Looking at C6s
Racer
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 488
Likes: 314
From: SoFlo
2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I also love the C4 and would love to add one but I already have a quirky 91 TPI F-body that I just can't part with. I remember when the C4 came out and thought it was the best gen to date. All the tech advances and the race inspired chassis, I still love them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 1,309
From: North Little Rock, AR
I have a manual vert and have plenty of room. I did try and drive it once with boots and the top of the boot would hang up on the lower dash panel. I did not even get out of the driveway and had to change shoes. Same thing with flip flops except they hang up on the floor mat. Conclusion is wear tennis shoes.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,597
Likes: 237
From: Bartlett Illinois
Well I wasn't wearing boots just shoes.. top of shoe would catch on the hush panel. That didn't happen in the past in a c5. I doesn't help that I wear size 14
looking at another C6 manual today, seen if it truly was an issue with the vert I drove as that vert had several issues anyway. Very possibly the hush panel was not reinstalled correctly.
looking at another C6 manual today, seen if it truly was an issue with the vert I drove as that vert had several issues anyway. Very possibly the hush panel was not reinstalled correctly.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,597
Likes: 237
From: Bartlett Illinois
45k mile car that looked like it lived a rough life. The front tires were from 2011. Price was lower than others. There was some odd vibration, noticeable on a slower turn. Felt like a pulsing and I could feel it on the shifter. (Car was a manual). It is the colors I want and I see plenty like that. I wish I new what the vibration was, more curiosity than anything else
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 600
From: Question Government
If you could consider a 2009 and later, you would avoid some of the irritating issues that are associated with early year C6s. There are many problems you'd have to research on your own, but a 2009+ would be the best choice. Also try to get an LS3 motor, you won't be sorry. For larger people; when you test drive put seat all the way back and lowered, bottom slightly tilted back. This gives more head room, up to an extra 1/2". Also wear regular walking shoes, NO trail shoes or boots that may be wider than normal.
Last edited by RetroGuy; Aug 10, 2025 at 11:26 AM.
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,597
Likes: 237
From: Bartlett Illinois
If you could consider a 2009 and later, you would avoid some of the irritating issues that are associated with early year C6s. There are many problems you'd have to research on your own, but a 2009+ would be the best choice. Also try to get an LS3 motor, you won't be sorry. For larger people; when you test drive put seat all the way back and lowered, bottom slightly tilted back. This gives more head room, up to an extra 1/2". Also wear regular walking shoes, NO trail shoes or boots that may be wider than normal.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 1,309
From: North Little Rock, AR
There is no issue with the LS2 or LS3 that I am aware of with valve train issues. I also don’t understand all the problems he was referring to either in early model years. All model years can have a balancer problem hit or miss. If I was looking for a car to build I would get the LS3 but the LS2 is a great engine and I have one. I’ve had my car for 5 years and outside of the door actuator failing that has been it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,341
Likes: 723
From: Chicago N/W Suburbs
If you could consider a 2009 and later, you would avoid some of the irritating issues that are associated with early year C6s. There are many problems you'd have to research on your own, but a 2009+ would be the best choice. Also try to get an LS3 motor, you won't be sorry.
There were thresholds of model year issues, be them relatively minor to nil for most C6 owners who drive reasonably normal for commuting and pleasure (not track driving). Being our choice was a life-long decision, I ended up jumping to the last model year 2013 for various reasoning, from both "avoidance of issues" and "best features." I consider 2012 and 2013 to be equal unless 60th anniversary badging holds value. Then 2013 is the year.
There is a video out there somewhere that explains the mechanical failure that the Corvette LS2 can sometime suffer, be it rare. Don't confuse that with the LS7 engine in the ZO6 and 427 which is has a much greater threat of major engine problems.
The 2008-2013 Corvette with the LS3 engine is going to offer the greatest peace of mind concerning C6 engines, yet driving any Corvette hard as a habit will naturally yield something negative like the harmonic balancer as one example.
Last edited by Ron Dittmer; Aug 10, 2025 at 05:25 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,401
Likes: 6,536
From: Melbourne, FL
Valve spring failure in a C5Z on the other hand does happen fairly commonly. Not like, European car failure often, but enough that nobody would fault you for replacing the springs as preventative maintenance.