Daily Drivers Sound Off

[WhosUrDaddy]

I have been driving mine on a 40 mile daily round trip for work since last February, when I traded in my 03 Z06. Here's my comparison:

Pros

1. massive fun factor
2. maneuverability in traffic (see above)
3. braking power for emergency situations
4. .93 g’s on off ramps
5. 1.26's at Summit Point whenever I want
6. 16.7 mpg
7. comfortable
8. features (HUD, NAV, XM, heated seats, etc)
9. aggressive good looks
10. great head lights

Cons

1. Cop magnet (0 tickets in my BMW M5, 2 in C5Z, 2 in C6Z – same driver)
2. Loud (road/tire noise)
3. Poor field of view (from sitting so low – maneuvering through parking lots for example)
4. Scraping the front end (my fault because I lowered it to the bottom)
5. MPG is great for a 505hp sports car, but terrible for a commuter car
6. Tire replacement cost
7. Cold weather OEM tire performance
8. Useless in the snow (I suppose)
9. Useless if you need to take a few people out to lunch
10. Useless if you need to pick up kids on the way home

I would conclude that my C6Z is a fairly inconvenient mode of commute, but I deal with it (an make my wife deal with it) because I am a car enthusiast. We do things to mitigate the issues and enjoy it for what it is. I am impressed by The General’s development of this car and am very happy with my choice.

[OneQuickCoupe]

Originally Posted by WhosUrDaddy

I have been driving mine on a 40 mile daily round trip for work since last February, when I traded in my 03 Z06. Here's my comparison:

Pros

1. massive fun factor
2. maneuverability in traffic (see above)
3. braking power for emergency situations
4. .93 g’s on off ramps
5. 1.26's at Summit Point whenever I want
6. 16.7 mpg
7. comfortable
8. features (HUD, NAV, XM, heated seats, etc)
9. aggressive good looks
10. great head lights

Cons

1. Cop magnet (0 tickets in my BMW M5, 2 in C5Z, 2 in C6Z – same driver)
2. Loud (road/tire noise)
3. Poor field of view (from sitting so low – maneuvering through parking lots for example)
4. Scraping the front end (my fault because I lowered it to the bottom)
5. MPG is great for a 505hp sports car, but terrible for a commuter car
6. Tire replacement cost
7. Cold weather OEM tire performance
8. Useless in the snow (I suppose)
9. Useless if you need to take a few people out to lunch
10. Useless if you need to pick up kids on the way home

I would conclude that my C6Z is a fairly inconvenient mode of commute, but I deal with it (an make my wife deal with it) because I am a car enthusiast. We do things to mitigate the issues and enjoy it for what it is. I am impressed by The General’s development of this car and am very happy with my choice.

Those are some interesting observations. I drive about 54 miles each day and am averaging around 22 mph. It's not cold here and doesn't snow.

I haven't had any problems with the cops yet but my car is silver so it doesn't stand out.

I was thinking just this week, I really set up high in this thing and much higher than I did in the 60's Stingray's. Those cars you really set down in and have to look over the fenders and hood center when you jumped on it. I feel really exposed in the C6Z and feel if I ever got upside down and the roof would crush down I would be a goner.

I have scraped the front end twice backing out of my driveway. I did that the first week of ownership and have made adjustment in my backing style so that doesn't happen anymore.

The tires make a lot of noise on the pavement but hey there's a lot of rubber on the ground. If I wanted quite I would have picked up a MB instead of the Z.

I can see pretty well in the Z but it's not like driving an SUV when you're riding up high looking down on everyone.

Hope the tires last awhile as they are very expensive.

It's an enthusiasts car for sure and not much for hauling things around but I didn't buy it for that.

The only problem I've had so far is spilling coffee on me during my morning commute. The drink holders aren't made for the fat coffee mug I take to work. Maybe I'll pick up a Z06 coffee mug that's fits in the holder. What I'm trying to convey here is I love this car. It is the most exciting thing I've ever owned and am really glad I bought it.

D.J.

[Stogo]

Now that I've "Daily Drivered" my car for one day (Friday was the first chance I had to go to and from work) I have to say that, even though I'm still in the break-in period, this car is tame when you want it to be but you have allllll that torque available when you want it also.

(I was worried by not knowing what to expect there, witness my 'Hard to Control?' post)

I've daily-drivered my existing Z for four years so I've pretty much adapted my way of life to the "I just have one seat for picking up my kids" (I have just one daughter so that usually works out for me) and "I can only take one person to lunch" issue.

Tickets - interesting observation here. I have only gotten three tickets in a Corvette. All three came from my first Vette which was a 99 Silver Coupe. Didn't get any in my torch red Z the four years I owned her but I do relize my Victory Red 07 screams a bit louder to the police so we'll se how that goes.

Cup holders: The C5 Z's holders, as most of us know, were completely worthless. I'm actually able to use the ones in the C6 (skinny and tall coffee mug here).

Tire cost: I can't imagine the tire replacement being too different than what I'm used to from my C5.

Most of all, the thing that surprises me is that, even though I originally didn't want the feature, I LOVE NAV! (Even if I know exactly where I'm going)

One of my favorite feature with it is "Hey, there's a Dave and Buster's around the corner I didn't know was there!". The little icons showing the logos of D&B, Denny's and the like are great.

[MSiska]

Tire cost: I can't imagine the tire replacement being too different than what I'm used to from my C5.

Each rear tires are $385 from tire rack plus $11.00 s&h. Front tires are on back order due to the GY strike.

[OneQuickCoupe]

Originally Posted by MSiska

Tire cost: I can't imagine the tire replacement being too different than what I'm used to from my C5.

Each rear tires are $385 from tire rack plus $11.00 s&h. Front tires are on back order due to the GY strike.

OMG, I guess the John Force burn-outs are out now. Now that's a reality check. Thanks for that tasty piece of info.

D.J.

[MSiska]

Originally Posted by OneQuickCoupe

OMG, I guess the John Force burn-outs are out now. Now that's a reality check. Thanks for that tasty piece of info.

D.J.

For some reason....the rears are still available. Guess they (whomever "they" are) knew we would be needing rears a lot earlier than fronts and made a whole lot of them.

[William]

Originally Posted by Stogo

Who out there "Daily Drives" their C6Z, and any interesting thoughts/experiences with it?

Mine would be my Daily like my current C5Z.

I have got a 06Z06...daily driver, and one cross country (CA to OH and back) trip with it. 50,000+ miles logged. Have lost a clutch, clutch pedal spring, and water pump so far. Tires suck IMO. Looking for feedback from other owners who are running different street radials than the F1s. Personalized plate says
"CA427LOVER".

[Eric_Rav]

I drive mine every day. I drive it when I'm boiling after a long day to cool down, I drive it to the pub, I drive my son to school in it, I take lazy sunday drives on Teusday evenings and wish the top would come down, and so on.

Maybe when the "new toy" factor wears off I'll drive it every other day, but for now its a daily thing.

[Tampap999]

Mine was supposed to be a "nice day only" car but unfortunately...I cannot go a day without driving it. Even if I take the M3 to work, as soon as I get home, Im in the Z and out for a spin. 8000 miles in 2.5 months.