Corvette C6 Convertible (05 on) - Review

Review by Simon Harris on 21 February 2008

Last Updated: 01 December 2009

The Corvette Roadster may be an iconic sports car in America, but it’s a slow seller in Europe. This is particularly true in the UK where the car is hamstrung by only coming in left-hand drive, which puts off many potential buyers. But there's no doubting the performance on offer - the 6.0-litre V8 engine delivers 400bhp and an intoxicating noise. In 2007 this was uprated to 6.2-litres and 430bhp, plus the optional automatic gearbox came with paddle shifters behind the steering wheel. This car is also the first open-top Corvette with a fully electrically-operated roof, but it lacks the quality and refinement of the best high performance roadsters on the market.

2.5 out of 5

Other Corvette reviews

1 out of 5

Running costs

The Corvette is something of a bargain compared to similar performance cars, but this only offsets the depreciation it will suffer. Expect to lose around a third of the car’s new price in two years. Keeping that V8 engine fuelled will be expensive too - the Corvette averages just 22mpg. Service intervals are 10,000 miles, but finding a qualified garage could prove tricky. Insurance will also be expensive as the Corvette Roadster is a real rarity on UK roads and could be problematic to repair if damaged.

Summary Running Costs
Servicing period	12 months or 10,000 miles.
Warranty	Three years/60,000 miles.
Road tax (12 months)	£270.00 - £475.00

Vehicle excise duty (VED) varies according to the CO₂ emissions and the fuel type of the vehicle. For cars registered after March 1st 2001 VED or road tax is based on the car's CO₂ emissions. For cars registered before March 1st 2001 it is based on engine size.

Full running costs data

0.5 out of 5