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Corvettes have always offered a lot of bang for the buck, and that trend definitely continued with the sixth-generation models. What makes them even more attractive today? Our friend depreciation.
The base 2005 Corvette coupe–the first year for that model run–produces an impressive 400 horsepower along with 400 ft.-lbs. of torque. Today you can find ones advertised for less than $20,000. Have a little more to spend? Prices on the high-output, track-ready Z06 model have just started to touch the $30,000 threshold.
The Corvette was all new for 2005, but it followed a proven formula: a V8 engine, fiberglass body, transverse leaf springs and seating for two. This sixth-generation Corvette, dubbed the C6, looked bigger than its predecessor, but it was actually 5 inches shorter in length and about an inch narrower. The coupe again sported a liftoff roof panel, and Chevrolet offered a convertible as well.
The C6 Corvette also featured a new engine, as the standard powerplant was GM’s 400-horsepower, 6.0-liter LS2. Not enough? The Z06 returned to the Corvette model line for 2006 sporting less weight and more chassis. On top of that, its 7.0-liter LS7 engine produced 505 horsepower. In both cars, the transmission lived out back for better weight distribution.
The standard Corvette didn’t have to make do with only 400 horsepower for long, though, as the 430-horsepower LS3 became standard starting in 2008. (Chevrolet would eventually offer a supercharged, 638-horsepower Corvette ZR1 as well as a few other limited-edition variants, but you’re not going to find those for minivan money.)
A Corvette isn’t going to rev to 10,000 rpm or make those cool turbo noises. What the C6 will do, though, is deliver crushing performance thanks to plenty of torque, giant tires and a great chassis–all at a very attractive price point.
