The Chevrolet Corvette has been dubbed as “America’s sports car” and is one of the most iconic cars of all time. The ‘Vette is a car that handles like a high-priced sports car but has the power to take on muscle cars on the quarter-mile track. It comes off the production lines race-ready but can still be modified to become the top dog in the streets ruled by beasts.
There is no doubt that the Corvette has a unique look that cannot be confused with any other car, even the ones that have tried to imitate them. The brand itself has received countless awards throughout the years, such as Car of the Year in 2020 and it ranks in the top 10 of the most awards given to one car by Kelley Blue Book (KBB).
Surprisingly though, there are still some years that are affordable for almost anyone. And of course, there are ones that should be avoided, even if they are found cheap. Let’s dig in and discuss some of each.
10 Bargain: 1973 Corvette 454
The Chevy 454 is one of those engines that muscle car enthusiasts grab up when they can. The ‘60s and early ’70s were ruled by cars that had some power. The bigger, the better. If it was deafening loud the owner would smile and romp on the gas pedal again. The 1973 Chevrolet Corvette that has the monster 454 motor in it is a worthwhile investment.
It is an affordable older car that is sold at an average of $14k. For that price, you get a 270-hp sports car that can push out 380ftlbs of torque. The bumper up front that helps add 100 pounds to the ’73 is now required due to new regulations, which many ‘Vette lovers do not care for. That is why this car can be found cheaper than others, along with the low fuel economy that it has.
9 Bargain: 1986 Corvette Coupe
In 1986 the Convertible came back to the lineup. It cost more than the coupe, but well worth it for those of us that like to drive free. This, of course, is one of the main points of owning a Corvette. The car comes with a 5.7L motor with tuned-port fuel injection (TPI) that delivers 230 hp and 330 ft-lbs of torque.
Along with looks and power 1986 was a year of change for the Corvette. A Vehicle Anti-Theft System was added to the car due to the rising incidents of Corvette thefts. The anti-lock braking (ABS) was introduced this year, new heads on the motor, a new exhaust system, catalytic converters for the first time, and slight changes to lighting and the gadgets in the cockpit. It should make the value go up with all these improvements, but people do not like change because it usually means issues that need to be ironed out.
8 Bargain: 1995 Corvette C4 ZR-1
1995 was the last year of ZR-1 production due to 2 simple reasons, both of which tie together. Sales were down because the purchasing cost was up. This beast came with the L1 motor which was a 5.7L that pounded out 405 hp and 385 ft-lbs of torque. The Corvette also came with other tweaks to the car, such as a camber angle adjustment, installing improved bearings, and other vital parts designed for racing.
This car can be found for under $15k because compared to the next years ‘Vette this one had a smaller engine and fewer technological advances. It is true that if we want the best bang for our buck that we would have bought the ’96, but we are here to get the most out of our investment. In this case, the ’95 is a better deal because it can be bought cheap, restored, and sold with far less money into it. That is, if selling it is part of the deal.
7 Bargain: 1999 Corvette Convertible
The return of the hardtop was a highly anticipated event for consumers and engineers alike. It would cut down on the weight of the car, giving it some more pep off the line, and better handling around corners. Even though it turned out to only shave a second off-track times, it did leave open the ability for people to purchase the convertible version without much-added expense.
Any Corvette that can be purchased for under 10 grand is a bargain, and the 1999 convertible Corvette can be had for around $7,700. The motor that comes with it is the 5.7L V8 that pushes out 345 hp and has a torque of 350 ft-lbs. This was also the first year that the ‘Vette offered a heads-up display and a telescoping steering column. The 1999 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible would be a bargain at almost any price.
6 Bargain: 2004 Corvette Z06
The last production year for the C5 generation went off with no major hitches. No major changes were made because Chevy was saving it for the new C6 corvettes that were planned for production the following year. The hardtop Z06 came with a 5.7L V8 with a 90-degree overhead valve. It could produce 405 hp and 400 ft-lbs of torque.
