The 2005 Chevrolet Corvette (C6) is the best sports car of 2005, with the Porsche 911 Carrera S (997) at #2 and the Honda S2000 at #3. The first-year C6 made 400 hp for $43,710. For value, the Ford Mustang GT ($25,140) and Nissan 350Z ($26,800) cost the least.
Answrs VerdictThe new 400 hp C6 at a $43,710 start.
Price new: $43,710 (2dr Coupe)Engine: LS2 V8 with 400 hp at 6,000 rpm and 400 lb-ft at 4,400 rpmWeight: 3,179 lbs base curb weightNew for 2005: First year of the C6 (built 2005 to 2013): exposed headlamps, 5.1 inches shorter than the C5
2005 was the first year of the C6, with exposed headlamps and a body 5.1 inches shorter than the C5. Its LS2 V8 made 400 hp at 6,000 rpm and 400 lb-ft at 4,400 rpm, the coupe weighed 3,179 lbs, and it listed at $43,710.
Go ifThe most horsepower per dollar of 2005
Skip ifYou want a back seat
Why #1 over #2: Its 400 hp beats the 911 Carrera S’s 355 hp, at $43,710 against $79,100.
2
2005 Porsche 911 Carrera S (997)
Photo: RL GNZLZ from Chile / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe first-year 997 Carrera S.
Price new: $79,100 (2dr Coupe Carrera S 997)Power: 355 hp at 6,600 rpmPerformance: 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds; top speed 300 km/h (186 mph)New for 2005: The 997 went on sale in 2004 for the 2005 model year; the Carrera S got a new 3,824 cc flat-6
The 997 went on sale in 2004 for the 2005 model year, and the Carrera S got a new 3,824 cc flat-6 rated at 355 hp at 6,600 rpm. It ran 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds with a top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph). The coupe listed at $79,100.
Go ifA rear-engine Porsche with the new 3.8-liter six
Skip ifYour budget stops near $45,000
Why #2 over #3: Its 355 hp flat-6 out-powers the S2000’s 240 hp four.
3
2005 Honda S2000 (AP2)
Photo: Calreyn88 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe 2.2-liter roadster that revs to 8,000 rpm.
Price new: $33,150Power: 240 hp at 7,800 rpm and 162 lb-ftWeight: 2,835 lbs base curb weightEngine: North American cars got the 2,157 cc F22C1 from the 2004 update, with an 8,000 rpm redlineAward: On Edmunds Consumers’ Most Wanted Vehicles list for 2004, 2005 and 2007
From the 2004 update, North American S2000s used the 2,157 cc F22C1 with an 8,000 rpm redline, rated at 240 hp at 7,800 rpm and 162 lb-ft. It weighed 2,835 lbs, made Edmunds’ Most Wanted list for 2005, and cost $33,150.
Go ifA light, high-revving open two-seater
Skip ifYou need a usable trunk or rear seat
Why #3 over #4: It weighs 2,835 lbs against the M3’s 3,415 lbs, and costs $33,150 against $47,300.
4
2005 BMW M3 (E46)
Photo: MrWalkr / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe straight-six coupe, with the CSL-derived Competition Package new for the year.
Price new: $47,300 (2dr Coupe)Power: 333 hp at 7,900 rpm (US rating)0-60 mph: 4.8 seconds official US figure for the coupe (manual or SMG)Weight: 3,415 lbs base curb weightCompetition Package: Introduced in December 2004 with 19-inch BBS wheels and a faster 14.5:1 steering rack from the CSL
The E46 M3 coupe was rated at 333 hp at 7,900 rpm in the US, with an official 4.8 seconds to 60 mph. The Competition Package, introduced in December 2004, added 19-inch BBS wheels and the CSL’s faster 14.5:1 steering rack. The coupe weighed 3,415 lbs and listed at $47,300.
Go ifA high-revving six with a usable back seat
Skip ifYou want the lightest car here
Why #4 over #5: Its 333 hp is well above the Elise’s 190 hp.
5
2005 Lotus Elise (Series 2)
Photo: Anslaton / CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe first Elise sold in the US.
Price new: $42,990Power: 190 hp at 7,800 rpm from a Toyota 1.8 LWeight: 1,975 lbs base curb weightUS debut: The 2005 Lotus Elise was the first to be sold commercially in the United States, in the summer of 20040-60 mph: Approximately 4.9 seconds in many tests
The 2005 Lotus Elise was the first to be sold commercially in the United States, in the summer of 2004. Its Toyota 1.8 L made 190 hp at 7,800 rpm in a car with a 1,975 lbs base curb weight, good for approximately 4.9 seconds to 60 mph in many tests. It cost $42,990.
Go ifThe lightest, most focused car of 2005
Skip ifYou want comfort or cabin space
Why #5 over #6: At 1,975 lbs it weighs far less than the Mustang GT’s 3,450 lbs.
6
2005 Ford Mustang GT (S197)
Photo: MercurySable99 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe new retro-styled S197 Mustang GT.
Price new: $25,140 (2dr Coupe GT Deluxe)Engine: 4.6 L 3-valve V8 with 300 hp at 5,750 rpm and 320 lb-ft0-60 mph: 4.9 seconds; quarter mile in 13.7 secondsWeight: 3,450 lbs base curb weight (GT Deluxe coupe)New for 2005: First year of the fifth generation; the first 2005 model rolled off the Flat Rock line on September 27, 2004
The fifth-generation Mustang began with the 2005 model year; the first one rolled off the Flat Rock line on September 27, 2004. The GT’s 4.6 L 3-valve V8 made 300 hp at 5,750 rpm and 320 lb-ft, for 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds and a 13.7-second quarter mile. The GT Deluxe coupe listed at $25,140.
