Used 2009 Chevrolet Corvette

Once hailed as America’s only true two-seat sports car, for 2009 the Chevrolet 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 430 horsepower while returning an EPA highway fuel economy figure of 26 miles per gallon. Although not as light or nimble as the Porsche 911, the Corvette’s luxurious interior and comfortable ride make it perfect for daily commutes or long weekend getaways. For those willing to spend a lot more money for even more performance, there’s the 505 horsepower Z06 and, beyond that, the optional ZR1 Performance Package delivers track-ready supercar status.

As you would expect, the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette is a terrific driving experience. The 6.2-liter V8 delivers abundant power throughout its speed range, a fact the driver is reminded of with even the slightest touch of the accelerator. There is no need to work hard to "handle" this muscle machine. Instead, it steers with ease and precision, dealing with twists and turns as effortlessly as imaginable. All three of the suspension packages – base, Magnetic Ride Control and the Z51 package – are notably enhanced from the previous-generation systems. In the sport mode the Corvette grabs the pavement with tenacity, and in the touring mode it soaks up road harshness like a large luxury sedan.

The Corvette’s clean, uncluttered interior is executed using the highest quality parts and trim, bringing it into world-class contention. A handsome Custom Leather-Wrapped Interior Package was added last year and carries over largely unchanged. It adds two-tone leather inserts to the dash and console area, a nice touch for those who prefer to customize their rides. The Corvette’s seats are surprisingly supportive yet not so snug as to cinch the driver in place. Interior sound levels are about average for this class, which means the Corvette’s cabin can still be noisy at highway speeds.

The 2009 Chevrolet Corvette bears a strong family resemblance to previous Corvettes dating back to the ground-breaking 1968 C3 design, although the subtle changes to the exterior make this sixth-generation car a different animal than its predecessors. Overhangs both front and rear are noticeably shorter and the overall look is less boy-racer and more sophisticated sports car. A flush-fitted set of headlamps molded to fit the curving hood line set off the front of the car, a radical departure from the pop-up headlamps gracing the Corvette’s design language since 1963. A large removable body-colored roof panel is standard and can be ordered with tinted glass or in a package that includes one of each (not available on the Z06).

Six-Speed Transmission
Chevrolet’s latest short-throw six-speed manual transmission makes the shifter in past Corvette models 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 2009 Corvette features a 6.2-liter V8 engine, six-speed manual transmission, traction control, limited-slip rear axle, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (ABS), xenon headlamps, AM/FM stereo with CD/MP3 capability, auxiliary input jack, XM Satellite Radio, OnStar, color-keyed removable roof panel, dual-zone air conditioning, Driver Information Center (DIC), keyless access with push-button starter, 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. The Z06 adds a race-inspired 7.0-liter V8, revised front end, wider rear fenders, 18-inch front and 19-inch rear ten-spoke wheels and a firmer suspension.

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 and telescoping steering wheel, Turn-by-Turn and DVD navigation, the Z51 Performance Package, Magnetic Selective Ride Control, dual-mode exhaust system, transparent roof panel and polished alloy wheels. Also available is the Custom Leather-Wrapped Interior Package, which adds padded door armrests, custom embroidery on the dash and headrests and two-tone leather-wrapped pieces to the upper and lower instrument panel, door pads and seats.

Although there is no denying the pleasure a 430-horsepower (436 horsepower with the optional dual-mode exhaust) V8 delivers, with the Corvette you also get a certain lack of refinement. The 6.2-liter LS3 small-block 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 1960s muscle-car era. Porsche and Jaguar lovers will probably never love this engine, but they can’t easily overlook its tremendous performance potential, either.

6.2-liter V8
430 horsepower @ 5900 rpm
424 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/26 (manual), 15/25 (automatic)

7.0-liter V8
505 horsepower @ 6300 rpm
470 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/24