Buying advice needed..
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 227
Likes: 70
Buying advice needed..
I am looking to buy a C6. Have no experience with vettes, drive a Nissan 370Z. I am old, have no plans to mod or race. Just want one for cool, comfort for long road trips, RELIABLE, etc. my budget is around $25k.
Are 2005 and 2006 less comfortable or prone to problems?
iAre 2009 -2013 similar and the best bargain would do?
I searched for C6 with low mileage for 500 miles from me. If you can see it, what would you recommend?
Thanks.
Are 2005 and 2006 less comfortable or prone to problems?
iAre 2009 -2013 similar and the best bargain would do?
I searched for C6 with low mileage for 500 miles from me. If you can see it, what would you recommend?
Thanks.
Popular Reply
Mar 2, 2021, 10:38 AM
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 12,759
Likes: 10,657
From: Prosper TX/Austin TX
2020 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
Get the newest model year with the lowest mileage that you can afford. 
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 184
Likes: 32
Hi, I had a 2005 for a couple of years and have had my 2008 for a couple years. Both cars are 6 speed manuals. I moved into the 2008 to get the LS3 and T-6060 trans. Can't say I've noticed a huge difference in power, but I find (and my wife) that the 2008 shifts much easier than the 2005. KOW it has been more reliable, but then it has much lower miles (currently at 25K) 2005 sold with 67K. At 25K, you can get into a decent 2008. Otherwise, get at least an 06, 05 has some odd quirks like having to shift in reverse (stick) when parking and if auto, it's the last year with a 4 speed.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 227
Likes: 70
Thanks. I am looking for coupe. And an automatic. Prefer 2009 but will likely have to settle for 2008. What exterior changes in each year? Then, the absence of Bluetooth means, I will have to spend on an after market unit.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 12,759
Likes: 10,657
From: Prosper TX/Austin TX
2020 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
This coming from someone who has had 30 cars in 28 years. I often felt like I had to have one now & settled for a car that didn’t check all the boxes. Looking back now there’s only a handful of those cars that, if it were today, I’d still buy.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,309
Likes: 2,212
From: San Antonio, TX
Welcome to the forum. The people on here are pretty friendly and helpful. I'm sure we all can help in your search. You didn't mention your location but said you've looked in a 500 mile radius. If we knew your general location it would help.
2nd, I always ask people who ask for help on here to ask themselves these questions. You've already answered a couple of them.
What's your budget? You said $25K
What's your driving habits? You said cruising around and road trips, so you really aren't racing so you don't need Z06, ZR1, etc. Do you plan on entering it into car shows?
Coupe vs. Convertible? You said coupe
Auto vs. M6? You said automatic.
Color: To me this was a priority. To others, the color might not matter as much.
Other options: HUD, dual mode exhaust (NPP), navigation. You mentioned blue-tooth. Certain years didn't have it, but easy fix w/ aftermarket radio.
Interior color: I wouldn't want a red interior, but that's me. Others don't care.
Hopefully answering those will help narrow the search.
2nd, I always ask people who ask for help on here to ask themselves these questions. You've already answered a couple of them.
What's your budget? You said $25K
What's your driving habits? You said cruising around and road trips, so you really aren't racing so you don't need Z06, ZR1, etc. Do you plan on entering it into car shows?
Coupe vs. Convertible? You said coupe
Auto vs. M6? You said automatic.
Color: To me this was a priority. To others, the color might not matter as much.
Other options: HUD, dual mode exhaust (NPP), navigation. You mentioned blue-tooth. Certain years didn't have it, but easy fix w/ aftermarket radio.
Interior color: I wouldn't want a red interior, but that's me. Others don't care.
Hopefully answering those will help narrow the search.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,309
Likes: 2,212
From: San Antonio, TX
But I do agree with you. It took me a while to find my exact match.
2012-2013 white automatic GS w/ HUD, NPP, and titanium interior.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 5,277
Likes: 509
Seems you could get a reliable C6 for $25k. You’ll be surprised how comfortable traveling is. Lots of space in the coup. Normal chevy problems; a friend’s had lots of little things wrong. Electric seats, windows, nothing major.
btw, for around-town, commuting, I found my 370z 6-spd to be much more fun to drive, but not for long trips
btw, for around-town, commuting, I found my 370z 6-spd to be much more fun to drive, but not for long trips
Racer
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 273
Likes: 53
From: Fort Lauderdale
Agreed with getting the newest model in your budget but avoid 2005. There are a few issues floating around the forum that I can't remember. Nothing wrong with 2006-2007 and might be the best bang for your buck. 2008+ is certainly worth it if you can find one in your budget and what I bought for 20K 2019, but the market has changed a bit this past year. The C6 is a very reliable car and even 100K mile cars shouldn't scare you away as long as all signs point to the car being maintained well.
Last edited by Al.B; Mar 2, 2021 at 01:46 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 227
Likes: 70
Thanks, all of you. I retired 4 years ago and since then, I have been trying out various coupes around the same price point. In 2016, I had a Nissan 370z, traded it for the Mazda Miata RF. Loved that car’s handling but because I am tall (6’4”), I barely fit and when I took that on a trip to New York, found it difficult to pull into a rest stop and nap a bit. Later, I bought a 2007 Jaguar XK. Real nice to drive across country but if it breaks down, you find yourself in a motel for days waiting for parts to arrive. Not too many Jaguar dealers around and maintenance is expensive. I went back to my 370z 2018.
I don’t care for the muscle cars but looked into 2007-2013 Porche and Corvettes. Porche was a tight fit and costs to maintain are high. So here I am looking into Corvettes. $25 k gets me a choice of 2006 and 2007 C6. A couple of thousand more and I get to then 2008 and 2009. Are there significant differences?
