Topic: Decision made!: To drive or not to drive, that is
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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This is an update to my first post below. I have decided that life is short, and I just can't rationalize having a car and not driving it to "preserve" it. Why?.... to hopefully make a profit in the future so someone else could store it....or worse yet.....drive it instead of me!
I am very very particular and careful with my cars. The compromise with this one is that I will drive it very selectively.....to local shows, etc. It will stay pristine and have very low miles relative to most other cars.....but it WILL be driven and enjoyed. That's what Corvettes were made for. If it depreciates, big deal.
Thanks everyone for your input and different perspectives.
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First of all, let me say that I just joined C3VR and look forward to spending some time here. I belong to the other Corvette forums, but just got a C3 so that's why I'm here. I'm really blessed and you'll know why in a minute...
So here's the dilemma......it's sort of like "tastes great" vs "less filling", "Republican vs Democrat", etc etc. I'm sure there will be arguments on both sides which will make this interesting.
After a long search, I located and purchased a fully documented '82 Collectors Edition with 454 original miles. The car is literally like brand new......it is a museum quality time warp. It won best in show here on Long Island a week after I purchased it.
The "drive it" philosophy is life is short, and you have to drive it to truly enjoy it. Forget the depreciation issue (I gladly paid a premium for it) and enjoy the thing. If I drive it it will be 1k miles per year max anyway, if that much.
The "don't drive it" philosophy is trailer it to some shows, pull it out of the garage every so often to stare at it and then cover it up. It will only be a sub 1k mile car once....don't destroy that special position if you can avoid it.
So........what do you guys (and gals) think?
I'm looking forward to the arguments on both sides.
Joe
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Tough call. Only you can decide. I will never own a car that I am afraid to drive because I don't want to decrease its value. Of course, your question is not about what I would do, but what would you do... So, if I were you, I would drive the car. Maybe in 20 years the car will appreciate significantly in value. But I don't look to cars for saving options. TGhat' swhat mutual funds are for. Cars are there to drive.
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20229
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
I could go either way(not THAT way, tho
) on this...
I happen to be one of the semi-anal retentives that believes an unrestored, completely original Corvette should be preserved as much as possible, but still be enjoyed. Therein lies the delima...what to do, what to do.
IF I had such a car as this, I think would want to keep it pristine as long as possible, so I would prolly only drive it to shows, or for special events, such as parades, or for the National Caravan type stuff. I would also want another car I could drive anytime I felt like it...which is one reason I have the '85. My '74 had 43,000 on it when I bought it 10 year ago...it has amassed a staggering 3000 miles since then.
It is YOUR car...do what you want with it, but just take care of it while you have it!! Enjoy!
Welcome to C3VR!
) on this...
I happen to be one of the semi-anal retentives that believes an unrestored, completely original Corvette should be preserved as much as possible, but still be enjoyed. Therein lies the delima...what to do, what to do.
IF I had such a car as this, I think would want to keep it pristine as long as possible, so I would prolly only drive it to shows, or for special events, such as parades, or for the National Caravan type stuff. I would also want another car I could drive anytime I felt like it...which is one reason I have the '85. My '74 had 43,000 on it when I bought it 10 year ago...it has amassed a staggering 3000 miles since then.
It is YOUR car...do what you want with it, but just take care of it while you have it!! Enjoy!
Welcome to C3VR!
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
I want one to drive and I love THAT car. If it were me, I would probably find someone like yourself to pay a premium for it and find a great one to drive.
Just my .02.
It's pretty much a trailer queen.
I would sell it and / or buy another one that has been driven and drive the wheels off of it. I just don't think I would be too excited about driving any car that old with so few miles very far anyway - but that's just me.
Merry Christmas
If you don't mind the depreciation factor then drive it. We all do that when we buy a brand new daily driver. If it's the 82 I think it is(Midwest Musclecar) I have an idea of what you paid for it. With a few thousand miles on it you'll probably take about a $10K hit on it and bring it down to low mile status instead of brand new.
I drive my white 79 and sometimes my black one. I NEVER drive the Pace Car and never find a need to drive the 78SA, preferring to keep the mileage down(25 and 1378!). I don't have either as "investments" but then again I don't want to lose money on them.
As for mutual funds as investments, I'm just now recovering from the losses of several years ago. And do I enjoy having stocks? Not as much as I enjoy just owning my Corvettes.
[QUOTE=JQ82CollectorEdition]...If I drive it it will be 1k miles per year max anyway, if that much....[/QUOTE]
6880Mike 2007-12-21 12:13:45
Driving her or not driving her is entirely up to you, but a thousand miles per year isn't my idea of driving a Corvette. My '74 coupe was my daily commuter for several years at 600 smiles a week.
As I said earlier, drive the Z06 and baby the CE. A low mileage car like that will win awards every place it goes, and it will admired for what it is, a time capsule. It's getting rarer and rarer to find cars in that condition.
If you are really into CEs or C3s, find one with decent mileage and drive that. (Can't go wrong with a chrome bumper convert, but I might be a bit biased in that regard!)
Show it off, let people admire it, and enjoy what you have.
If you are really into CEs or C3s, find one with decent mileage and drive that. (Can't go wrong with a chrome bumper convert, but I might be a bit biased in that regard!)
Show it off, let people admire it, and enjoy what you have.
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sand springs, OK - USA
Joined: 5/15/2007
Posts: 97
Vette(s): 1978 white w/blue interior it has 80-82 front & rear clips on it
boy, this is a tough one. my '78 has a little over 63,000 orig miles on it. i drive it on nice days and weekends. my preference is not having a car i can't or am afraid to drive. the final decision will be ultimately yours.
karen
Lifetime MemberPhoenix, AZ - USA
Joined: 3/13/2004
Posts: 537
Vette(s): 1975 Stingray Nomad Wagon, with Daytona front, custom hood scoop, dual side vents; 420HP 350; Doug Nash 5 speed; 1980 rear end W/4:11 gears; Cherry Red metallic paint.
Personally, i would never consider driving it. If i wanted to enjoy driving a 82CE, i would buy one that had the miles on it already, and keep this one as it is. Sorry, I personally dont see it as a car that i am afraid to drive at this point, i see it as a rare collectible that should be preserved, but that is my viewpoint, the important one is yours. What did you buy it for? If in your heart you know you bought it to drive, then drive it. If you didnt, and are only being tempted, then i would never give it.
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in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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