Daily, Decisions (Daily Drivers)....

[LateNight72]

Most of you know I am only 17, but for those of you who do not, bare with me. I was posed with a question by my mother.

I am heading off to college in the Fall to pursue my BSME and possibly my MSME. I still do not have a drivable car, So she gave me the choice, get my Chevelle up and running, and use it as a daily driver, or buy a daily driver and slowly work on the chevelle (less funding for the 'Velle due to DD purchase).

I am thinking, put all the funds into the Chevelle, and use it as a daily driver. I do not mind as far as wear/tear goes, because I am planning several track days, as well as a bunch of us are planning a spring break, ('08 of course) Cross-Country trek.

These are the Pro's/Con's I can think of;

Chevelle
Pros Cool ass DD, Enjoyment of driving, More reliable
Cons Possible Higher Theft rate, accidents

Daily Driver
Pros Low-Key, Safer
Cons Boring, accidents, less reliable

Feel free to add on to the Pros/Cons.

So, with all that being said, what are your opinions? One day I think, yea just get some type of DD, then slowly work on the 'Velle, then the next day I think, "Damn, How cool would it be to drive the 'Velle 2 years earlier then I expected?"

Thank you for any input

-Todd

[youthpastor]

it would be cool to make the Chevelle a driver- BUT in college funds are short anyways, You don't have time or cash to work on the Chevelle when you are supposed to study.

How 'bout a third option: split the money, buy a really ugly, cheap depenable beater driver and throw some money at the Chevelle and work on it when you are home from school on break.

the cool thing is you've GOT the car, that is the part that will be harder to come by when you are older. DON"T SELL IT! Ask any of us how we know!

College is short term, STAY FOCUSED on that- 4 years is nothing! you'll have plenty of time for cars later! AGAIN Ask me how i know. I'm 37 graduating with my BA spring '08 It's allot harder when you've got house payments, job, etc etc. not to mention i'm paying way more money.

Road Trip: Go rent the movie "Extreme Days". That is the ulitmate road car. your friends will trash whatever road trip car you have, All go in a cheap car, drive it cross country, dump it and fly home to responsiblity and pursuit of College-

Good luck-Chris

Oh by the way I was hard headed at 17 i would have ignored all this and thown every dime at the Chevelle and dropped out of school- oops that is what I DID-:_paranoid :_paranoid

[MaxHarvard]

My advise.... get a Daily driver... You'll save gas $$ and you wont have to worry about the Chevelle breaking down at some really crucial time.

Besides driving your chevelle through college only leaves it open for some jerk to hit it while your parked taking a test or something.

Make it a fun toy. Less chance of anything bad happening to it :)

[will69camaro]

I'm in college for my BSME and my 69 camaro is back home once i got a daily driver to sit until i have time to work on it and play with it. In ME you'll have a hard time sometimes finding time to get to work on a car. Get a daily driver but get one you like and let the chevelle sit for now. It's worth it in the long run.

William

[LateNight72]

it would be cool to make the Chevelle a driver- BUT in college funds are short anyways, You don't have time or cash to work on the Chevelle when you are supposed to study.

How 'bout a third option: split the money, buy a really ugly, cheap depenable beater driver and throw some money at the Chevelle and work on it when you are home from school on break.

the cool thing is you've GOT the car, that is the part that will be harder to come by when you are older. DON"T SELL IT! Ask any of us how we know!

College is short term, STAY FOCUSED on that- 4 years is nothing! you'll have plenty of time for cars later! AGAIN Ask me how i know. I'm 37 graduating with my BA spring '08 It's allot harder when you've got house payments, job, etc etc. not to mention i'm paying way more money.

Road Trip: Go rent the movie "Extreme Days". That is the ulitmate road car. your friends will trash whatever road trip car you have, All go in a cheap car, drive it cross country, dump it and fly home to responsiblity and pursuit of College-

Good luck-Chris

Oh by the way I was hard headed at 17 i would have ignored all this and thown every dime at the Chevelle and dropped out of school- oops that is what I DID-

The car would be done before I would even go up to college, so the only time I'd ever work on, would be routine maintenance, or modding something. Also, the road trip, everyone would have their own vehicle, go to 129 in the Carolinas, Twisties in Nevada/NM/Etc., Pacific Coast Highway, etc. Just to enjoy the cars.

