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Premium sporty/performance car; Built in USA
  • 2-door convertible
  • 2-door hatchback
  • longitudinal front-engine/rear-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $15,400 – $55,300*


2005 Chevrolet Corvette


2005 Chevrolet Corvette


2005 Chevrolet Corvette


2006 Chevrolet Corvette


2006 Chevrolet Corvette


2009 Chevrolet Corvette Front


2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Front


2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Rear


2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Profile


2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Interior


2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Rear-2


2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Front-2


2011 Chevrolet Corvette Front


2011 Chevrolet Corvette Profile


2011 Chevrolet Corvette Rear


2011 Chevrolet Corvette Front-2

Pros:
  • Acceleration
  • Steering/handling
  • Brake performance
Cons:
  • Fuel economy
  • Passenger room
  • Quietness

The Best Buy (2005-12) Corvette is fast fun, with the Z06 and ZR1 being among the fastest cars in the world. Avoid the harsh-riding Z51 suspension, and all models are reasonably practical daily drivers that cost thousands less than rival sports cars with similar performance.

Overview

Chevrolet revamped its 2-seat sports car for 2005 with revised styling, more power, and new features. Dubbed the C6 to denote Corvette’s 6th design generation since 1953, the ’05 came as a hatchback coupe with lift-off roof panel or as a convertible with a fabric soft top and heated glass rear window. A power top was newly available.

Wheelbase grew 1.2 inches vs. the 1997-2004 C5, but overall length shrunk 5 inches. Fiberglass body panels again clothed a metal structure. The sole engine was a 400-hp 6.0-liter V8, up 50 hp from the C5’s 5.7-liter V8. Transmission choices remained a 6-speed manual or 4-speed automatic. Standard were ABS, traction/antiskid control, and two suspension options. GM’s Magnetic Selective Ride Control automatically adjusted firmness to match road surfaces within driver-selectable Touring and Sport modes. A Z51 package had a firmer nonadjustable suspension, larger brakes, and, with automatic transmission, acceleration-enhancing gearing. Standard run-flat tires returned, but wheel diameter grew an inch to 18 front, 19 rear. Front side airbags were standard on the convertible, optional on the coupe. Xenon headlamps were newly standard, as was keyless access and ignition. New options included OnStar assistance, navigation system, and satellite radio. Heated seats and a head-up display that projects gauge readouts onto the windshield were optional.

Yearly Updates

2006 Corvette
The high-performance Z06 returned to the Corvette lineup for 2006. Sporting a 505-hp 7.0-liter V8 engine and 6-speed manual transmission, the Z06 was the most powerful Corvette ever produced. On base models, a new 6-speed automatic transmission replaced the previous 4-speed.
2007 Corvette
Corvette carried over unchanged.
2008 Corvette
The 2008 Chevrolet Corvette got a new base engine with more power. Base models got a new 430-hp 6.2-liter V8 engine that replaced a 400-hp 6.0-liter V8. An optional “dual-mode” exhaust system increased horsepower to 436.
2009 Corvette
A new ZR1 marked the return of an ultra-high-performance model to this American sports car icon. It came only as a coupe with a 638-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V8. The rest of the 2009 Corvette lineup was largely unchanged.
2010 Corvette
The 2010 Chevrolet Corvette lineup gained a new model, the Grand Sport. Grand Sport, which replaced the Z51 option package, included specific styling cues, suspension tuning, brakes, and transmission gearing.
2011 Corvette
The 2011 Chevrolet Corvette got some new performance options and a limited-edition trim, the Carbon, for the Z06 model.
2012 Corvette
A Centennial Special Edition Package for the 2012 Chevrolet Corvette marked the company’s 100th anniversary. It included GM’s Magnetic Ride Control suspension and unique trim, and was offered on all Corvette models. Furthermore, some high-tech features such as wireless cell-phone link and head-up instrument display that were previously available only on high-end models were now offered on lower-line models as well.
2013 Corvette
Chevrolet used the sixth-generation (C6) car to celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2013. The centerpiece of this milestone was the 427, which was essentially an amalgamation of the top-line Grand Sport, Z06, and ZR1 trim levels. It and all other 2013 Corvettes were available with a 60th Anniversary Package that contains unique items to help all potential buyers celebrate this iconic car’s history. The rest of the Corvette lineup saw minor trim or otherwise no significant changes, pending the seventh-generation ‘Vette (C7) that arrived as a 2014 model.

