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2008 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible - Models and Pricing

There are two basic models of Corvette, with two more special edition ones thrown on top. The basic Coupe and Convertible are available with the 430-horsepower 6.2-liter V-8 engine and a six-speed manual, starting at $46,820 for the coupe and $55,160 for the convertible, including the $825 destination charge.

Options packages for the two cars are similar, and our test car – a Jetstream Blue convertible – was loaded. In addition to the standard stuff like power leather seats, the keyless entry with pushbutton start and dual-zone automatic climate control, our car came with the $1,250 automatic transmission and $395 performance axle ratio, a new combination for 2008. On top of that, it had $1,295 worth of polished aluminum wheels and a $1,750 DVD-based navigation system. The paint itself was $750, and the magnetic ride control added driver-selectable suspension settings, larger cross-drilled brakes and another $1,995. The whopper was the $8,600 Premium Equipment group, which included a head-up display, power telescoping steering wheel, heated seats with position memory, universal garage door remote, steering wheel radio controls and a power convertible top. It’s also the only way to get that cool leather-wrapped interior. Sum it all up and you’ve thrown $16,035 in options on our test car, for a grand total of $70,370. The only option our car lacked was the $1,195 exhaust system.

The first special edition Corvette is the Z06, which features a 7.0-liter V-8 engine making 505 horsepower. Available only with a manual transmission, this high-performance beast also features a more aggressive suspension. The performance hardware is already there, leaving options more or less the same as the standard Corvette, with the premium package coming in at $6,545 over the “base” trim’s $72,125 price tag.

The second special edition represents Chevrolet’s bid to return the Corvette to the top of the world’s sports car heap: The ZR1. It houses a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine packing at least 620 horsepower and enough suspension and body enhancements to truly make it king of the hill. The car isn’t on sale yet, and prices and trim levels haven’t been announced, but expect the ZR1 to come in around the $100,000 mark.