lgould

Towards the end of this year I plan on buying either a 2005 or 2006 corvette. Someone on here replied to a post to stay away from the 2005. Are there major issues with the 2005? I plan on getting a coupe with an automatic transmission. Any advice?

froggs

Since '05 was the first year of the new model, there were plenty of problems to be had. You can check out the FAQ sticky for a comprehensive list.

degaux

No major issues with my 05 Z51 A4

LS1LT1

With any new vehicle introduction from any manufacturer there will be some minor teething issues the first year but the 2005 C6 is still a great car (like the 2006 steering wheel FAR more though ) and I wouldn't avoid getting one if the price was right. The 2006 automatics might be slightly quicker/faster but if you get a 2005 with the optional 3.15 axle ratio (which was standard with the Z51 option on 2005s) you will still have an ultra fast car as well.

RAP

One big difference for you since you are looking at an automatic is the 2005 had and 4 speed and the 2006 had the all new (never benn tested ) 6 speed automatic with paddle shifting.

The paddles can be a bit of fun when I tried it, but seemed counter intuitive initially and I even hit it acidentally once or twice.

As for the issues with the 2005, I haven't seen manu problems with mine that wouldn;t be on a 2006 as well.

Both are great choices and it is really rough that you have to make a choice.

Foy Toy

It is too much of a generalization to say that an '05 is not good.
I have 8,000 miles on my 2005 magnetic red coupe and other than the fuel gage problem ( completely fixed) , there has been zero issues with the car. I bought the car in early February, 2005 and have not had the car back for anything besides oil changes and the fuel gage issue.
other important considerations in the '05 vs '06 decision are color and transmission. remember millenium yellow, magnetic red and precision red were unique to 2005. For 2005 the automatic was a no charge option , 4 speed console shift. For 2006 , the automatic is a $1250 option and is also 6 speed paddle enabled.
Ed Foy
fond du lac, wi
foytoy 2002 electron blue/torch red 6 speed coupe ( the ron fellows edition- with signed engine cover)
foytoy2 2005 magnetic red/ ebony auto coupe

Mel 2001

The A6 trans in the 2006 is way more fun to drive than the A4 in the 2005 model.That was one of the reasons I bought the 2006. I had a 2001 C5A4 before I moved up to the C6.

Sven

There are many advantages to the '06 ... and I can't see such a huge $ difference that would make buying an '05 irresistible.

talon90

While I love my 2005 and would buy one again, they did have a few bugs to work out. First and foremost they can have a condition we coined DBS (Dead Battery Syndrome) do a search, you will find more than you wanted to know. This impacted manual transmission cars. If you want an automatic, non-issue. The crank pulley bolt on about a month or two worth of VIN's could back out and slip a belt and damage the crank pulley. There were some cars that had a differential leak. The most significant being the painted roof panel could delaminate. For the C6 the engineers switched the panel material from a SMC (sheet molded compound) to a polycarbonate. Due to differences in expansion coefficient the panels under the right circumstances could litteraly come unglued. If you like the transparent top - Non issue.

I would never tell someone to stay away from the 2005 cars. I would however make sure you do your homework. Have the VIN run through the GM VIS system to get a list of warranty work that was done. Run a carfax this will tell you a lot about the car and its past. The reality is that outside the range of cars affected by the issues above they are no more prone to problems than the '06. My '05 has a transparent top and was not affected by the crank pulley or by the differential issue and I just plain love my car. Good luck to you in your search.

Paul

Vette_DD

The earlier 2005s seemed more problem-prone than later in the year. Not all 2005s had these problems, but the manual trannies seemed to have a high rate of Dead Battery Syndrome. Also, many coupes with the painted roof (standard roof) had delamination problems, although I put 19,000+ miles on a 2005 coupe in 95 deg. temps and never had a problem with top delamination. However, my 05 coupe never sat in direct sunlight for more than a couple of hours at a time.

I now have an 06 automatic and the sport mode on that car when you use the paddles is lots of fun to drive.

busysignal

I have owned an 05 6 speed power top car for almost 2 years with the only problem being 2 episodes of the DBS. No other problems, I will get the reflash done in a few weeks. I keep a tender on my cars for the winter anyway.

rateti

I have had no problem with my 2005, it has 6000 miles on it and would by another one. The only problem i have with it, is hitting racoons on the way to work in the early morning. Other than that it is a great car

RedC6Jezybel

I have 18000 miles on my '05 and have had "0" problems with it. I did have the painted roof replaced, but no other problems. I think you see a concentration of complaints on the forum which is out of proportion to the real situation in the general public. The forum is a fantastic source of info, but you have to look at the big picture also.

kgelliott

Just as a rule of thumb I like to pass on the first year of a new model of any vehicle. After all the reading I have done on the developement of each 'Vette generation, as well as other vehicles, it is easy to assume there will be at least several, hopefully minor, issues to be cleared up/fixed/refined by the second year. Even though I couldn't wait to get a new C6, it was for this reason I waited for the '06 model to come out. I like the newer steering wheel much better, and I love the A6 Auto w/ paddle shift. However, the A6 is in IT'S first year. Oh yes, I almost forgot to mention the cute little GM badges on the lower sides! You won't want to NOT have those!
Of course, they will always throw in something new each year to make last year's model obsolete. But, it's the basics and their problems that I count on to be ironed out between years one and two. For that reason, and because I like my '06 Coupe so much, I say get the '06 coupe in Red!

KevinDavid

I try to never buy the first year of a new model, there are always problems with a new model that are fixed by the second year. If you're going for an automatic, the 2006 is the definite way to go.

cksrick

Jimbeaux

Based on many posts I've seen however, it seems to me that the 06's and 07's have more body panel alignment and paint issues than the 05's.
Oil usage, roof delamination, rear end groan, and DBS seem to have popped up in the 06's and 07's just as frequently as well. As for the A6, it has no (zero) advantage performance wise over the A4, yet it costs more. Lastly, after 29K on the 05's clock, I can report no major issues as well. "Caveat emptor"

HH24

Everyone is pretty much correct, DBS and roof delam, the biggest problems. I bought my 05 late no pulley problems, then its an auto takes care of DBS and smoked roof takes care of delam. That's why I have not had a single problem. Except for the big problem of everyone looking at me, DSOM. The biggest advantage of buying an 05 or yearly 06 Love that color.

ScottyBlue

i had a 05 6 speed i blew the rear twice that car was a junk box! now i have a 07 6 speed totally different car

Jimbeaux

Well, if this post of yours

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1622511

is any indication of how you treat cars, then I suspect you're 07 will soon be a "junk box" as well... in fact, I would be willing to bet it already is...