I don’t care for the muscle cars but looked into 2007-2013 Porche and Corvettes. Porche was a tight fit and costs to maintain are high. So here I am looking into Corvettes. $25 k gets me a choice of 2006 and 2007 C6. A couple of thousand more and I get to then 2008 and 2009. Are there significant differences?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 227
Likes: 70
Note that C6’s seem to have a lot more owners on Carfax than for other cars. Don’t know what to make of a car with under 30k mikes that has had 3+ owners. I guess, people buy as a weekend toy, barely drive it and once over their midlife crises, sell it!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 903
From: Kentucky
A 2008+ gets you the LS3 engine vs LS2. There isn't a huge power difference but it will have a little better resale value if that's important to you. Pretty much any year is equal in terms of reliability. They are very reliable cars over all with a lot of shared parts from other mass-produced Chevrolets. As others have said, I would buy the newest year and lowest mileage you can afford. I wouldn't worry about the number of owners because sometimes that gets a little confusing on the CarFax. My GS has something like 5 or 6 owners but I'm only the third individual as far as I can tell and the rest were dealers. That didn't scare me away and the car is in fabulous condition.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,058
Likes: 2,159
From: Schaller Iowa
Zahmed, first off welcome to CF! No matter what generation you have this place is a wealth of info and great advice. As mentioned above if you plan on keeping and enjoying the car do not "settle" because you find one at a good price, or because it's local etc. Expand your search to nationwide or "any distance" on the various car sites to get more options and research on what really appeals to you.
2008-2013 have the LS3 engine which are pretty much bullet proof (with proper maintenance of course) but I've also not heard anything really negative about the LS2 engines either. Another thing to think about is the trim level....1LT, 2LT, 3 and 4LT. Ask yourself if you'd like HUD, memory seats etc as each higher level offers more goodies and gadgets. C6 corvettes are overall great cars for pretty much everything from cruising and road trips to time at the track. They're very solid and capable platforms. There are issues that may or may not come up (the harmonic balancer comes to mind) however IMO there's nothing so detrimental that should deter you from choosing one.
Do let us know if you find "the one" and it's an unwritten rule that you post up lots of pics and details of your car.
2008-2013 have the LS3 engine which are pretty much bullet proof (with proper maintenance of course) but I've also not heard anything really negative about the LS2 engines either. Another thing to think about is the trim level....1LT, 2LT, 3 and 4LT. Ask yourself if you'd like HUD, memory seats etc as each higher level offers more goodies and gadgets. C6 corvettes are overall great cars for pretty much everything from cruising and road trips to time at the track. They're very solid and capable platforms. There are issues that may or may not come up (the harmonic balancer comes to mind) however IMO there's nothing so detrimental that should deter you from choosing one.
Do let us know if you find "the one" and it's an unwritten rule that you post up lots of pics and details of your car.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
Just a little heads up...any problems with a 2005 should have been addressed YEARS ago. I have a 2005 and my only issue was over power induced.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 227
Likes: 70
At the moment, my choice seems to be a 2009 with 40k miles for 25k and a 2013 anniversary edition with 30k mikes for $28. The first one is a red metallic color with tan seats (not my liking), the other is black. One is 500 miles from me, the other is 1500 miles from me.
I am thinking the 2013. Should I save the $3k and go for the 2009?
I am thinking the 2013. Should I save the $3k and go for the 2009?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 903
From: Kentucky
At the moment, my choice seems to be a 2009 with 40k miles for 25k and a 2013 anniversary edition with 30k mikes for $28. The first one is a red metallic color with tan seats (not my liking), the other is black. One is 500 miles from me, the other is 1500 miles from me.
I am thinking the 2013. Should I save the $3k and go for the 2009?
I am thinking the 2013. Should I save the $3k and go for the 2009?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
At the moment, my choice seems to be a 2009 with 40k miles for 25k and a 2013 anniversary edition with 30k mikes for $28. The first one is a red metallic color with tan seats (not my liking), the other is black. One is 500 miles from me, the other is 1500 miles from me.
I am thinking the 2013. Should I save the $3k and go for the 2009?
I am thinking the 2013. Should I save the $3k and go for the 2009?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 909
Likes: 320
From: Kearney Missouri
My little story... I've had Corvette's in the past but after a divorce and getting my money situation handled, I started looking again for a weekend toy. Found a '12 auto Base 1LT with 9k miles back in 2018. It was very very nice and while I really wanted a manual GS, I thought "I'll be happy with a 1LT base as a cruiser". Fast forward about 1 year and I ended up trading and buying an '11 GS 3LT 6M with 5k miles. Of course I lost money. Why? Because I settled! Don't do it. I'm a happy camper - got my favorite color now with everything I want. Can't see me selling for quite some time.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 8,483
Likes: 3,985
From: Omaha
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
As other's have said, don't settle. Get what you want and enjoy it. One question is whether you want an auto or a manual? The big difference would be if auto, get an 06 or later as they get the 6-speed auto (versus the 1 year carry-over old 4-spd). Beyond that the major differences are 2008+ which gets the LS3 engine (unless you want to look at widebody cars like Z06/GS/ZR1, but that doesn't match your stated use case). My parents have a 2007 that they got for a great price March 2 years ago and love it. Had 62K miles and they got it for $20K (basically was an advertising loss leader at a local Corvette specialty dealer). They previously had a C4 and really love the upgrade to the C6. It's a 3LT trim with auto, no NPP (dual mode exhaust) or Mag Ride (adjustable suspension) or Z51 (sport package), and it's perfect for them. I've always had manual Z51/GS/ZR1 cars, but I have to admit theirs is a great car for cruising (even back road mountain drives) and does everything they need (I've driven it multiple times on visits and enjoy it as well).