2005 reliability
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: West Hartford Connecticut
2005 reliability
Hey, Hope everyone is getting happy about spring and DRIVING!. My question is: I have an 05 coupe. My first Vette. Wanted one since I was 5. I know 05 is the first year of the C6. I bought it with 3700 miles on it 6 months ago from an Arizona Dealership called Van Chevrolet. Perhaps the worst dealership experience humanly possible and I'm not exagerating. Just an FYI for you guys. Consumer reports gives the Vette a pretty descent reliability record lately. However, the 05 gets a worse then average. I have had a electrical issue that was fixed involving my power steering column button that almost caught the car on fire. Since then its been good accept for those annoying body noises and creaks. Does anyone have any information on whether the 05 is generally holding up well and reliable overall? I just want to know what to look forward to or if they are doing pretty well. Any information would be helpfull. Thanks, Gerson
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,610
Likes: 12
My '05 was trouble free for 6 years until I jammed the auto shifter into gear without pushing the button all the way down, but that was *my* fault. Cost me $1200 and lesson learned 
So IMO my '05 has been 100% reliable! The BS add-ons (On$tar, XM, etc) were not reliable and I no longer subscribe.
So IMO my '05 has been 100% reliable! The BS add-ons (On$tar, XM, etc) were not reliable and I no longer subscribe.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 167
Likes: 1
From: Murrells Inlet, SC and Wells, ME
I have an 05 M6 with 36000 miles on it and have had it since new. Other than the roof recall, it has been in the shop only for oil changes, wheel alignments, and tires. Oh, and to repair a fairly minor encounter with a dead deer on the interstate!
It has been an extremely reliable car! I have had other first model year cars and this Corvette has been the most reliable. That being said, my vin # is past the first 10000 to 11000 vehicles that did have a couple of specific problem.
Hope you enjoy yours as much as I have enjoyed mine.
It has been an extremely reliable car! I have had other first model year cars and this Corvette has been the most reliable. That being said, my vin # is past the first 10000 to 11000 vehicles that did have a couple of specific problem.
Hope you enjoy yours as much as I have enjoyed mine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,285
Likes: 14
From: Iowa
Hey, Hope everyone is getting happy about spring and DRIVING!. My question is: I have an 05 coupe. My first Vette. Wanted one since I was 5. I know 05 is the first year of the C6. I bought it with 3700 miles on it 6 months ago from an Arizona Dealership called Van Chevrolet. Perhaps the worst dealership experience humanly possible and I'm not exagerating. Just an FYI for you guys. Consumer reports gives the Vette a pretty descent reliability record lately. However, the 05 gets a worse then average. I have had a electrical issue that was fixed involving my power steering column button that almost caught the car on fire. Since then its been good accept for those annoying body noises and creaks. Does anyone have any information on whether the 05 is generally holding up well and reliable overall? I just want to know what to look forward to or if they are doing pretty well. Any information would be helpfull. Thanks, Gerson
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,339
Likes: 176
From: Kernersville NC
My '05' has been great now for 30,000 miles and six years. Lost a water pump at about 16,000 but that was taken care of. Don't forget, for the most part the C6 is an extension of the C5. The C5 was good all the years it was built and I don't the C6 will be any different. I've not even had any battery issues and mine has never been on a tender or been jumped. Finally replaced the battery after almost six years.
Go Canes!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,975
Likes: 329
From: Boca Raton FL
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21
In general, I have heard good things about the 05. The improvements made in 06 were to the tranny and rear end, but what you have should be no less reliable than the A6 or the new rear.
It doesn't sound like you are having issues! Many guys with 05's have driven their cars for many miles trouble free.
It doesn't sound like you are having issues! Many guys with 05's have driven their cars for many miles trouble free.
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 19,358
Likes: 5,242
From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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My 05 6 speed that I bought new in 2004 was an electrical nightmare to put it mildly. Ultimately, GM bought the car back. Does that mean they are all bad? NO. If you got a good one you are among the lucky. I was not.
