2005 Chevrolet Corvette | Retro Review

The C6 Corvette was an evolutionary masterpiece...despite the absence of flip up headlights for the first time since '62
Show 2401 | Original Airdate 08-31-2004
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[@WitchyWhale]

I feel old that this is considered retro.

[@FLINTmitten810]

I know!!! I was 16 when this came out 😢

[@V8AmericanMuscleCar]

C5 is still new to me 😬

[@Rew3422]

To be fair, this was retro when it came out. Love that push rod.

[@TheJaybugg311]

Welcome to the club. 05 seems like a few years ago to me. Lol

[@forcedinduction_drive1975]

The c5 is now old enough to vote.

[@MercOne]

The car is still stunning looking. A testament to how well styled this generation of the Corvette was.

[@androiduberalles]

The C8 looks cool and imma let you finish, but the C6 Z is the best looking Corvette of all time.

[@MercOne]

@@androiduberalles Did you just not understand what I said?

[@AcewingOFFICIAL]

@@MercOneBro he was doing a kanye joke on C8 owners at a car meet

[@MercOne]

@@AcewingOFFICIAL Means nothing to me obviously.

[@AcewingOFFICIAL]

@@MercOne Yeah because you can’t understand a joke. Don’t try to back track just admit you didn’t get it and move on.

[@husky2423]

I was a kid at the time when this launched and all I wanted in the world was my own corvette. Since then I’ve owned a c5, c6, c7 and c8!

[@Ricardo_C]

Nice

[@husky2423]

@@patcurrie9888 I do love the c7, it’s actually my current corvette! Found it with only 2000 miles on it. Has 12k now

[@noxscotchxtape]

@@husky2423 hows the c8?

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

Must be nice

[@Solitude47152]

I have a C4 and C6. Third gear in the C4 is not be believed, LT4 motor.

[@smilinmenacediecast]

Geez, I still remember this one, 2005 makes me feel old now.

[@roddydykes7053]

Need For Speed Most Wanted looked so crazy in that year. Didn’t think graphics could get much better

[@jmin8400]

Ep date is Aug 2004, not 2005. These came out in the summer of 2004.

[@jacobiegooden3532]

Yeah Since They Have The C8 Corvette

[@shizzy_Snorlax]

The Airdate of this was 8/31/04 and I was 19 and about to start Trade School after a year off exploring life. This made me feel ancient.

[@jmin8400]

Don't feel too old! You're still young at heart!

[@tkewrestler2662]

They dramatically improved the Corvette in 2005.

[@nunyabusiness896]

Nah, most of it was minor tweaks like the C4 got from the 80's into the 90's. The C6 was more of a C5.5 than a true new car. The extra power is always welcome, but the C5 aged better IMO whereas the C6 looks like a rental car interior nowadays. In most cases, a C5 vs. a C6 on equal tires is a driver's race, be it drag or circuit driving.

[@tkewrestler2662]

@@nunyabusiness896 that is at odds with the entire refresh of the interior that placed the car on a much higher level than it had been. When you combine a necessary interior upgrade, more power, and restyle that is a dramatic improvement.

[@jacobyo99]

@@413TomaccoRoadI highly disagree that the C5 is better looking. The C6 is a cleaner, beautiful design

[@nunyabusiness896]

@@tkewrestler2662 I don't like the C6's interior. The C5 looked like a 90's exotic like an XJ220 inside, the C6 looked like a Malibu. IMO the C6 aged far worse than the C5.

[@nunyabusiness896]

