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The Chevrolet Corvette is undeniably an American sports car icon. When European carmakers were making nimble and athletic sports cars, the American auto industry was all about the raw power of the mighty V8 engine in their muscle cars. As such, American cars developed a reputation for being good only when it comes to straight-line speed, and not much else. GM then gifted the world with the Chevrolet Corvette, which completely turned the tables on not just European sports cars, but even supercars. Armed with the same formidable American V8 engine, the Corvette featured remarkable handling, speed, and agility, no matter where the road turned.
Ever since, the Chevrolet Corvette has always been seen as a supercar-killer, with its mighty horsepower and phenomenal handling characteristics. Chevrolet has also given the industry some of the most reliable cars in general, and that dependability has also extended to their flagship sports car, the Corvette. As such, not only has the Corvette been consistently impressive through the years and its evolving generations, but it has also been quite bulletproof.
Of course, with a nameplate as old as this one, there were bound to have been mistakes somewhere, and that happened with the Chevy Corvette as well, with some model years turning out to be unreliable pieces of machinery anybody should steer clear of. In that vein, here are 5 Corvettes as reliable as a Toyota, and 5 that belong in a junkyard.
10 As Reliable As A Toyota: 2004 Chevrolet Corvette C5
The early years of any new generation of a car does tend to have plenty of problems that need ironing out, and the Corvette faced the same when it entered its fifth generation. However, by the time the C5 Corvette was ready to leave, it was pretty darn bulletproof in its final year.
The 2004 Chevrolet Corvette C5 is one of the most solid Corvettes you can buy used today, with an average going rate of $24,000 on CarGurus. With a stellar 4.7/5 reliability rating on Cars.com, the 2004 C5 Corvette has plenty of owners singing praises about how dependable this model year has been for them through the years.
9 Belongs In A Junkyard: 1998 Chevrolet Corvette C5
As mentioned, the C5 Corvette didn’t get off to the most solid start when it released in 1997, and the 1998 Corvette certainly suffered from it. To this day, the 1998 C5 Corvette has collected over 400 complaints against it to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which makes it one of the most unreliable Corvettes.
Sure, older Corvettes definitely come cheaper, but no matter how good a deal one might find on a 1998 Corvette, they best steer clear of it. Problems with sudden power loss in the engine, along with a troublesome power steering system, makes the 1998 Corvette a hassle to own and maintain, and it’s better left resting in a dump.
8 As Reliable As A Toyota: 2009 Chevrolet Corvette C6
In 2009, the Corvette was smack dab in the middle of its sixth generation. The C6 Corvette, especially the ZR1 model, rode on a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine, making a fantastic 638 horsepower along with 604 lb-ft of torque. The C6 Corvette from 2009, in its base form, went from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds, while the ZR1 could do that in 3.4 seconds.
Not only was the 2009 C6 Corvette blisteringly fast, but also pretty dependable. Available for the average price of $41,000 on CarGurus, the 2009 C6 Corvette boasts a near-perfect reliability rating of 4.8 out of 5. Plus, ask any gearhead what the best Corvette year was in the 2000s, and chances are they mention the 2009 model as one of the best Corvettes in recent history.
7 Belongs In A Junkyard: 2002 Chevrolet Corvette C5
At the turn of the century, the C5 Corvette was still finding its footing, and the 2002 Chevy Corvette wasn’t quite there yet in terms of reliability. There weren’t many mechanical problems to speak of, but CarComplaints reports 211 complaints against the 2002 C5 Corvette, mainly for its electrical systems and some for its transmission.
Recalled thrice, the 2002 Corvette is one of the more complained-about model years on CarComplaints, and as such, it might not belong in a junkyard, but certainly deserves to be avoided, especially when the 2004 C6 Corvette was nearly faultless.
6 As Reliable As A Toyota: 2016 Chevrolet Corvette C7
The 2016 Chevrolet Corvette ran on the LT1 V8 engine, displacing 6.2 liters and making a fantastic 455 horsepower with 460 lb-ft of torque. The Z06 model of the C7 Corvette was armed with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 unit, making 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque.
