Overview & Reviews

Often referred to as America's only true sports car, the Chevrolet Corvette is one of the world's best known and longest-running nameplates. From its rather humble six-cylinder beginnings in 1953 to the 638-horsepower ZR1, the Corvette has transformed a lot over time, but it has always maintained the key aspects of style and performance that make a Vette a Vette.

Note that the Corvette continues on for its seventh generation as the Corvette Stingray, which is reviewed separately. This review covers the three previous generations of modern Corvettes.

Used Chevrolet Corvette Models
The most recent pre-Stingray Corvette is the sixth-generation model, or "C6," which debuted for 2005 and ran through 2013. Compared to the C5, it boasted improvements in performance, build quality and styling. Design changes included the return to exposed headlamps (first time since '62), crisper fender peaks and a visual slimming of the big rear end. The cabin was upgraded with better materials and switchgear, and the convertible's top could be power-operated. Initially, it had a 6.0-liter V8 developing 400 horsepower.

The following year brought a new six-speed automatic transmission and the 7.0-liter, 505-hp Z06 model. Like its predecessor, the C6 Z06 had a fixed roof, but it shared the regular car's hatchback rear end this time around. For 2007, America's sports car received larger brakes (for Magnetic Ride-equipped versions), an available two-tone leather interior and a couple of special editions including an Indy Pace Car convertible and the Ron Fellows (a successful Corvette race driver) Z06.

A refresh took place for 2008 that brought more power for base versions in the form of a 430-hp 6.2-liter V8, which was coupled to either a six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic. Chevy also made interior, manual transmission and steering improvements that year. The new ZR1 ultra-high-performance fixed-roof coupe arrived for '09, wielding a 638-hp supercharged V8 and appropriate suspension and brake upgrades, as well as some unique styling features such as a transparent hood insert.

The following year (2010) Chevy brought out the Grand Sport, which essentially combined the base car's V8 with the Z06's suspension and brake upgrades. For 2012, Corvettes received new, more heavily bolstered seats, which provided more comfort and previously lacking lateral support.

For 2013 Chevrolet marked both the Corvette's 60th birthday and the last year for the C6 with the expected celebratory versions. One notable example was the 427 Convertible Collector Edition, which was essentially a Z06 convertible powered by the incomparable 7.0-liter V8.

In reviews of the C6 Chevrolet Corvette, we noted its impressive combination of strong performance, a comfortable ride, eye-catching style, affordability and relatively good fuel economy. The Z06 was singled out for particular praise due to its track-ready hardware and phenomenal 505-hp engine. Complaints involved the cabin's ho-hum interior materials (though the C5's were notably worse), an antiquated audio/navigation interface and the car's lack of nimbleness compared to other sports cars.

The previous Chevy Corvette (the C5) was built from 1997-2004 and marked the Corvette's evolution into a world-class sports car, albeit with an interior that borrowed liberally from the GM parts bin. Easier to get in and out of than the C4, the C5 also boasted a new chassis that had nearly 50/50 weight distribution between the front and rear axles, a more compliant suspension, a much roomier cockpit with more supportive seats and a new "LS1" 5.7-liter V8 that made 345 hp. The transmission choices were a six-speed manual and four-speed automatic.

With a 0-60-mph time of less than 5 seconds and a top speed of around 175, there wasn't much that could touch this Vette short of a few big-dollar exotics from Europe. That first year saw just the hatchback body, whose styling drew barbs for its rather large hindquarters. But the benefit of the big butt was more than 20 cubic feet of cargo capacity under the rear hatch. A convertible joined the lineup for '98 and the following year brought a fixed-roof "hardtop" model with an even more prominent posterior. For 2001, the mighty Z06, a reincarnation of an earlier Z06 performance package from the '60s, debuted in hardtop form only, bringing 385 hp to an already impressive chassis. As if that weren't enough, the Z06 gained 20 hp the very next year.

Enthusiasts looking for a sports car they can live with day in and day out would be well advised to consider a Chevy Corvette from this generation. Pros and cons are mostly similar to the C6, with the notable exception of the C5's relatively crude interior design and materials. This Corvette still offers considerable bang for the buck in the used sports car marketplace.

The fourth-generation Chevrolet Corvette (C4) was available for the 1984-'96 model years. The flamboyant style of the previous generation was replaced with a leaner look, and a race-inspired suspension featuring lightweight alloy components debuted as well. First-year cars should be avoided, as the 5.7-liter V8 made just 205 hp with its troublesome "Crossfire Injection" setup, while the suspension was much too stiff for daily driver duty. Subsequent years saw the debut of a convertible, more power and suspension refinements. By 1990, the Corvette was a well-sorted sports car with massive grip and respectable performance from its 250-hp engine. That year also saw the debut of a sleeker, wraparound dashboard and the ZR1 supercar, which came with a 375-hp, 5.7-liter V8. For '92, the standard Corvette gained more power via a 300-hp V8. The ZR1's output shot up to 405 hp for '93. The last year of this Corvette's generation saw the availability of a 330-hp version of the main V8.

Although the C4 is regarded as desirable in terms of performance for the price, its awkward ingress/egress, cramped cockpit and less-than-robust structure make it more of a weekend toy than a satisfying daily choice. It still looks cool, though, and it's worth noting that the 1990-'96 wraparound dashboard is quite similar to the hypermodern C7's layout.

