove a 96 c4 with 360 and it was a twitchy mess. C5 and C6 are infinitely more stable. I might even go so far as to call the c4 a pile of shit. Great motor, horrible car. Most 80s designs were crap though.

 

[Zivic]

My point is I don't need to have the cash to replace it because it's a TOY

It's not like if it's out of commission I'm suddenly out of a mode of transportation. It just means I won't be going for a Sunday drive that weekend

I most likely will fully insure it but I don't like the idea of having long term liability (big monthly payments forever) on a toy. I'd rather keep those on things more important like retirement, my primary vehicle, house etc.

It all depends on how much it costs like I said. If it's 100 a month or less I'm sure I'll pay it. But if it's jacked up because kids my age crash Corvettes I might take my chances.

People gamble 20k away at casinos and blow it eating out at restaurants over a couple of years, I can't believe you think it's so stupid that I'd be willing to take a risk on 20k that I don't need in any way shape or form, with the potential benefit being saving money in the long haul. Everyone that trades has no insurance on whether or not their 20k is going to increase or decrease in value but they do it anyway. In my case I stand to gain at least 10k over 10 years if I DON'T get in an accident. To me paying an extra $80 a month is like adding 10k to the price of the car over 10 yrs, because I foresee driving it a long time.

There's a reason insurance companies make money. I may be a little radical in these areas but just chalk that up to my personal beliefs I may not lived as many years as all of you but it's been working well for me so far

I guess I think of it as I need to buy insurance on things that would be crippling for me. Homeowners insurance is definitely something I'll be getting, because I'll need a place to live, and I wouldn't be able to buy a new house if mine were destroyed. However if I owned hundreds of houses in geographically diverse locations, it would probably make more sense for me NOT to buy homeowners insurance on all of them. (Because the probability of an event affecting all of them is slim, and if that did happen the insurance companies probably wouldn't pay out anyway like Katrina)

Similarly if something I have is a toy or for recreational purposes, I usually don't get insurance for it like I would if it's something I use primarily

you won't be paying 80/month for collision for 10 yrs. I have a couple cars that don't score so well with the insurance companies.... and with 250/500 and collision I don't have a premium of over 56/month total - comp, glass, liability, collision, and a couple other riders. I might only be paying 20-25/month for collision. so 250-350 a year to protect you from a total loss is too much?

I just don't see your logic. the post about being able to replace the car with cash would be the point I wouldn't carry collision. my cars are paid for and aren't relied on for travel to work, so technically "toys". I could recover from losing both at a total loss, but for what the premiums are, it is just naive/ignorant/stupid not to carry it... heck, one of my cars is stored 5 months a year. I carry 16/month comp on it. If I am reading your logic correctly, this is money pissed away. after all, it's parked away, what could happen to it?

Get the vette.

edit:

just because you know a guy that smokes 2 packs a day, doesn't make your 1 pack a day habit any better of a choice. Sure someone will piss 20k away at a casino, but that doesn't make the decision not to carry collision any less intelligent.