2009 Chevrolet Corvette | Full Test | Edmunds.com

Kicking GM while it's enduring the bitter sting of bankruptcy seems so sophomoric. And so do the massive powerslides we've been doing in the company's 2009 Chevrolet Corvette, so let's begin this review on a positive note by discussing one of the Vette's finer points: Acceleration.
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[@MrVara411]

Still love my C6. I smile every time I walk up to it. :)

[@UvidCo]

Man it isn't good for your back to be sleeping in your garage.

[@marcsmith3881]

I love them as well. Happy to see the prices coming down. I want an LS3. 190 mph stock is crazy. None of these newer cars with 455-460 hp don't run 190 mph stock. It slips through the air.

[@ThePunisherc6]

I have this exact same car, bought it brand new in '09 and 5 years later, I still love it!

[@jakelogan7542]

How about now?

[@genericdenizen1]

Love my new 2019 Corvette Grand Sport with its MANUAL TRANSMISSION!

[@ChevyImpalaMan90]

Every review that i have read or watched about the Corvette constantly insults the interior quality of the car. But the reality is that for most of the people that buy a Corvette the interior is the nicest they have ever had. What they should really let people know about is that for the price, the Corvette is the best option available.

[@SeanFTP1]

Have had a new 2009 for 5 weeks now and got a good deal from the dealer - 3800 off sticker. After 1270 miles it has no rattles or squeaks and I love the performance, This car is my everyday driver and I couldn't be happier with it!

[@jarin12ga]

I love this car!! I just bought a 2005 Z51 package. I highly recommend this baby. It drives like a BMW with GOBS of torque!! You will love the LS2!!!! You need NO more power after you buy this car.The 2008-2013 corvette with the LS3 is a great car but for everyday driving the 30 extra HP wasn't worth the extra $$ to me??. This car runs $25,000+ depending on the miles and package.For a price like that, You just can't beat it!! Trust ME!

[@aguilasfan96]

Got a 09 corvette coupe 2LT today, I'm so excited!! Paid 30k and it only had 20,963 miles.

[@jarin12ga]

You'll love it. People drool over a clean vette. The LS power is amazing. Great ride NP with mine!!

[@BleedForTheWorld]

Best proper sports car money can buy these days. I'm 23 and soon to be 24 in the summer and for 10 long years have I loved these cars... I'll make sure my dream comes true this year :] Corvette Power!!

[@pontiacGXPfan]

The beautiful growl of this car's dual-mode exhaust is well worth paying $1,200 extra for. If I had this car I would never want to keep my foot off the throttle.

[@StormAutoAdventures]

Going to a non runflat performance tire will take care of that problem right away. I couldn't believe the difference. The R/F tires are getting better, but they're still way behind a good non R/F tire though. No way a car so low, wide, lightweight with wide tires & an independent stiff suspension should be slower than a Mustang GT with a solid rear axle through the slalom. It's the tires. It's a night & day difference I'm telling you.

[@spillow762]

One of the reasons I love this country!

[@pavlistarvmterramater3579]

My favorite Sport cars: Vettes and Porsches!!

[@C5Cse7en]

i love my base 2LT vette, cyber gray just like the once pictured. Best car i have ever owned. The LS3 is awesome.

[@Marc99GT]

You guys are killing me. I can't wait to buy one. It is coming soon.

[@THESocialJusticeWarrior]

a little suspension tuning should sort out that transition instability. My 1999 vette is very stable.

[@RK1FX]

There is a stereotype in europe that US cars use a lot of gas and euro cars are economical. Ok here are some straight facts. The ZR1 Corvette uses less gas than an m3 e92 (I checked this in person). US made cars are not the ones before the 90's now they are solid. :)

[@Aquariansevenone]

When I was using the inferior stock tires I could easily pull 1 G through corners on my favorite exit ramps. The Goodyear Eagles that GM chose for this car aren't the best I've ever used. Now I use BF Goodrich comp TA and they rock! I'd love to test your theory. Nissan 370 Z outranking a Corvette? Good one. Nice try.

[@texan176]

It's a great value and more than enough for most of the people who buy them. 430 ponies is around what the 1st gen Viper GTS coupes made in the 1990s priced between 65-70 grand in 1990s dollars. The price is the best thing about this car.

[@F1god04]

Agreed. I saw one and almost fainted. I cant stop staring at the car. Its just that good looking. A nice progession for the Z. Great work Nissan.

[@moaski]

Actually, the 2010 GT500 will run mid 12s in the 1/4 mile. Market demand is high right now (driving up costs), but the base model GT50 is supposed to start around $45K. That's WAY less than the Z06 base price of $72k.

[@teamlaguna]

Yeah I was thinking a set of coilovers (PFADT) should help with the handling. Also some Sparco seats with 5 point seat belts. Sound Great , nice LS-3!

