Hey everybody, I was wondering how many people out there use their Z's as daily drivers. I am looking to purchase an 02-03 in a couple months and would be putting about 20 miles a day on it for my commute to work. Unfortunately I won't have the option of a beater commuter car for another year or so. Who here commutes the longest in their Z and how has it held up? I appreciate the help This is my first post too, btw
I originally planned to make my 03 Z06 a daily driver and sell my 94 Ford Ranger, but in the end decided the insurance on the truck was cheap enough to warrant keeping it around for a work truck; however since getting the Z I have been putting about 20 miles a day on it just because after driving the Ranger I just have to have a little fun! I actually have put more miles on my car than my truck since I got the Z. Something is wrong here....haha.
I use mine as a daily driver because my beater car is stored when the Z is out (and vice versa in the winters!). I drive 8 miles one way to work and can't tell you much about the reliability because I only have 4100 miles on it, but it has held up just fine for what I have driven it. Beater cars are good to get. I bought mine for 500 bucks. It has only needed repair costing 300 bucks once and it helps bring the insurance down with the multiple car discount. Just a thought. Sorry if I couldn't be of more help even though I use it as a daily driver!
mine was my daily driver all winter. snow, rain, or shine, I was driving to work. In New Jersey, that was no easy task. And now, I recently got a promotion at work and received a company car. Go figure, right in time for spring....Anyways, to answer your question, the Z can very easily be a daily driver.
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Sig pic WAY too big C5 Z06: Blk/Blk, 383 Stroker, Callies Rods/Crank, Diamond Pistons, Cartek 4X Heads, Cartek Custom Cam, Cartek Custom Fuel System, RC 74lb Injectors, Cartek Rear, Turbonetics Y2K-88 Turbo, Custom Chromoly 5Pt Rollbar, CCW Classics, ect...Pump Gas Street Terror... C5 Coupe: Blk/Blk, Borla Cat-Back, CCW 505A's, FULLY loaded...Daily Driver...
I am looking to purchase an 02-03 in a couple months and would be putting about 20 miles a day on it for my commute to work.
My '04 Z16 was new last June 28. It has 10,975 miles today. Guess that's a daily driver.
I think the secret to keeping it "happy" for the amount of total miles accumulated is making sure it is completely warmed up for each trip (like 200 deg oil temp). This takes more miles than you might expect (like 15-20 or so). Luckily, it is 20 or 25 miles to the golf courses I play 2-3 times a week, and the same "to town (Prescott). And, I have a few 6500 rpm "opportunities" at the end of each trip.
One of my first GMPG jobs was recording thermocouple temps for oil and coolant during "city cycle" 1, 3, 5, 10, or 15 mile trips, every 3 hours over 24 hour cycles. Recording starting temps, temp rises, and cool-down rates. In February. The oil temp "lack" was scary. No better way to wear out an engine without "abuse".
__________________ '04 Z06 Z16 #1394/2025
stock, with V1 and $4.95 cutely curved rubber ducky antenna
Mine is a daily driver , about 14 miles a day. On my days off it is my daily cruiser, about 50-100 miles a day. Car is a dream to drive. I just love the z when it is working. Dr.Bigg
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