@@turbojetpowered8299 Few things: 1) automatics are trash from this era and not even worth discussing, obviously I'm talking about manual vs. manual 2) the stock runflats on a C5 were straight trash and a simple tire upgrade could drop 0-60 and 1/4 mile by easily half a second alone. The main reason for the Z06's drastic acceleration improvement wasn't from power, it was from tires. The extra 40 some odd whp, most of which was only for the last few hundred RPM before redline, barely makes a difference in the 1/4 mile. Even with fairly soft tires, I can still spin through 2nd gear in my C5 and 2nd goes up to 75 mph. With good tires and good driving, the difference wouldn't really show unless you were highway racing at 100+ mph and even then it would not be something you'd feel in the seat, you'd only ever see it on a stop watch or by seeing the other car squeak ahead. 3) Some of the C6's upgrades could be retrofitted, I have C6 Z06 shocks on my C5, for example. 4) I greatly prefer the C5's pop up headlights, more timeless interior (the C6 just looks like a tryhard rental car, blech), mechanical door latches over electric poppers that lock you in if the battery dies, and a mechanical key to start the car vs. a keyfob that likes to drain the battery if you forget to put it in reverse to actually turn ignition off. The FRC, which is the body style I have, wasn't available on the C6 and I don't want a removable roof that starts to leak in a short time. I believe the FRC C5 was also more rigid than the targa C6 as well.

[@AmraphelofShinar]

Each Corvette Convertible comes with jean shorts, an Izod Polo, white crew socks with New Balance sneakers, receding hairline and a PGA visor cap.

[@ChaseBond11]

Either the hat or polo must say Corvette.

[@AmraphelofShinar]

@@ChaseBond11 Truth.

[@SataniaMcDowel]

Golf clubs are a must even if they don't golf :v

[@tmklunk]

OP shorts

[@jimjessie2704]

iv'e had 4 convertible vetts and i didn't get those accessories

[@ATRichard]

I was 12, just going into middle school in 2005. Obsessed with cars as as ever. My dad had a C6 Vette for a couple years when I was around 17 and I remember driving it and thinking “man, the steering is so heavy… But it’s fast!” Then he got us up to like 100-something in it on an on-ramp like it was NOTHING, and I was speechless. It was cool. But the fact that these cars from the 2000s are considered “retro” now is throwing me for a loop. Just like GameStop considers video games from this era on the GameCube, PS2 and GBA to be “vintage” now. Take me back! 😩

[@joskjj3625]

Still looks gorgeous to this day love the c6, since I was a young child I dreamed of this car

[@Hazwaste63]

I got hooked on the C6 after driving a 2013 GS. What a great car.

[@torres3800]

I was barely entering college in the fall of 2005. Right away When these hit the streets, they instantly seemed/felt miles more advanced than the C5. I was blown away sitting in one in my GM ASEP class. Then a few years later got to drive the C6 Z06 and ZR1 super vettes. 😎

[@fhowland]

28 mpg and 400 Horsepower is seriously impressive

[@Thiccy_]

Test drove one of these, with the 6 spd, such a great car, truly.

[@josemontano7767]

This is my favorite modern corvette style.

[@MarkMeadows90]

One of my favorite modern Corvettes. I would love to have a Z06 someday.

[@dukeviking]

Love my 6 speed 2012 C6 base model

[@davidr6865]

Same, other than the soft suspension and crappy plastic. It’s perfect

[@dougsmith9571]

The C6 is a gem. As a former car journalist myself the convertible 2011 Grand Sport 6 speed manual was and is Incredible. They could run low 12s all day in the quarter mile . Timeless, even compared to the C7 and C8.

[@ztwntyn8]

I drove my buddy’s 11 GS and it was quick for sure

[@TheOfficialCaseMade]

Besides the C2, I still think the C6 is the best looking Corvette ever made.

[@eddieescobar4722]

These corvettes are amazing to drive and amazing to look at beautiful....💯💪💣🔥

[@cheezmo2k]

The C6 base still beats most cars on the road, turns more heads than Teslas, is more reliable on the road, offers endless power, and makes you feel like a NASCAR driver. Pure enjoyment for any car enthusiast.

[@FLINTmitten810]

I didn’t know these did so good on gas!!! I was never a Vette’ guy, but man, I’d love to own one of these nowadays! One of the last somewhat simplistic v8 powered, naturally aspirated sports car!

[@BurtSampson]

MPGs were one of Corvettes strong suits, at least going back to the C5, maybe even the C4. It all deepened on your own restraint however, lol.

[@ChaseBond11]

I averaged about 28 mpg over about 45k miles with the 2013 Grand Sport. Most fuel efficient vehicle I've owned.