[@400hpmustang]

What is the best bang for the buck regarding the C6 models? LS2? LS3? Maintenance? Durability?

[@c6drives180]

I went for the ls2 myself cause they were so much cheaper and only 30 he more

[@krocialblack]

+Scotty N Both engines are pretty much the same in maintenance and durability. The LS2 to an LS3 is pretty much like downloadable content on video games. Gives you a little more to play with, but it's practically the same thing with some minor changes. With that being said, it doesn't really matter which one you get, sure the LS3 is pumping more horses and packing a lil more torque and can breath better, but nothing but a few bolt on's to the 6.0 won't fix. LS2's are certainly cheaper than the LS3, while the lowest I've seen an LS3 go for is around 28 grand, I've seen LS2s get let go for as cheap as 17. So if you're looking for getting a C6 for cheap? Get an LS2.

[@400hpmustang]

+krocialblack Thanks, I looked at a 05 with 49,000 miles for $22,500. It's immaculate, hate the tan interior though.

[@TexasNova]

Front plates are state by state deal. Texas has it but not Oklahoma & Arkansas. Others I don't know

[@Alshaytan666]

@SeanFTP1 i am in the market for a vette... r u still happy with yours? rattles? squeeks?

[@StormAutoAdventures]

@SeanFTP1 My uncle has an 02' Z06 and it still doesn't have any rattles to this day. Once the rails were hydroformed the rattles were no more :) The C6 was improved very little in that area b/c it didn't need it. I love my C6... Not one squeak or rattle here either.

[@StormAutoAdventures]

I guess I'm lucky then... My 2007 has 49,000 miles without one single issue. Also, I've been modded for over 20k miles too. My Uncle has a 2005 C6 with over 90k miles without any problems either... He's an outside salesman & drives it cross country. I would have thought his 05' being the first year & his current mileage would be loaded with problems but nope. We both race our vette's too, so it's not like we baby them. Maybe other's haven't been so lucky but, we couldn't be happier :)

[@Sytyvette1]

You just can't the LS motors they are dang near bulletproof. I love the engines in these cars.

[@mtooshort20]

that mustang also weights about 500-600lbs more than the vette too. And you go to a dealarship and see if u can find a GT500 for $45 grand lol. Plus ur forgetting that this is a BASE model vette. I see what u are saying, but for about 800 bucks u can sort that handling out

[@moaski]

You're right about that price. I'm sure the new GT500's price will be at a premium for a while. Still, there is NO reason why a Mustang should EVER handle better than a Vette. GM can't rest on its laurels when is comes to this kind of thing. If the suspension needs some tinkering, they can't expect to leave it up the the buyer to do so.

[@TheSimini]

I am a Porsche guy, but this is a bargain. Good job vette

[@RIP_Sloucher]

wow...190! thats as fast as the old z06s went.

[@moaski]

Yeah, I know the hp numbers. So are you saying that the GT500 would be faster through the slalom than the regular GT? Or are you saying that the GT is faster, because it is swinging less weight around in the front end?

[@Marc99GT]

Um, the new M3 has over 400 hp and still the base vette beats it 0-60 and in the 1/4.

[@JamaicanMeCrazy]

you have made the most sense of all my haters. No doubt. The vette is a great car. I apologize to all the vette faithfuls. To be fair i would opt for great looks and good performance than great performance and good looks. But thats just me. I like aston martins, illl never buy one though, its obviously out of my price range. I would however buy an m3 or an infinity g. I know its about the corvette dont cuss me out.

[@littleaskater137]

this is my all time fav car along with the pagini zonda they are both great

[@Aquariansevenone]

Too bad the ZO6 doesn't have a removable top. couldn't even get a heads up display in 2006. I don't think a dry sump crank case, lower slung motor, and magnesium mak

[@moaski]

The GT500 Mustang is nipping at the base Vette's heals. I know that Vette buyers probably wouldn't consider a Mustang, but the GT has 540hp for $45k. Now, InsideLineVideo claims that the Stang handles better through the slalom, it's cheaper, and it has more ponies...eek! Somethings got to give don't you think?

[@johnwhalen3434]

Haha... not anymore buddy... nice performer at an automall price. 700 plus hp and a sticker well over 100 000 bones.. thats what i call a high dollar exotic. .

[@CHUUMPASS]

i would so buy on of these cars if only i had the means :D i'm german and we have a lot of great sports cars but it wouldn't take me long to decide which car to get if likei said i had the means to buy one, the overall package that vettes deliver for their price is simply amazing and unheard of among any competitor in this type of class.

[@MotoAnimeGuy]

Pretty much what it is, while the car's rolling forward a bit you punch it. Instead of a standstill, where the tires might roll for a bit.

