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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Never Again - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
By lowdwn - July 29 - 3:38 pmIf I would have only known the car would be worth a 3rd of my purchase price after 3 yrs of ownership and 15,000k, I would have never bought it. The build quality makes my Wonder why and how gm is still alive. But hey, the next guy who gets the car for next to nothing sure wont have much to complain about.
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$50k piece of junk - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
By Dissapointed - December 30 - 11:08 amConsidering all the good reviews I must have gotten the car built on a Friday before a holiday. This is the worst car I have ever owned. Worst paint job I have ever seen. Silver body doesnÂ’t match the gray front. Visible drips in the paint. Car was purchased new but I took it to a body shop to see if it was ever hit and repainted. Seams dont line up, door doesnt close flush. Worst stereo I have ever heard. Cheap interior. Center console was put on incorrectly. Window indexing mechanism was defective. Brakes continued to squeak even after service addressed issue. Loud and embarrassing buzzing/humming sound coming from the dash when car goes over 70mph. Too many other problems to list.
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An Elephant in the Alps - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
By Bill - September 3 - 6:00 amI got this car in place of a Porsche 911 S and believe me, this car is no Porsche. Its huge for a "sports car". A sports car is supposed to be small, powerful and nimble. The Vettes handling is comparable to an elephant trying to perform on the balance beam at the Olympics. Sure, I like the power under the hood. 30 horses with the dual mode exhaust sounds great, but thats about the only thing thats great on this car. After driving BMWs, Z cars, Porsches and even my Mercedes E350, I am very disappointed in the way this cars handing and appointments are for the money. Cant anyone in the U.S. build a "sports car" at least in the league of the afore mentioned. Pitiful.
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Not too impressed - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
By Rick Burger - March 11 - 10:00 amAfter the flash wears off, this is just a typical Corvette, plastic & a bigger than average motor. Big whoop de do! I want the C-6 and am in line already. Most people dont like the fat & bald stereotype connected to being a vette owner & the chicks dont like fat & bald vette owners either - its just a stigma that I cannot shed.
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Problems with owning an 06 Z06 Corvette - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
By alenatasevich1 - February 7 - 10:33 pmI have had nothing but problems with this car. Starter needs replacing. I had on road assistance called twice because the car didnt start. 2 & 1/2 months of owning this car and Im informed that the "engine is cracked". I speak with mechanics & the dealership and Im informed that this happened on installation at the factory as there was overtorquing that cracked the lower engine block. I was shown the problem visually. Its as clear as day which is another testimony to GMs & Chevrolets quality control which is anything but. Nevertheless, they refuse to replace the car although its obvious that the car was delivered defective. GM is willing to replace the engine.
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Disgusted with GM, Warranty is worthless - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
By superb - January 17 - 4:56 pmI am totally disgusted with this car and wont purchase another GM product. Corvette was alway my dream car, my dreams were shattered when I bought my brand new 50th anniversary convertible. Many problems, including a leaky roof, 3 different dealers tell me nothing is wrong. After 5 attempts they finally replaced the rubber, guess what, it still leaks. This is just one of many problems with this car. If only the warranty were worth something. I might enjoy it if they would fix it.
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Not meant to be driven hard! - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
By Jrock12 - August 2 - 2:00 amWell Ive owned this car about 5 months and the dealer has had it about 4 of those months! Its been mechanical problem after problem. Tranny has been replaced, rear diff blew up, bent rod, etc.. The service manager told me I must be driving it too hard! lol.. Its a $55k piece of crap. I should have stayed away after hearing about friends experiences with vettes. Im getting rid of this thing and getting an M3.
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Do not buy a chevy - 1994 Chevrolet Corvette
By geoff - March 27 - 2:00 amI purchased this car with 66k miles on it and it has been one problem after another. The water pump went out,the alternator needed to be replaced it backfired continuasly, it has small electrical problems. The car had a bad torque converter in it, it turned out chevy put the wrong one in it.Ive had to get 4 tuneups and now im trying to sell it before it costs me more money.