[@nunyabusiness896]

Yep, a tall top gear with lots of power basically at idle meant it can turn 1500 RPM at like 80 mph. Hitting a lot of red lights will drag the MPG down, but if you can keep a steady highway cruise it will match most economy cars, which is crazy considering how fast it is. Compare that to a Ferrari that gets like 12 mpg highway.

[@ImmortanDan]

@@BurtSampson Can confirm. My C4 gets 25+ mpg on the highway all the time, and that's in a cruise that's closer to 90 mph than 75. The tall top gears are to thank for that; I don't know if the Hydramatics were any good at it, but on manual Corvettes the first such gearing setup was the ZF6 box they added in 1989.

[@lukemeier1853]

My C5 convertible gets 29.5 mpg all day at 70mph. It is amazing....

[@jareknowak8712]

44.000$ in 2005 = 67.000$ today.

[@jmin8400]

That's a dumb calculation borne from a rather lazy observation, seeing as the episode aired on August 31, *2004* and was shot before that. Seems that a lot of you just lazily see a model year and neglect to remember that next year's models come out the year before. Model Years are not a literal interpretation of release date/year. August 2004 $44,000 = November 2022 (latest date) $69,126

[@oldtwinsna8347]

@@jmin8400 get lost

[@bobbob-lt9zh]

@@jmin8400 AMONG US!!!!

[@revelare_xvii6269]

Christ almighty I feel like a 80 year old watching this.

[@TheOzthewiz]

That acceleration time of 4.8seconds was impressive WAY BACK in 2005, but pales by comparison to the C8's 2.7 second sprint to 100Km/h! It's amaztng what a mere 15yrs difference can make!

[@RossEnzo]

Such a great car and great time for cars overall. Once had a Mercedes C55 AMG from 2005, incredible that it was as fast as the C6!

[@antonparks9147]

It's overall performance rocks!

[@emilianocruz11]

One of my favorite corvettes from 2000s the c6 one friend of mine have few years but i fixed so much suspensión issues and brakes and was sold later

[@patt693]

I seen one online with 200,000 miles on it.

[@CrazyWeeMonkey]

Perfect timing! My brother just got one of these two days ago!

[@OLDS98]

Thank you for posting this video. Please keep the GM and Ford/Mercury/Lincoln videos coming.

[@pbfloyd13]

The fact that in 2 years this will be a 20 year old car is depressing...😮

[@Hosshoggbossdogg]

I was 10 when this car came out. Still remember my grandpa talking about it

[@svpracer98]

I don't like thinking about the fact 2005 is considered "retro" now.

[@kgthegreatone943]

My favorite corvette is the c6 Z06

[@robp.1995]

I had a c6 z06 and it was an awesome car.

[@kgthegreatone943]

@@robp.1995 yea 427cc 505hp

[@kgthegreatone943]

@@robp.1995 what year

[@robp.1995]

@@kgthegreatone943 mine was a 2007.

[@boxerdog5979]

I have had a 2001 Z51 and a 2014 Z51 corvettes. I think I want to get a clean C6 grand sport as a weekend car.

[@domenicmitri]

Mindboggling that the original C6 autos were 4 speeds. I mean hey, I get what works. But I would think that must've dulled the experience a lot before the 6 speed came along.

[@nunyabusiness896]

Everything at that time were slushboxes, only a handful of cars had started adding more gears with select-shift modes. Zoomers that only recently started driving have no idea how miserable automatic transmissions used to be, it didn't used to be "do you want to shift or not', it was "do you want to shift or do you want to go 0-60 in 10 minutes".

[@davidj.9432]

This video was filmed in August 2004. WTF. How am I so old now?

[@WastdTrashPanda]

The best Corvette

[@jmin8400]

For trashy people of course, it is.

[@androiduberalles]

@@jmin8400 boy are you wrong

[@WarriorsPhoto]

I like these throwback videos. Now I wonder if this show still exists?

[@oni-one574]

I was so stoked when this launched. I finally snagged one in 2012 and still have it, but it's going to be sold off soon. Hilarious this is in a retro review. The transmission is no joke though, stock transmission and clutch have been running professionally installed 525rwhp for a long time.

