Hi I’m looking into buying my first corvette. I know for my price range in this market. I can find a c6 with in the years 2006-2009. My question is. What year is the best/safest option. And what should I look for? I’ve narrowed it down between 2
2006 with the 3lt pack. 17,000 original miles 6 speed
or
2009 with the 1lt pack. 37,000 original miles 6 speed.
The 06 is a couple grand cheaper but I know I’m getting an ls2 instead of ls3. Is there any other benefit to the newer one besides the power gain? Which one is better for reliability? Please help. Thanks.

 

Hi, and welcome to the forum.
The rule of thumb is to buy the newest in your budget. Each year,from 2005-2012, there has been improvements, such as but not limited to the rear differential and auto trans from 2005-2006, to improved steering from 2006-2007, Introduction of the LS3 in 2008 and added interior trim improvements and improved seats in 2012 and 2013.
Each subsequent years have seen some improved changes.
All years are subject to the Harmonic Balancer issues, and it appears that 2008 and beyond, an issue with the fuel tank fitting crack issues, causing smell of gas fumes. GM has a 10 year, 120,000 replacement, but soon, most years will be over that time frame.
I have a 2006 with over 112000 miles, and have had no major issues with my C6. I have a 3LT optioned car, but I wanted all the bells and whistles for using it for road trips.
The upper option levels have sport seats, and that alone is worth it, just for adjustability of the lumbar and side boosters, and added safety of side air bags.
The LS2 and LS3 drive train is very reliable, so no problems there in any of the years.
Good Luck in your search.

 

I agree with the points 4SUMERZ made. I would determine exactly what you want and don't settle just to get a Vette or you may have buyers remorse down the road. You will probably get varying opinions on LS2 vs LS3 but they are both great motors. When I was looking I had a punch list on what I wanted and was looking for cars in the 2006 to 2010 year range. As you can tell by the year range the motor was not important to me. I found a 2006 that checked all my boxes and bought it. Took me close to 4 months to find it and I have no regrets. Good luck with your search and welcome to the forum.

 

Welcome to the Forum. It sounds as though you have a good head start in your search for the "perfect" Corvette. I think you will receive a consensus of opinions relative to longevity and reliability of the C6; with proper maintenance, the Vette is dependable ,and any level or engine designation is as good as another. There are upgrades as mentioned, so purchase the newest your budget will allow. Good luck with your quest, and this Forum is a great place to get answers to Corvette related questions.

 

4Sumerz did a nice summary for you of the differences as years go on. I would look at the options that are available and determine which ones are important to you. As a car ages, the options have less of an impact on the price. I bought a '13 with almost no miles on it that is a 1LT as the better condition of the car was more important to me than any of the options that I was missing out on. I agree with the comments regarding the LS2/LS3, both very nice motors with lots of power. I know the rule of thumb is newer is better, but as the cars get older, to me, the condition/mileage becomes a bigger concern. For a given budget, to get a newer car, you will start to sacrifice condition/mileage, so sometimes an older car that is well cared for or has lower mileage is the better car to get. I don't mean to use condition and mileage like they are interchangeable, low miles is a fair indicator of the condition of a car, but obviously a low mile car that is not well cared for isn't really a great car. Mileage is just the easiest thing to put your finger on.

 

both motors are going to be pretty damn reliable. I would choose the car that has the better service records and documentation. And of course overall condition.

 

Check the date codes on the tires. New tires are around $1200 plus or minus. If either car needs new times that money might be enough to help you make the decision.

 

I agree.

 

I passed on a couple of good 1LT deals because I could not live without the HUD, to me it should have been standard on all C6's so I opted for a 2LT.

 

Typically, buy the newer car if it is within your budget, the LS3 with 37k miles is nothing, these motors will run for 2-300k miles properly cared for. The 09 will have some improvements over the 06 as Chevrolet did small tweaks to each new model year. Do a Carfax & GMVIS check on each car to see some history on them good luck

 

4SUMERZ advise hit it right on the nose. Follow his lead and you will be in great shape.