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,484
Likes: 311
From: Scottsdale AZ
My 2005 was delivered into Van Chevrolet in September 2004 - they sponsor our Corvette Club and my service experience with them has been virtually flawless.
I had a couple of warranty fixes including the top replaced, a dash LCD replaced for the AC temp display and whatever the fix was for the active handling at the base of the steering column.
Not sure how the car almost catches fire from a steering column button - regardless, if you have issues, see Chuck the GM at the dealership and get it resolved.
I just hit 30k miles this week and my car looks and runs as new IMO.
forgot--added a new Optima battery this week . .
Good luck - -
I had a couple of warranty fixes including the top replaced, a dash LCD replaced for the AC temp display and whatever the fix was for the active handling at the base of the steering column.
Not sure how the car almost catches fire from a steering column button - regardless, if you have issues, see Chuck the GM at the dealership and get it resolved.
I just hit 30k miles this week and my car looks and runs as new IMO.
forgot--added a new Optima battery this week . .
Good luck - -
Last edited by CQRT; Mar 18, 2011 at 03:18 PM.
Navigator
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Katy Texas
My 05 M6 has 31000 miles on it. Only thing that I have had done was the roof recall. My car looks smells and drives like new. I love it when people ask if its new, and I tell them no... car is 6 years old.. Love the car and glad to say no problems..
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 14,475
Likes: 785
From: Las Vegas NV
I've had my '05 since last October. It had 40K miles when I got it. I've put another 1200. The only problem I've had is my airbag light used to come on sometimes. It was a pinched wire under the seat that I fixed myself. Any recall work was done before I got it. It looks and runs like a new car and I could not be happier with it. I still take the long way home.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 799
Likes: 14
From: Lakewood Ranch FL
I had 140,000 miles when I sold it to a fellow CF member. Only major problem I had was the steering lock column which was a recall issue. If you drive it sensibly you should have many miles of enjoyment!
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,408
Likes: 1
From: Allen Park MI
Hey, Hope everyone is getting happy about spring and DRIVING!. My question is: I have an 05 coupe. My first Vette. Wanted one since I was 5. I know 05 is the first year of the C6. I bought it with 3700 miles on it 6 months ago from an Arizona Dealership called Van Chevrolet. Perhaps the worst dealership experience humanly possible and I'm not exagerating. Just an FYI for you guys. Consumer reports gives the Vette a pretty descent reliability record lately. However, the 05 gets a worse then average. I have had a electrical issue that was fixed involving my power steering column button that almost caught the car on fire. Since then its been good accept for those annoying body noises and creaks. Does anyone have any information on whether the 05 is generally holding up well and reliable overall? I just want to know what to look forward to or if they are doing pretty well. Any information would be helpfull. Thanks, Gerson
NOT! BTW, I could care less what Consumer Reports says about my car. Do some searching on this forum and you'll find many happy 05' customers. The stering column electrical issue is a recall and takes the dealership about 10 minutes to fix for free.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 87
Likes: 2
From: El Segundo California
I have an 05 M6 with 36000 miles on it and have had it since new. Other than the roof recall, it has been in the shop only for oil changes, wheel alignments, and tires. Oh, and to repair a fairly minor encounter with a dead deer on the interstate!
It has been an extremely reliable car! I have had other first model year cars and this Corvette has been the most reliable. That being said, my vin # is past the first 10000 to 11000 vehicles that did have a couple of specific problem.
Hope you enjoy yours as much as I have enjoyed mine.
It has been an extremely reliable car! I have had other first model year cars and this Corvette has been the most reliable. That being said, my vin # is past the first 10000 to 11000 vehicles that did have a couple of specific problem.
Hope you enjoy yours as much as I have enjoyed mine.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 14,475
Likes: 785
From: Las Vegas NV
The lat six digits of your vin tells you what number you have.