Newbie here. So new don't even have my vette yet. Have been holding out for a new one loaded just like I want, but with the economy and all....Anyhow, my wife saw an 05 for sale near by. It only has 12,000 miles on it. She says it looked brand new. She really didn't know what to look for in the way of options and things so I don't have any info on how it's loaded. Yellow Coupe 05 12,000 miles, $32,900.
What I'd really like to know, is from those who know or have owned an 05 the major differences in these and an 08/09 and known issues with the 05's. Or even some things to look for in a used vette.
Thanks in advance for you input.
Billy

 

i have a 05 and love it 32000 miles no problems

 

I have an 05 z51 at 66,000 miles NO PROBLEMS!!! It's a daily driver.

 

I love my 05 and have no regrets. I have had a few problems but they are all due to heavily modifying the car so don't use my issues as an example of a stock 05. $32,000.00 sounds a bit high but I have not priced them in a while, others may have better advise on price. The LS2 is a great engine, rock solid. There have been a few posts outlining the difference between the different year models so do a little searching. Good luck.

 

Early '05 Z51 MN6 VIN 4997
Almost 20,000 miles, daily driver.

I've had most of the early teething problems:

Rocker panel and underside damage per dealer PDI right off the bat, fixed by dealer with my prodding! Earlier C6's tend to have more of this due to dealer inexperience. Check your rocker panels!

DBS X 3 or 4, but none in well over a year since getting the reflash at 2 years. Very little of this by '06. This is a sudden dead battery situation with the '05 manuals.

Clutch 'sticking to the floor' problem several times at high RPM, fixed by me with 50 cent bracket to reduce clutch throw. No more problem in over 2 years. There is a TSB for early '05's on this:
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...ht+Engine+RPMs

Replaced squealing brake pads under warranty at 12 months. Also took care of excessive brake dust.

A/C freon removal fix at 12 months. Early '05 problem with too much freon from factory.

Repaired stuck outside rear hatch button ala Pipedreams DIY.

Paint chip damage to the front edge of both rear 1/4 panels due to poor door alignment fixed and painted.(at my expense) Home made rubber bumpers installed by me. No more chips. Now GM provides for their own bumpers. Check your rear 1/4 panels!

Did the fluid exchange for noisy rear end at 2 years. Seems to have worked, so far.

Replaced clutch slave fluid numerous times with significant and now
sustained improvement in clutch feel and smoothness.

Very loose rear sway bar bolts found when inspecting underside.
Also loose passenger side rear axle bolt.

Roof finally foamed at 3 years. No delamination. Roof had slightly mismatched original DSOM paint (not uncommon with DSOM), and repainted under warranty with much better match. But they forgot to foam the roof the first time I brought it in! So it had to go back! Also to fix the tire sensors which were somehow rendered inoperative! Of course also the battery was dead when I picked it up, despite leaving the reverse warning tag on the shifter! I had to bring it back X3 to fix the tire sensors! Roof also still creaks alot. maybe less than before.

Driver seat rocking fixed. Had that fixed twice with my C5.

Shifter had been rattling at mid RPMs especially when cold (<60 degrees) at 2 years. Dealer fixed that, and it seems fine now this cold season. They also replaced the console that they scratched the first time they tried to fix the shifter rattle!

Battery died for good May '07 and replaced.

I still enjoy the car, but I would never recommend an '05 without an extended warranty.

This just in 11/08:
The clutch spring broke, took it in and the bill was $488! The clutch master was bad (?) too.

Also ordered the new roof top front handles to help with noise...
Installed 12/08, 4+ years and now finally no roof noise!
But they scratched the roof, and I had to bring it back in to be buffed out!

Extended warranty is now just about paid for...

If the VIN is 11039 or less have the crank pulley examined or repaired. This could be a major repair off warranty.

 

My 2005 coupe has 12000 miles and no problems. That price seems high but depends what's in it. Try to look under the front end for any damage that could hitting the ground and look at the rims for hitting curbs. If you love the car then the price is what it is. Good luck.

 

05 is no problem by itself. However, the price is too high for an 05, even if it is fully loaded. I saw 05's cheaper than that a year ago before the economy tanked. I looked at an 06 2LT with similar mileage for about the same a year ago.

Where are you located? Look around the For Sale forum here and I think you will see something to your liking. It's a buyer's market.

Good Luck.

 

That price is too high for an 05, keep looking and you can find a better deal than that

 

I too thought the price was high. Simple enough to check even at edmunds. As someone stated, it is a buyers market and I certainly don't mind negotiating. I appreciate all the info from the owners too. That helps me decide if it's worth considering.
Keep it coming guys. Thanks.

 

It's a buyer's market out there right now and you should be able to almost steal one. And the general rule applies: Never buy the first model year of any car.

 

Bought my 05 brand new in May 05 so it's almsot 4 years old. Granted, not my daily driver but it has been driven hard at the track, around 300 passes. Has mods as well, VR, FAST, cam, full exhaust, tune. Only two problems, the dead battery problem. I replaced the stock with a Yellow Optima and used to use a battery charger. Haven't used the charger in two years now, no problems. My clutch will somewhat stick now but never did prior to the cam. Zero clutch problems when stock or with minor mods. Great car thus far.

 

I bought my 05 dsom c6 used and have loved every minute behind the wheel.

If you look in the glove compartment, there's a sticker that has a bunch of codes on it. These codes tell you which options the car was built with. Do a search for RPO codes on the forum to translate the codes. That should help you get a better idea of the value.

Good luck.

 

Nothing wrong with '05, but for that price, you should be in an '07....

 

'05 28k - no issues

 

'05 - 20100 miles, my is a good weather driver and I have had only 2 major problems with it. The fuel sending unit which was fixed with a reflash and the rear end noise that required 2 changes of the rear end fluid. I also had 1 minor problem, replace the front tires just recently. I love it however I am looking at a Z06 upgrade.

 

too high. Unless its a loaded vert. You can get a nicely optioned 2007 coupe for about that much. Buy the newest you can afford.

 

Billy-- Welcome to the forum - - -this is an often raised question both in terms of the reliability of the `05 and the differences to the present model year. Best suggestion is to get familiar with the "search" feature and you can read more than you ever wanted to know on exactly those subjects.

Finally, we have an early model year 2005 built in September 2004 that's approaching 25k miles - -largely trouble free.

Find the right car - -do you homework and you can find a well equipped 05 in very good condition for a few thou less than the example you've given.

You can also ask a dealer to run the VIN or post it here and a forum member can pull the car's history of service and warranty claims.

Good luck!

 

'05 with 10,490 miles.

No MAJOR issues, and so far nothing that would stop me from ever buying an 05.

My only woes...and they're minor.

1. Roof popping noises - fixed under recall
2. Squealing brakes - fixed under warranty (new pads)
3. 2 x transmission drips - warranty fix for bad trans oil pump seal, and bad shift shaft seal
4. Crazing headlights - cause I was a moron and put headlight protectors on for too long.

I love this car! No battery issues or clutch issues for me; 11738 vin

 

05 z51 mn6 14,000 miles loaded here. No problems. I bought mine 1 year ago this week and that is what I paid last year. However if you got what you wanted pay it and be happy. You'll love it.

 

Welcome and good luck with your choice.