It’s difficult to say which was the best year for a used Chevy Corvette
. This car has been on the market since 1953, with countless trims and special editions. But there are some standout model years that impressed the Corvette community, and some years that woefully underperformed. We’re assuming you’re not looking at classic Corvettes from the 1950’s through the 1980’s. But just in case you are, we’ll overly simplify things by saying the 1955, 1957, 1963, 1974, and 1987 Corvettes are considered some of the best in the nameplate’s history, as well as model years 1966 through 1969.
When we’re looking at newer Corvettes, from 2000 and beyond, the 2001 to 2004 Z06 Vettes stand out as being exceptional. The same can be said for 2009 to 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2020 Corvettes. You can’t go wrong with any of those. It’s down to what styles you prefer.
Meanwhile, the 2008, 2015, and 2017 Corvettes rang up complaints at relatively low mileage. Of Corvettes from the past 20-ish years, those three are model years you’ll want to avoid.
Which Vette you choose depends on your aesthetic preferences—you might like the looks of the 2004 Z06, or the sleekness of the 2020 model. One of those two is our top pick for modern Corvettes.
Before you head off to do some car shopping, consider checking out our guide on how to check if a used car is a lemon
. And when you do find your dream Corvette, you’ll want to learn how to your Chevrolet Corvette insurance costs
, too! MORE: Seven things to look for when buying a used car