2005 Chevrolet Corvette Base

The Corvette is Chevrolet's flagship sports car, and for 2005 it's offered as a coupe or convertible with a fiberglass body and a front-engine, rear-drive layout. It's a genuine performance machine: acceleration is immediate, the brakes are strong, and the handling limits are high enough that you'll feel confident pushing it on a back road. The ride is firm and road noise is noticeable, especially on the highway, which is the trade-off for that cornering grip. Inside, the cabin is snug but comfortable for two, with a surprising amount of cargo space in the hatchback, though the plastics feel a bit cheap and can rattle on rough pavement. This Base convertible trades the coupe's fixed roof for open-air driving, and it's the way to go if you want the wind in your hair. Its 6.0L V8 makes 400 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive, and it returns 19 mpg combined. The convertible's power soft top folds away quickly, so you can drop it at a stoplight and be back up before the rain hits.