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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2008 Chevrolet Corvette

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette

Overview

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2008 Chevrolet Corvette Review

By KBB.com Editorial Staff

Once hailed as America's only true 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 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 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 2008 Chevrolet Corvette remains in a class by itself.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you love your cars American and iconic, the 2008 Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car purist's dream come true. Drivers experience awesome V8 power, amazing handling and an interior filled with more creature comforts than some luxury cars.

You May Not Like This Car If...

Though its handling is admirable, fans of lighter, more nimble sports cars may find the Corvette's size ponderous in tight turns.

What's New for 2008

The Corvette receives an all-new 6.2-liter LS3 small-block V8 engine cranking out 430 horsepower and 424 foot-pounds of torque. Chevy engineers have refined the Corvette's shifter for easy operation and also improved the steering feel. Other improvements include keyless entry and start, standard OnStar and XM Satellite Radio, auto-dimming mirror with compass and new split-spoke cast-aluminum wheels.

Driving the Corvette

Driving Impressions With all the high-tech performance enhancements given the 2008 Chevrolet Corvette, significant improvements, especially in the areas of steering and acceleration, are readily noticeable. The new 6.2-liter V8 suffers no...

shortage of power, 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---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 it soaks up road harshness like a large luxury sedan.

Favorite Features

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.

2008 Chevrolet Corvette Details

Interior

The Corvette's clean, uncluttered interior is executed using the highest quality parts and trim, bringing it into world-class contention. A handsome new Custom Leather-Wrapped Interior Package 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.

Exterior

The 2008 Chevrolet 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. 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 comes standard and can be ordered with tinted glass or in a package that includes one of each.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The 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.

Optional Equipment

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, 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.

Under the Hood

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 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.

6.2-liter V8 LS3
430 horsepower @ 5900 rpm
424 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/26 (manual), 15/25 (automatic)

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2008 Chevrolet Corvette Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.3

Out of 10

Based on 543 Ratings for the 2005 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

9.5/10

Quality

9.2/10
Reliability

9.4/10

Performance

9.7/10
Comfort

9.1/10

Styling

9.5/10

Best Vette I have ever owned.

By Weaver (LA) on Thursday, February 28, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 1,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Has all the power I will ever need!!!!!!!!!!"

Cons: "Headlights are a little dim down the road."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This is my 5th Vette 2013 GS LT2 coupe!By for this C6 out performs the previous ones I owned! MPG is 27 @ 70 MPH not bad at all.The only thing that Chevrolet could have done better is the headlights at night even with the high beam on I find you cannot see that for ahead,but overall I Love my Vette !!!!"

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THE BEST VETTE IVE EVER OWNED I RECOMMEND IT 2 ALL

By C6MADMAN (NY) on Monday, February 25, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 40,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "GREAT SUPER CAR FEEL AT A CORVETTE PRICE"

Cons: "I CANT AFFORT 2 RIGHT NOW"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"IVE OWNED C3-C4-C5 AND NOW MY BELOVED C6 THE MOST POWERFUL EASY TO DRIVE CORVETTE EVER,NO HEAT ISSUES LIKE THE C3-NO RATTLE ISSUES LIKE THE C4,NO HARD TO SHIFT & STEER ISSUES LIKE THE C5-THE C6 IS JUST PURE FUN!!!!! BUT IT YOULL LOVE IT, I DO"

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