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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  C5 Corvette Convertible - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Ponty - October 7 - 10:00 am

  This car is great at everything that it does. It is fun, it is quick, it is dependable and it is economical.

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  Commemorative Edition Z06 - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By 2vettes - August 25 - 10:00 am

  I had a red 1998 convertible with an automatic (got it so early, couldnt chose transmission) and just got a Commemorative Edition Z06. The performance difference is really spectacular. I wish they would lose that horrible interior rubbery black plastic stuff that wont stay or even get clean but thats my only complaint. Nothing like it for the price. Note to those with carbon fiber hoods: To close, apply pressure above the latch on each side until it clicks. Its too light to drop and have it latch.

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  Corvette - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By drequay - August 19 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is a fun and new experience.The C5 is the fastest and funnest car to drive for under 60000. If u have a small limit this is the car for you. Spacious seat room and any chevy is a great car.

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  A terrific car -- you become cyborg merged - 2016 Chevrolet Corvette
  By drjwr - August 14 - 7:59 pm

  Overall, a tremendous value and top-shelf sports car, a view from someone who has raced cars on the amateur level. Its not so much that acceleration, handling, braking, and feel are superb; its that you feel attached to the car. A cyborg thing. The styling may be a bit over the top, compared, say, to a Porsche Cayman, but it remains a beautiful car. The interior is comfortable. Apple CarPlay works well. You can pack quite a lot under the hatch -- at least four suitcases. I dont find the electronics all that intuitive, but what auto maker has figured that out? My only real complaint, and it is a real one, is a balky shifter, made a bit worse (on my view) by the Active Rev Matching -- leave it off and heal-and-toe instead: The shifts dont flow naturally. You need to consciously go to neutral and over; although downshifting slides more easily into the next lower gear than upshifting. Professional reviewers have complained about going 4 to 7, when they meant to go 4 to 5; I have not had that problem. More of a nuisance has been downshift 7 to 6 and going 7 to 4, because you have to feel "going right" after leaving 7 in order to hit 5.

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  zeeyaa - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By jar4368 - July 18 - 2:00 am

  great car,power handling looks every thing you could want and 30mpg@80mph,love this beast

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  My 2005 Corvette - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By RYTAR36 - July 2 - 10:00 am

  I traded in my 1998 Corvette for this new and much improved 2005 Vette. It drives like a dream. We took it on a 200 mile trip thru the curvy mountain roads of East Tennesse and Western North Carolina the day after we bought it. The handling was great. The new style was a real attention getter. The motorcycles would actually pull over to let us pass because they couldnt keep up. We Love our new Corvette.

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  The Best - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By shy1939 - July 2 - 10:00 am

  THink it is the best car ever

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  OLDER IS BETTER - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By JOSE blanco - July 2 - 10:00 am

  i belive the older style corvettes are better this may have speed but the old vetts have the looks

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  BEST CAR I EVER BOUTGHT - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Scott Pelletier - July 2 - 10:00 am

  Hands donw the best car i have and will ever buy. This cars power with handing is second to none!!! With the 6.0l LS2 this car has the torque and hourse power to pull to and bottom end. With the none flip head lights the car lookes meaner then ever.and defening but it is not much llou

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  My 2005 Sunset Orange Vette - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Vettejoel - July 2 - 10:00 am

  I am now on my 16th Corvette. The 2005 is a huge difference from my 2002. The thing I like the most is the much more refined interior. The car is much quieter than the last Corvette model. The touch screen navagation is awsome. It also displays the navagation in the heads up display if so desired. The XM radio is great to have also. I have been getting many compliments on the new body style also. I love the new headlights also. Last year when Corvette loyalist found out that Chevrolet was doing away with the pop up headlights in favor of more aerodynamic HID lighting everyone was not happy with that. Corvettes have had pop up headlights since 1963. The proformance is awsome also! 400 HP!