My advise.... get a Daily driver... You'll save gas $$ and you wont have to worry about the Chevelle breaking down at some really crucial time.

Besides driving your chevelle through college only leaves it open for some jerk to hit it while your parked taking a test or something.

Make it a fun toy. Less chance of anything bad happening to it

With an LS1, it would probably get equal MPG. And with an LS1, it would probably be more reliable then what I am looking at as far as a DD.




I don't know, maybe I am just trying to justify everything, so that I have no reason not to do it. Somebody slap me into reality. :goofy: If I decide to devote all available funds towards the 'Velle, the bodywork would be done around early March. Which would leave 5 months to get it together and driving, leaving 2 months for "Test & Tweaking" until August when I would have to go up to school. But if I bought a DD, and left it, I have the feeling, that since I would be 3 hours away from the 'Velle, I would rarely have time to work on it, thus prolonging completion until at least after graduation. Also, I feel that constantly working on it during school would detract from college life in general, Studying.... and..... uhm....... studying....... :_paranoid :cool:

-Todd

[will69camaro]

My 69 camaro gets better mpg than my daily driver and i still like the DD more for every day duty. I've seen far to many cars get messed with or wrecked at college. Trust me man daily driver is the way to go. I was worried to take my 69 anywhere at school because i'd come out and people would be by it or friends cars (another first gen) got rearended etc. Daily driver that you care about, you can take pride in the car, have fun driving it, i open track mine, mod mine, if something happens it's not hell to fix/replace, etc...Just get a car you like as a daily and use it.

William

[Streetking]

Get a daily driver. You will find yourself studying more than working on your car.:D I'm assuming that you won't have covered parking at school? If not, the Chevelle won't fair sitting out as well as a daily.

SW

[4OfaKind]

Todd,

I think you are trying to get us to help you deside what it is you want.
Do you really want a driving appliance like a ford focus? Or do you want a classic Chevelle with a LS conversion?

Since money is not the major issue, then the only question is what do you want? I say do not let fear of theft or damage stop you because that could happen in your driveway or at the grocery store just as likely as at college. An accident could happen on your way to church as likely as on your way to class.

Also will you truely complete the car later? Not exactly the same, but when I was in the military I had the chance to buy a 1950 chevy pickup for $500. It needed restoring. I did not get it because I was impatient and wanted to ride now as opposed to later. I regret that decision now that life is taking a majority of the money I could be using toward my project car. Even though I made less in the military, the money i spent on a new car loan would have restored two classic pickups if i had been smarter.

I say go for the chevelle and let insurance worry about any possible damage or theft. My .02

Mal

[race-rodz]

get a "driver", projects that are your only mode of transportation suck. if you want to work on the project, you can only do what can be done in the amount of time before you need to go someplace. that means that lil "stages" get started, time starts to fly by, then you have to "good enough to drive it" back together. those "temp" deals turn out to be permanent, because there is no reason to finish it if it works just fine. or worse yet, the temp fix fails and leaves you stranded someplace trying to scab it back together good enough to get home....at which point you are forced to spend time fixing it again, instead of doing whatever else was planned.

bottom line, get a POS driver. take your time on your project and make it something to be proud of.

my personal "driver" is a $500 '98 ranger 2wd, 4cyl 5 spd. it had 70k on it, ac works, but the bed had been trashed. a quick phone call and $800 netted me 'glass prerunner 4" flair bedsides/fenders, along with some tires i allready had...thrown on some $200 ebay special wheels, in went a fox body mustang 8.8 w/4:56's (stock gears+ 4cyl+33's = turd) for $1500+/- i have a decent driver that i thrash daily, and dont care about. dings, dents, old ladies in buicks, deer, potholes, hippies, road construction....who cares. i put gas in it and change the oil every 6 months. btw....yes i have taken it off of "sweet jumps" too.

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/7223/shop016eq7.jpg

[Smack_talker]

My advise.... get a Daily driver... You'll save gas $$ and you wont have to worry about the Chevelle breaking down at some really crucial time.

Besides driving your chevelle through college only leaves it open for some jerk to hit it while your parked taking a test or something.

