The Chevrolet Corvette had stood for achievable high performance long before it got into mid-engines. That’s especially true for used Corvettes, which offer a lot of speed for not a lot of money. Plus, you don’t even need a Z06 for some affordable fun at the ‘Vette. Instead, you can save a little dough with something like this week Cars & Deals bargain: 2008 C6 Corvette Convertible.
2008 gives the base C6 Corvette Convertible some sporty upgrades and the heart of the new LS3 V8
| 2008 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible | |
| Machine | 6.2 liter ‘LS3’ V8 |
| Horsepower | 430 hp (standard) 436 hp (with dual mode performance exhaust) |
| torque | 424 lb-ft (standard) 428 lb-ft (with dual-mode performance exhaust) |
| Transmission | Six-speed manual Six speed automatic |
| curb weight | 3300 lbs |
| 0-60 mph time | 4.3 seconds (auto, Car and Driver) |
People who don’t care may claim that the Corvette C6 is just an updated C5, but that’s not entirely true. Although it evolved from the C5, the C6 gave the Chevrolet sports car a significantly upgraded interior, several chassis and suspension upgrades, and performance improvements. But things really started to cook with the 2008 Corvette.
First, the 2008 Chevrolet Corvette dropped the 400-hp 6.0-liter LS2 V8 for the 6.2-liter LS3. Second, Chevy revamped the steering for increased precision, better feedback, and more natural weight stacking. And apart from tweaking the manual, it also introduces an optional shorter axle ratio for the six-speed automatic. Plus, while paddle shifters aren’t new for 2008, the automatic does get some software and hardware updates.
Now, the optional axle ratio doesn’t close the 0-60 gap between the slow-shifting and manual 2008 Corvette automatics. If you want maximum acceleration, stick to keep going. Getting the 2008 Corvette Convertible further dulls the immediate performance, as it replaces the standard Targa top with a true convertible top. In addition, making the chassis not too stiff, Car and Driver report.
However, even with the extra weight and slower gearshifts, the automatic 2008 Corvette Convertible only hit 60 mph 0.3 seconds slower than the C6 Coupe with stick shift. Plus, dropping the top lets you hear the LS3’s “feeling rumble” better, Car and Driver notes. And while not nearly as sharp as the Coupe, the C6 Corvette Convertible is still a more than decent sports car.
Check out this automatic 2008 C6 Convertible available at Cars & Deals
RELATED: 2022 Chevrolet C8 Review, Price and Specs
Due to its genuine performance benefits, the dual-mode exhaust is a desirable Corvette choice. And that’s just one of the options currently listed on the 2008 Corvette 3LT Convertible Cars & Deals own.
In addition to the exhaust, the C6 Corvette Convertible features a head-up display, power telescoping steering column, HID headlights, adaptive shocks and power-adjustable heated seats. It has a Bose seven-speaker audio system with a six-disc CD changer, SiriusXM compatibility, and navigation too. And apart from the USB charging port in the center console storage compartment, it’s stock.
RELATED: LS Purists Cover Your Ears: C6 Chevrolet Corvette Gets 900 HP Honda K24 Swap
While this 2008 Corvette Convertible isn’t perfect in showrooms, it’s less than 80,000 miles away. It has suffered some cosmetic damage in a few minor crashes in the past, but the seller says it has been fixed. Otherwise, the only problem is the usual scattered array of chips, scratches, and interior wear that a used car picks up.
Speaking of picking things up, this C6 earned more than half of the total miles after the seller bought it in 2017. Since then, they’ve done quite a bit of maintenance too. In addition to regular oil and filter changes, the seller replaced the EVAP canister vent solenoid, side airbag sensor, glovebox latch, accelerator pedal and position sensor, right front wheel bearing, front stabilizer rod control link, and license plate light bulb. Plus, they replaced and rebalanced all four tires.
Will this 2008 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible be a reliable sports car?
” src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/iQx6rQlXflk?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; auto play; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; full screen picture-in-picture allowed>
RELATED: First C8 Convertible Z06 Sold for $1 Million at Auction
As of this writing, this 2008 Corvette Convertible is listed at $12,400 with three days remaining at auction. Even though the automatic model has a lower market value, it’s still a below-average price for the LS3-equipped C6 Convertible. For example, the cheapest model with the same mileage on auto merchant almost twice as expensive.
Admittedly, 2008 could be a problematic model year for the Corvette C6 due to recalls related to the fuel pump. In addition, the high-mileage C6 can experience problems with the harmonic balancer and timing chain tensioner. However, the seller said that their 2008 car’s harmonic balancer was fine. And given this car’s service record, there’s no way a mechanic would have missed a timing chain issue. Plus, the LS3 V8 is a popular swap-in engine for a reason. However, that’s why pre-purchase inspections exist.
Overall, though, this 2008 Corvette Convertible seems like a cheap way to have fun with a drop-top V8 sports car.
Follow more updates from MotorBiscuit on our Facebook page.
RELATED: Everything It Takes for a C6 Corvette to Go Off-Road