The base 2016 Corvette and the Z06 model could reach the 60 mph mark from 0 in 3.5 seconds and 3.0 seconds respectively. Over at Consumer Reports, the 2016 C7 Corvette is one of the most reliable Chevrolet Corvette models ever, boasting a perfect 5/5 reliability score as well as a 5/5 owner satisfaction rating.
5 Belongs In A Junkyard: 2005 Chevrolet Corvette C6
As with the C5 Corvette, the sixth-gen C6 Corvette, too, struggled heavily in its first years. The average price of the 2005 C6 Corvette online is somewhere around $20,000, but with over 500 complaints and 6 recalls against it, it is one model year you shouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole.
According to CarComplaints, most of the problems of this car came from the transmission and electrical components, from the shifter being stuck to the battery unable to hold charge. 2009 was the model year when the C6 Corvette was perfected, but it sure comes at a hefty premium on the used sports car market.
4 As Reliable As A Toyota: 2019 Chevrolet Corvette C7
2019 was the final year for the C7 Corvette, and boy did it go out with a bang. The base motor was a 6.2-liter V8 making 455 horsepower, while the supercharged Z06 and ZR1 options made a fantastic 650hp and 755hp, respectively.
One of the strongest years in the history of the Corvette, the 2019 C7 Corvette doesn’t just boast incredible power, but also incredible reliability. Consumer Reports rates the 2019 Corvette with a flawless 5/5 reliability rating, along with perfect 5/5 scores in the Owner Satisfaction department as well.
3 Belongs In A Junkyard: 2008 Chevrolet Corvette C6
A quick look at the official NHTSA website would show you exactly why you should avoid the 2008 Chevrolet C6 Corvette. At the moment, the 2008 Chevrolet Corvette has a whopping 553 complaints against it, most of which come from its faulty fuel system.
The fuel/propulsion system is the biggest defaulter in the 2008 Chevy Corvette, along with faulty seat belts and airbag systems not helping its case in any way. As such, the 2008 C6 Corvette is yet another Chevy Corvette model year to avoid, with the C9 still reigning supreme.
2 As Reliable As A Toyota: 2022 Chevrolet Corvette C8
In 2020, the Chevy Corvette entered its eighth generation, and a new avatar, as it adopted a mid-engine layout for the first time in its history. However, the C8 Corvette definitely ditched the new-generation Corvette curse, and came out the gates swinging with a fantastic reliability score of 4/5 in the very first year. 2022, however, is by far the most reliable model year of the Chevrolet Corvette in modern history, as it boasts a ‘Best’ 93/100 Quality and Reliability score on JD Power.
In 2023, the Chevy Corvette costs $62,000, while the 670-hp 2023 Z06 model starts at $110,000. There’s a reason to why the Chevy Corvette is so expensive, as well. Not only is the Corvette armed with one of the most powerful production engines in the auto industry, but it is also decked with luxury fitments, especially in its C8 generation, where Chevy focused on not just speed and power, but comfort and luxury as well. Pair that up with fantastic reliability ratings, and you have a supercar that will go on for ages and strongly retain its value. Plus, by supercar standards, the C8 Corvette is still a bargain, all things considered.
1 Belongs In A Junkyard: 2017 Chevrolet Corvette C7
CarComplaints reports the 2017 Chevy Corvette as the worst year in the modern history of the nameplate. Defects with the wheels and cracked rims were a terrible problem with the 2017 Chevy Corvette, making for a wholly unreliable sports car that holds 227 NHTSA complaints against it.
When it comes to the C7 Corvette, the most reliable model years in the seventh generation were the 2016 and 2019 models, which are what you should have on your list if you’re considering bringing home a used Chevrolet Corvette.
Sources: CarComplaints, NHTSA, Consumer Reports, JD Power, Cars.com, CarGurus
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