Make it a fun toy. Less chance of anything bad happening to it :)

Get a DD and work on the Velle. Just dont let it set too long cause I need a real SS to build.:unibrow:

[cometose]

Get a DD. A schoolmate got a cherry '70 something Buick GS(this was in the mid 80's)from his grandparents for commuting. In less than a year it was trashed from a coupla accidents and typical college life. Seriously, have a lil patience. 4 years will go by extremely quickly and you'll have learned a ton to apply toward building your Chevelle

[GM Muscle]

well.. man, ive been in your shoes.. when i was 17 i HAD to have a chevelle.. of course i picked a bbc, 456's, and th350.. i used every dime i had in gas, wore out tires, ragged on it, couldnt take the trips i wanted to.. my current daily driver at age 23 is a 69 camaro. there is no a/c, there is constant tuning, always scrounging up money to fix some trivial promblem. of course its cool, it turns heads, it makes me smile everytime i get in it.. .. im also trying to build a pro touring chevelle at the same time. STRAIGHT up building and driving your dream car at the same time IS NOT FUN. if i had to give you any advice it would be to buy a decent daily and save up money for the velle.. i say this for several reasons.. 1) gas is rediculous these days.. you could save a pretty penny putting gas into a honda compared to the all mighty v8. 2) your reliablity assumption is way off.. i cant count the number of times my chevelle and my camaro have left me stranded, u-joints, voltage regulators, starters, alternators, trash in the needle of the carb, over heating.. you name it.. i cant count one time any of my other "dailys" have left me hanging. 3) i promise you if you take the chevelle and "throw" a setup in it you will never be happy with your decision.. you need to think long and hard about exactly what you want out of your car and go for that goal.. nothing sucks worse than dumping money into something you really never wanted.. in the long run youll be happy you waited, saved up, and built your dream car.. take it from several ppl on here who have been there and done it.. you think any of the bada$$ cars on here were thrown together? buy you a daily and tinker with your chevelle.. just my 2 cents.. ramble off:faint:

[Bulldog68]

I started my college experience with my first car as the daily driver, a 70 Camaro. During my first year, I sold that because I found a deal on a 68 Camaro, which I still have today. I drove the 68 through college as my daily driver and it was cool because it was different, but there were times where it wasn't that great.

A thief stole my rallye caps one night. I had a water pump go bad and had to do the repair in the dorm parking lot while being hounded by the campus police about no repairs being allowed there. I had to work on the car by myself since everyone else was busy with classes or socializing. One night, I was on a dark country backroad near the campus and had a rocker arm come loose. Repairing that on the side of the road in the dark wasn't too difficult, but could have been a pain if I hadn't had my tools with me. Also, gas prices were an issue since I was on a budget. And, even more importantly, most college kids don't care about their beater college cars, so parking your muscle car amongst these cars is a huge risk. Get ready for scratches and dings.

It should be mentioned that the college I attended was a little over an hour away from where I grew up, so trips back home weren't out of the question. If something big happened to the Camaro, I usually had the option of borrowing a car from the parents to tide me over till the weekend.

On the plus side, it was fun having the Camaro around because it was unique and I met some fellow gearheads at school. After I graduated, I moved home and bought a Toyota pickup for my daily driving duties. Then, after I graduated the police academy and started making a real salary, the Camaro came back into the picture. Now I have a house with a garage, which is home to the Camaro and my 70 Chevelle.

I guess your individual situation may vary, but with the rising values of muscle cars, I'd probably consider keeping the Camaro at home if I were to attend college now. A beater Honda or Toyota would probably be best for a college budget and environment.