As with every other final production year, this car can be obtained at a decent price. It averages $9.1 k, but better prices can be found around the country, depending on the overall quality of the car. The changes that were made to this year involved handling. Bushings and shocks were improved upon after the car was driven on the Nürburgring track. The 2004 ‘Vette is a bargain that should never be passed up on.
5 Not Worth It: 1979 Corvette L48
There were numerous changes to the Corvette in 1979. In the year previous the ‘Vette that was used as a pace car introduced lightweight, high-backed seats, which became standard in the new year. The L48 came with a 5.7 V8 that also had some upgrades. Twin snorkel air cleaners were installed, giving the car an extra 10 hp, increasing it to 195 hp with a torque of 285 ft-lbs.
When it was placed on the market for sale the 1979 Corvette L48 was priced over ten grand for the first time in the history of the car. Now, this car can be found in bad condition for around $15,000, and in good condition for about $21,000. When considering the amount of money needed to buy, fix up, and maintain the ’79 is not worth it.
4 Not Worth It: 1980 Corvette 305
In 1980 the Corvette made a change in an attempt to meet the new fuel emission laws, especially in California. Instead of placing the standard 350 under the hood, the car company decided to try a 305. The 5.0L squeaked out 180 horses and had a torque of 255 ft-lbs. Not very impressive for a ‘Vette, but the 80’s were hard for all car manufacturers.
The average price that it can be found for today is just slightly over the original asking price, so go back in time and buy a new one if this year is wanted. They can be found in bad shape for around $12k, but the average is more like $17,700. The small engine makes this a good project car, but not unless it is found way cheaper. The 1980 Corvette with the 305-cid is not worth it so move on to one that is.
3 Not Worth It: 1987 Corvette Callaway Twin Turbo
Putting a turbo on a V8 for the streets in 1987 was a feat that Chevy undertook, with the help of the well-known Callaway company. At this time Chevrolet actually had a twin-turbo that would have worked, but because of the Callaway reputation, they decided to let them design and install the turbos onto their 5.7L motor. Once it was done the engine pounded out 345 hp and 465 ft-lbs of torque, making it a beast of a car.
A beast filled with problems. The twin-turbo was a great idea, in theory, but it was not very dependable. It would break down more often than not, and with that is a heavy price tag to fix it. And fix it. And fix it again. Each time that the turbo goes out it will cost around $2,000 as long as no other parts were damaged. It is possible to pick this car up for under $6,000, but with all of its issues added up, it's just not worth the hassle.
2 Not Worth It: 1996 Corvette GS Convertible
The 1996 Corvette Grand Sport was one of the special production cars made that year to celebrate the long run for the C4 cars. The GS got an upgrade to its engine, going with the L4 instead of the L1. This gave an increase in power by 30, making it a 330-hp engine that could beat the ground with 340 ft-lbs of torque. It is an amazing car with the average Corvette problems.
An amazing car with a price tag. These cars can be found in bad condition for $24,600, and in good shape for $35,600. The high-end value is over $50 grand, but not many cars are at that level. Getting 30 extra horses and some special paint costs some dough, which is not worth it, considering the price of other ‘Vettes in the same condition.
1 Not Worth It: 2002 Corvette Coupe
The coupe for 2002 received more upgrades to the motor, giving the 5.7L LS6 a rating of 405 hp and 400 ft-lbs of torque. Once again, the Corvette increased the number of horses by 30. With that increase, the suspension had to be upgraded, as well as the clutch and wheels. The interior also came with an AM/FM/CD radio that had become standard on all other cars and trucks.
It sounds like a fast car, and indeed it is. The cost is not as bad as would be thought, either. These cars can be found for around $7,000 on the low end, and $15,900 on the high. If the car had a better resale value on the top end this car would be a bargain, but since it is so low it is definitely not worth it.
Final Thoughts
Corvette owners are a breed of their own. They have a list of ten commandments that they follow, including the famous Corvette wave that people talk about. It truly is a group of strangers that act like family. For the most part, anyway.
Many makes and models can be a bargain when purchasing, but of course, each buyer will have their own ideas of what that level is. It could be said that all Corvettes are a worthwhile investment, which is simply not the case. Some of them are worth their weight in gold, others are simply not worth it.