Is Chevrolet Corvette C6 “The” Bargain Supercar You Were Waiting For?

C5 to C6 , What did GM Changed?

Aside from the obvious changes under the hood, mechanically it was much more refined yet similar to C5. Which explains why most of the suspension parts between C5 and C6 are interchangeable. C6 was 5 inches shorter, yet the wheelbase was increased by 1.2 inches for high speed stability.

C5 was all curvy and roundy C6 changed this by featuring a sharper and razor like aesthetics while retaining C5 coveted clean lines thanks to designer Tom Peterson.

Right, so the pop-up headlights are gone and replaced with fixed units that look very similar to Ferrari Modena 360. GM says that they did this for the sake of the aerodynamics which judging by the way their C6.R race car performed seems to have worked.

Corvette C6 Coupe and Convertible: Plain Janes

The base offerings from Chevy were pretty solid on their own but some enthusiasts agree that they don’t offer much to top the C5 and the true C6 experience comes with the Z06 (see below). All C6s came with independent double wishbone suspension with magnetorheological dampers available as an optional extra.

The engine was a brand new 6.0 L V8 making 400 hp and 400 lb-ft. A four speed auto and a 6-speed manual were your sole tranny options. The 4-speed auto was offered for MY 2005 only and was later upgraded to a 6-speed unit.

Later in 2008 a new base LS3 V8 was introduced making 376.0 cu in; 6.2 L V8 making 430 hp and 424 lb-ft along with a new Tremec TR6060 transmission.

The Z51 package was approx $1500 and added a transmission cooler, high g tires, bigger brakes and shorter gearing. All C6 coupes had a removable top, a feature that is also on the new Ferrari killing C8.

Corvette C6 Z06 and the LS7: ‘Vette Dream

This is where Corvette really comes alive. The C6 Corvette packs the gargantuan 428 Cu 7.0 L LS7 with Titanium rods making 505 hp and 470 lb-ft. This hand built all aluminum beauty had a dry sump system and when paired with the dual mode exhaust you could unleash 5-6 hp more.

Other features include Spyder wheels (2008 onwards), 14 inch brakes, all aluminum chassis, magnesium engine cradle, wood/carbon floor, carbon fiber fenders and brake ducts for cooling.

C6 Z06 is the lightest Corvette of the bunch and tips the scales at just 3175 pounds with a perfect 50/50 weight distribution. GM claimed It could run 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds and 1/4 mile in 11.7 seconds @125 mph.

Starting from 2011 onwards two new packages were offered for C6 Z06. The Z07 package had Brembo brakes, dark gray calipers, Magno shocks, Michelin Pilot PS2s and better cooling. Another package turned the C6 Z06 into a TA monster.

The CFZ package had carbon fiber roof, spoiler, rocker, splitter and a spoiler. 2011 was the only year these two packages could be ordered separately

Corvette C6 ZR1: The 205 MPH Y-Body King Of Corvettes

After months of speculation and teasing, the ZR1 nameplate was revived in the form of the stunning and extremely limited supercharged C6 ZR1. It came with a 6-speed manual attached to a 6.2 L LS9 Eaton V8 that had a 10.5-quart dry-sump system, pushing 638 hp and 470 lb-ft.

This madness was only one upped by a 755 hp C7 ZR1 that together with C6 ZR1 is among the craziest Corvettes ever built.

C6ZR1 was the heaviest of the bunch at 3333 pounds and came with CCB brakes, Carbon Fiber roof, hood, fenders, front splitter, and rocker and a window that lets your eyes feast on the blown beast behind the firewall. It had the shortest braking distance of the trio @111 ft.

Two packages were on offer, 1ZR and 3ZR. The latter added creature comforts like heated seats, memory and navigation system.

Corvette C6 Grand Sport: Fashionably Late

The C6 GS was essentially a designer version of the Corvette, but did come with parts borrowed from Z06 and ZR1. It could be had in 2 body styles coupe and convertible along with 4 trims (1LT, 2LT, 3LT or 4LT), Alcántara/Leather interior and tons of paint options to choose from.

C6 GS had a hand built LS3 6.2 V8 which made 430 hp and 424 lb-ft. You could have it in 6-speed manual or automatic. It had Z06 brakes, dry sump lubrication and 325 rear tires with launch control.

What About Special Edition Corvettes ?

There are plenty of limited edition C6 launched over the course of its run like-

• Z06 carbon edition-Launched in 2011 it had Carbon fiber parts like splitter, roof , rockers spoiler etc.. And came with active suspension Zero-Pressure Michelin PS2 and CCB brakes, only 250 were made.
• Centennial Edition Z06 (ZLC)– It had a blacked out interior and exterior painted in Carbon Flash black metallic with red calipers and red pinstripe on wheels, with special 100th anniversary badges.
• Ron Fellows American Le Mans Series GT1– only 399 were made and came with Ron Fellows’ signature and distinctive red and white color scheme
• 2007 Pace Car Replica-only 500 were and all were painted in Atomic Orange as a tribute to pace car driver Patrick Dempsey.
• 1978 Pace Car Tribute C6– Another limited edition signed by Wilmer “Wil” Cooksey and only came in Red color.
• GT1 Championship Edition-The C6.R was a championship winning car with wins in American Le Mans GT1 and came 2nd in 12 hours of Sebring. To honor this, GM made limited Corvettes with special graphics and wheels.
• Hertz Rental C6 Corvettes– 500 C6s were specially made for Hertz and had Velocity Yellow color with black stripes.

How Much is A C6 Corvette Now?

C6 Corvette was made from June 2004–February 28, 2013. The C6 ZR1 is rarest with only 4684 made, followed by Z06 at 27,996 units. The C6 coupe and convertible came in at 124,043 and 55,850 units respectively.

Today a used Z06 is around $80,000 to $120,000 as per listing on Carfax. Buyers pay extra for ones that have 3ZR package. While the Z06 are around $30,000 to $50,000. The C6 GC can be yours and are cheapest of the bunch at $30,000 to $40,000.

C6 Corvettes haven’t appreciated much since they are not that old to begin with. However, you may fetch 10-20 percent extra if your C6 is in mint condition and has been treated like a garage queen.

Corvette C6 Common Problems

An in depth scrummage on forums later, I was able to found these common niggles with C6 Corvettes.

• Harmonic Balancer wobble
• Gear shifter grommets coming apart
• starter shot from heat in the engine bay
• power steering leak
• cracked fuel lines
• rear-wheel bearing nuts
• Auto tranny stuck in park

The C6 has been recalled plenty of times for major issues like Low Beam Headlight Failure, Roof Hatch Separation While Driving and Loose Steering Column Causing Handling Failure.

Corvette C6 Specification

Photo Source-GM Brochure/Chevrolet Pressroom