I'm a cheapskate and have been driving the same LS430 for over a decade. Once/if I get past some health issues I plan to be in the market for something affordable but with a little more flash. For a long time I have been thinking that would involve some sort of basic C6 Corvette, manual with maybe Z51 but no Z06 or anything (remember I'm cheap). To me the C6 is new enough to daily and looks about like a Vette should look, has the familiar LS2/LS3 engine, etc.
One thing to note is that in 2010 the "Grand Sport" package replaced the Z51 package so there (AFAIK) are no base Z51 C6's from 2010-2013. GS's still go for serious money
In my looking I have found that earlier base C7's are getting down to C6 GS money. These represent the last of the front engined Corvette's and the last available with a manual transmission. I was not crazy about the looks of the C7 initially but they look a lot better in person and in certain colors.
This would be a fun daily driver and potential road trip machine. Is there any significant advantage of going with a C7 over say a later C6? Are they significantly better to drive in any material way? We're there any reliability issues in either generation? Keep in mind I'm a cheapskate and would be comparing manual base to base unless I'm lucky enough to find a Z51 of either generation.
I will be following this. Looks wise I am more C6 than C7.
The C7 has a much nicer interior and the LT1 is an improvement over the LS3.
The manual trans is excellent, but later C7 autos can be problematic. The manual does benefit from a short-throw shifter and Redline oil, though.
I went C7 and have been glad I did so. It's an excellent platform and feels like a significant improvement over the C6, but I am clearly biased.
The c7 z51 manual has a dry sump. The c6 base or z51 does not. The C7 is going to be a much more modern car with a lot more computers, etc. If you want to track it I'd still get a c6 gs over the c7. Widebody rules. I'd also suggest a 09+ c6 if you can manage it. There was a bit of a refresh there. The brake master cylinder is a lot better in the later cars for example. FWIW the c6 is old enough that OEM parts are starting to dry up. However its simple enough that you can keep one going for a long time. The C7 has a lot more modules and is a more complex car in general. If you want to keep it long term that'll bite you as they go out of production. FWIW you can get a c5 z06 for c6 base money. If you don't want to modify it a lot, its probably a better move long term. It'll likely hold value better. The suspension is nicer stock. Probably doesn't matter if you're just looking for a cruiser. Just avoid the 2005.
No way I'd choose a base C7 over a C6 Grand Sport.
dps214
SuperDork
7/5/25 10:14 p.m.
For the intended use absolutely a C7 because it's a more modern, better put together car. The interior quality alone is worth it, the other improvements are an added bonus.
That said I'd take a C6Z06 over anything else simply because in my mind that's "peak corvette".
dps214 said:
That said I'd take a C6Z06 over anything else simply because in my mind that's "peak corvette".
The C8 is peak Corvette, it's a far better car than the C6 could ever hope to be.
I'm also in the C7 camp for OP. It's a significant improvement over the C6. It's just a personal thing but I also find the C6 pretty darn ugly.
Well I own a C6 Z06 so I'm clearly biased, but I'll add one more thing. If you do plan on mods the direct injected LT engines are significantly more expensive to modify.
I like the looks of the C6 better, but I would absolutely drive a C7 Grand Sport. The base models of either generation without the wide body do not look good to me.
I'm not as familiar with the C7, but my dad has a C6 - a 2010 LT3 convertible with the automatic. I call it the "Old Man Package", since it has leather heated seats and pretty much zero performance options. It's perfect for him at this point in his life and a nice cruiser.
I had to daily one, I'd probably take a close look at a C7 over the C6. His car feels cheap in some places, specifically the interior. Also, not sure about the C7's, but C6's have composite seat frames that like to snap, especially if you are a bigger person. My dad is average sized and still manage to snap the driver's seat frame. Overall though, I like the car. Even without the performance bits you would get in the Grand Sport, Z06, etc., it's quick and handles well.
Oh man call me the oddball but to me the C6 is ugly and dated AF. The glassed in body color headlights really wreck it.
If I wanted something to work on and hoon, I would buy a C5 and spend the delta between a C5 and C7 making the C5 awesome. They are still some of the last simple, work-on-able corvettes that dont require serious knowhow for electronics troubleshooting should something go sideways. That the C5 and C6 are basically the same underpinnings speaks volumes too.
If I wanted something just to drive, maybe with H/C/I and exhaust upgrades but nothing more, and I didnt plan on doing serious wrenching myself, C7 - they look the business and are just nicer 100% than a C6.
