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Buying guide · 2005 to 2013Updated

Chevrolet Corvette (C6) buying guide

Buy a 2008 to 2013 LS3 car, ideally a manual, and be wary of the 2005 and 2006 cars, which pick up the steering and roof recalls.

The C6 Corvette as a used buy

A 2008 to 2013 C6 Corvette with the 6.2-liter LS3 is the one to find, and both CarsCounsel and Dino's Corvette Salvage rate those years the best. The 2005 and 2006 cars are the ones CarsCounsel says to avoid.

The C6 ran from 2005 to 2013, sold as a hatchback with a lift-off targa panel or as a convertible with a powered fabric top. The Z06 and ZR1 were hardtop only and manual only, so a buyer who wants a roof panel or an automatic is looking at the base car or the Grand Sport.

The trade-off with the Z06 is comfort: HotCars rates it among the least comfortable C6s for everyday driving because of its track-ready setup. Check the recall history on any 2005 to 2007 car, and filter used C6 Corvettes for sale to 2008 and later if the LS3 is what you want.

C6 Corvette years and versions

Early cars carry the 6.0-liter LS2 V-8 at 400 hp, with a Tremec six-speed manual or a four-speed automatic; the automatic became a six-speed 6L80 for 2006. The Z06 came back that year with a dry-sumped 7.0-liter LS7 making 505 horsepower, plus carbon front fenders and a magnesium front subframe. HotCars singles out the 2006 and 2007 Z06 for that engine.

The 2008 update brought the 6.2-liter LS3, rated at 436 horsepower with the optional dual-mode exhaust (other sources quote 430 hp). CarsCounsel says to avoid 2005 and 2006 and has a kinder word only for the 2007 manual. Road & Track picks an LS3 manual car with the Z51 package. From 2010 the Grand Sport took over from Z51, with Z06-sized brakes and a differential cooler, and it is a targa-top that can have an automatic.

The Z06 rode harshly in early reviews, Road & Track says, so find one with Magnetic Ride. The Z06 Carbon edition arrived in 2011 with carbon-ceramic brakes and standard Magnetic Ride, and the Z07 package let ordinary Z06 buyers add both. The 2013 427 Convertible Collector Edition is essentially a convertible Z06 with the LS7, and 2552 were built.

The ZR1 adds a supercharged 6.2-liter LS9 rated at 638 horsepower and fitted with carbon-ceramic brakes and Magnetic Selective Ride Control. Top speed is 205 mph, and it is manual only. HotCars suggests a 2012 or 2013 ZR1 for buyers chasing ultimate power. We track the Z06 and the ZR1 Coupe separately, and used Corvette Z06 listings show what is out there.

C6 Corvette versions for sale now

Every version in our latest scan, most listed first. Each links to its own page with deal analysis and market history.

Version Model years For sale Median price
C6 Corvette Z06 2006-2013 123 $58,145
C6 Corvette ZR1 Coupe 2009-2013 45 $130,145

Common C6 Corvette problems

LS2 harmonic balancer

The harmonic balancer on 2005 to 2007 LS2 engines tends to part company with the crankshaft hub, and the accessory belt can come off with it. PistonHeads lists it among the known faults.

LS7 valve damage

Road & Track reports that some Z06 LS7 engines had improperly machined heads, which in rare cases led to dropped valves and a destroyed motor.

LS3 cam chain tensioner

The LS3's cam chain tensioner is a known weak spot, according to PistonHeads. An upgraded tensioner is the fix.

Steering column lock

Lock failures in the steering column are reported on 2005 and 2006 cars, CarsCounsel says. Some owners have had a professional bypass fitted.

Rear differential

HotCars reports that 2008 to 2010 cars are susceptible to rear differential problems.

Weak early rear end

Early cars may have a weak rear end, says AutoTrader.ca, while 2006 and newer cars got a beefed-up one.

Grounds and low beams

Corroded electrical grounds can cause component failures and warning messages. Separately, a recall on 2005 to 2007 cars covers a fault in the underhood electrical center that could make both low beams fail.

Interior and shifter wear

Interior trim ages poorly, with brittle plastics and rattles. On automatics, the shifter cable bushings can disintegrate.

What to check on a used C6 Corvette

  • Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and ask for paperwork showing that every open campaign was completed.
  • Work the removable roof panel on a targa car, looking for worn seals, water leaks, rattles and a latch that fits properly, and ask whether the roof adhesive recall was done.
  • On 2005 and 2006 cars, ask whether a professional steering column lock bypass has been fitted, and who did it.
  • Look for a record of the harmonic balancer being replaced on any 2005 to 2007 LS2 car.
  • Ask for the invoice if an LS3 has had its cam chain tensioner upgraded.
  • Check the clutch for slipping, chatter or difficult shifts.
  • Look for track use in brake wear, uneven tire wear, tired suspension and signs of overheating, and budget for new tires and brakes on any car that shows it.
  • Insist on service records and tuning documentation for a modified car.
  • Watch the dash during the test drive for warning messages, which corroded grounds can cause.
  • On an automatic, inspect the shifter cable bushings for breakup.

