2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray First Drive

[downtownv]

Hey O'Dell! :amflag:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsEGlRakmmk

[knkali]

As a vette owner, I would wait for the next model year so all the bugs are worked out of this uber high tech version. Also the dealers will be willing to deal more after the latest and greatest wears off a little. No doubt though this vette was designed to compete with super cars.

[Bawanna]

I drove a Corvette once.

[AJBert]

Is it just me or would anyone on here rather see a more "experienced" driver giving their take on the new 'vette?

Guess I just might be getting old.

[deadeye]

In my younger days I had a '57 Corvette. Wife and kids took care of that. If I had a 2014 and you had my '57 I would trade you straight across.

[OldLincoln]

When did Chevrolet buy Nissan? To me that new vet looks like the old Z (whatever).

[Sage]

Best looking Corvette since the early 60's.

[Longitude Zero]

A close friend always buys a new vette in every even numbered year. He is passing on the 2014 to give Chevy a couple of years to work out the kinks. Due to his 30+ years of buying vettes every other year he is a member of an owners focus group. If he is waiting it is a sound decision.

[muggsy]

I'm sorry, but I won't buy anything from Obama Motors no matter how sexy it may be. Every man has his limits.

[Tinman507]

+1 on that.
Ford's the only one who didn't take the money. They get my dollars.

[knkali]

A close friend always buys a new vette in every even numbered year. He is passing on the 2014 to give Chevy a couple of years to work out the kinks. Due to his 30+ years of buying vettes every other year he is a member of an owners focus group. If he is waiting it is a sound decision.

yep

[yqtszhj]

When did Chevrolet buy Nissan? To me that new vet looks like the old Z (whatever).

Yep.

[JohnR]

When did Chevrolet buy Nissan? To me that new vet looks like the old Z (whatever).

That's what I thought, too.

[getsome]

I still think the Gen 6 corvette is one of the most beautiful cars ever made and while I haven't seen a 2014 in person I think the pictures look like the car was designed by 5 different engineering groups that didn't have knowledge of what the other groups were doing and in the end they had to try and make everything fit together into one car....IMHO NO vette worth it's crossed flags should ever have tail lights that aren't round....

[TheTman]

I don't think the new Vette looks like it's from the same family as the older ones. This one doesn't catch my eye. I'd still take it if someone wants to buy me one. LOL.

[Bawanna]

I'd opt for the 57 myself.

[downtownv]

63 split rear windshield OEM Stock would be my choice or the 70 454 #2
This one looks like they are going for Porsche in the handling, performance and exceed them in comfort features

[Longitude Zero]

I like every angle of the 2014 except the rear. There is just something not looking right when you are behind it.

[knkali]

I like every angle of the 2014 except the rear. There is just something not looking right when you are behind it.

I thought that too until I saw one in the flesh and realized those tail lights that have a grill around them is functional exhaust for cooling the dif or brakes or ??

[Longitude Zero]

I thought that too until I saw one in the flesh and realized those tail lights that have a grill around them is functional exhaust for cooling the dif or brakes or ??

That very well may be true but the designers could have done a better job on the way it looks.

[OldLincoln]

I visited the factory site as well as several others and did not see a single picture straight on to the side view including front to rear. Strikes me as odd. Perhaps Obama had his czar involved and now another coverup?! Hmmmm.

[O'Dell]

+1 on that.
Ford's the only one who didn't take the money. They get my dollars.

Not true! Ford did not participate in the well publicized GM and Chrysler bale-out, but they did take 7 billion from the Dept of Energy. So far [as of February 2013] they have paid back about 100 million. At the same date GM had paid 24 billion of the 52 billion they received and Chrysler had paid back 9.4 billion of the 10.9 billion they took. I think I heard that GM has made another lump sum payment since February. Source - Automobile Magazine.

To Ford's credit most of the funds they borrowed was private money. GM and Chrysler didn't have this option because of the bankruptcy. Ford mortgaged just about everything they had including the "Blue Oval" logo. They have been busy paying back these funds to clear their assets, which is why their payback to the federal government has been minimal.

[O'Dell]

When did Chevrolet buy Nissan? To me that new vet looks like the old Z (whatever).

I owned a 1970 and 1983 Z but don't see the resemblance.

[O'Dell]

I thought that too until I saw one in the flesh and realized those tail lights that have a grill around them is functional exhaust for cooling the dif or brakes or ??

Forced cooling of the dif and trans. Only the models with the Z51 option have the fans and radiators. The base just uses airflow from the top of the fenders to the rear vents. It doesn't really matter much since few will buy the base. Z51 is too big a bargain.

