Dreams Can Come True

My wife's and my first Corvette—a 2009, 6-speed manual, dual-mode performance exhuast (NPP), Z51 (competition performance package) Atomic Orange coupe—arrived on Friday. So what do we think of our dream car?

First of all, this all happened very fast: Our Vette was in a thousand pieces on Monday, started being built Tuesday, and was on the truck Thursday night. It arrived in St Louis just after noon, Friday. I received the call from my salesman and at first I had trouble believing him. I never thought I'd see this car in August; what a welcome surprise.

We picked it up, with 7 inspection miles, at 4:30. I asked the dealership not to wash it because I didn't want anyone else scrubbing the finish. The paint can't be more than 15 days old, after all. (I will wait the obligatory 30 days before waxing.)

This is my first new car ever, and only my fourth car ('82 Volvo 240dl, '93 Ford Probe GT, '97 LT1 Camaro Z28). Needless to say my heart was thumping as we drove off the lot.

My first few minutes with my dream car, looking her over before a brief test drive.

Steve, the Corvette guru at the dealership, took me through the ins and outs of the car. He wondered why he was bothering since I knew it all anyway.

Just arrived home. I'm a little ... giddy. Dreams do come true.


I was worried about the choice of Atomic Orange. Well, my wife loves it. And it is growing on me, fast. I can say for sure that it is, absolutely, orange. I mean, seriously orange. There is none of the red hue that Daytona Sunset Orange Metallic (the previous C6 orange) had. However, it seems to turn heads, and it really is a very striking color.

What ... a ... Smile!!

Yeah, I finally let my wife near it. Just kidding; it's her dream car too, after all!


Day 2 started with a good, gentle wash. There was a light, dirty film on her from the transport (the truck must have come across some rain). We were eager to wash her before the neighbors came over for a look, but unfortunately they were stalking our driveway first thing in the morning (we live in a very close, friendly neighborhood and they were all waiting along with us for the Corvette).

The first time water hit the finish; her first wash.

Kate wants her turn sudsing the Vette



A brand new chamois for a brand new Vette

Be a u ti ful!

We went for a picnic in Forest Park, turned some heads, and put in a few more gentle break-in miles

So, at the end of our first weekend with our first Corvette we are very happy. The car is amazing. Not only is it sexy as hell, and fast (even on mild acceleration it is easy to see the kind of power the LS3 is capable of), but it is also full of creature comforts. The ride is much more forgiving than my Z28. The clutch is friendly and streetable, and the Z51 gears are punchy but civilized. This is a car Kate can drive—unlike my Z28 which was too racy and unforgiving. Without a doubt it is the most refined and capable car I've ever driven ... and certainly the best I've ever owned. Hands down.

Oh, and did I mention the first Vette we saw—a blue, convertible C5—exchanged a friendly wave with us.

Life is good. Yes indeed, life is good.
 

LS3 Corvette. I Get Mine in September.