A Toyota Camry might seem like the obvious choice for a trip around the country, but one owner who also drives a Chevrolet Corvette gives the Corvette the edge for long-distance comfort. The driver, who posted about his trip on CorvetteForum, took his C7 Corvette on a journey that added more than 11,000 miles to its odometer in just 24 days.
He reported a total of 11,360 miles, using approximately 410 gallons of gasoline, and visited several states, including Washington, Maine, Florida, and Texas. His trip thread on CorvetteForum details his journey, including the challenges he faced and the repairs he had to make along the way.
Comfort Comparison
The driver compared the comfort of his Corvette to his 2023 Toyota Camry TRD, saying that the Corvette’s seats were more comfortable over long distances. He attributed this to the fact that the Corvette’s seats “just seem to fit” him, whereas the Camry’s seats felt flatter and firmer.
This comfort comparison is notable, given that the Camry TRD is a sport-tuned version of the car, with track-tuned suspension and a lower ride height. However, the driver’s preference for the Corvette’s seats suggests that seat fit can outweigh a car’s reputation for comfort.
The driver’s Corvette is a 2014 Premier Edition with a seven-speed manual transmission, Laguna Blue paint, and a Brownstone interior. He chose this car for its comfort and performance, and it proved to be a reliable companion on his long road trip.
The Journey
The driver‘s trip began on July 14, when he departed from Washington state at 1:30 a.m. and drove approximately 800 miles to Tacoma, Washington. He then continued on to Blaine, Washington, near the Canadian border, before heading to Idaho and eventually making his way to the East Coast.
Along the way, he visited several notable destinations, including Niagara Falls and Key West, and tried various local foods, such as Chicago deep-dish pizza and beignets in Louisiana. He also made several stops at Buc-ee’s, a popular convenience store chain, where he tried the brisket and other snacks.
Despite the many attractions and activities he enjoyed on his trip, the driver said that the best part was simply driving his Corvette. He described the experience as “a long Sunday drive, every day” and said that he found himself wanting to keep driving, even when he had planned to stop and rest.
The driver’s trip was not without its challenges, however. He reported several dashboard warnings, including low brake-fluid and StabiliTrak warnings, which he addressed by adding fluid and continuing to drive. He also experienced some issues with the car’s coolant system, which he had to repair at a Chevrolet dealer in Norfolk, Virginia.
After the repairs, the driver continued on his journey, eventually making his way back to the West Coast. He arrived home on August 7, after 24 days on the road, and reported that his Corvette had performed well, despite some minor issues.
After the trip, the car had to be taken in for repairs, including leaking differential lines, a broken transmission mount, and a new radiator. He also acknowledged that he had known about a coolant leak since January.
The driver is already planning his next trip, which may include a drive on Route 66 or a visit to Alaska. Despite the challenges he faced on his last trip, he remains enthusiastic about driving and is looking forward to his next adventure.
His reported mileage and fuel usage work out to about 28 mpg. This estimate helps describe the car’s fuel use, but it does not account for the full cost of traveling.
The temperature concern persisted after the repairs, and he later acknowledged that he had declined the diagnostic work the dealer offered.
