7 Best Corvette Bargains
Want to join the ranks of Corvette owners but don't have a ton of cash to spend? These Corvettes are both affordable and fun.
1. C3 Coupe (1975-1982)
The mid to late 70's was a bad time for sports cars. The oil crisis had automakers scrambling to find ways to improve gas mileage, and that generally meant choking off horsepower. The Corvette was no exception to the rule, and the once mighty C3 lost all the power that made it so formidable in the late 60's and early 70's. But these are still great looking cars and swapping out those anemic engines with high horsepower motors is really easy. And where else can you find a classic 'Vette in good condition for less than ten grand?
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2. C4 Coupe (1984-1988)
Easily the most unloved Corvette of all time, the C4 probably isn't going to make a great investment moving forward. But they are also the cheapest 'Vette you can buy these days, and they can be made into a capable sports car with a little effort. Like the C3, they're quite receptive to some engine and suspension upgrades, and can be made into really fun rides for under eight grand.
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3. C4 ZR1 (1990-1995)
When you hear the name "ZR1," you probably automatically see dollar signs dancing in your head. But the C4 ZR1 represents a relative bargain these days, with many available for around $20,000. For that small amount of cash you get a car with somewhere between 375 and 405 horsepower and a capable suspension. Plus, these older ZR1's are a pretty safe bet to appreciate in the years to come, unlike a lot of other base model 'Vettes from this era.
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4. C2 327 Coupe (1964-1965)
It's hard to imagine any C2 being a "bargain," and none of them are exactly cheap. But if you opt for the lowly 250 horsepower, 327 powered Corvette from that era, you get a huge discount over it's more powerful brethren. Plus, these cars make great investments as prices will only go up. And with prices starting at just above $30,000, wouldn't you rather have one of these than a new mid size sedan? Yes please!
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5. C1 283 (1958-1961)
C1 Corvettes get rarer by the day, and 1953-1957 models are already out of reach for most. That means your best bet at an early 'Vette is with a 58-61 model. The quad headlight Corvettes aren't quite as popular, which means prices are still fairly reasonable - starting as low as $40,000. But they still have that C1 flair that makes them both well loved and instantly recognizable.
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6. C5 Z06
There may not be a better performance bargain anywhere than the C5 Z06. A mere $20-$25,000 nets you a car that produces between 385 and 405 horsepower, an upgraded suspension, big wheels and tires, and large brakes. It even has exotic stuff like a titanium exhaust. It runs 0-60 in around 4 seconds, and rips around corners with a 0.98g skid pad rating. Plus, as with all Corvettes from this era, it's pretty cheap and easy to maintain.
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7. C5 Coupe
The C5 is downright cheap these days, but it's still a capable car even by today's standards. It features a near perfect 50/50 weight distribution, a much stiffer chassis than the C4, an aerodynamic body that still looks good, and the legendary 3rd gen LS1 under the hood. It even weighs less than 3,500 pounds and gets decent gas mileage. For around $15,000, you really can't go wrong with a used C5.
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