Used 2007 Chevrolet Corvette

Once known as America’s only two-seat sports car, the Corvette continues to offer driving enthusiasts the most bang for the buck, running neck-and-neck (and in some cases surpassing) exotic cars costing up to four times as much – or even more. No where else but in America can you find a sub-$50,000 sports car delivering 400 horsepower while returning an EPA highway fuel economy figure of 28 miles per gallon. Although not as light or nimble as the Porsche 911, the Corvette’s optional Z51 Performance Package renders it track-ready, while the car’s luxurious interior and comfortable ride make it perfect for daily commutes or long weekend getaways. Available as a coupe or convertible, the 2007 Corvette remains in a class by itself.

With all the high-tech performance improvements in the new Corvette, a huge leap was made from the last model, enhancing both handling and straight-line acceleration. No longer do you have to work hard to "handle" this muscle machine. Instead, it steers with ease and precision, dealing with twists and turns effortlessly. All of the three suspension packages – a base system, Magnetic Ride Control and the Z51 package – are notably enhanced from the previous model. In the sport mode, the Corvette grabs the pavement with tenacity, and in touring mode, the Corvette soaks up road harshness like a large luxury sedan.

The best changes can be found inside the sixth-generation Corvette. The clean, uncluttered design carried out with the highest quality parts and trim brings the car into world-class contention. The new seats are wider and more supportive than in the generation five model. Interior sound levels have also been improved, but the Corvette’s cabin is still noisy at highway speeds.

The 2007 Corvette is still easily identifiable as a Corvette, although the changes to the exterior make the sixth generation car a different animal than its predecessors. A flush-fitted set of headlamps molded to fit the curving hood line set-off the front of the car. The sixth-generation Corvette is some five inches shorter and one inch narrower than the fifth-generation model, yet it features larger tires and a larger removable roof panel.

Six-Speed Transmission
The new, short-throw six-speed manual transmission makes the shifter in the previous model feel like something pulled out of a 1966 Chevy pickup.

Keyless Access with Push Button Start
Keep your keys in your purse or pocket – when you approach the car, you simply reach for a touch panel in the door handle and the vehicle starts up with the press of a button.

The Corvette features a 6.0-liter V8 engine, six-speed manual transmission, traction control, limited-slip rear axle, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (ABS), Xenon HID headlamps, AM/FM stereo with CD/MP3 capability, removable roof panel, leather seats, six-way power driver’s seat, cruise control, leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel and 18- and 19-inch front and rear alloy wheels, respectively.

Options include a paddle-shift six-speed automatic transmission, front side-impact airbags, Head-Up Display (HUD), Bose audio with six-disc in-dash CD/MP3 player, power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, the Z51 Performance Package, DVD navigation, Magnetic Selective Ride Control, single transparent or dual removable roof panels and polished alloy wheels.

Although there is no denying the pleasure a 400-horsepower V8 delivers, with the Corvette you also get a certain lack of refinement. The 6.0-liter LS2 V8 feels gruff at idle and roars loudly when pressed into action. It’s a purely American feel that instantly takes one back to the late 1960’s muscle car era. Porsche and Jaguar lovers will probably never love this engine, but they can’t easily overlook its tremendous performance potential, either.

6.0-liter V8 LS2
400 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
400 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/28 (manual), 17/27 (automatic)