The C7 generation of Chevrolet Corvette is a beast, but it’s a museum piece compared to the all-new C8. Still, the march of progress means something wonderful for Corvette fans: used car opportunities. Specifically, the C7 Corvette is a performance bargain with a capable mix of power, lightness, and versatility. Still, is a used Chevrolet Corvette like the C7 Z06 worth your time and money?

How much does a used Corvette C7 cost?

The C7 Chevrolet Corvette is a serious sports car bargain depending on the trim and model year. For instance, Kelley Blue Book (KBB) says the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray with average mileage has a fair purchase value of around $36,799. That’s great news for sports car shoppers who want one of the sharpest base model Corvettes ever but don’t have C8 Corvette money. However, prices go up when you look at newer or more powerful models. 

The C7 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, for instance, is quite a bit more expensive. KBB says a used 2015 Corvette Z06 has a fair value of around $59,633. While that seems like a steep ask for a used car, the Z06 is one of the fastest used cars on the market for that price point. Moreover, the ultra-rare ZR1 takes things even further, with race-ready track credentials and a used price well over that of a new C8. 

Is a Corvette C7 fast?

The C7 Chevrolet Corvette isn’t just fast for a used sports car; it’s fast full stop. The base model 2014 iteration with a Z51 package hits 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds, as fast as a brand new Toyota GR Supra 3.0. Of course, the higher-horsepower supercharged models are faster. In Car and Driver’s testing, the savagely supercharged 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 put down a 60 mph sprint in just 3.0 seconds. 

That sort of number makes sense, too. Instead of a naturally aspirated 460-horsepower V8 like the base Stingray, the Z06 produces 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque from its supercharged 6.2L V8. Moreover, the Z06 will run the standing quarter mile in 11.1 seconds, around one second faster than the Stingray. That makes the Z06 one of the best performance bargains on the market at its price point.     

Is the C7 Z06 a supercar?

The Corvette sports car versus supercar debate is a seemingly unending event. On the one side, the Corvette is a classic sports car formula: rear-wheel drive (RWD), engine up front, with topless variations, and an available manual transmission. However, the Z06 boasts supercar-beating speed and handling. As a result, fans and critics continue to debate the Corvette’s place in the supercar segment.  

Is C8 faster than C7?

While the C7 Corvette is fast, the new C8 pushes the namesake even further. The base model C8 Stingray, with its naturally aspirated 495-horsepower 6.2L LT2 V8, hits 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds; that’s as fast as world-class supercars. The midengine C8 is undoubtedly an American supercar. 

Of course, you won’t get a C8 for anywhere near as little as a C7 Stingray. That value is part of what makes the C7 such a great prospect.