[@mikeakaspike]

That slalom would have been much better if they had tested the Z51 package

[@bg1379]

On one hand I would agree with you, but, on the other, ANY car that demands 50k should have a relatively luxurious feel. I can't think of any example that doesn't save for the Lotus', but they are far more hard core than the Corvette.

[@Blueball0120]

@TRUDOWNSOUTH Yeah right. do you know that inside lines drivers suck? They got a Corvette Zr1 to do 0-60 in 4.0 seconds when it does 0-60 in 3.3 seconds.

[@DualofChaos]

Opel you mean?

[@namless83895]

looks and sounds AWESOME!

[@C6Roadster]

I don't use front plates here in WA, you'll have toget a moving violation first before the cops can get you for not having one.

[@Dreadwin69]

"all to familiar steering wheel" like a driver really cares, or owns one of the whole Chevy lineup to recognize it

[@JoseRamirez-nw7pg]

I hear you brother.....I’ve heard this crap over and over again about how crappy the Corvette interior is, but they’ve been saying that since 1953. I love my C6, even with all the squeaks and squeals. 😍

[@Vladmir917]

the vette zr1 3zr is by far my fave car

[@moaski]

VERY insightful. Thanks.

[@Rockit181]

yes i've heard the LS3 has a lot of potential

[@RK1FX]

So true. I hate harsh rides, in the real world people rather do not circuit their cars.

[@bmwcrazy]

Want one...want one badly.

[@FILIPINOCD]

Is there a Dodge Viper test?

[@Marc99GT]

@sirlonghair Good point. I have seen a few dyno 560-600 rwhp with less than 10 psi. Monsters still on pump gas and getting good mpg. I want one very badly.

[@Evan12345678]

can someone explain to me what w/ rollout means?

[@ilikenarutoalot]

they didnt put all that stuff in because most people wont even notice it anyways, they probably will never take it to a race track, and they probably just wanna have some fun at low speeds

[@10spokess]

the ls3 is a beast i cant wait till i pop the question and ask if i can buy a corvette

[@Marc99GT]

@cuzimill786 That is not fast enough. It is well short on the 1/4. If we arew using best times, the base has been 11.70s, but most run 12.20s. That was also at 117-119 mph. That was pre-2010 which now has launch control.

[@Css2life]

i personally love soft seats, if i were to get a vette i would never get a base model

[@Marc99GT]

Awesome car for the money and nothing can touch it's performances at 50K. I am saving to buy one so I can add a cam, exhaust, CAi and tune to make 450+ rwhp.

[@cuzimill786]

not exactly. the e92 m3 coupe has got 4.1 0-60 and 12.7 in the 1/4.

[@Blackgam3r]

@bsg1206 ya I hate the all around plastic too. I think that a Chevy Cobalt has higher quality materials than the Corvette :P.

[@sergsrt8]

@TRUDOWNSOUTH 350z doesnt do 0-60 in 4.3 like the vette, more like under 6 seconds....i hope your joking around

[@BlackTransAmdude]

Gm should rework the Corvette just a little better handling, acceleration, top speed, just a few exterior changes, and redo the whole interior with better materials but keep the price fairly the same

[@Kwall4life]

Pretty sure the Corvette shown in the video doesn't "sticker" under $50,000 with the Navigation satellite radio, chrome wheels, and dual mode exhaust packages all installed but the point is made - Corvettes are still the world's best performance bargain in the segment - bar none.

[@hustler539]

I guess you could put some of those saved bucks into a suspension upgrade, 430hp is plenty enough.

[@Blueball0120]

@straightedge442 I know right. I hate when people complain about the interior. It has air conditioning,Radio,cup holders and other stuff. It has leather seats! At least it has stuff that you want in a car.

[@mtooshort20]

u obviously have never had a vette lol. vettes dont break down unless its the owners falt. Heck, the stock block will hold over 1000hp no problem. Its called a compromise of luxery for performance, that's the vette's purpose. Most vettes go well over 120k-150k miles before even needing valve cover gaskets.

[@Towelman20]

The best sports car that money can buy.

[@gengiz]

the seats look really basic and not bucket enough but all in all very cheap for that i must admit im impressed usually hate us cars very cheap for that car

[@MarkyMarkEckstein]

im kind of a noob when it comes to cars. what does it mean "with rollout"?

[@rousseau327]

I'm not gunna lie, the ZR1 is a ridiculously fast car. But there are so many things wrong with what you said. The GT-R comes way close to the ZR1's performance. The LFA NE goes way beyond the ZR1's performance. Both are from Japan. The Porshe 911 GT2 RS is faster than the ZR1; it's from Germany. Any German performance car of this day and age will be more refined than the ZR1. Luxury and Corvette shouldn't even be in the same sentence. The only thing you said right was the Corvette's value/speed.

