Help me with a C6 purchase...
 

people that own 05s get upset in threads like yours... so its better not to say anything... do some research though, lot of threads on this topic.

It's not the best year, but if you're just gonna drive it casually around town it's fine.

Downsides:
4 speed auto from the trucks
Weaker rear diff (doesn't usually fail stock)
Ugly satellite radio wart
Doughboy steering wheel
Manuals have to be parked in reverse or they discharge the battery

If none of those things bother you, theyre just fine.

I have 05 for decades, love the car, yes it had issues just any other year, have 89,000 on it now, and still having fun.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...24a282506b.jpg

I think FAUEE summed it up pretty well. Lots of '05s on the road and a bunch of happy owners.

I had an 05 base M6 roadster and had no problems and loved the car. I know all cars break down. That said, I sold the 05 and bought a 13 427. Maybe I'm a glutton for punishment.

Buy what you like and enjoy it as that is what I did....2005 I bought a little over 10 years ago. And I am still enjoying it.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...aea29a3078.png

the only deal breaker for me is if you wanted an automatic. big difference between the two. you asked for opinions, that's mine 😂

It's BS to knock the '05's. I've owned mine since new with now 62K on the clock. Other than normal maintenance items, never a problem. If you find a well maintained '05....go for it!
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...c2f221b791.jpg

BUY THE NEWEST ONE YOU CAN AFFORD. From 06 and up you get the 6 speed auto if you're buying an automatic. Had an 05 stick and wouldn't go back to one since experiencing the LS3 I have now. Issues included DBS, column lock and other gremlins. Mine wasn't too bad but did have some gremlins from time to time.

Great answers so far.

But let's go to the time machine and read your thread from 2020.......I doubt many opinions have changed.

Why not a 2005? - CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette Forum Discussion

If you give us a little more info on your intended use of the car, and I think you'll get better answers.
Are you going to daily drive it, drag race it, auto cross, cross country road trip.

Lastly, there's probably 2005 that are in great shape. Some could be worn out, but that could be any C6 at this point.

You could PM user @Z51-R and ask him what his though process was. He just posted a new thread on his purchase of a 2005.
I'm sure he weighed all of his options before his purchase.

Bought a c6 to go along with the C5 - CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette Forum Discussion

Best of luck to you.
Jason

Mines still good after all these years.

I've owned an '05 for six years and have had the column lock issue that is specific to the '05's. Other issues I've had could happen to any car.
Mine is a manual and the skip shift is an issue until you get used to it or get the skip shift eliminator.
Having to leave the car in reverse becomes a habit and if you do forget the car won't let you open the door .
I don't worry about the weaker differential because I don't abuse the car but I do drive it hard when the wife is not with me.
My biggest concern is parts availability which will eventually happen to all years.
All that said, I love the car and will keep on driving it. (purchased with 32k miles, 58k miles in six years)
Any used car is a risk, I wish you good luck.

We just bought a 2013 to get the best of the C6.
So there is the "Flip Side" of that question.

Don’t want to rain on your parade but a GS is not the best of a C6. A ZR1 trumps a GS as does a Z06, just sayin.

In performance mayb, but neither of that have removable targa tops.

True. It probably depends on your perspective of what you want. I personally don’t won’t a ZR1 or a Z06 because I am a convertible guy. However I would say that the ZR1 remains supreme in the C6 class. Just my opinion.

My point in reply #15........
Comparing apples to apples, coupe to coupe, base to base, GS to GS, Z06 to Z06, ZR1 to ZR1.......the later, the better.

I never implied my 2013 GS convertible is better than a 2006 Z06.....So don't go there!

Every few days for this topic, sometimes there are two on page 1 even. I haven't had problems with 05.