When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Another satisfied 05 owner here. Bought mine 2 years ago this month. Been great. 6 spd manual 1SB both tops loaded with everything except Nav. My budget was also 20k and spent less on a like new 05. Sure I would have liked newer but it wasn't in my budget. And since 05's look like a 13 I figured I would eventually upgrade to a C7 in time. No regrets at all.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Originally Posted by saplumr
I buy GMC vehicles like people change socks. 26 in the last 18 years. Never a problem with any with the exception of a 2017 Sierra Denali diesel at $75K. It was a dud but that doesn't mean 17's were a bad batch. Stuff happens.
I've owned 34 Corvettes over the years. The ONLY one that caused me huge problems was the brand new 05. My 05 was an absolute electrical nightmare and I wasn't the only one, trust me. It's the only Corvette ever made that required you to park the manual, 6 speed in reverse or the battery would go dead. Did I know people that had good luck with them? Absolutely. Would I buy another? Absolutely not. Hey, I've owned 64's and 68's. Those years get no respect. Mine were great cars. No issues other than regular maintenance. I was always upset when people bashed them, because I had great luck with mine.
I can only share my experience with the 05. GM admitted to me that the electronics were problematic. They had problems with the XLR at that time as well. A friend of mine had his bought back due to electrical issues. Good luck to the original poster if you decide to buy. Looks like a beautiful car.
Can you "really" expect a 13 year old car not to have problems? I have a 05 Z51 6 speed with 75K miles. When purchased every thing worked as it should, got 20+ MPG as well. Bet you can't find a 05 Honda, mustang or camaro in the same shape.
Another satisfied 05 owner here. Bought mine 2 years ago this month. Been great. 6 spd manual 1SB both tops loaded with everything except Nav. My budget was also 20k and spent less on a like new 05. Sure I would have liked newer but it wasn't in my budget. And since 05's look like a 13 I figured I would eventually upgrade to a C7 in time. No regrets at all.
I love my 05 convertible. Runs great, looks great. Don't listen to the haters. If you get an LS2, they will tell you you should get an LS3, If you get a C6 LS3, they will tell you you should have bought a C7, if you do that, you should have bought a Z06 then you should have waited for the mid engine C8.. It never ends with some of these idiots.
Buy what you can afford, like and have a good feeling about.
Last edited by rossi190; 09-13-2018 at 09:00 AM.
Reason: add image
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Originally Posted by rossi190
I love my 05 convertible. Runs great, looks great. Don't listen to the haters. If you get an LS2, they will tell you you should get an LS3, If you get a C6 LS3, they will tell you you should have bought a C7, if you do that, you should have bought a Z06 then you should have waited for the mid engine C8.. It never ends with some of these idiots.
Buy what you can afford, like and have a good feeling about.
Since I'm the only one in this thread that had anything to say about potential issues with the 05, should I assume this is directed at me? I expressed an objective response based on my personal observations. I'm neither a hater or an idiot.. This Forum never ceases to amaze me with the name calling if someone express an opinion contrary to yours. I'll refrain from any name calling.
Since I'm the only one in this thread that had anything to say about potential issues with the 05, should I assume this is directed at me? I expressed an objective response based on my personal observations. I'm neither a hater or an idiot.. This Forum never ceases to amaze me with the name calling if someone express an opinion contrary to yours. I'll refrain from any name calling.
Sorry if you got offended. This was not directed at you at all. I honestly didn't even read your comment.
This was directed at the people who seem to have to give me their opinions of my purchasing an early model year C6 wherever I go.. Wrong year, wrong engine, wrong transmission, etc etc. Just giving my opinion to the OPs question.
Needs rear struts and tires are not too great. And a couple of other minor issues. I can get good deals on parts where I work but it brings the total to around $17,500 (if I get the tires I want). I think it is still worth it.
Not sure on rear strut cost, but tires will run ~1200 if you want Michelin run flats (highly recommend as I put AS3s on my car). Just for reference, I bought my 05' 2 years ago for 21,500 with 53K. Sounds like a lousy deal in comparison, but very happy with it -- now have 65K. What has happened since my purchase:
Tires and brakes (base brakes were squealing bad so went to ceramics)
MAF sensor
Crank Position sensor
Fuel pump relay
I expect some issues being 13 years old and storing over the winter. I am not a fan of super low miles or high miles --- I think you have a great opportunity to get into a nice car for a great price!
