How do you balance driving vs. keeping car "mint?"

[purpleRac3r]

Aaaagggghhhh! You said the dreaded "g" word! That's about the only thing I avoid like a plague. Although some of the "paved" roads around here have as much gravel as the unpaved ones!

I have only a couple of tiny chips on the nose, and over 10,800 miles on the clock!

[blkvette00]

Originally Posted by purpleRac3r

Aaaagggghhhh! You said the dreaded "g" word! That's about the only thing I avoid like a plague. Although some of the "paved" roads around here have as much gravel as the unpaved ones!

I have only a couple of tiny chips on the nose, and over 10,800 miles on the clock!

I know!! to say the "G" word. Bright side is that I only have a slight drive on the "gravel", less than 1/2 mile, and I only idle - no gas until I reach pavement. My last Vette had very little chips, so I was doing something right. It also helps that we have the County Road commissioner that lives down the way, so our road is the best maintained dirt road in the County!

[Donoh]

I don't drive mine in the winter (for obvious reasons) and I don't take it to work (steel mill across the street and all cars in our lot are dirty within half a day) but other than that I'll take it anywhere. Even Wallmart, thought I'm selective about parking and don't mind a walk. It is so much fun behind the wheel that I'm less concerned with the appearance than I thought I'd be.

Just enjoy the ride.

[monicatomokc]

Originally Posted by Pete r welch

At age 72 bought my first Corvette. . Thought when I bought it, it would be my driving car, not to be saved for it's future appearance. It is just so nice though, I find it hard to balance putting miles on it with the inevitable nicks and wear. My wife says I never tailgate with this car which is I guess, a good thing. Trying to keep the rock chips away. But the car is just such a pleasure and thrill to drive, I think I will drive it alot for the enjoyment, and wear be damned. Does anyone else ever feel conflicted about this?

I'm 65 and coming from the same generation of car lovers, I can assure you that you are not alone. Every car I've owned I've babied and always got top dollar at trade-in time. The 2011 Camaro 2SS I traded in didn't last a full week at the dealer before it was gone. My Corvette is driven for pleasure, but I will drive it to work on days when I know the parking lot is less crowded and after checking weather as if I were going flying. After I'm done driving for the day, the brake dust is removed from the wheels and bug splatters are removed too. I've never enjoyed driving a car as much as I've enjoyed this one!! Money well spent!!

[Pete r welch]

One of my problems with the car is that I hate to go home because that means I have to stop driving it!

[blowfelt99]

leased new 2011 grand sport. AT end of 36month lease car had 6k miles on it so bought out the lease. Ordered new stingray in march 2014 TPW is soon. Gues we will baby both cars and save for each grandchild each of whom are one year apart in age when they get driver license.

[GeoC]

Pete I'm 68 and my C7 is my 5th corvette.
Best one yet I drive it everyday in all kinds
of weather. Drive it and enjoy the car
then maintain it. Have fun.

[Glen e]

OptiCoat and any other coating will not stop a rock, only a film or bra will do that.

[purpleRac3r]

And even the clear films like Xpel can only do so much. Several friends in my Corvette club have Xpel on their C6 cars, and even they have a few rock chips through the film. No where near as many as those without film, but proof enough that if you drive the car, nicks & chips are inevitable. One even has a rock chip on his roof panel!

I say drive it! Minor chips and road rash are a badge of honor. Get the bigger damage fixed when practical.

[dhh62fuelie]

Living in NH, I keep my car mint in several ways: I keep it covered and garaged during the (long) winters. Outside of that, I keep it clean and detailed, and avoid trucks and dirt (or dirty) roads. Beyond that, I drive it as much as possible.

[thrilled]

I did xpel on mine.Don't need to detail.Don't wash it.Take A water bottle and A rag wipe off the bugs.

[asptroopa1]

Well I try to drive mine whenever I want- except bad weather....last weekend....got my first rock chip in the door and another rock hit the hood and made a small dent in the curve by carbon fiber louvres, and then that rock hit the windshield and made a spider chip in it......geeez.....wife said she cant see the dent but she can see rock chip in glass and door.......

[joe1111]

I am of the camp which says drive your car hard...even take it to a track day if ya can. As the kids these days say, YOLO!

If ya want a car to drive slow or to keep in a garage, find a well preserved classic car. If your C7 could talk it would *beg* to be driven like ya stole it

[third1]

I only have 4034 miles on my Camaro SS. I thought I was going to keep it forever but the Stingray has changed that. Ill probably have to sell the SS to be able to get a 15 Z51.... It will be driven.
I do the SS hate to part with it.