If money was less of an object - well a C7 Z06 is in the 50s with an auto trans, 60s with a manual, and 40s with a questionable history. That would be the winner 100%.
Unlike Goldilocks, the middle C6 isnt cheap enough or better enough than a C5 to be cut up for a race car and isn't nice enough or fast enough stock to be a pampered daily.
I spent some time looking at c7 vettes and they were in the $40k+ range. Weren't they like $65k new? I guess depreciation on a 10 year old Vette is pretty minimal compared to most average cars.
dps214
SuperDork
7/7/25 12:59 p.m.
dculberson said:
I spent some time looking at c7 vettes and they were in the $40k+ range. Weren't they like $65k new? I guess depreciation on a 10 year old Vette is pretty minimal compared to most average cars.
Quick look says there's plenty available for $35k or less, with a handful at or under $30k. Base MSRP was just under $60k but there's probably not many zero option cars out there.
The C6 headlights are certainly the worst part of the exterior but there's some colors they look good in and I've seen some aftermarket replacements that look decent.
Thanks for all the replies. This will be a Lexus replacement, so holding out for a nicer interior may be in order.
A couple of observations from my starting to look at these a little more seriously:
C5 - I appreciate the input and there was a time I would consider one, but they are just too old. I have plenty of projects, including an 81 Trans Am WS6 with an L33 swap, so this should be a drive and maintain kind of deal. Plus I could never get over the rear end on those, and the weird little roof on the Z06 didn't help in that department.
C6 - Is it just me, but it seems like GS C6's are about 80% the price of an actual Z06, just without the LS7? And since you couldn't get the Z51 without the GS in those later years, that kinda only leaves the earlier years or the later base cars. It would really be a matter of finding the right car at the right price and they seem to be getting harder to find.
C7 - Just started looking at these. What I have found is that, at least within the manual coupes I have been focusing on, the Z51 package is pretty easy to find. A lot of places like dealers won't even list it in their ad, but if they have any under the hood shots you can see that a non-Z51 has a dipstick and oil fill on the drivers side valve cover area, while the Z51 has a little dipstick and filler on the upper passenger corner.
C7 non-Z51:
C7 Z51:
dps214 said:
Quick look says there's plenty available for $35k or less, with a handful at or under $30k. Base MSRP was just under $60k but there's probably not many zero option cars out there.
I was using Cargurus to search and admit that's my lazy easy button. What platform are you using? The only <$30k example had 165k miles on it which is frankly a ton of miles for a $29k car, and then most of the $30k - $39.9k models had around 100k miles. To be clear, I'm not disputing whether they're worth it, just impressed by the low depreciation of a 10 year old sports car. Then again everything has had relatively strong resale this past decade. I think the C7 vette will hold its value pretty well as the last of a breed as long as they aren't made unservicable by NLA parts.
Edited to add: I was filtering by manual transmission only since I would have zero interest in owning an auto-trans C7. Maybe that's the difference. Manuals might have a higher resale value.
The Z51 package isn't too hard to find on C7s. I believe magnetic ride control was optional on top of that. There's also a GM software update to the MRC that really does help, by the way.
On the exterior, look at the rear. If there's not a body-colored lip on the trunk it does not have the Z51 package. There are also clues with the wheels; if memory serves, non-Z51s got 5-spokes while Z51s had 10-spokes.
The oil fill location is due to the standard vs. dry sump options.
dps214
SuperDork
7/7/25 3:09 p.m.
dculberson said:
dps214 said:
Quick look says there's plenty available for $35k or less, with a handful at or under $30k. Base MSRP was just under $60k but there's probably not many zero option cars out there.
I was using Cargurus to search and admit that's my lazy easy button. What platform are you using? The only <$30k example had 165k miles on it which is frankly a ton of miles for a $29k car, and then most of the $30k - $39.9k models had around 100k miles. To be clear, I'm not disputing whether they're worth it, just impressed by the low depreciation of a 10 year old sports car. Then again everything has had relatively strong resale this past decade. I think the C7 vette will hold its value pretty well as the last of a breed as long as they aren't made unservicable by NLA parts.
Edited to add: I was filtering by manual transmission only since I would have zero interest in owning and auto-trans C7. Maybe that's the difference. Manuals might have a higher resale value.
cargurus always has the fewest listings. On cars.com there's still a handful of manuals in the $35-40k range, with well under 100k miles.