[Ummgawa]

Rule number 1. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOMEONE WANTING TO BUY YOU A BETTER FUTURE. GET A DAILY DRIVER AND KEEP THE CHEVELLE AT HOME.*

Rule number 2. CHICKS WILL THINK NO MORE OF YOU BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU DRIVE WHILE YOU ARE IN COLLEGE. THEY WILL DRIVE NICER CARS THAN YOU BECAUSE THEY, BY IN LARGE, HAVE A DAD AT HOME THAT WANTS THEM SAFE. YOUR CHEVELLE MAY BE NOSTALGIC TO HIM, BUT IF YOU SHOW UP WITH LOUD MUFFLERS, BE PREPARED TO GET "THE SPEECH" ABOUT HIS DAUGHTER AND YOU HURTING HER IN ANY WAY AND NOT GOING FAST. OR POSSIBLE FULL ON REJECTION. DON'T BELIEVE ME? ASK THAT ADULTS ON THIS BOARD THAT HAVE DAUGHTERS OF DRIVING AGE. ME PERSONALLY? I HAVE DISMISSED A NUMBER OF DUDES IN MY DRIVEWAY JUST BY LOOKING AT THE STAPLE HOLES IN THEIR DRIVERS LISCENSE (COPS STAPLE TICKETS TO THEM).*

Rule number 3. Think with the right head man!!! College educations are one thing, that when you have one, it can never be taken away!! In this world their are haves and have nots. A college degree makes being a have easier. Ask those that have one. I have met a lot of extremely intelligent people get "passed over" because they did not have the sheepskin. It sucks but so does being stupid.

Last rule, number 4. We all assume (remember that when we assume, it makes an ass of us both, Remember ASS U ME) that you really want advice. You have gotten some sage advice here. I have read this entire thread and you still seem to be waffleing. You may be sitting on your Brain. Get off of it before you smother. Get a degree and be in a position to give all of your dumb a$$ buddies a job someday.

Good luck.

* This is in all caps on purpose. I am not trying to be nice. Educations and Men's daughters are serious business. Not in that order.

[LateNight72]

Rule number 1. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOMEONE WANTING TO BUY YOU A BETTER FUTURE. GET A DAILY DRIVER AND KEEP THE CHEVELLE AT HOME.*

Rule number 2. CHICKS WILL THINK NO MORE OF YOU BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU DRIVE WHILE YOU ARE IN COLLEGE. THEY WILL DRIVE NICER CARS THAN YOU BECAUSE THEY, BY IN LARGE, HAVE A DAD AT HOME THAT WANTS THEM SAFE. YOUR CHEVELLE MAY BE NOSTALGIC TO HIM, BUT IF YOU SHOW UP WITH LOUD MUFFLERS, BE PREPARED TO GET "THE SPEECH" ABOUT HIS DAUGHTER AND YOU HURTING HER IN ANY WAY AND NOT GOING FAST. OR POSSIBLE FULL ON REJECTION. DON'T BELIEVE ME? ASK THAT ADULTS ON THIS BOARD THAT HAVE DAUGHTERS OF DRIVING AGE. ME PERSONALLY? I HAVE DISMISSED A NUMBER OF DUDES IN MY DRIVEWAY JUST BY LOOKING AT THE STAPLE HOLES IN THEIR DRIVERS LISCENSE (COPS STAPLE TICKETS TO THEM).*

Rule number 3. Think with the right head man!!! College educations are one thing, that when you have one, it can never be taken away!! In this world their are haves and have nots. A college degree makes being a have easier. Ask those that have one. I have met a lot of extremely intelligent people get "passed over" because they did not have the sheepskin. It sucks but so does being stupid.

Last rule, number 4. We all assume (remember that when we assume, it makes an ass of us both, Remember ASS U ME) that you really want advice. You have gotten some sage advice here. I have read this entire thread and you still seem to be waffleing. You may be sitting on your Brain. Get off of it before you smother. Get a degree and be in a position to give all of your dumb a$$ buddies a job someday.

Good luck.

* This is in all caps on purpose. I am not trying to be nice. Educations and Men's daughters are serious business. Not in that order.

Well, I really am not getting my future bought for me. I worked my ass off in High School, and because of that, I am receiving the Florida Bright Futures scholarship, and will have 75% or 100% of Tution paid for. Basically it just trys to keep Florida students, in Florida. But I know what you mean.


Anyway, I get what you guys are saying... We'll be going to look at a few DD's this weekend hopefully. It's still possible that I have the body/interior done by summer, and waiting on suspension/engine. So I could, theoretically, have two cars @ school by Sophomore year. :_paranoid

I hope I do not come off as some rich snot nosed kid. I have worked my ass off the last two years, trying to do things as best possible with what little I've had to work with on the 'Velle. And this prediciment just happened to arise. If money were no object, then I would obviously buy a '06 GTO/CTS-V for a DD then have the car professionally done. ;)

Once again, Lateral-G has really helped! Thanks guys!

