Late-model Corvettes are easily the most performance per dollar you can buy anywhere. From C4s changing hands for little more than a beat-up Hyundai to cars like this gorgeous 2005 Chevrolet Corvette convertible, the bang for your buck is on the atomic level. Better yet, this awesome Victory Red ragtop is a 6-speed Z51 car, meaning that it was built for combat by the factory, giving you the very best of all possible worlds. Fast, stylish, comfortable, and with 25 MPG economy, I daresay a modern Corvette can even be practical. And like most Corvettes, this one has been babied from new and has not been modified, so it’s definitely the one to own.

Showing just 15,059 original miles, this C6 convertible is barely broken-in. It has had just two owners in the last 14 years, and obviously they’ve each cherished it. The C6 shape has aged rather well and I think this one will avoid looking dated like the C3s and, dare I say it, the hyper-angular C7s. From certain angles there’s a Ferrari-like beauty to the bodywork but there’s no mistaking its Corvette DNA. Folding headlights were eliminated, and the faired-in lenses of the C6 looks especially menacing with three bulbs inside. There’s a refreshing lack of add-ons, which lets the shape speak for itself. No spoilers, no stripes, no scoops, just the outlets behind the front wheels that are actually functional. The curve of the quarters is simply gorgeous and while the shape may be familiar after all these years, it’s no less attractive. And obviously with so few miles, this car is in exceptionally nice shape. It’s 100% original paint, no touch-ups or damage, and we have the clean CarFax to prove it. There are a few chips in the usual spots on the chin and behind the front tires, but you’re going to need to get on your hands and knees to spot them. The black trim is excellent with no fading or chalkiness, and the lenses are crystal clear. If you want a well-maintained ‘Vette that still looks like a million bucks, this car nails it.

Inside you’ll see where the C6 made great strides over the already revolutionary C5, and that’s with fit and finish. The Ebony leather seats look inviting and comfortable (they are!) and the textures throughout are appropriate on a car that was closing in on $60,000 when it was new. The list of options is extensive, including the heads-up display, heated seats with memory, power telescoping steering column, auto-dimming mirrors, and a killer Bose AM/FM/CD/iPod/satellite stereo system with seven speakers. All that’s in addition to standard goodies like power windows, locks, seats, and mirrors, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, and a tilt column with leather wheel. Owning a Corvette is never a sacrifice. There’s minimal wear inside, as you’d expect with so few miles, and even the driver’s side outer bolsters are free of the usual scuff marks that come with ordinary use. Heavy-duty floor mats protect the carpets and the gauges light up and dance whenever you press the start button—too cool! Overhead there’s a black canvas power convertible top that stows itself in seconds, making the Corvette a car you can drive anytime and it’s always ready to accommodate you. There’s even a decent-sized trunk that makes an extended road trip for two a distinct possibility.

The LS2 V8 that was standard in the C6 was punched out to 6.0 liters and made a rather substantial 400 horsepower and a matching 400 pounds of torque—if you can’t get in a lot of trouble with that, you’re doing something wrong. It’s just insanely fast and there’s power on tap at any speed, in any gear. Time has proven that the LS2 is bulletproof reliable and with zero modifications, you know this one hasn’t been raced or flogged to within an inch of its life. In fact, I’d be shocked if it has ever seen more than 5000 RPM. It starts instantly, idles smooth, and acts like a modern car should. It has a wonderful V8 growl that sounds almost European exotic from behind and it’s impeccably smooth on the highway, where it just loafs along at 2000 RPM at 80 MPH. There’s a lot of black plastic under the hood, but it’s clean and tidy, and as I mentioned, 100% stock except for routine maintenance items. This is a car you can turn the key and enjoy immediately.

And enjoy it you will, not just because of the 6-speed manual gearbox but also because this is a relatively rare Z51 car. The Z51 package included revised shocks, springs, and sway bars, different ratios in the aforementioned 6-speed, coolers for the power steering, engine oil, and transmission, fluid, and those spectacular cross-drilled brakes. Ride quality is quite good for a car that goes this fast and the revised linkage in the 6-speed manual makes it a joy to run it through the gears. Yes, you’ll have to adapt to the 1-4 “skip shift” feature that GM has been building into Corvettes since the 90s, but if you’re a Corvette enthusiast, giving the throttle an extra blip before you hit second will become second-nature. Obviously this car has never seen snow and I’d wager you can count the number of times it has seen rain on one hand. It’s really clean. Polished aluminum wheels were optional and the Z51 package included slightly more aggressive 245/40/18 front and 285/35/19 rear tires, with these Firestones being only the second set of tires this car has ever worn.

Documented with its original manual, window sticker, and more, this Corvette is an exceptional value. Still fast, still gorgeous, and insanely affordable, it’s proof that a bright red Corvette convertible is still an A-ticket ride that anybody can afford. Call today!