I guess I'm a little confused overall because we're talking about $35-40k cars but OP ruled out the C6Z06 because it's too expensive. Seems like all of the options except a base C6 are too expensive then.
dps214 said:
I guess I'm a little confused overall because we're talking about $35-40k cars but OP ruled out the C6Z06 because it's too expensive. Seems like all of the options except a base C6 are too expensive then.
Decent C6Z06's are over $40k cars. But you are correct that they are in the same ballpark as the newer/lower mile base C7's.
dculberson said:
I was using Cargurus to search and admit that's my lazy easy button. What platform are you using? The only <$30k example had 165k miles on it which is frankly a ton of miles for a $29k car, and then most of the $30k - $39.9k models had around 100k miles. To be clear, I'm not disputing whether they're worth it, just impressed by the low depreciation of a 10 year old sports car. Then again everything has had relatively strong resale this past decade. I think the C7 vette will hold its value pretty well as the last of a breed as long as they aren't made unservicable by NLA parts.
The C7 was super overvalued during covid and they're still settling back to normal prices. Now that C8's are getting available used in quantity you should see its position as the goto used corvette go away. I think they still are going to drop a bit. Maybe settle out in the 30's for a average clean example. There is just too big a gap between the c6 and c7 prices now. The NLA parts is going to be the big gotcha in another 10 years. Its already 6 years past EOL. C5 and c6 you can run the whole thing off an aftermarket ecu if needed. no canbus BS that refuses to start the car is the door module is dead, etc. Not a big deal if you just want to own it for a few years, but a problem if its a forever car you want to put a lot of money into.
The C6 interior is *awful*, and that's coming from a former C5 owner. The plastic steering wheel is out of a Cobalt, the composite seat frames break, and everything is a study in cheap, rattle prone mess.
That said, if I was building a track car, a gutted C6GS is *absolutely* my #1 Corvette choice. Wide body, dry sump, way less problem prone engine than the LS7.
For your use case, just buy a C7. They are actually decent inside. Agree with the avoid the C5.
Corvette's are very much like 911's and every other sports car /w a lasting pedigree. For a few thousand more you can step up...
you can get a decent car for almost any budget starting at $15k going well past $150k
for my money I would be in the following cars at these price levels
15k - later model c5
20k - c5z
25k - base c6, ls3 car
35k - base c7
40k - c6z, while you can find them cheaper budget a few K to fix the cylinder heads.
50k - c7 grandsport
60k - base c8.
I personally have owned a c6 base car for 10 years and by and large it has been a reliable car.
Javelin said:
The C6 interior is *awful*, and that's coming from a corner C5 owner. The plastic steering wheel is out of a Cobalt, the composite seat frames break, and everything is a study in cheap, rattle prone mess.
That said, if I was building a track car, a gutted C6GS is *absolutely* my #1 Corvette choice. Wide body, dry sump, way less problem prone engine than the LS7.
For your use case, just buy a C7. They are actually decent inside. Agree with the avoid the C5.
for a track car; I would spend the money on the c7... better factory brakes, better sorted cooling system, significantly improved tech (rev match, variable traction control, really good magride shocks, faster ABS, etc.)
if you're going to modify it, just get the c6z budget some money to send the heads in to be fixed and profit. Look at SCCA TTN event this past April the fastest car of the day was a ferrari and the second and third placed cars were c6z and one of them was a sport classed car.
https://timetrials.scca.com/events/2006916/event_sessions/overall
In reply to 93gsxturbo :
Oh man. I dunno. I'm pretty adventurous when it comes to rebuilt titles but $50k for a rebuilt title car of almost any sort is pretty rough. As you're seeing with those cars that have sat for sale for months and months. If it was a forever car, maybe, but not anything I'd want to sell on at a reasonable fraction of the price I paid in a reasonable time frame.
@theruleslawyer:
that makes sense. I do remember them being super hard to get used during covid and the c8 being very hard to get as well. They really didn't sell a lot of them I think. Plus being a 6 year generation it's really an odd duck as far as Corvettes go.
I thought everyone was using autotempest.com these days. It aggregates a lot of the most popular car listing sites and its the only one I use. NOT A CANOE people.
Also I think the C7 is the right play. If I recall it was the first generation that the majority of the interior bits didn't look like they came from the C cars. Cavalier and Cobalt.
