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Being a long term C4 owner, looking a C6s as a newb, I found a 2005 with under 20,000 miles for $28,000. Along with asking the usual "is this a good deal?: question, are there specific problems that should steer me away from a 2005 both mechanical issues or major important parts availability issues? I've read 2008 on up are safer bets. Should shy away from this 2005? Its has active handling and was garage kept. I know little else as of yet. Thanks.
I have had my 2005 C6 for 10 years. I had the harmonic balancer replaced this year at a cost of 1300 dollars. Last year I replaced the ECU at a cost of 650 dollars. I have fixed the not coming out of reverse problem on the auto transmission at a cost of nothing but elbow grease. In 10 years of ownership I would buy it again as it has been and still is a great car. The LS2 runs great and pulls hard. I drive my car and it is not a garage queen. We just did a thousand mile round trip to Road America last week. I think the money I have spent in the last two years is reasonable for an 18 year old car. No regrets on buying it. I hope this helps.
I just wanted to note that repairs on my car in the above post were the first and only repairs in my ownership. As for the question of the price they are asking for the car you are looking at it is not unreasonable in my opinion but that is for you to decide. Good luck with your search!
That seems like a lot of $$$ to me for a '05 even with those miles. My first vette was a '05 and I had no problems but there are issues specific to that model year. If it's a manual trans you have to park with it in reverse or it will drain the battery. If it's an auto trans there is a problem with the column lock, there is a remedy from Chevy for that and I think cost is around $400. The rear diff is weaker than other C6's and some make a big deal of that but if your not drag racing you won't have a problem. I think '05 is the only year with the "wart" antenna on top of the halo if it's a coupe. It's the only year with a 4 speed auto, in '06 they changed to 6 speed. I am probably leaving a couple of things out too. Personally if I were going to spend that much it wouldn't be on a '05 but you will need to decide that.
The '05's seem to get a lot of bad press....most of it is unwarranted. I own an '05 and love it. The harmonic balancer issue is a problem with ALL C6's, and a few minor issues are particular to the '05 only but they are minor and fixable by you. The fact that you have to shift to reverse is absolutely no big deal! The manual trans versions have a column lock that should be eliminated and is relatively easy to do. The $28K valuation is a bit high even for a 20K mile car. Don't know if you can negotiate or not but in my opinion somewhere around 23-24 would be closer to reality. You haven't spoken to the options. A well optioned car with both tops, Bose radio, Z51 package, newer tires, could bring $25K if it's near perfect.
Considering parts for all C6s are becoming harder and harder to find since they're increasingly discontinued, I don't think it matters much at this point what year you get. Just be aware of the nuances as mentioned above. First year models have always had unique problems, C7 and C8 included. As for parts, I have a 2011 and can't seem to find something as simple as a bezel cover for the hood release. I'm going to have to get creative with that one. Heaven help me if one of the mag ride shocks decides to give up the ghost.
That said, I also have a 2001 Coupe with what is essentially the same transmission, and that transmission had been used in countless other vehicles for years. If you're fine with a 4-speed, then go for it, although I'd try to get it for $24-25K. Nothing wrong with the LS2 either. My first C6 was a 2006 Z51 Coupe, and I drove it for three years and 30K incident-free miles before trading up to a Z06.
I love that people chime in on their thoughts but it is rare that no one offers what they paid for repairs or for that matter the price they paid for the car they are talking about. So let me start that conversation. Mine was 25,000 in 2013 with 18,000 miles and a one owner car. If you are going to post comments on price as I do then have at it!
Last edited by 1320#me; 08-15-2023 at 11:21 PM.
Reason: add
My 05 Vert I bought in 2017 with only 5600 miles on it, and I paid 24K, so 28K for a 20,000 miles on it seems a little high to me, but I haven't been watching the market on them lately, so that could be what they're going for now days. The only issues I've had with mine was a water pump and power steering hose leak, other than that it's been a great car. I've since replaced the head unit with a Pioneer system, added a subwoofer and amp, and changed the headlights and fog lights out to the Morimoto lights, got LED taillights but that's extra stuff that has nothing to do with how the car runs.
Before the pandemic, C6's, in general, ran about $24,000 for an example with 30,000 to 40,000 miles in my local area. Now that same money buys you a C6 with 75,000 miles. I'll probably pass as most agree its high for an '05
The biggest issue with the 05 is the rear differential tends to be weak but if you don't over do it you're probably fine. 06 got the 6 speed automatic vs the 4 speed for 05.
That seems like a lot of $$$ to me for a '05 even with those miles. My first vette was a '05 and I had no problems but there are issues specific to that model year. If it's a manual trans you have to park with it in reverse or it will drain the battery. If it's an auto trans there is a problem with the column lock, there is a remedy from Chevy for that and I think cost is around $400. The rear diff is weaker than other C6's and some make a big deal of that but if your not drag racing you won't have a problem. I think '05 is the only year with the "wart" antenna on top of the halo if it's a coupe. It's the only year with a 4 speed auto, in '06 they changed to 6 speed. I am probably leaving a couple of things out too. Personally if I were going to spend that much it wouldn't be on a '05 but you will need to decide that.
08-15-2023, 07:23 PM
2005 C6 questions