Engines

longitudinal front-engine/rear-wheel drive

Early base Corvettes have a 400-hp 6.0-liter V8 engine; for 2008, base models got a new 430-hp 6.2-liter V8. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard, and a 6-speed automatic replaced a 4-speed automatic for 2006. Corvette Z06 has a 505-hp 7.0-liter V8, while the ZR1 has a 638-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V8; both come only with the 6-speed manual.

ohv V8
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 6.0/364
Engine HP 400
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 400
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
6-speed manual
4-speed automatic 		18/28
18/26 		19.0
16.5
ohv V8
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 6.2/376
Engine HP 430
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 424
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
6-speed manual
6-speed automatic 		16/26
15/25
ohv V8
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 7.0/427
Engine HP 505
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 470
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
6-speed automatic
6-speed manual 		17/27
16/26 		15.2
Supercharged ohv V8
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 6.2/376
Engine HP 638
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 604
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
6-speed manual

 14/20

Road Test

All Corvettes accelerate like supercars. Chevy says base models are at less than 4.5 seconds 0-60 mph with either manual or automatic transmission. Z06s are pegged at a scorching 3.7 seconds. Not fast enough? Chevy says the ZR1 will do 0-60 in 3.4 seconds, making it among the quickest cars in the world, and all these models feel every bit as quick as their estimates. Transmission response is good with the automatic, but some testers complain of balkiness when shifting the manual.

Manual transmission test base Corvettes averaged 19.0-19.4 mpg, impressive given this vehicle’s sporty pretense. A test Z06 averaged 15.2 mpg. Chevy recommends premium-grade fuel for base models and requires it for Z06.

Corvette’s ride is expectedly firm, but rarely harsh, at least in most cases. The base suspension, optional Magnetic Selective Ride Control, and Z06 have good compliance over bumps, with float and wallow a non-issue. The sporty Z51 setup is uncomfortable and doesn’t quell unwanted body motions.

Steering, handling, and braking are on par with cars costing tens of thousands more. Wide tires provide tenacious grip, aided by quick steering and standard traction/antiskid control. Large brakes stop the car nearly as fast as it accelerates.

No Corvettes are quiet cars, with lots of road noise intruding into the cabins of both coupes and convertibles. Also prominent is engine noise, but the sound of big Detroit iron is more intoxicating than infuriating.

Inside, Corvette’s cabin is more sporty than luxurious. Hard plastic surfaces are prominent and serve as clear evidence of cost cutting. The available head-up display is useful and can be switched off. One test coupe had a rattling removable roof panel. The seats are comfortable and supportive, with adequate head and leg room for passengers. Long heavy doors, low profile make ingress and egress a chore. A power telescope steering column is available to complement the standard manual tilt. Visibility is generally good, but some test models suffered annoying rear-window distortions.

Cargo capacity is excellent for a sporty car, even in the convertible. All Corvettes have sufficient room to hold two golf bags, but interior storage is meager.

Ratings

Model Tested: 2005 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe, auto.