[O'Dell]

Hey O'Dell! :amflag:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsEGlRakmmk

Since you asked I'll answer. Currently, I have two C6's, an 08 [red] and a 10 [silver Z51]. Both are near perfect both cosmetically and mechanically. As you see, I'm a convertible driver and the open model of the C7 won't be out until early next year. So if I decide to get a C7 it will be 1 1/2 or 2 years away, not because I'm worried about the first year, [that's what the 100,000 mile warranty is for] but because of availability.

As for the car I really like it. The interior, where I'll spent most of my time, is world class. There are one or two design features I don't care for like the black color on the rear diffuser, but they're not deal breakers. I'll let other drivers worry about the rear view. ;) The C7 has more new content and features than I expected, and I'm surprised they could keep the price so close to the C6. I priced out a C7 with the options I want, and it's $70,000+. That's very close to the the MSRP of the two C6's I have now.

BTW, I came on a cool feature on the C7 yesterday. The computer monitors the coolant, transmission, and oil temps and the tire pressure and temps. Of course my C6's do too, except for the tire temp. The feature is that the car adjust the red line downward and won't let you rev it all the way until all the temps are optimal. Maybe some other cars have this, but I've never heard of it.

[O'Dell]

I visited the factory site as well as several others and did not see a single picture straight on to the side view including front to rear. Strikes me as odd. Perhaps Obama had his czar involved and now another coverup?! Hmmmm.

Side view.

[Bawanna]

So? Which one your drive the most O'Dell, the Red one or the Silver one?

Might help during my afternoon fantasy naps. That's a right pretty driveway you got right there.

[OldLincoln]

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/05/11/automobiles/collectibles/600-datsun-z.jpg

[Bawanna]

One of my favorites.

[O'Dell]

So? Which one your drive the most O'Dell, the Red one or the Silver one?

Might help during my afternoon fantasy naps. That's a right pretty driveway you got right there.


The red one is set up as a luxury grand touring car with all the convenience features offered and the stock suspension.

The silver has the Z51 option with stronger springs, shocks, and roll bars, larger brakes, HD cooling for the engine and trans, better tires, front splitter, and rear spoiler. It also has the factory competition exhaust, think open pipes, and about forty more HP. Of course they both have the normal stuff, dual zone CC, heated seats, head's up display, power everything, stability and traction control, keyless entry and start, MP3 disc players, and so on.

Guess which one I'd rather drive.

[Bawanna]

I'm thinking the Red one lives in the garage alot.

[Armybrat]

I wouldn't kick it out of bed, but the '58-'62 models are the ones that float my boat.

In 1964 I had to pass on a nice red '58 (with hardtop) for $1,800 - a bit over my budget then. Wound up with a 1960 MGA Roadster. :o

[O'Dell]

One of my favorites.

Hey, a Hawk, although somewhat modified. Raymond Lowey was a great designer. If you ever run across a two seater AMX with a 390, let me know.

[Bawanna]

I pit crewed on a 53 several years down at the Bonneville Salt Flats. That was a ton of fun.

Helped on a Hudson Hornet Crew too.

Both cars had records for awhile, don't know if they still stand today or not.

The Stude I helped on is still in the garage of my High School Auto Shop teacher, it's had a hell of a life, but still in fine shape.

[O'Dell]

I pit crewed on a 53 several years down at the Bonneville Salt Flats. That was a ton of fun.

Helped on a Hudson Hornet Crew too.

Both cars had records for awhile, don't know if they still stand today or not.

The Stude I helped on is still in the garage of my High School Auto Shop teacher, it's had a hell of a life, but still in fine shape.

That must have been a ball. Wonder if they have air conditioned tents yet?

If it was 53 that had to be a Starliner coupe - they didn't have the Hawks that early. The 6 cylinder Hornets ruled NASCAR in the late forties and the first year or two of the fifties, but by 53 I would think the Olds and Caddy's had taken over.

I crewed at one 500 for Lotus and it happened to be the year we won. I even got to scuff in tires in Clark's car, but it was a tight fit.

[getsome]

Wish they would bring the "Stock" back to NASCAR stock car racing....I like cars and high speed but when all the cars look the same except for the stickers and all the specs have to be the exact same to make the racing fair then it becomes BOOOOOORING....

I'd like to see the manufacturers put their fasrest and best showroom stock car on the track and let um go at it....Might be interesting to see the new Vette go against Cobras and Vipers....Let the best man/car win which would be better than 3 hours of everybody going the same speed and never passing up to the last lap where everybody crashes and the guy in next to last place wins...

