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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  What an awesome machine - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By sfcc - October 23 - 2:05 pm

  Your writers are correct!! The C6 ranks right up there with some of the finest sports cars made. I have driven 2500 miles. It has been 2500 miles of quiet,tight,comfort and responsive miles I have ever driven. Its fun to drive,great to look at and 17 miles to a gallon in stop and go traffic isnt bad either. Other drivers give this car alot of respect in traffic by making room for me. Forget the power roof for $2,000.00, manual is just as quick.

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  Loving Life After Divorce - 1998 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Rusty - October 23 - 4:57 am

  Bought my first Vette at 25 yrs old for 22K. Loving the car in every sense. The seat of the pants feel is amazing and other the a few mechanical problems she is alot fun to cruise in. Headlight gear bad at 42K, Turn signal bulb bad 3 times in 20K, coolant overflow tank replaced at 46K, Oil pressure sensor replaced at 43K, belt tensioner at 58K and battery at 55K. I push this car like a sports car should be pushed and at 65K I can still muster up a 13.4 @104mph at the track. Only mods are a catback exhaust and Blackwing Intake. GM keep up the good work and I cannot wait to see what the 2006 Z06 can put down for a 1/4 mile time!!!

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  Z06, a race car for the street. - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Terry - October 21 - 3:15 am

  427 cubic inches with 505 horsepower and 475 ft. lbs. of torque in a 3100 lb package. The car is absolutely awesome in acceleration, braking, handling. I have owned 6 Corvettes in the past. This is by far the baddest production Corvette produced so far. The torque of the engine is seamless from idle to its 7,000 rpm redline.This vehicles performance is spectacular. It is almost unbelievable this car is so docile and easy in bumper to bumper traffic as it is right at home on the race track doing 150mph plus. The 6 piston calipers up front with 14" rotors and the 4 piston calipers with 13.5" rotors making stopping unbelievable. On the race track there is absolutely no fad.

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  Bad machine - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By PATRICK - October 20 - 3:47 pm

  This is my fifth Vette, 61,66,78,96 & 06 and this is the best overall. Speed, performance, looks, and good ole American muscle. Compared to foreign cars this one is a steal and a head turner. Congrats to gm and more importantly the corvette division. Great job, keep ‘em coming and make the Vette live on, for ever and ever.

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  LBM Coupe - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Bill - October 19 - 8:52 pm

  Second one Ive had, much better than 2002. Daily driver and vacation driving are a pleasure. Quiet until you ask for more, nice quality on the interior, body is solid, anndlin is great. Mag ride is worth the money, and Corvette Museum delivery is a nice option.

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  Fun for all ages - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By ljarodsky - October 19 - 3:58 pm

  My first Corvette, having owned Mercedes and BMWs. I wondered about quality, but the quality is excellent, performance is fantastic, and its fun to drive, as well as reasonalbe fuel mileage. If you are driving a foreign performance car you should give this one a try. I rate it very highly and Ive had them all.

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  Vette 4 - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By NICK56 - October 19 - 11:18 am

  Handles like no car Ive ever driven. Accelerates like a rocket. Great looking body. Interior is a little weak. Some wind noise comes in through the side window. Sometimes feels a bit firm, but it is a sports car. Overall, a fantastic car. in my opinion, better looking than the C6. No regrets.

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  Best car ever - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By new vett owner - October 17 - 9:01 am

  This car goes above and beyond its reputation. It is fun to drive and has surprisingly good gas mileage when cruising on the highway. Contrary to critics, the interior is very nice in my opinion. The 06 handles much better than the 05.

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  Sunset Bomb - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By titianqueen - October 14 - 4:25 pm

  Only complaint is that a lot of heat enters thru the tinted roof, and had to have a custom top make for it, instead of paying $1900.00 for an additional color coded hard top.

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  An American Classic Grows Up! - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Mike - October 14 - 8:34 am

  I did not set out to buy a Corvette. I was going to purchase a SL or CLK series Benz or a 6-series BMW (all available as convertibles). I visited the dealerships, I test drove the cars, they all had power and refinement and, yet, bored me stiff! I happened to pull into a Chevy dealer (for the first time in 20 years) ... the new C6 Vettes both resembled their heritage and yet looked different. I test drove one. I fell in love! This car LOVES the road! The seating position is perfect, the responsiveness of the engine is amazing, and you feel like you couldnt come unglued from the asphalt if you tried. This car inspires confidence. I bought a fully-loaded ragtop the same day.