tjwor

I'm in the market for getting a C6 Corvette. Have been a long time looker, just now getting serious and planning to buy one over the next couple months.

My budget is in the 20's, was initially trying to stick to the low 20's. I have the flexibility to go up to 30 for the right car.

I'll be buying a M6 Coupe, preferably a 3LT. Would like to find one with around 60K miles or less, but would go slightly higher for the right price point.

Initially I was looking for 05-09 to get into my price range, most of them I've come across are 05-07 without getting close to the 30K range.

I see lots of comments about staying away from the 05's as GM was still working out the kinks and they are more likely to have some issue to deal with. Eliminating the 05's takes a huge hit against my options as they are generally much cheaper than 06+.

It seems there is a significant price jump between an 05 to an 06/07, and then another jump from 07 to an 08/09 w/ the LS3.

The typical pricing for what I'm looking for has a range like this:
05- $22,000-$25,000
06-07- $24000-29000
08-09- $28000-33000+

I am trying to take all things into consideration when deciding what to get. Insurance will be slightly higher the newer the vehicle, resale value will be slightly higher the newer, performance (and reliability?) will be higher going with an 08 or 09.

I plan to keep the vehicle for a long time, but it will depend on how much I drive the vehicle and how much I enjoy it. If I don't like it as much as I think I will, I'll likely trade it in/sell it next year. If I like it how I think I will, I'll keep it until I upgrade to a C7, 5+ years out.

This will be my daily driver, but I work from home so most miles on the vehicle will come from road trips. I won't drive this daily to drive a mile and get the mail, only when I have time to go for a bit of a drive to make it worth pulling out of the garage.

So, here are my main considerations/questions.

1. Should I be worried about going with an 05? What are the main con's (Dead battery syndrome, First model year quirks, any additional road noise?)

2. It seems like if I'm not going to get an 05, it would be worth the extra beyond an 06/07 to get the LS3.

3. Resell value 5+ years out, will the year be that important? Will the price difference between an 05-09 be proportional to what it is today?

4. Would you personally prefer a newer higher mileage or a older lower mileage?

5. Would you personally sacrifice lower miles for less options? Low mile 1LT vs higher milage 3LT?

6. Anything I'm overthinking or overlooking here?

Sorry for the long post, I just want to make sure I'm making as informed of decision as possible, from my reading around here it seems like you are the group to help me do that!

Granitehead53

I bought my 08 Coupe Bas with 35,000 miles for right at 30K it is my DD and I have loved every minute of it.

Granitehead53

C6 Base that is

ExRedRacer

For the same money, you can get either a higher mileage car with lots of options or you can get a lower mileage car with fewer options.

You will pay more for a lower mileage car with lots of options like I did. I paid 33k for a 7,500 mile '06 3LT coupe 2 1/2 years ago. It had all the options in the book and with the low miles, it was worth the little extra I paid for it. Plus the previous owner had already installed the Corsa Sport exhaust with x-pipe.

It was worth it to me, but only you can decide what's best for you.

hrt vlv

In jan. 2014 I purchased a 09 coupe 3lt z51 for 34,500.it had 22000 miles at time of purchase.I am one who prefers a stock car. The paddle shifters allow for the days you want a spirited drive, you can bump around in sport mode until the road beckons. You have mode selection from street to track2, Automatics are very efficient these days. Manuals, I just don't like the skip shift thing, yes you can jump it out but you still have to do that shifty thing. 430 hp is just about enough. The z51 package is a little stiffer, much improved handling from base model. A grand sport with a 4lt would be a nice christmas present!

EVRose

Dont believe everything you read negative about 05's.

Hameister

My advice to anyone asking your question is always the same.

Every year brings with it, refinements, and new features.

The 2013, is the most refined of the C6 series, the 2005 is the least.

If you buy the very latest model year you can possibly afford, you will never go wrong.

It's just that simple! Good luck to ya.

B-Vette

I currently have a 2007 but I would go for the LS3 engine if had another chance. No regrets, just more options available for mods later on.

HOXXOH

Probably the best deal going at this time is: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ered-a-c7.html

At that price you could afford to fix anything that might go wrong in the next 5 years and if you don't like it, you certainly won't take a big loss either.

If I didn't already have an '08, her's would be in my garage now.

UPDATE ! Too late: Janice sold her '08 today for a little less than $16K.

R3L4X

Hameister's advise is rock solid. The only thing left is pulling the plug.

lovinmyls1

Just bought a one owner,20K miles,2005 vert for 28K.One of the things that that I felt to be very important was the one owner thing....if he kept it nine years I'm thinking it must not have been problematic.Look for car fax before you buy...if it's changed hands repeatedly that could be a warning sign.
BTW I love my '05...no problems yet!

C6smackdown

If you have any intention of modding the engine, stay away from the 05. There are way to any limitations.

Also, the shift to reverse issue is by far the dumbest thing ever installed on a push button car.

EVRose

Care to elaborate on the "way to any limitations"? I know of one limitation and that is a weak differential case which is prone to cracking on the MN6 due to wheel hop but not on the A4 which is about the toughest trans ever put in a C6.

mhatton222

The reality is you are going to buy a C6 which is a bad *** vehicle whether it is an 05 or 13. Make your decision on ownership history, mileage, and options as a ratio to price. Don't get caught up in the model year as your deciding factor- imo it is the least important factor. Good Luck

1rusty1

Good advice.

23/C8Z

'08+
NPP
F55
a one or two meticulously maintained no accident vehicle is how i did it. (one owner GM maintained)

the enhancements of the '08 and up are worth the money imho... '12 is the ideal but hard to find under $30k worth buying..

'05 have the oldest steering wheel and the weak rear. plus the stupid thing on the roof! sorry '05 owners. nice car but just like the enhancements made to the '12 blow the '08, 09 10 and 11 away, the 08'+ is same to yours.

torquetube

My main gripe with the '05s are actual feature differences: the steering wheel, the presence of a column lock on M6s, the differential drain plug you can't reach. Not huge in the grand scheme of things.

I would guess that the used prices will compress as time goes by.

I would pay more for fewer options. Real buttons are better than a touch screen and/or a dodgy navigation system. A telescoping steering column propelled by 10 year-old electric motors is not appealing to me. The C6 Coupe options that make a positive difference in your life are: suspension type, transmission type, and color.

Remember that all '05-'06 Coupes and some '07 Coupes had their painted roofs recalled. The replacement roofs were painted at the dealer performing the recall. Pay extra attention to the quality of the paintwork on those cars.

1rusty1

I read this somewhere else " My main gripe with owning an 05 is having to deal with other C6 owners opinions"

Rebel Yell

My first C6 was a 1LT Convertible. My second is a 3LT Convertible with every thing, but the kitchen sink. Both put a big smile on my face. IMHO don't get hung on the amount of options, but find as some say the best year/model you can find for the money you want to spend. Options are nice, but the car itself is the draw for me.