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 10
100%
Fuel Economy - 4
40%
Ride Quality - 4
40%
Steering/Handling - 10
100%
Quietness - 3
30%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 7
70%
Room/Comfort Front - 5
50%
Room/Comfort Rear - 0
00%
Cargo Room - 6
60%

Other

Value - 10
100%

Total: 59

Specifications

2-door convertible
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
105.7 174.6 72.6 49.0
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
11.0 18. 2
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
38.0 43.0
2-door hatchback
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
105.7 174.6 72.6 49.0
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
22.0 18.0 2
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
38.0 43.0
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: N/A

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Front Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Rear Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision N/A
Injury N/A
Theft N/A

Trouble Spots

Airbags
Description: The airbag warning light may no go off due to a faulty seat belt tension sensor in the right front seat belt retractor assembly. (2006-07)
Brakes
Description: Brake rotors may have surface cracks. (2005-13)
Clutch
Description: The clutch pedal won’t return after high-rpm shifts (over 6,000 rpm) on some early-production models, requiring replacement of the disc and pressure plate. (2005)
Cruise control
Description: The cruise control may drop out or fail to set due to the switch on the clutch pedal going out of adjustment. (2005-06)
Fuel gauge
Description: The engine may not start or may stall because the tank is empty yet the gauge shows fuel remaining, or the fuel gauge will not show full after refilling due to sulfur corrosion of the fuel level sender and if after treating with Fuel System Cleaner PLUS the problem remains, the sender may need to be replaced. (2004-06)
Fuel gauge
Description: The fuel gauge may read empty just after a fill-up until the fuel level drops somewhat because the sensor contact goes off the end of the contact area and a software patch corrects the condition. (2005)
Oil leak
Description: An oil leak at the oil pressure sensor may cause the low oil light to come on and oil level to become low. (2006-07)
Oil pump
Description: Sticking oil-pressure-relief valve could cause low or no oil pressure. (2012-13)
Power seat
Description: Electrical components of the power seat may quit because seat movement disconnects the electrical connector underneath. (2005)
Steering problems
Description: Steering wheel may vibrate at idle and an improved power steering hose corrects it. (2005-07)
Suspension problems
Description: Front and rear springs could crack or break. (2005-13)
Vehicle noise
Description: Noises from the roof near the corners of the windshield are caused by the plastic guides for the roof pins getting worn, requiring replacement. (2005)
Vehicle noise
Description: The roof panel may make noises when going over bumps or may have water leaks and wind noise due to panel separation. For this, dealers were injecting foam sealant or replacing the panels. (2005-06)
Electrical problem
Description: When using a portable music player (e.g. iPod) there may be noise in the car’s speakers whenever the vehicle’s power adapter is used and a ground loop isolator (from Radio Shack) is required between the device and the power outlet to prevent the noise. (2005-07)
None
Description: Scraping or tapping noises from the rear wheel may be due to a loose axle nut and new nuts must be installed using a thread-locking compound. (2005-08)
None
Description: Engine may not start because of excessive compression leakage past valves. (2009-13)
Transmission problems
Description: Automatic transmission gear selection may not match indicated gear. A vehicle in Park may not be in Park and roll away. (2013)
Turn signal
Description: The parking lights/turn signals may not work intermittently because of poor contact between the bulbs and sockets, requiring socket and wiring harness replacement. (2005-06)

Recall History

2005 Corvette
Description: The rear brake fluid can boil and leak, causing limited braking ability and a possibility for a crash. Dealer will inspect and fix the problem.
2005-06 Corvette
Description: Some vehicles may have a power steering hose that could crack and leak fluid. Dealer will inspect and replace the power steering hose.
2005-06 Corvette
Description: In rare cases, repeated movement of the steering column may cause a signal interruption within the column. If this occurs, the message, “service active handling system” will appear in the driver information center, and one or more of the brakes may apply, possibly causing the vehicle to pull to the right or left. If the driver does not respond to the change in vehicle movement, a crash could occur. GM will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge.
2005-07 Corvette w/removable roof panel
Description: The adhesive between the removable roof panel and body frame may separate, causing the panel to detach. Dealer will inspect the panel and add the proper adhesive or replace the panel.
2005-07 Corvette
Description: A wire to a low-beam headlight might break resulting in decreased illumination.
2011-2012 Corvette coupe
Description: Rear hatch hinges may not meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard load requirements and could separate during a crash.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on April 20, 2016.
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