Read our Chevy Corvette Z06 Long-Term 20,000-Mile Test

User Reviews:

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  Great - 1994 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Sam Tucker - March 30 - 2:00 am

  Great Car, spent all nights indoors, paint waxed annually, kept clean 24/7. 6-speed, never raced, adult owner. 100% dependable. Engine compartment as clean as paint. I suffered Illness in 95 and couldnt drive much after that. Have other corvette for fun. Still almost smells factory fresh!

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  A True Sports Car - 1999 Chevrolet Corvette
  By SleeStack - March 28 - 2:00 am

  Since this is the hardtop version, it comes equipped with the 6-speed manual and sport suspension. The ride is very stiff and you feel every bump but it also corners like it is on rails. This is a sports car and it drives like one. There really is no other vehicle in the world that can compare to the Corvette. There are only a handful of better handling or faster cars and all of them cost at least twice as much. I do not recommend the hardtop as a daily or city driver. I highly recommend it for use as a SPORTS car.

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  Wow - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By bearlemley - March 28 - 2:00 am

  A very sticky car that needs no replacement for displacement. Perfect for a long commute, Sunday mountain roads or a long road trip.

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  Gray Shark on the Road - 2016 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Auric22 - March 20 - 1:44 am

  Traded my 2012 Grand Sport in on a new 16 Stingray. Found on a showroom in Ky at the end of model year. Great trade-in on my pristine GS as well as GM loyalty rebate and excellent dealer pricing. Absolutely love this car - my first auto on a vette. Car as $17G in options but wanted the Shark Grary Metallic exterior w/Kalahari interior. Black stinger stripe, mirrors and spoiler with transparent top w/red calipers. Absolutely gorgeous. Quieter than my GS convertible and beautiful interior design and function. The nav. system greatly improved and got 19.5 mpg on my 450 mile trip home from dealer. Feels like you are in a cockpit, much improved ride over my GS, as car feels smaller and you aim it more that steer it! Time will tell how it holds up but I am in love with this car! People gush over it. 2018 Update: Well it has been 18 mos. and 16,000 miles on the car and it has more than lived up to my initial review. We to it on a 3,000 mile road trip to Key West Florida and it performed extremely well and we got 30 mpg at times and kept it in touring mode all of the time. It is quite comfortable and I love the power it has - especially getting on the highway in the accelerator lane or passing another car with the exhaust opened. We had burlwood installed on the dash, center console, steering wheel and door control accents which, with the Kalahari interior, makes for a luxurious interior and won Best Interior Award over 350 vettes at the 2017 Corvette Show in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Also won in Columbia & Osage Beach, Missouri Shows. Have not had one problem with the vehicle and cannot wait to leave this week for another long road trip to St. George Island in the Florica Panhandle and onto Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Alabama. This vette is a keeper. If Bo Derek was a car, I am sure this is how she would handle!

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  Red Rocket - 1990 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Bobby H - March 19 - 2:00 am

  Bought it new and store it every winter. It is completely original down to the tires. Each spring is a kick in the pants when it is brought out of the garage. The 6 speed shifts smoothly and easily tops 100 in 3rd. On trips it always gets at least 28 miles per gallon. What more could you ask for...and when I bought it there was a $10k factory incentive so it only cost $28k new. WOW!!

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  ZO6FUN - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By reebox109 - March 19 - 2:00 am

  GREAT CAR NONE LIKE IT ON THE ROAD FOR THE MONEY ...NOTHING EVEN COMES CLOSER TO THE PREFORMANCE OF THIS INCREDIBLE CAR ..DRIVE ONE AND YOU WILL KNOW WHAT I MEAN

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  2004 "VETTE" - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By BLONDEE50 - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I love the ability to get on the expressway with no problem, as I travel it daily. It has a lot more room in the passenger area and the trunk space surprised me. I thought I would have a problem exiting and entering as I have back problems but it is very easy to enter and exit. Very much a fun car to drive and own.....LOVE IT!!

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  Going Strong And Loveing It - 1998 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Mx - March 6 - 2:00 am

  The Corvette, When I Was 13 Yrs Old I fell In Love. 1973. The Price at those times, Seemed To be, Completely Out of My Ball League..They were Pricing out between 5 an 8 k....NEW! I Later fell Into Some Restoring, Still Keeping My Eye On Everything, All The way Down, Till They Put a Convertible Top, With a Trunk,Came to My Eye.

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  I love it anyway! - 1992 Chevrolet Corvette
  By BradleyP - March 5 - 2:00 am

  I got her with 96K miles, and now have 108K. I had to put about $2000 into repairs and general upkeep. I now have a slight tick in the rear end, could cost $1500 in parts. I am going to run it at the track again this year, well see how far I get! It drives great and very fun, but be prepared to spend money.

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  Nice Car - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By mjepilot - March 3 - 10:00 am

  This car is great - although the attention is a bit overwhelming. Too many times have people been gathered around it as I walk out of the mall. It is a joy to drive and a pleasure to show off. Be careful when driving across dips in the road - low clearance tends to scrape here and there - also when pulling into a parking space with a cement divider in front.