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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  corvette - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By kyle blake - September 4 - 10:00 am

  i love my corvette it is the greatest car ive ever had in my life.

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  My Hot Ride-1st Vette and not the Last - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By 1HOTRIDE - August 24 - 8:36 am

  Lady driven and love it. This is a vehicle that I have always wanted, finally purchased new in 2006. Looked so good did not want to drive it and had it in my garage for 6 months before I took it out. Love the car, it is awesome to drive, definitely turns heads. This is what I call my Sunday Drive Cruising Car. I had this car now since 2006 new, and dont get it out much to drive, and took it out for 2nd time this summer and my convertible gave me problems, back cover did not close properly is off centre and now need to take in to get serviced. So bit disappointed on this issue. No other complaints.

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  Driving a Dream - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By tanjarine - August 22 - 2:00 am

  This car is like driving a dream. Not only is it extremely fun to drive, it is such a sexy car!! no matter where youre going, or what you are wearing, the car just makes you arrive in style !! and FORGET about the POWER this car has... it is UNBELEIEVABLE !! i love my car and i wouldnt trade it in for any other. i am so happy with it.

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  Race car with a license plate. - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Mark Strathmann - August 18 - 10:00 am

  Compared with the 1982 Corvette I also own, the 2004 is like driving a car from another planet. The comfort, economy of operation and sheer joy of driving this car is beyond words. I would recommend this car to anyone. This car is like having a personal race car, except with a license plate.

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  Never again - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By GM JUNK - August 18 - 10:00 am

  I have owned over 5 corvettes This is the worst. Nothing but problems. Both fuel senders went out, AC quit, radio changes channels by its self. Seat memory as a mental defect. Wind noise, Exhaust system needed repairs, Engine replaced Just quit on I-95 Over the past yeat it has more time in the dealer than on the road(Im not counting the time spent driving to and from the dealer or on a tow truck) Goodbye Chevy

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  Still the best performance bargain - 1997 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Inaband - August 11 - 6:57 pm

  This C5 is my 4th corvette, found on the net. Owned 5 years so far, no major problems, just oil changes, antifreeze and reg maintenance. 28 mpg highway w/ 6 speed. I drive it to club shows and functions, awesome car for the money.

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  More than you can imagine - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By jerry - August 11 - 10:18 am

  This is the only car on the planet that you can : drive all day, do a 12 second quarter mile, put on a road course and go 185 mph, gets 25 mpg city/country, top down then put on a tux and take your wife dancing, all in the same day in the same car. This is the greatest car ever built for the money and it is unlikely that it will ever be equaled again. If you dont love this car, you are not human.

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  Wow! What A Car - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By crspurch - August 6 - 1:09 pm

  Well, this is my third corvette, first a C3 - 1980, next a C4 - 1992 and now this C5. It is incredible, the improvement over the C4 is staggering. The car is a monster and handles like a dream. I wanted a convertible, but I thought I wanted a C6 because of the higher HP. However, after driving both, I decided on the C5 (2004) because I thought the interior was much nicer and roomier. I really felt the C6 interior was "cheapened" compared to the C5. Some have complained about "noise" from the run- flats, but I dont experience that problem. All in all, dollar for dollar, this is an awesome car!

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  GM got it right on the c6 - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By hilgie - August 6 - 10:00 am

  I have not owned an american car for 25 years. I have owned an Acura NSX, Lexus SC 430, BMWs, etc. I am proud to say that GM should be proud of their acheivement in the C6. Good build quality, great design and execution. The vette flat out beats the NSX in every area- handling, acceleration, speed. Even beats it in fun to drive factor. I was looking at a Porche 911, but after driving the new C6, there was no reason to spend the extra money. Great Car. I only have 900 miles on it so reliability is still an unknown.

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  What a car - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Paul Woods - August 6 - 10:00 am

  I have driven many exotics in my day..Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini,etc. Ordered the car in March based solely on the early pictures and reviews. Was I ever surprised! Unbelievable power, head turning looks, nice ride from the new Goodyear EMTs. My car is an early one (#1995) and the build quality is every bit as good as others costing many thousand more. Z51 and six speed manual is the way to go. If this isnt the automotive buy of a lifetime, I dont know what is. Thank you Chevrolet, it really is an American Revolution.