Just like the Ford F-150, the Chevrolet Corvette is one of America’s favorite cars. One of the most popular models is the C6 Corvette as it’s fast, fun, and, with the proper care and maintenance, it can be very reliable. In fact, there have been C6 Corvettes that have racked up 200,000 miles. So we know that the C6 Corvette is reliable, but can you afford one?

What is a C6 Corvette?

The Chevrolet Corvette has been around for decades and is currently in its eighth generation. The C6 Corvette is the sixth generation in the lineup and was in production from 2005 to 2013. It was heavily updated from the previous C5 Corvette in that it had exposed, flush headlights (as opposed to pop-up headlights), an upgraded suspension, and a larger engine.

Aside from the headlights, the overall styling of the car was much improved. Instead of the rounded edges and softer styling cues found on its predecessor, the C6 Corvette was much more angular and sharper looking with flush door handles and a higher beltline. On the inside, the interior was updated and actually bigger than the C5 Corvette while the overall body was actually five inches shorter. However, Chevrolet stretched out the car’s wheelbase in order to improve the car’s ride and handling characteristics.

The C6 Corvette came in a coupe and convertible form, however, the coupe’s roof could be removed to provide an open-air, Targa-top driving experience. And while the C6 Corvette provided and an overall improvement in the ride and handling department, the real improvements came under the hood.

What kind of engine did the C6 Corvette have?

Since Corvettes are made for performance, the V8 engine saw some enhancements as well. The C6 Corvette was initially powered by a bigger and more powerful 6.0-liter V8 engine (LS2) that produced 400 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. However, for the 2008 model year, Chevy decided up the ante by increasing the engine’s displacement to 6.2 liters (LS3), which increased the power output to 430 horsepower and 424 lb-ft of torque. Both iterations were mated to either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission and sent power to the rear wheels.

As far as performance, every C6 Corvette in the low four-second range, while the quarter-mile would blaze by in the low 13-second range.

Was there a more-powerful version of the C6 Corvette?

In case the C6 Corvette isn’t fast enough for you, there is the option of getting the higher Z06 trim level. The Corvette Z06 was the high-performance version of the C6 Corvette as it was stuffed with a much larger 7.0-liter V8 engine (called the LS7), which produced 505 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. In addition to the extra power, the Corvette Z06 was 136 pounds lighter than the regular trim, thanks to an aluminum frame and it handled better due to its upgraded, and stiffer suspension components.

On the outside, the Z06 sported a unique front fascia, wider body fenders, and different wheels in order to differentiate from the standard trim. Chevy stepped up the performance quotient even further with the introduction of the ZR1 trim level, which included a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine that pushed out a staggering 638 horsepower and 604 lb-ft of torque. Body enhancements on the ZR1 included an updated hood, roof, front fenders, and front splitter, all of which were made from a stronger and lighter-weight material. Carbon-ceramic brakes were also added, as well as a magnetic ride control.

How much does a C6 Corvette cost now?

When it was new, the C6 Corvette carried an MSRP between $50,000 for the standard trim and up to $100,000 for the ZR1. However, in today’s used market, you can find the standard C6 Corvette for under $20,000 depending on the mileage and condition of the car, while the Z06 models are selling for around $30,000 to $40,000. If you’re looking for the extreme ZR1 trim, then you can expect to find them in the $50,000 to $60,000 range.