[@justsomerandomguy4269]

Never thought that a car from the year I was born in would be featured in a retro review before I turn 18

[@alexvieira7945]

I was 18 in 2005.. Damn im old 😢

[@VictorySpeedway]

Old? I was born the same year as the first production Corvette - 1953. Don't worry - the older you get, the older "old" gets.

[@pmafterdark]

I wish I was as "old" as you LOL.

[@sannissansanjuan5074]

In 2005 I was 26 Get in the Corvette Training Class for C6

[@alexvieira7945]

@@pmafterdark how old are you?

[@alexvieira7945]

@@sannissansanjuan5074 oh

[@BKFS-ls9by]

Crazy to think they put a 4 speed auto in this thing 😂

[@James-ro2md]

Couldn’t have come at a better time in the market for a c6

[@sonydominates]

Can't believe this is considered retro now 😭 Muh childhood, miss those times

[@Adamal85]

I remember calling a friend when I saw my first C6 on the road when I was 20.....18 years ago. Time flies

[@SparkZ1420]

Still the best overall corvette ever made imo. This car can be made into anything you want

[@trentpettit6336]

Do any of you folks remember the Cadillac XLR from this same time period?

[@rookietoprobuildz]

2:58 I always love coming to this section of MotorWeek videos, just to see if I can beat the car or not.

[@metaljew4456]

I love my 2011 C6 GS Convertible with a Manual Transmission of course!

[@jeladsnikpoh1289]

This is the last Vette generation that wasn't too high-tech and overcomplicated for long term reliability. I preferred the (front end) looks of the C5 over the carp-mouth C6, but really love the C6 Z06 with one-of-a-kind LS7 427 hand-built small block! Better looking than base C6, even lighter weight, but unfortunately major valve issues. Can't have everything, I suppose, but C6 Z06 is still at top of my list of attainable dream cars. For a base C6, I'd probably get a later LS3 6.2, just not a big fan of base C6 style, compared to other versions of my all time favorite car.

[@howtobebasic2122]

way ahead of its time.

[@thehomer5913]

Nice review. But I still think the C5's rear end is WAY better looking, like it's among the best looking rear ends of any car..EVER!

[@toddprater14]

The car in high school for me in vettes was the c4 and that ended in 96 after I was out 8yrs… I remember seeing that c5 in late 96-early 97’ and thought damn what a major improvement..then I seen that big ass rear end underwrap and went yuk…(the c4 was way smaller and I was used to that).then when I was finally getting used to it around 2000…the c6 drops in late 04’ and I remember saying…that rear end looks way better even though similar it wasn’t so big and gaudy….c6’s are definitely my fave ..the c7 looks ok outside,😮 but too computery on the inside (things were changing for all vehicles)..and the c8 looks hideous inside…c6 for the win 2012-13’ grand sport

[@thehomer5913]

@@toddprater14 What can I say except, "I like big butts, and I cannot lie."

[@toddprater14]

@@thehomer5913 some otha brothas can’t deny..

[@thehomer5913]

@@toddprater14 Even white boys gotta shout...

[@toddprater14]

@@thehomer5913 Baby got back..

[@Shinobi6407]

My personal favorite Corvette!!! The C8 is a close second.

[@user-ex1lp6jt8g]

I really love my 2005 C6 its a great car..........

[@bryanwashington9511]

My favorite C6 is the 60th Anniversary followed by the Centennial Edition!

[@andrewe4277]

I have a 60th anniversary grand sport and love the car. The styling is timeless...

[@Mncrr]

I have a lemans blue 05 z51 coupe. Every option offered including two tops blue and smoked. 6 spd too.

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

My brother in law own one of those and love’s it!👌😎👍

[@MisterCoolGuy1]

Big screen dvd nav lmao Crazy how the base stereo would be more appealing than that unit nowadays

[@mirisch64]

Sgt. Cross!

[@BurtSampson]

I always wondered if them ditching the pop ups was for crash standards, or because the enclosed headlight mod was so insanely popular in the Mid America Corvette magazine. Really gave the Vette a bit of a 550/575 look.

