How Much Does a Chevy C6 Corvette Cost in 2023
When it comes to sports cars that offer a tremendous amount of value for an affordable price, no other vehicle can compete with the Corvette. Since the 1950s, the Chevy Corvette has stood as a testament to American performance without paying hundreds of thousands of dollars. Through the 1980s, the C4 Corvette became a true contender when it was no longer competing with other American muscle cars; it was competing against the best in the world.
This heritage of American performance continued through the fifth and sixth generations of the Corvette. The sixth generation of the Corvette, or the C6, is seen by many as the best Corvette yet. With a raw sports car feel yet having fantastic interior amenities, it offers an incredible balance for all automotive enthusiasts. The C6 Corvette is becoming increasingly affordable each year as the C8 continues to hit dealer lots, but how affordable is the C6 today? Here is everything you need to know about the Chevrolet C6 Corvette and how much you can expect to pay for one today.
The Chevy C6 Corvette generation
The C6 Corvette, or the sixth generation Chevrolet Corvette, is a two-seater sports car that ran from 2005 to 2013. Every C6 Corvette was offered with a V8 engine paired with either an automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. The C6 was also available in either a convertible or a coupe body style. For its initial 2005 model year, the C6 was offered with a 6.0L V8, which produced around 400 horsepower.
By 2008, the base Chevy C6 got a larger, more powerful 6.2-liter V8, which upped output to 430 hp. The C6 was also offered with a special high-performance package called the Z06 model. The Z06 Corvette came equipped with a 7.0-liter V8, which produced 505 hp. For 2009, the C6 ZR1 was released, changing the American sports car world. This ZR1 came equipped with a supercharged 6.2L V8 that produced around 638 hp. Finally, in 2010, the C6 Grand Sport was released, giving consumers the aggressive aerodynamic body of the Z06 with a more economical base engine as the powerplant.
What is the cheapest C6 you can buy?
As you’d probably expect, the cheapest C6 Corvette you can buy is the first model. The 2005 C6 has an average selling price of $25,753, according to Classic, with a low-end price of $13,700. However, you’d better be picky if you choose to buy one of these early models. These 2005 Chevy Corvette models are only worth buying with a manual transmission, as the only automatic transmission offered for this model year was a clunky four-speed.
The base model C6 Corvette was improved dramatically by 2008, which is still relatively affordable, with an average sale price of $44,570. When it comes to coupe vs. convertible body styles, every C6 Corvette coupe is equipped with a removable targa top. This top can also be stowed under the rear hatch, giving you an open-top feel, even if you don’t get a convertible model. This can save you money, too, with most convertible Corvettes having higher price tags.
How does the C6 compare to the new C8 Corvette?
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the C8 Corvette is expensive. Car and Driver reports that the 2024 Chevy Corvette Stingray starts at $69,999 MSRP. However, that sticker price is nearly impossible to find. Most Corvettes on the market today are over $90,000. The C8 Corvette is also a mid-engined vehicle, while the C6 Corvette is a traditional front-engine sports car.
The 2024 C8 Corvette has a 495-hp V8 and an automatic transmission as the only transmission option. The base 2008 C6 Corvette comes with a 430-hp engine and can also be had with a manual transmission. For nearly half the price of a new Corvette, the C6 offers around the same power. It is easy to see why the C6 is still considered one of the most significant values in today’s used sports car market.
