WHAT TIME DOES TO US AND WHAT IT DID FOR MY CORVETTE
Time is a funny thing. Hard to believe how quickly it goes by especially as you get older. Forgive me. I am aware this thought is nothing new or surprising. It is a phrase that even if translated into different languages, people all over the world can relate to it as well.
But as the other saying goes "you get better with time and or age," which as a human being never really made all that sense to me. Am I any better off after I had my wisdom teeth removed? This usually happens with age.
Or maybe because you have more hair in places you didn't before. Some people lose hair! Some get fat. Well, by "some" I really mean 99.9% of us get fat. And old fat hairy people aren't better off than thin young people. That is a true statement.
So then the phrase "better with time or age" is really just there to comfort the once young if you ask me. And that's fine because we like to tell each other and ourselves things to make us feel better.
Like me telling myself my 13-year-old (by model year, 15-year-old design technically) Corvette is still the sh#@. Although many out there would have you believe the Corvette is actually &*^%.
Its interior was old even when it was new. It's wide which means you can't parallel park without having to take two hours doing so. It's big for a sports car but, to be honest, it's not nearly as practical driving every day as some would have you believe. And I can say that because I've owned three over the course of six years including one C6 that I leased.
It is a tough job being a normal car guy because you want everything out there. Every car guy has their "list." And if you're not Jay Leno it's tough driving by that new Z06 and ZR1 shining on the showroom floor in your "old" C5 knowing it is irrelevant.
It is neither by the way, "the sh#t" or "sh#t". It is special, though. And it's not the special you feel when you first take possession of it. That's more of the new car aura you get with any car. It's the special you can't really put your finger on.
You can attempt to figure it out by going over the laundry list of reasons you love it. For instance, it's easy to work on, it's red (red is faster), it's loud and noisy and raw and smells funny (oil leak hitting the exhaust caused by faulty oil pressure sensor).
My car is special because I know what makes it work and all its foibles. I know that the funky electric gremlins can be overcome by yanking on the rubber boot that houses a bunch of wiring that leads to God knows where. I know that going by the gas gauge is useless because I've run dry even when the information display said "Range: 52 miles."
And that's it. You have this list of hate and love notes you've accumulated over the years of ownership, something that would be hard to compile on a car that's new and nearly faultless. And a faultless car is boring and what car guy likes being bored.
It is a classic love story really. And what good is love when you don't have some problems involved in the mix to challenge your commitment. So if anything gets better with age it would have to be cars...and wine. I just hope the Corvette, like the aged wine, holds its value. In a year or two I will have my eyes set on a new but old C6 Z06 as soon as the C7 comes out, and I heard those early LS7s are known to blow up. Exciting!
My Car: 1999 Corvette Hardtop 6spd in Torch Red
Name – Michael Nite
Location - Los Angeles County, CA
Miles-97k miles
Mods: Coilovers, Exhaust
If you want to participate in the Readers Rides blog, click here to read the submission guidelines and email your text and photos to submissions@edmunds.com -- Donna
mlowery85 says:
08:46 AM, 02/ 1/12
With a name like Michael Nite, you should have considered an 80s Trans Am. There was a special one on this TV show...
Just teasing with you. Nice updates to the Vette.. not listed in the mods are the headlights.
hank39 says:
08:55 AM, 02/ 1/12
More details on the lights please...are they retros that you did yourself or purchased? How's the light output? They make the C5 look way cooler!
kain77 says:
09:53 AM, 02/ 1/12
A C5 without popup headlights? Noooooo...
Just kidding. I've long loved Corvettes, and I keep talking myself into picking up an early C6... or reno two half-baths... can't do both.
subytrojan says:
02:43 PM, 02/ 1/12
I actually dig the C5-R-like headlights!
http://www.z06-corvette.com/super/Chevrolet-Corvette-C5R-11.jpg
hubblehornz66 says:
03:41 PM, 02/ 1/12
Very nice color. The front lights are very unique (in a good way). And the best part is, it looks like Micheal has done a very supurb job on keeping it look good with things like keeping it polished. Those wheels, however, makes the bomb go boom.
HH
66
explorerx4 says:
05:22 PM, 02/ 1/12
Michael,
There's nothing bashful about your Corvette, and that's great. It's how they are supposed to be.
As far as owning an older car performance car, back in 1991 I bought my Mustang GT convertible.
It's not fast compared to many cars today, but my kids have never not known it to be there.
Still looks good, sounds good, and every time you are the first car in line at a light, whomever is next to you want to see what you've got. Am I right?
09blacktbss says:
08:43 PM, 02/ 1/12
DOPE!!!
09blacktbss says:
08:44 PM, 02/ 1/12
DOPE!!!
lowprofile says:
07:00 AM, 02/ 2/12
Michael Nite.
How Awesome!
dexdizzy says:
08:59 AM, 02/ 2/12
"It is a tough job being a normal car guy because you want everything out there."
I don't think I've heard a truer car-related statement.
nyccarguy says:
10:20 AM, 02/ 2/12
Excellent write up on a very cool car (from one car guy to another). Corvettes have always intrigued me (my Dad has a '66 427 Roadster rotting in his garage), especially higher mileage ones like yours. Used Vettes are a fantastic bargain. With 3 young children, I'm going to have to wait to get my Vette fix!
badm says:
06:46 AM, 02/ 3/12
Very , GOOD write-up and review ,, I love your honesty . I really like that era car especially the ZO6 ,, it is a raw performance car. Oh like the lights either way pop-up or not. Your definitely a real car guy, no matter what car we own you must be real about it ...
24hrz16 says:
03:13 PM, 02/ 3/12
how are those coilovers? did they improve the handling? how rough is the ride?
niteriderc5 says:
09:49 PM, 02/ 3/12
Coilovers are from lg motorsports. As far as the ride goes...it is a far ways from feeling stock that's for sure...not as hard as it could be but its def not for softys. I did replace the stock drivers seat with a non recline sparco competition seat and headlights are fixed ...nt05 from Nitto tires are wrapped around 04 speedline z06 wheels...engine is stock
niteriderc5 says:
09:56 PM, 02/ 3/12
Handling is greatly improved..i installed c6 Z06 frnt n rr sway bars and links... it could use a proper alignment (too much + caster) but i am waiting to install new rear tie rod ends.
acuratsx1 says:
10:17 AM, 02/ 4/12
Looks like NSX headlights...!!!
smallfield says:
11:22 AM, 02/ 5/12
Nice!
I agree if your car never had issues you could never prove your love.
Different car, but I'm currently hunting an exhaust leak, trying to figure out why my clock looses 10 min a week all of a sudden and have diff noise - again... BUT - would I sell - No!
That's love.
porche_man says:
10:00 AM, 02/13/12
Nice job!
I love this body style plus the headlights. That is what I am looking for in corvette. After this model, corvette redesigned to something look very odd to me. They should come back to this.