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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  Best Sports Car Ever! - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Zoomie 81 - August 12 - 2:00 am

  Driving the vette is exhileration bar none! Unless a person wants to spend a lot more money--there is no car on the planet that offers the comfort, technology, performance and value all in one awesome automobile! Whether wipping some wanna-be off the line or crusiing with your babe on a sunny day, the Vette has it all. A heads-up display, a Bose sound system, and gut wrentching performance all add up to the best car ever. Go ahead and spend double the money and still have less of a car. Go ahead and be stupid! No car even comes close for the dollar. See you in my rear view!

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  And Great Gas Mileage Too! - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Marshal888 - August 10 - 2:00 am

  The most amazing thing about the Corvette is the gas mileage on the open road. My 99 got 32.7 mpg with an automatic trans and my 2003, Z06 gets 31 mpg. The only time gas mileage suffers is when your playing or when I drove this beast up Mount Washington in New Hampshire. It was first gear all the way up to 6000 ft. plus. Coming down the mountain was another story. Overall the value is there. Plenty of storage for luggage. If I had to say one bad thing about this car if would have to be the cup holder. Its useless!

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  Corvette Review - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By BlueAngelC5 - August 10 - 2:00 am

  This car is loads of fun to drive!

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  Fantastic - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By BigBob3 - August 10 - 2:00 am

  Better than any other car on this list, Ive leased most of them.

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  Awesome - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By vetteguy - August 9 - 10:00 am

  Chevy has a real winner with the new Vette. Ive had about 7 of them and this one just proves they are getting their act together even more. The C5s were superb, this one is better yet!! You can pay WAY more for a car but why bother, this one will blow the doors off of everything else until you get into the $150K range and those barely exceed this car. Nice job Chevy, starting with the C5s, the Vette is back in style!!!

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  Arrived at Destination - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By WooHoo - August 9 - 10:00 am

  Come on, its a Corvette, What else does one want for? Fuel mileage is right where it should be. Even after 40 years, it still turns heads.

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  Best sports car for the money - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Justin Robertson - August 8 - 2:00 am

  For the speed and reliability of the Corvette, you cant beat the price tag. Not only is it a great weekend car, but I drive it to and from work during the week. I have yet to have any problems with it. I only wish that the 2003 model had the option of a navigation system like the new 2005s have. The interior in general is mostly leather and plastic which isnt the greatest, but thats what all the car manufacturers are finishing the interiors off with. As far as American sports car price tags go Ford GT 145,000 and up: Dodge Viper $90,000: Chevy Corvette 45,000. You cant beat the price for what you get.

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  Z51 for life - 2016 Chevrolet Corvette
  By LesZ51 - August 6 - 3:46 pm

  This is my 1st corvette and I absolutely love the car. The power is simply amazing! I have an M7 and when I add the active rev match and mash the petal this car moves.... The seats are comfortable and I am surprised how quickly I adjusted to sitting so low to the ground. Once your in the cabin you only notice how low you are when you pull up to a light with an SUV next to you. The sound system is great and the subwoofer makes the Windows rattle. If their was a complaint I would have to say that when the drive mode is set to "E" the steering wheel is rather loose. If you should decide to purchase a vette get ready for the admirers as at one point or another we all were.

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  2nd best car I have ever owned - 1994 Chevrolet Corvette
  By e Mccoy - August 4 - 2:00 am

  I had a 1991 Corvette and it was the worst car I had ever owned. I was going to never drive another vette again and this one came along. New on the show room. It has been great. I have driven it in every state over every kind of road and just love it. It has 182000 miles with no trouble.

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  My First Corvette - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By fredo - August 4 - 2:00 am

  its a pleasure to drive around with your top down.In may i made my last trip from florida to wisconsin with top down all the way.End of september i shall return to florida the same way (top down)hopefully,to spend the rest of the winter there.my biggest suprise was the milage i get 22-24 miles /gallon about the same as the honda S 2000 that i traded in on my corvette