Go ifV8 power for the least money on this list
Skip ifYou want a light, nimble two-seater
Why #6 over #7: Its 300 hp V8 out-powers the RX-8’s 238 hp rotary.
7
2005 Mazda RX-8 (SE3P)
Photo: Q 334e / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe rotary four-seater with freestyle doors.
Price new: $26,875 (6-speed manual)Power: 238 hp at 8,500 rpm (6-speed manual)Engine: RENESIS 13B-MSP two-rotor Wankel, 1.3 L (1,308 cc)Weight: 3,029 lbs base curb weight (6-speed manual)Doors: Rear-hinged "freestyle" doors for easier access to the rear seats
The RX-8’s RENESIS two-rotor Wankel displaced 1.3 L (1,308 cc) and, with the 6-speed manual, made 238 hp at 8,500 rpm. Rear-hinged "freestyle" doors give easier access to the rear seats. The manual car weighed 3,029 lbs and listed at $26,875.
Go ifA four-seat sports car with a rotary engine
Skip ifYou want low-rpm torque
Why #7 over #8: At 3,029 lbs it is lighter than the 350Z Track coupe’s 3,251 lbs.
8
2005 Nissan 350Z (Z33)
Photo: Rutger van der Maar / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe 287 hp coupe from $26,800.
Price new: $26,800 (2dr Coupe Manual)Power: 287 hp at 6,200 rpm (coupe)Weight: 3,251 lbs base curb weight (Track coupe)Mid-2005 update: From January 2005 the Track and 35th Anniversary 6-speed manual models got the 300HP "Rev-up" VQ35DE35th Anniversary: $36,200 (2dr Coupe 35th Anniv. Edition Manual)
The 350Z coupe made 287 hp at 6,200 rpm, and from January 2005 the Track and 35th Anniversary 6-speed manual models got the 300HP "Rev-up" engine. The base manual coupe listed at $26,800, the 35th Anniversary manual at $36,200, and the Track coupe weighed 3,251 lbs.
Go ifA V6 two-seat coupe at a low price
Skip ifYou want all-wheel drive
Why #8 over #9: It starts at $26,800 against the WRX STI’s $32,445.
9
2005 Subaru Impreza WRX STI (GD)
Photo: IFCAR / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe 300 hp all-wheel-drive sedan.
Price new: $32,445 (2.5 WRX STi)Power: 300 hp at 6,000 rpmEngine: US cars use a turbocharged 2.5-liter EJ257; the 6-speed manual was the only transmissionWeight: 3,298 lbs base curb weight2005 changes: Wheels grew from 17 in × 7.5 in to 17 in × 8 in and the P.C.D. changed from 5 x 100 to 5 x 114.3
The US STI used a turbocharged 2.5-liter EJ257 rated at 300 hp at 6,000 rpm, with the 6-speed manual as its only transmission. For 2005 its wheels grew to 17 in × 8 in and the P.C.D. changed from 5 x 100 to 5 x 114.3. It weighed 3,298 lbs and listed at $32,445.
Go ifAll-wheel-drive turbo pace in a four-door
Skip ifYou want a two-seat sports car
Why #9 over #10: Its 300 hp tops the Evolution MR’s 276 hp, at $32,445 against $34,699.
10
2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MR (CT9A)
Photo: Darryl Cannon / CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe first MR Evolution sold in the US.
Price new: $34,699 (Evolution MR Edition Manual)Power: 276 hp at 6,500 rpmUS debut: The MR edition was introduced to the US in 2005, with ACD and the only model with a 6-speed manual transmissionWeight: 3,285 lbs base curb weightMR parts: BBS alloy wheels, Bilstein shocks and an aluminium roof
The MR edition reached the US in 2005 as the only Evolution with a 6-speed manual, adding BBS alloy wheels, Bilstein shocks and an aluminium roof. It made 276 hp at 6,500 rpm, weighed 3,285 lbs and listed at $34,699.
Go ifThe most track-ready four-door of 2005
Skip ifYou want the lowest price for the power
How we ranked these
We ranked each 2005 sports car on its published performance and engineering for that model year, using the price new as the value check. Every figure comes from the sources listed. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What was the best sports car of 2005?
Our pick is the Chevrolet Corvette (C6), new for 2005 with a 400 hp LS2 V8, at $43,710 for the coupe.
Was 2005 the first year of the C6 Corvette?
Yes. The sixth-generation Corvette was produced by Chevrolet from 2005 to 2013.
Was the Lotus Elise sold in the US in 2005?
Yes. The 2005 Lotus Elise was the first to be sold commercially in the United States, in the summer of 2004.
Which cost more in 2005, the WRX STI or the Evolution MR?
The 2005 Impreza WRX STi listed at $32,445 and the 2005 Lancer Evolution MR Edition at $34,699.
Horsepower (as published) at a glance
2005 Lotus Elise (Series 2)190 hp
2005 Mazda RX-8 (SE3P)238 hp
2005 Honda S2000 (AP2)240 hp
2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MR (CT9A)276 hp
2005 Nissan 350Z (Z33)287 hp
2005 Ford Mustang GT (S197)300 hp
2005 Subaru Impreza WRX STI (GD)300 hp
2005 BMW M3 (E46)333 hp
2005 Porsche 911 Carrera S (997)355 hp
2005 Chevrolet Corvette (C6)400 hp
Horsepower (as published), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
