- convertible 29,572
- 32,500 overpriced
- Pasadena, MD
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- autoshopper.com
- convertible 29,572 black manual
2005 chevrolet corvette review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Redesigned, america's sports car is better than ever. introductionchevrolet has introduced a new corvette for 2005, and this sixth generation of america's sports car is better than last year's model in every way. we weren't expecting it to be that much better. After all, the fifth-generation corvette (1997-2004), or c5, was (and is) a terrific sports car. Hailed at the time for its rigid and innovative chassis, it represented a huge leap ahead of the c4 (1984-96). And the c4 was a giant leap ahead of the rumbling (and rattling) c3 (1968-82). Because this new sixth-generation corvette, or c6, builds on the basic bones of the c5, we figured the c6 would be an improvement but never imagined it would be this dramatic. the new styling, with exposed headlamps and a slimmed-down rear end, is the first thing people notice. But what makes the c6 great is its improved handling, performance, refinement and comfort. It's substantially shorter and lighter than the previous model, the wheelbase is slightly longer, and it gets a new engine, new transmissions, new suspension, new brakes, a new interior and extensive refinements throughout. Chevrolet set out to eliminate every imperfection and complaint in the c5 and says 85 percent of the content in the c6 is new. it all adds up to a car that's more comfortable and easier to drive, not only on the road, but also on a race track. The new 2005 corvette quickly infuses the driver with confidence. It feels like it has more grip than the old one, and it does. It's more agile than before yet more stable, it's new brakes are excellent. And, yes, it's faster. corvette's new 6. 0-liter v8, called the ls2, delivers more power than before for quicker acceleration performance, improved response, increased efficiency and enhanced refinement. Specifically, the ls2 produces 400 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. Moreover, it sounds great and the acceleration performance is exhilarating and intoxicating. The coupe is awesome, and the convertible is really wonderful. The final big decision is which of three suspensions to get: the standard suspension, the z51 performance handling package 1,495), or f55 magnetic selective ride control 1,695) with electronically controlled variable damping. the corvette comes well-equipped with leather seating surfaces, climate control with a pollen filter, a six-way power driver's seat, power everything, and cruise control. However, we recommend opting for the side-impact airbags, which are included in the two major option packages: package 1sa 1,405) includes a rear area cargo convenience net, luggage shade, sport bucket seats with perforated leather seating surfaces, back angle/lumbar adjustment and side bolsters; package 1sb 4,360) adds to that a head-up display, a homelink transmitter w/garage door opener and three-channel programming, interior rearview mirror with compass, driver-side auto-dimming exterior rearview mirror, dual front heated seats, a premium seven-speaker am/fm bose system with six-disc in-dash cd, mp3 playback, power telescopic steering column with manual tilt, and a memory package with two driver presets for seat, exterior mirrors, climate control, radio and steering column. The list of free-standing options is relatively short: xm satellite radio 325), dvd navigation and seven-speaker bose audio 1,400), onstar telematics 695), and polished aluminum wheels 750). all 2005 corvettes come with the same ls2 engine. There's no high-performance z06 hard top available (yet), but the lightweight new models with the ls2 are nearly as quick as the old z06. There is, however, a 3. 15 rear ratio 395) available for the automatic for quicker acceleration performance. walkaroundits body work may be all new, but no one will have any trouble recognizing the c6 as the chevrolet corvette. At the same time, they will immediately know it's the new one. the exposed headlights usually draw the first comments. For many years corvettes have used hideaway headlamps to complement their sleek, aerodynamic designs, but advances in optics and lighting technology enable designers to achieve those goals with exposed headlights. From an engineering standpoint, the new headlamps are better than the old hideaways: they are lighter, which means less weight hanging out over the front wheels, a critical area in terms of overhang, polar moments of inertia, and all that stuff; reducing weight in front is always difficult in a front-engine car, so this is an important reduction. They also eliminate a lot of mechanical complexity and allow a higher-quality lighting setup. And they offer better performance; chevrolet says lighting is improved 85 percent. more important than the headlamps, however, is the corvette's smaller proportions. The c6 is fully 5 inches shorter than the c5 (3 inches shorter in front, 2 inches shorter in the rear), and it's 1 inch narrower. Its smaller size and lighter weight improve agility. The new corvette also cuts a tighter, more taut profile. And it does all that without eliminating usable interior space. The more diminutive dimensions give it a more international character, says chevrolet, allowing it to feel more at home in other parts of the world. Though 5 inches shorter in overall length, the wheelbase has been stretched by more than 1 inch, resulting in shorter overhangs; shorter overhangs improve agility, while the longer wheelbase improves stability. In other words, the wheels have been pushed out toward the corners of the car. the body work is smoother aerodynamically and generates less lift in front. Translation: better grip, increased stability at high speeds. The sculpted fenders, the sharp creases that sweep dramatically up to the planed rear deck and other aspects of the design call to mind exotic cars, race cars and jet fighters. The quad tail pipes, black lower diffuser and tiny rear spoiler accented in black, give it the look of an italian exotic. That tiny spoiler is functional, reducing rear lift at high speeds. Ducts on the trailing edge of the front fenders draw hot air out of the engine compartment. The optics of the reverse lights magnifies the light they throw out, helpful when backing up in this beast. interiorthe interior is all-new for 2005 and much improved over past corvettes. It no longer looks like an upgraded camaro inside. There's a two-tone leather treatment available that doesn't make me feel like i should be wearing a black leather jacket. The dashboard is finished in a soft material that feels nice to the touch. The seats are nicely finished. Real metal accents are used, but they don't generate glare. The electronics serve the driver without getting in the way. the seats are comfortable and easier to adjust than in past corvettes, though there's still that feeling of sitting deep down in a massive machine. There's more headroom, though, and the windshield doesn't seem as close to the driver's face. The steering wheel looks more like a suburban wheel than a ferrari wheel, but it felt good in my hands and afforded a good view of the instruments. the instruments are big analog gauges that are easy to read at a glance. The corvette is, thankfully, devoid of a lot of digital readouts. Simply walk up to the car and open the door. Climb in and press the starter button. the convertible features an optional power-operated soft top, a feature that last appeared on a corvette in 1962. The power top features a single-button control and completes its cycle in 18 seconds. An easy-to-operate manual top is standard. The five-layer fabric top is available in three colors. It looks good with the top up, but looks terrific with it down, with body-color trim that gives it the racy look of an open-cockpit le mans prototype. Naturally, the convertible gives up cargo capacity, offering 10. 5 cubic feet of storage with the top up, which isn't bad for a roadster, and just 5. 1 with the top down. It rides nicer, the handling is improved, it generates more grip. When driven hard, it's m. Bucket Seats✔ Heated Seats✔ AM/FM✔ Climate Control✔ Cruise Control✔ Aluminum Wheels
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