Looking for an opinion on which car I should buy between two.
 

There's 2 cars I've narrowed my search down to that are in my budget, a 2005 and a 2007.

The 2005 is a one owner, garaged 3LT with mag ride, 43,300 miles. Private seller.

The 2007 is a 3 owner, no idea how it was cared for 3LT with 54,500 miles. Being sold by a KIA dealership.

Both are manual trans and both are price at $20,000.

I've heard the 2005's have a weak rear end but I don't plan on ever driving my car on a track or beating on it...just going to be a fun drivers car....maybe some fast corners or fast starts from the light.

Should I stay away from the 2005 because of the rear end issue and go with the 2007? Or...should I just wait till I find a nice 2008 with the LS3?

With the 2 you have listed with the information you gave us i would choose the 2005. If your looking for an LS3 i would definitely look and/or drive one before making a decision.

I would personally look at a 2008 because of the LS3 (prices are almost similar now the C6 market has tanked) and this is coming from a 2005 Owner. Also be patient and get the exact car you want, these things are not rare so it should be very easy to find what you are looking for. Also consider traveling for the right car, there isn't any good inventory of Corvettes here in Charleston, so I would suggest being open to flying in and driving one home. Buy now as most people can't drive their cars until spring and just want to get rid of them so they don't sit in the garage for months.

I'd stay away from the 2005 for 2 minor reasons:

1. Since it's a manual tranny, you've got to remember to turn off the engine with the tranny in Reverse, else it'll drain the battery.

2. 2005s and 2006s had quite a few tops to come loose from the mounting. GM replaced a lot of them, but not all got replaced.

Actually, there's no such thing as a 2005 with a 3LT option package. Option packages were 1SX, 1SA, or 1SB, where 1SB was equivalent to 3LT.

For that price, I'd get an 03 or 04 Z06

someone local here is selling a white 2006 ver, auto w/ 15k miles for 22,500 OBO

if i had to choose, I'd do a 2007 over a 2005 in a heartbeat

Turn off the engine in reverse? WTF? Wow....ok..well...I've heard too many negative things about the 05's at this point.
The options package on both of the cars isn't advertised but I can tell from the pictures....I didn't know there wasn't a 3LT in 2005. Looking for my first corvette.

Charleston is an great city to live in but you're right, the selection stinks! I'm not opposed to flying somewhere for the right vehicle.

Meh...I don't really like the C5's....and the Z06 doesn't have a targa top...that's a must have for me.

Thank you but The colors I'm looking for are black, atomic orange, monterey red or (last choice) silver.....MAYBE yellow.....but it would have to be a really good deal with everything I want for me to buy a yellow car, no offense to yellow car owners...they look awesome but they're too flashy for my personality.

BTW....here's the two I am talking about....but after reading a few of the comments I think the '05 is out....and if I'm going to consider an '07 I might as get the "08 with the LS3. Geez,...this is a harder decision than I thought!

2005

2007

if i was picking between the two, i'd take the 07 all day long (assuming no issues and clean title) it has a better color option, it's newer, it's cheaper....and you could probably get them down a bit more on price.

side note... not sure why, but the 2005 style steering wheels bugs me LOL

#2 for sure.

If 20k is your budget, throw the ls3 idea out of your head. You wont get one worth buying for 20k.

Well...20'ish. I can afford a c7 but I choose not to...I'd love to buy a C6 GS or Z06 but my son just graduated from college and my daughter is in her first year....so I'm trying to be conservative.

This is an awesome car and one I'd love to get but it seems as if he's already got somebody interested.
You can find some nice '08's in that general price range....for example....

Stay patient...you can find a decent ls3 "close" to yor price point but the ls2 is a great engine too. My first Vette was an 07 and it of one of my favorites....I like that year better than the 05.


Good luck

I disagree, Be patient. 08-09 cars are at the level. There are lots of cream puff out there. Many folks keep them as third car weekend drivers.

Between the two it's auto vs man and color choice. The '05 is every bit as bullet proof as an '07 in normal/spirited driving. Putting the '05 in reverse at shut off compares to putting the '07 in park. Most '05 bashers have never owned one and just regurgitate what they have heard.

IMHO, spend a few bucks more and get an LS3. There are plenty available.

^^^^^

The car will remind you, if you don't put it in R.

I have no complaints about my steering wheel.

There's nothing magic about an LS3 vs. LS2.

Personally, I'm not an auto fan and the F55 scares me (repair/replacement cost) for something which is usually simple. Z51 is worth looking for IMHO.

'05 is prone to the column lock issue.

If not launching on the strip with sticky tires and power adders, the rear diff is solid.

Forget all of this and up your budget and get a c6 grandsport or like some other already mentioned a c5z

I agree 100%!!!!!!! I don't know how close to you either the '05 or '07 are but you should look at both if possible, pictures don't always tell the story and I bet the '05 is a sweet well taken care of 1 owner queen. Also 1SB in '05 is the same as 3LT in the other years. All of that said it sounds like you would really like a GS but you are going to pay over $30k for a good one of those. Don't buy too quickly and have buyer's remorse!