C6 Corvette running costs

Road & Track says a set of ZR1-sized Michelins cost nearly $2,000. It also warns that refreshing carbon-ceramic brakes can run to four figures, as can Magnetic Ride work on higher-mileage cars, so factor both in before buying a Z06 Carbon or a ZR1.

For the LS3 cam chain tensioner, PistonHeads gives about £130 for the upgrade part, a UK figure, before shipping it over from the US and paying for fitting. Our Corvette price guide shows what the cars themselves are listed at.

C6 Corvette recalls and complaints

NHTSA holds 7 recall campaigns for 2005 to 2013 Corvettes. Two cover steering on 2005 and 2006 cars: a power steering hose that could fracture and leak, and a tilt and telescoping column that could, in rare cases, interrupt a signal. Two more concern roof panel adhesive that can separate, one reaching 2006 and 2007 Z06 cars. The rest cover rear brake lines on 2005 cars, the low beam relay wire on 2005 to 2007 cars, and door locks on 2011 to 2012 coupes. A recall for one model year does not mean every car was affected. Check a car's VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup.

Owners have filed 2,385 complaints with NHTSA, most about the fuel or propulsion system (789), then exterior lighting (255) and the electrical system (252). They are reports, not proven faults.

NHTSA recalls for the C6 Corvette

Every recall campaign the carmaker filed with NHTSA for the 2005 to 2013 model years, newest first, as of Oct 31, 2026. Not every car of a listed year was affected: check a car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Campaign Reported Model years Component What can happen
14V251000 May 14, 2014 2005 to 2007 Electrical system The loss of low beam headlamp illumination will decrease the driver's visibility, as well as the vehicle's conspicuity to other motorists, increasing the risk of a crash.
11V491000 Oct 3, 2011 2011 to 2012 Structure THE REAR HATCH COULD SEPARATE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
10V172000 Apr 26, 2010 2005 to 2006 Steering IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT RESPOND TO THE CHANGE IN VEHICLE MOVEMENT, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
09V491000 Dec 23, 2009 2005 to 2007 Structure IF THERE IS A COMPLETE SEPARATION, THE ROOF PANEL MAY DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD STRIKE A FOLLOWING VEHICLE AND CAUSE INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
06V181000 May 24, 2006 2005 to 2006 Structure IF THERE IS A COMPLETE SEPARATION, THE ROOF PANEL MAY DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE AND IT COULD STRIKE ANOTHER VEHICLE AND CAUSE INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
05V455000 Oct 5, 2005 2005 to 2006 Steering IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD BE LOST AND INCREASED STEERING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRO-BOOST POWER BRAKES, IT COULD ALSO RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST AND INCREASED BRAKING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED. IF THE POWER STEERING FLUID SPRAY WERE…
04V525000 Nov 3, 2004 2005 Service brakes, hydraulic IF THE BRAKE FLUID BOILS IN A REAR BRAKE LINE, THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM WOULD BE REDUCED WHICH COULD RESULT IN A BRAKE LINE LEAK AND LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. IF ENOUGH FLUID LEAKS FROM THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM SO THAT BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATION CAN NO LONGER BUILD PRESSURE TO THE REAR…

Owner complaints to NHTSA about the C6 Corvette

Owners filed 2,385 complaints with NHTSA for the 2005 to 2013 model years (54 crashes and 19 fires reported). A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. A complaint can name more than one component.

Component Complaints
Fuel/propulsion system 789
Exterior lighting 255
Electrical system 252
Power train 222
Electronic stability control (esc) 212
Engine 194
Steering 177
Air bags 169

Best C6 Corvette deals right now

29 deals priced below market right now, the best by about $11,675. Members get the VIN, dealer, listing link and a ready-to-send negotiation email for each one.

Unlock all 29 deals

Members see every deal's VIN, dealer and listing link, plus a negotiation email.

C6 Corvette prices by model year

Median asking price for each model year in our latest scan, with the number of cars listed and their price range.