[@E_tiBEAMERBOY]

"The reality is, safety regulations somewhat killed off the Pop-up headlight. This was mainly down to pedestrian safety regulations being tightened up and having a 'sharp' surface area was deemed too dangerous for most manufacturers to bother continuing with pop-ups." -Sourced from the internet

[@trentryan27]

Cost was also a factor, was simply easier to design a molded headlamp rather than the complex rotating one

[@stephendavidbailey2743]

Hard to use pop ups as headlight flashers.

[@randykelly5692]

Looks better than the new model

[@whiskers78753]

3:40 Very dangerous job.

[@vassa1972]

Love these cars

[@AdamG1983]

Did they really title the clip "Cargasm"? Didn't this air on PBS?!

[@RiC3R69]

I was 4 years old in 2005 D4MN

[@Ricardo_C]

My dream car is still a 2009 z06

[@RisitasKEKW]

Nice car.

[@jonaveul]

I legit remember watching this in 5th grade, then around 2012 I would say “eww base C6s look so ugly”. Fast forward today 29 years old , i truly thing it’s beautiful in stock form even if it’s the base.

[@toddprater14]

Ya want the grand sport ..looks like a zo6 but not with that nitemare valve dropping 7.0l…got the whole hood scoop inlet, got the wide body rear fenders and rear wing…you can grab a convertible or a targa top and it’s got the ls3…and not the z06 price tag…major win when introduced in 2010…the base looks kinda bland after the gs came out….z06/zr1’s are sweet but hardtop only…

[@andersonfirmino8925]

Retro motor wekk é muito legal além de vê carros da hora 👍👍 sensacional 😀😁 valeu pela postagem amigão

[@andersonfirmino8925]

Muito da hora 👍👍 maneiro

[@andersonfirmino8925]

Muito da hora 👍👍

[@MitchZero9]

@6:14 aaaaaand Ruby was born.

[@jonathansmith1590]

The C6 had a heads-up display?🤔 Interesting 🤔

[@jonathancharest9168]

Late C5s also has HUD. A friend of mine has a 2004 equiped with it.

[@YTdelsCmts4NoRsn]

@@jonathancharest9168 Yea I think that was at least an option after 2002

[@trailblitz6763]

@@YTdelsCmts4NoRsn My 2000 had the HUD as well

[@DizzyMan24]

I thought it'd be faster... but I guess it is Motorweek lol.

[@stephenumphress5705]

Best generation IMO.

[@Wajjajagg]

Just got a 2005 corvette with a rebuilt & new clutch insanely beautiful & fast love it

[@cooperhulswit8438]

High quality trim! 😂

[@Mac10Daddy]

Can’t believe Chevy was still using a 4 speed automatic with no sport shift capability in 2005

[@pedrobenson]

They changed that in 2006.

[@Mac10Daddy]

@@pedrobenson still though, that’s your flagship sports car. My 2002 Volkswagen Passat has a 5 speed Tiptronic.

[@Anderson-ky6ps]

É sensacional 👍👍👍

[@brandonpayne8433]

I know from experience but I’ve had a lot of problems from my C6 Corvette. It’s a beautiful car and has been taken very well care of. But It keeps blowing headlight/blinker lights, one of the hoses busted and over heated and left me stranded, the power steering pump is leaking power steering fluid, and just recently it rained hard outside and the next day I go to get in and there’s about and inch and a half of water in the driver side floor board. For 20,000 I expected alot more. My 2,800 Toyota Camry has been more reliable

[@PhillyDee215]

C6 BABY🤾‍♂️

[@cloed0ll]

This car came out 18 years ago and that's considered retro? I turn 18 next year and I don't know if I want to be considered as a piece of vintage art.

[@justme307]

I think, but could be wrong, that retroactive is a reference to the review/air date of the Motorweek program.

[@sketchpv3080]

13.2s @ 112mph means this thing didn’t like launching that day. Must have been cold. I’m pretty sure something like 12.7s is achievable with better traction.

[@moejr1974]

you are correct. MW drivers never launch well

[@patrickdecarvalho4754]

My thoughts exactly. 13.2 is a C5 time, but 112 is alright

[@androiduberalles]

Yeah, 0-60 in 4.8 seconds is just wrong, lol

[@boyfrmnewyork]

Vette's always been a good bang for the buck... Shhh keep it secret...