-Todd

[black2002ls]

Being a full time college student and a full time employee, having someone buy a car that is reliable for you is a blessing, I've had to pay for everything out of pocket since I started school. I pissed away my scholarships my freshman year. Go with the DD, it will help to aleviate any issues with needing repair work done or anything like that.

[Ummgawa]

Well, I really am not getting my future bought for me. I worked my ass off in High School, and because of that, I am receiving the Florida Bright Futures scholarship, and will have 75% or 100% of Tution paid for. Basically it just trys to keep Florida students, in Florida. But I know what you mean.

Dude

Split hairs with someone else. The State of Florida is Buying your education, which means Taxpayers or Lottery Losers (not winners) are footing the bill. If they only pay 75%, SOMEBODY PAYS THE REST!! If you must maintain a 3.0 average on a 4.0 scale, let your GPA drop 1/100th below the minimum requirements and see how long the State of Florida pays. I got through College on a Full Football Scholarship. I earned it in High School and the College I attended PAID for it. The difference is that if I faltered, complained or did not hustle my ass off, there were three dudes with the same scholarship breathing down my neck and 12 coaches ready to send me home. So what did I do? Left all the "stuff" I was coached on in High School. Relearned how to be a College level ball player and learned alot about politics. Oh and I graduated. Of 75 FULL scholarship recipients my signing year, only 4 of us graduated. Don't believe me? Ever heard of a "Went to College on a Bright Futures Scholarship" and screwed around, went home pissed at the world because it was "Not Fair", started talking bad about my country and listening to "Devil Music". I have seen more of those types than you could ever say grace over in a lifetime. Being bright may get you in but hard work and learning a lot of Politics will keep you there. Oh and studying your ass off doesn't hurt either.

Good Luck Dude:thumbsup:

[LateNight72]

Dude

Split hairs with someone else. ... Good Luck Dude:thumbsup:

Thanks for the support. :thumbsup:


BTW- I sent you a PM.

[Ummgawa]

Seriously man...Best of luck to you in your endevors. This country needs young folk with their head screwed on strait. Sports and College at the same time is way to demanding on your time grades and nerves. That is why there is such a low graduation rate in College Football as an average. If you can get there on your brain rather than your brawn...do the Brain thing. Its a rare young man that will take the 'Road less traveled".

I apoligise if I came across too harsh. I have mentored a few young men through the Mentoring program in Georgia (I highly recommend it). I have given them the same speech with 50/50 results. 4 good 4 not so good. The "not so good" dudes all wish they had stuck it out.

Stick it out and hang in there.

[Stuart Adams]

Listen to Jim or you will be grounded!!:thumbsup:

[jerome]

i'm a sophomore ME right now, i just got a project last summer, an 82 S10. if you need a car at school, then buy a car for that purpose. build your car right the first time though. my dad would have bought me a daily driver for college, but i chose a project instead. it wont even roll for at least a year, and i dont have a car at school. it sucks.

go for the daily driver. less headache, no deadline, and no "i told you so" when your chevelle isnt reliable.

Jerome

[LateNight72]

i'm a sophomore ME right now, i just got a project last summer, an 82 S10. if you need a car at school, then buy a car for that purpose. build your car right the first time though. my dad would have bought me a daily driver for college, but i chose a project instead. it wont even roll for at least a year, and i dont have a car at school. it sucks.

go for the daily driver. less headache, no deadline, and no "i told you so" when your chevelle isnt reliable.

Jerome

Wow, this thread got dug up. :D

Anyways, I have choosen to go with a DD, as much as I would like to see the 'Velle get that much closer to completion, I guess it probably would end up not being finished in time.

-Todd

[Beach Cruiser]

20 years ago when I was in college working on my BSME, I parked the camaro and picked up a VW rabbit for $25! Put a fuel pump on it and sold it 3 years and 5000 miles later for $50! I didn't care if I threw greasy parts in the back or parked it near the snowplow route, I just drove it to get me through college. Always remember, one mans junk is another mans treasure!