2005 Corvette - Cons/Concerns?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,013
Likes: 80
From: Manitoba/San Jose del Cabo
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '11
I owned an 05 and it was fantastic, people on this forum who actually own/ed have had the same or less issues than members with newer ones. Members who have never had an 05 will put them down.
Sure they upgraded the tranny in 06, added a couple more gears.
Looks like recalls are up to date.....I say go for it and enjoy it.
Sure they upgraded the tranny in 06, added a couple more gears.
Looks like recalls are up to date.....I say go for it and enjoy it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 7,244
Likes: 3
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
i got scared reading up on 05's. a ton of guys praise em and say no troubles and than i see other people come in and say 05 guys are in denial and possibly even lying to cover up their problems, like a conspiracy! im seriously considering this car and just wanted the real deal on it.
ANY car has its horror stories. If those bother you, don't buy the '05 or for that matter any other car.
But seriously, take Tony's advice and buy the car, drive it, and enjoy it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,119
Likes: 272
From: SC
I have owned 2 05's. Counting by current one. It's a C6.....Looks like all the rest no matter what year. Most people don't know the difference betwwen an 05 an 2012! I KNOW THE DIFFERENCE, mine is paid for! Minor problems with both cars, nothing major. In fact my current vette has never seen the inside of a dealership sense I have owned it 2 years. 45K miles and purrs like a kitten!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,412
Likes: 1,295
From: Bluffton, SC
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 14,475
Likes: 785
From: Las Vegas NV
I bought my '05 BEFORE I even got on this forum. I looked around and found a perfect one with every option available and it was a great price. After I got it I joined and started reading the forum. I read all the threads about problems with the '05 and was GLAD I bought the car before I read any of that because it might have prevented me from getting what was and still is a perfect car. The only thing I've had to do is replace the battery which was 4 years old, reconnect the wire for the microphone in the A-pillar that was disconnected and fix a connector under the seat that caused the air bag light to come on occasionally. All the recalls were already done when I got it. The only thing on the car that doesn't work right at this time is the compass in the mirror. It stays on S/SW for some reason. If the car you are looking at is anything like mine you will be more than happy with it. BUY IT!
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 819
Likes: 130
From: San Antonio TX
I bought an 05 and had only one issue and that was the steering column lock. I replaced that myself and have had no other issues. The steering column lock is a fairly common issue and it was $372 from the vendor PartsTaxi here on the forums. I did a complete tutorial on how to replace it. I also replaced the differential as a safety measure because I am way beyond stock power levels. The 05 differential has been known to shatter on manual cars with increased hp levels or minor wheel hop.
Hope this helps...
Chris
Hope this helps...
Chris
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 29,085
Likes: 14
From: Cary IL and Parrish FL
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Rear ends got stronger in 06s... I would look 06 and up.. for peace of mind. But the 05s were good too. It was pride and joy of the Corvette workers to get those out... Lots of attention to detail...
If I had a dollar for every "should I buy an 05' thread I could buy another 05'. 
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 10,787
Likes: 199
I own a fully loaded '05 coupe that I bought new. 28K miles with no problems other than the battery just went bad while in storage and on the battery tender last winter. Mine is in the harmonic balancer vin range but I watch it and have never had a problem.
My car has a unique steering wheel, underhood light, rear hatch handle, and an XM wart, all things on the '05s but gone thereafter. I'm sure it's going to be collectable.
Seems to me you went through the same process a while back trying to get yourself to buy another car. Just buy the thing this time. Just think of the driving time you've wasted trying to get the perfect car. If the car is like you say, you will be very happy. There are no deal killers for any year C6 Corvette that I'm aware of. They are all very close and all basically look the same. Do it!
My car has a unique steering wheel, underhood light, rear hatch handle, and an XM wart, all things on the '05s but gone thereafter. I'm sure it's going to be collectable.
Seems to me you went through the same process a while back trying to get yourself to buy another car. Just buy the thing this time. Just think of the driving time you've wasted trying to get the perfect car. If the car is like you say, you will be very happy. There are no deal killers for any year C6 Corvette that I'm aware of. They are all very close and all basically look the same. Do it!
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,024
Likes: 13
From: Loveland CO to Central Coast CA
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Centennial Colorado
I've had my '05 five weeks today. This is a fantastic car, with 26K miles on it, I've put on over a thousand myself so far... The options & features you listed are almost exactly the sme as I've got, except mine is LMB. I love it so far, and have seen no issues. I think the TSBs have already been taken care of, I know the roof-top and the DIC have. Love the a4 as well. I'm not going to race or track this car, just enjoy driving it in the mountains or around town. What a Blast! I hope you have as good luck as I did! Best wishes ,and go for it!
Retired & lovin' it!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,475
Likes: 549
From: Jackson NJ
I've had my '05 vert since new.....30,000 miles now (yep, it's a weekender) & it's been great. Never had any issues & the OE Delco battery is still running strong. Did some light mods over the years....headers, exhaust, tune, chassis plate, wheels & tires, etc....and ti's always run strong. If the car is clean, has a clean CarMax & is in your price range....go for it!