I've got a Magnetic Red 05. I love it. Would liked to have paddle shifters but what the heck. I have black interior but cashmere is really nice looking.
Magnetic Red looks so elegant. And I've ALWAYS liked the four post steering wheel more than a three post.
So close! As you could probably tell I was getting pretty close to pulling the trigger on this 2005.
HOWEVER, since my last post yesterday afternoon we have found several more issues....
Inoperable memory seat controls.
Driver side seat heater,
Front emblem would have to be replaced (red portion significantly faded)
CD player portion of the radio not working,
Bad radio volume control.
The passenger side lower radiator mount bracket bent with broken welds. Looks like it had a significant impact to a curb or some other obstruction.
Also noticed a significant rust hole just under the right side exhaust tip in the muffler body.
Brake pads are OK, but close to needing to be changed.
In addition to the tires and rear (realistically rear and front) struts mentioned earlier
All these issues would have to be fixed before I could be satisfied. When I estimated the time and cost to get this 2005 Corvette where I would want it (even before the COOL mods), puts it more expensive that it is worth to me! Time to step back, take a deep breath, and wait for a better situation.
The sad part is it is an awesome color. It drives great. Clutch operation and shifting is flawless. Acceleration is strong. Ride is a little rough, but probably can be attributed to the tires and rear struts.
THANKS AGAIN for all the great feedback (good and constructive)!! ANd listening to me thrash through this process!
So close! As you could probably tell I was getting pretty close to pulling the trigger on this 2005.THE SEARCH CONTINUES!!!! Stay tuned!!
Based on what you said I'd probably keep looking, and/or bring up these items up to get a lower price. Just to play "devils advocate" and if you do your own work these items are not all that expensive to fix.
Inoperable memory seat controls -could be the connector under the seat, the battery was disconnected (deletes settings) or the e-brake switch not connected.
Driver side seat heater -If the e-brake was disconnected that could indicate the console was removed, is the heater switch just disconnected ?
Front emblem would have to be replaced (red portion significantly faded) I would not let that deter me from a good deal
CD player portion of the radio not working, -get a new used one off fleabay, or get an after market with Nav. (Could be why the console was removed)
Bad radio volume control. (see above)
The passenger side lower radiator mount bracket bent with broken welds. Looks like it had a significant impact to a curb or some other obstruction.(all c6 owners hit a curb at some time at least once .... what's the cost to fix - deduct from price. You can buy a new mount and bolt it in.)
Also noticed a significant rust hole just under the right side exhaust tip in the muffler body. (Cheap loud muffler mod ?) (I'd price in a Corsa exhaust, for example, and get the price reduced)
Brake pads are OK, but close to needing to be changed.( Who cares? Relatively cheap fix )
In addition to the tires and rear (realistically rear and front) struts mentioned earlier(Do you mean end links ? ... if so also a cheap fix. I bought mine on Amazon, almost took me longer to jack up than replacement. )
Figure out what all that stuff worth as a discount to you, and offer that as a price. You don't get it then walk away. 2005 is a great Corvette!!!!
Sounds like a lesson on can't buy a car on pictures alone! You'd never know these issues without looking at it in person.
You are absolutely right! I looked at an ad yesterday where the pictures had been post-processed to the point they almost looked cartoonish. But with the right software you can make a pile of dog poop look like a brownie. My pictures were straight off my cell phone, and it looks pristine!
qikstik
I have had my 05 since 06 it now has 120k on it, of which the last 2k have been very hard miles. The only draw back I have with the 05 is that when you shut the car off before you get out you have to put the car in reverse or the electrical system will not shut down all the way,
and unfortunately it is the only year C6 that has that requirement. and as far as I know there is no disarming it.I have gotten used to it, the problem is most people don't know and if they park your car for any length of time you may get a flat battery.if they don't shift to reverse 2005 C6 base
09-12-2018, 11:12 PM
, so wish me luck! 