[@Evan12345678]

the gs is a better performance deal- $5000 more but you get 1.06g in the skipad.

[@sspope]

But seriously, GM really won with C6 Corvettes. When you think about it, there are no "affordable" supercars with better power 2 weight ratio and faster in a straight line than ZR1. Is Porsche Carrera GT faster in straight? No, it isn't. Mclaren SLR? No, it isn't. Ferrari 599? No. Maybe Murcielago LP-640, maybe Merc SL Black, maybe . But that's it. Anything else like CCXR is gigantically expensive.

[@alldayjay502]

One of the only American cars that I would buy. The American car companys could learn a thing or two from the Japanese about how to make a nice interior. Even if they spend another $5000 on the interior, it would still be the best bang for your buck.

[@schmo7777]

Best bargain until now with the new c8

[@Nathanvoie]

A 2010-2013 Mazdaspeed3 will do 71.1 mph through the slalom haha. But I do love the corvette. Might even trade in my Mazda for one....... Maybe one of these days.

[@CeeStyleDj]

remember, this was thr base model. the Z51 handling package should really raise the slalom speed.

[@awingard9902]

The stock runflat tires are shit! I love my 2009 Competition, best bang for the bucks

[@LostChildOfTime]

Dear GM - Interior. Fix it. Thanks. -a potential Corvette owner

[@ReGGaEToNFLoW88]

Thats the best Bang for the Buck Car in the whole wide World

[@Deathrow999]

but the interior is class one of the best ive seen

[@RWTFska8te]

Ohmaigod. It's my new dream car! I'd just get a used one (preferably '06). If not, my second option is an '05 Z -_-

[@americanrealist1]

that was the cheap base model one. they should have tested the ZR1. none the less a stunning, and ballsy beast from the bow tie :] I love chevy

[@n9athan]

the stock goodyears suck compared to the michelin pilot sport tires, probably why slalom wasn't that great

[@bg1379]

I thought that, overall, this review was positive.

[@knoose]

True car fans would never say that...

[@RM80AR]

I got one love corvettes I had four mustang but went for Chevy still love ford too

[@sspope]

Sure, Corvette handles great but it's the straight line where it really pulls away from others.

[@jamesjdm]

the GT500 has never run better than mid 12s in any test I have ever seen and it lost to a stock C6 in a motortrend test on a test track. now mind you it cost nearly as much as a Z06, has more hp than a Z06 or a C6 vette but is slower than both. sorry but mustang are just slow no matter how much power you give them compared to other cars.

[@TorqueMachine]

47k, The class this car is in is amazing and for what it offers!!! It competer with mustangs,camaros,370zs, and other cars similair to that class. Amazing, not fair, but amazing. Then they have the z06, and the ZR1.....

[@wilkinskid1]

hey, thats cool if its true. if it is, would u mind telling us what it is u do? i, for one, am looking for a new job.

[@moaski]

They need to get the handling a bit more taunt and drop the price a few thousand.

[@sirlonghair]

@Rockit181 nelson racing engines makes an ls3 with 2500Hp.and 2000ft.Lbs. Tq. for 52,000 dollars

[@sspope]

What the hell are YOU talking about? Both Ford and GM use small German engines.

[@TheMomomustang]

every thing you said is true except that zr1 will destroy LFa in pretty much anything it has to offer

[@jamesjdm]

the nissan 370Z runs the slalom in 72.9mph, much faster than a c6 corvette. it also hits 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, which is only 2 tenths of a second slower than the vette. needless to say the 1.0 lateral gs the nissan pulls out ranks the vettes .97 and the 370 handles much better considering the vette lost to a mustang GT... for 33K I would much rather buy the better built, better looking, better handling 370Z and throw a couple of mods on it making it faster than the vette.

[@sergsrt8]

@TRUDOWNSOUTH its too dark out to play in the street, maybe after school tomorrow i will

[@Dreadwin69]

well if there was a LNF ecotec turbo in a corvette maybe your comment would make sense

[@mtooshort20]

why? the price is fine right where it is. there is nothing else in this class that is this cheap with this much performance. And a set of struts and stickier tires will sort out the cornering issue easily.

[@GearheadOutlaw]

why are we talking about mustangs on a corvette vedio?

[@coolerdude44]

"every other car with the same performance credentials is significantly more expensive" what about the m3?

[@aaronrodriguez1410]

This is more reliable

[@justcallmegod2]

UNDER 50 GRAND???? is he serious?? i live in belgium and a basic vette costs about 70.000 euros here, which is about 100.000 dollars, which is double of what americans have to pay for it for exactly the same car!!! that's legal robbery...