Corvette price guide
  1. 2013 Chevrolet Corvette for sale $83,035 11 for sale · $58,216 to $150,489 · median 11,110 mi
  2. 2012 Chevrolet Corvette for sale $128,870 8 for sale · $62,353 to $140,985 · median 11,800 mi
  3. 2011 Chevrolet Corvette for sale $106,937 26 for sale · $58,145 to $158,145 · median 19,124 mi
  4. 2010 Chevrolet Corvette for sale $130,388 13 for sale · $60,759 to $150,990 · median 13,175 mi
  5. 2009 Chevrolet Corvette for sale $70,145 29 for sale · $40,145 to $169,799 · median 19,668 mi
  6. 2008 Chevrolet Corvette for sale $56,608 32 for sale · $35,745 to $71,900 · median 30,259 mi
  7. 2007 Chevrolet Corvette for sale $51,009 32 for sale · $37,216 to $79,900 · median 31,609 mi
  8. 2006 Chevrolet Corvette for sale $48,948 17 for sale · $36,994 to $65,244 · median 38,852 mi

C6 Corvette fair values by trim and year

Our fair value is what comparable cars, same trim and model year with typical miles, are listed at in our latest market data. A car well under it is worth a close look; a car well over it needs a reason.

Trim Model year Fair value Typical miles
Z06 2009 $54,841 29,500
Z06 2008 $53,032 30,400
Z06 2007 $50,593 31,500
Z06 2006 $48,928 30,300
ZR1 2013 $127,459 15,600
ZR1 2011 $123,579 15,200
ZR1 2010 $114,569 17,000
ZR1 2009 $115,392 12,900

C6 Corvette for sale now

Every used Corvette

Our verdict

Buy an LS3 car, and make it a manual with the Z51 package or a Grand Sport unless you need an automatic. Take a Z06 only if you can live with its ride, and then insist on Magnetic Ride. A 2005 or 2006 car is worth considering only with documentation that the recalls were done.

Whatever you pick, a clean recall lookup is the minimum. On an LS3, ask for the cam chain tensioner invoice, and on a 2005 or 2006 car ask for proof that the steering column and roof work was carried out.

Sources

We read these pages and checked every fact in this guide against them. The words are ours. Researched Oct 31, 2026.

  1. Chevrolet C6 Corvette Buyers Guide - Which Corvette 2008-2013 to Buy Road & Track
  2. Best and Worst Corvette C6 Years: What to Buy & Avoid CarsCounsel
  3. Essential Tips To Know Before Buying A C6 Corvette HotCars
  4. Used Vehicle Reviews: 2005 to 2013 Chevrolet Corvette Review AutoTrader.ca
  5. C6 Corvette Buyer's Guide (2005–2013): Best Years, LS2 vs LS3, and What to Buy Dino's Corvette Salvage
  6. Chevrolet Corvette C6: PH Used Buying Guide PistonHeads
  7. C6 Corvette Common Problems TheVette
  8. America's Bargain Sports Car Market
  9. Why Buying a Used C6 Chevy Corvette Is a Smart Money-Saving Move HotCars
  10. Recalls and owner complaints for the C6 Corvette NHTSA

Latest Chevrolet Corvette news

All car news

C6 Corvette: common questions

What is the best C6 Corvette to buy?

A 2008 to 2013 LS3 car, ideally a manual with the Z51 package, is the pick. Road & Track suggests that combination, and CarsCounsel and Dino's Corvette Salvage both rate those years the best. If you want maximum power, HotCars points to a 2012 or 2013 ZR1.

What goes wrong with the C6 Corvette?

The known faults include the LS2 harmonic balancer on 2005 to 2007 cars, the LS3 cam chain tensioner and steering column lock failures on 2005 and 2006 cars. Some Z06 LS7 engines had improperly machined heads, and 2008 to 2010 cars are reported to have rear differential trouble. Interior plastics also turn brittle and rattle.

Is the C6 Corvette reliable?

Better on 2008 and later LS3 cars than on the early ones. Several recall campaigns and listed faults, including the harmonic balancer and steering column lock, sit on 2005 to 2007 cars, though the LS3 has its own weak cam chain tensioner. NHTSA holds 7 recall campaigns and 2,385 owner complaints, which are reports rather than proven faults.

How much does it cost to run a C6 Corvette?

Expect tires and brakes to be the big items. Road & Track says ZR1-sized tires cost nearly $2,000, and carbon-ceramic brake or Magnetic Ride work can reach four figures. PistonHeads puts the LS3 tensioner upgrade part at about £130 in the UK, before shipping and fitting.

How much is a used C6 Corvette?

Asking prices for the 168 cars we track for sale right now run from $35,745 to $169,799, with a median of $62,647. Model year, version, mileage and history move the price most; the prices by model year and fair values on this page show where a car should sit.

Has the C6 Corvette been recalled?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns filed for the 2005 to 2013 model years as of Oct 31, 2026, the latest for electrical system. Not every car was affected, so check the VIN of any car you're considering at nhtsa.gov/recalls.