[@yudhabagaskara98]

it's aired a month after top gear reviewed it

[@chrismyres1203]

If John Cena's bald spot don't make ya feel old watching this will

[@KenanTurkiye]

Yeah pop-up headlight became illegal and we got more 'plastic fantastic' in the form of clear headlight covers in the 'Vette. Previously made popular by Mitsubishi GTO, Ferrari 360 etc, what could Chevy do but follow suit. :/

[@jareknowak8712]

Covered headlights came from motorsport. Less aerodynamic drag.

[@KenanTurkiye]

@@jareknowak8712 The 'invention' of covered headlights did comefrom motorsports due to less drag coefficient. However, cars such as the 'Vette which previously had pop-up headlights had to go that way because, as said pop-ups were banned due to their risk in collisions with pedestrians, so instead of redesigning their cars and perhaps costing and getting a worse drag coefficient, many companies opted to cover them with clear covers.

[@jmin8400]

@@KenanTurkiye The Ferrari 360 was the reference benchmark vehicle in 2001, as styling was dialed in on this car. I know the development story behind this, even if I hate the C6. This decision was set back in 2000, when many cars still had these lights.

[@KenanTurkiye]

@@jmin8400 Yes the 360 was a reference for many different cars. In 1999 pop-up headlights was deemed dangerous in UK which spread worldwide, and 2004 was the last year they were available with the C5 'Vette in the US and Lotus Espirit in the UK. However, as far as I know pop-up mechanism it self isn't ''illegal'' and manufacturers can still use them but to make them ''pedestrian safe'' is costly and weight adding which is why they became obsolete.

[@jmin8400]

@@KenanTurkiye I recall the C5 having amber rear turn signals, on a trip to UK in 2003 and was surprised it was available there. Ironically during prototype testing of C6. I still get a kick out of seeing that red 2001 C6 design mockup with cheap little cones or the like in the headlights and no glass over them yet, trying to mimic the 360 LOL. Honda I think hadn't revealed the '02 NSX IIRC and with XLR packaging already being the base, that was the best choice. It was really special. It's the desperate measures we take during development to propose a new design, when proper prototype components and tooling has yet to be designed. Really liked your comment, as it's very well informed. Worked for Jaguar in Coventry several years ago and often miss the UK in fact. Am enjoying Michigan thankfully.

[@ssnobrakesable]

Gotta respect the Vette.........

[@michaelscott7706]

Then the Z06 followed by the ZR1

[@jimjessie2704]

iv'e owned every model corvette except c-7 and c-8 and the c-6 will be my last,the c2 and c-6 being my favorites but as far as i'm concerned if it ain't got round tail lights it ain't for me

[@user-cj4sm8hv9y]

Cargasm 1996

[@jamesstaggs4160]

Wow these came with 4 speeds?

[@davidbaron6647]

nice damn nice

[@juusbox]

I think its only right to get the manual version because a 4 speed auto in a car like this is absurd

[@pontiacGXPfan]

seeing the C8 and how horrible it is makes me appreciate previous generation Vettes a whole lot more

[@chriscornelius2518]

I didn't care for the headlight design and preferred the 02 Z06

[@jehb8945]

Once again motorweeks test drivers don't know how to launch a car because I have tests of this car and something like three different magazines motor trend car and driver and I think I have the road and track test of this and all of them get between 4.3 and 4.5 seconds to 60 but the quarter mile for all publications is 12.7 at 112 miles an hour which is still fast by today's standards. Also to prove that weight is everything in a sports car another 36 horsepower and the same in torque for the LS3 actually got acceleration times down even further with 0 to 60 in the four second range and a 12.2 second quarter mile and with how heavy cars have gotten today to get the same reduction you need another 100 horsepower

[@ptingz9307]

This is like calling the Playstation 3 retro

[@MWBenDavis]

2 years before the first iPhone

[@maureencora1]

I Really Liked the 2005 Corvettes with the Fog Lights.

[@opmike343]

T56 ☺

[@dietrichwilliams2913]

Wow there times are way off everyone else's!!!