Pick the Corvette
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,579
Likes: 87
From: Chester County PA
Pick the Corvette
2006 - 51k miles Lemans Blue over gray (Not fond of gray though) 3LT....$24,880
2005 - 30k miles Nav, heated seats, HUD.........$25,500 2 hr trip
2005 - 35k miles HUD, heated seats, etc (No nav) appearance mods.......$25,500 3 hr trip
2006 - 40k miles HUD, heated seats, aftermarket nav......$27,000 3.5 hr trip
Cons on the 05s are A4, ugly steering wheel & god awful shift ****. However, cheaper & less miles.
2006
2005
2006
2005
2005 - 30k miles Nav, heated seats, HUD.........$25,500 2 hr trip
2005 - 35k miles HUD, heated seats, etc (No nav) appearance mods.......$25,500 3 hr trip
2006 - 40k miles HUD, heated seats, aftermarket nav......$27,000 3.5 hr trip
Cons on the 05s are A4, ugly steering wheel & god awful shift ****. However, cheaper & less miles.
2006
2005
2006
2005
Last edited by Never-Enough; Mar 31, 2011 at 03:08 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
Likes: 1,319
From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
2006. I've owned both.
Average mileage per year:
1st 2005 = 5K
2nd 2005 = 6K
2006 = 8K
Anything less than 12K a year is not bad mileage at all.
You didn't say whether the cars were manual tranny or automatic. If they're automatic, that means even more reason to get the 2006, because of the paddle shifters.
At the very least, the 2006 is a 5 year old car, the other two are 6 year old cars. As someone has already said, get the newest car you can afford.
Average mileage per year:
1st 2005 = 5K
2nd 2005 = 6K
2006 = 8K
Anything less than 12K a year is not bad mileage at all.
You didn't say whether the cars were manual tranny or automatic. If they're automatic, that means even more reason to get the 2006, because of the paddle shifters.
At the very least, the 2006 is a 5 year old car, the other two are 6 year old cars. As someone has already said, get the newest car you can afford.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,579
Likes: 87
From: Chester County PA
2006. I've owned both.
Average mileage per year:
1st 2005 = 5K
2nd 2005 = 6K
2006 = 8K
Anything less than 12K a year is not bad mileage at all.
You didn't say whether the cars were manual tranny or automatic. If they're automatic, that means even more reason to get the 2006, because of the paddle shifters.
At the very least, the 2006 is a 5 year old car, the other two are 6 year old cars. As someone has already said, get the newest car you can afford.
Average mileage per year:
1st 2005 = 5K
2nd 2005 = 6K
2006 = 8K
Anything less than 12K a year is not bad mileage at all.
You didn't say whether the cars were manual tranny or automatic. If they're automatic, that means even more reason to get the 2006, because of the paddle shifters.
At the very least, the 2006 is a 5 year old car, the other two are 6 year old cars. As someone has already said, get the newest car you can afford.
1 year difference is meaningless IMO when you're talking about cars of this age. I am only on the fence b/c of the A4 vs A6 & ugly shifter & wheel. I have paddle shifters now & never use them so that's moot.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 769
Likes: 161
From: Downingtown, PA
First and foremost, you have to choose what YOU like, but since you asked, I would go with the 2006 as well. 2005 was the first model year of the new C6 and I am always a little cautious with new model years. I have a 2006 btw. Rear ends were changed between 05 and 06 too I believe.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,579
Likes: 87
From: Chester County PA
First and foremost, you have to choose what YOU like, but since you asked, I would go with the 2006 as well. 2005 was the first model year of the new C6 and I am always a little cautious with new model years. I have a 2006 btw. Rear ends were changed between 05 and 06 too I believe.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
Likes: 1,319
From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
2006 C6 changes:
1. A6 automatic transmission
2. Strengthened rear end
3. F55 software upgrade
4. 2 exterior colors dropped
5. 2 exterior colors added
6. New interior color
7. Upgraded interior console trim
8. Three spoke, smaller diameter steering wheel
9. MN6 park in R or walk feature eliminated
10. Steering column lock eliminated
11. Nav system plays MP3s
12. Digital/analog On Star
13. HVAC chrome trim rings
14. Passenger seat weight sensor for airbag
15. Reduced ragtop bubble at speed
16. Hidden XM antenna
17. GM badges
by ProfMoriarty 3/05/06
18. Altered steering "feel" sez GM
19. New Z51 brake pads
20. Improved convertible wind deflector mounting provision
21. DIN battery
22. (Apparently) no dead battery syndrome
23. Modified gas filler inlet
Added by ProfMoriarty 8/4/06
1. A6 automatic transmission
2. Strengthened rear end
3. F55 software upgrade
4. 2 exterior colors dropped
5. 2 exterior colors added
6. New interior color
7. Upgraded interior console trim
8. Three spoke, smaller diameter steering wheel
9. MN6 park in R or walk feature eliminated
10. Steering column lock eliminated
11. Nav system plays MP3s
12. Digital/analog On Star
13. HVAC chrome trim rings
14. Passenger seat weight sensor for airbag
15. Reduced ragtop bubble at speed
16. Hidden XM antenna
17. GM badges
by ProfMoriarty 3/05/06
18. Altered steering "feel" sez GM
19. New Z51 brake pads
20. Improved convertible wind deflector mounting provision
21. DIN battery
22. (Apparently) no dead battery syndrome
23. Modified gas filler inlet
Added by ProfMoriarty 8/4/06
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 450
From: Texarkana Texas
my vote is for the 30k mile 05. The steering wheel is not bad, I like mine, just because it is different. The shifter...what shifter??? Put it in gear and look out the windshield...I don't drive around looking at my shifter, its just a shif ****. The A4...I love mine, but I have 3:15's and a tune. Still get 23 mpg in town, and when you push the go pedal, it goes. Just my .02. You have to get what you like not matter what everyone else says. People will tell you dont buy a first year model...all models have their troubles. Get what you like and can afford.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,500
Likes: 312
From: Scottsdale AZ
I'd suggest starting by pulling a VIS report on each car from the dealer to show warranty and repairs. The silver car seems to have a lot of modifications - -they all look cool, but do your homework to insure they're not the by product of accident reconstruction.
I can't tell whether any have the Z51 option but typically that's worth a buck or two on price . . and although conventional wisdom suggests to buy the newest you can afford . . I'd start by doing your homework on the history/documentation on each and if you're not a C6 expert, find someone that is and have them look at each car carefully.
You might also put your location into your profile to try and garner feedback from other forum members locally that might know the cars you're considering.
My 2005 (delivered Sept 2004) just hit 30k miles and has been a great car.
Good luck
I can't tell whether any have the Z51 option but typically that's worth a buck or two on price . . and although conventional wisdom suggests to buy the newest you can afford . . I'd start by doing your homework on the history/documentation on each and if you're not a C6 expert, find someone that is and have them look at each car carefully.
You might also put your location into your profile to try and garner feedback from other forum members locally that might know the cars you're considering.
My 2005 (delivered Sept 2004) just hit 30k miles and has been a great car.
Good luck