[deadeye]

Totally agree getsome. Those were the days. The cars on the track looked exactly like the ones on the showroom floors. That was racing. Never bother to watch it anymore. Ho Hum.

[RevRay]

When I graduated from West Point back in 1969 literally half of my graduating class bought Vettes. I didn't cause I've always heard other drummers.

On a different note, my wife & I lived in England for a few years and while there I had the chance to cross the Channel and go to the 2005 Le Mans. The Vettes cleaned house in their class that year. It will be interesting to see how this new generation does next year. One thing I distinctly remember was how easy it was to tell when a Vette was coming down the track ... even without looking. Vettes rumbled ... everything else whined.

[jocko]

Wish they would bring the "Stock" back to NASCAR stock car racing....I like cars and high speed but when all the cars look the same except for the stickers and all the specs have to be the exact same to make the racing fair then it becomes BOOOOOORING....

I'd like to see the manufacturers put their fasrest and best showroom stock car on the track and let um go at it....Might be interesting to see the new Vette go against Cobras and Vipers....Let the best man/car win which would be better than 3 hours of everybody going the same speed and never passing up to the last lap where everybody crashes and the guy in next to last place wins...

could give u the best answers why that scenario will never happen again.:Amflag2:

[Longitude Zero]

Part of the reason is safety. Factory stock cars that crash at raceway speeds would result in driver fatalities more often than not. Corvettes do better than some but of the fatal vette crashes I have seen/investigated the driver and/or passenger are fatally injured at least 80% of the time.

For crashworthiness BMW's and MB beat EVERY American car by miles and miles.

[O'Dell]

When I graduated from West Point back in 1969 literally half of my graduating class bought Vettes. I didn't cause I've always heard other drummers.


What did you get? When I graduated from the USNA it was a red 64 Corvette convertible. It set in a field behind Bancroft Hall for two months before June Week along with two or three hundred other new cars. Of course, I couldn't drive it, but I spent several Sunday afternoons polishing it.

I didn't buy another Corvette until I got the red C6 convertible two years ago.

[RevRay]

What did you get? When I graduated from the USNA it was a red 64 Corvette convertible. It set in a field behind Bancroft Hall for two months before June Week along with two or three hundred other new cars. Of course, I couldn't drive it, but I spent several Sunday afternoons polishing it.

I didn't buy another Corvette until I got the red C6 convertible two years ago.

I bought a 1968 Triumph TR 250. This is pretty much what it looked like, but this pic I got off the internet. It was the first car I ever owned, and I loved that car. But when I headed off to Vietnam my wife wanted something more "practical" so I had to sell it.

http://www.kahrtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=117&pictureid=742

[kahrseye]

Am I the only one that thinks the new Corvette rear end looks like the Camaro's? First time I saw a picture of the 2014 Vette I thought that....and other friends commented the same way.

[kahrseye]

I bought a 1968 Triumph TR 250. This is pretty much what it looked like, but this pic I got off the internet. It was the first car I ever owned, and I loved that car. But when I headed off to Vietnam my wife wanted something more "practical" so I had to sell it.

http://www.kahrtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=117&pictureid=742

The TR250 is one of my favorite British cars. Love the styling on that car. I had a 69 MG C. They only made the car for 3 years and it was the only MG that had a 6 cylinder. It had electric overdrive and was pretty fast if you went straight. My buddy had a 69 TR6 and I'd beat him like a drum. Only problem with the British cars was the electrical system. Lucas, Prince of Darkness, was the worst electronics. Had a ton of fun with that car.

[RevRay]

The TR250 is one of my favorite British cars. Love the styling on that car. I had a 69 MG C. They only made the car for 3 years and it was the only MG that had a 6 cylinder. It had electric overdrive and was pretty fast if you went straight. My buddy had a 69 TR6 and I'd beat him like a drum. Only problem with the British cars was the electrical system. Lucas, Prince of Darkness, was the worst electronics. Had a ton of fun with that car.

When I said my wife wanted a car that was more "practical", what I meant was my wife wanted a car that didn't need a new battery every year, and that started more than 50% of the time in the winter.

[kahrseye]

I know you're going to laugh when you read this, as I did when I read your last post. But I swear I worked on that MG more than I drove it. I, as well as all my friends, carried many tools with us anytime we went anywhere. I now drive a Boxster and the only thing I do to it is clean it. I'm too old to crawl around on the ground. I want to drive it, not work on it.....LOL

[Bawanna]

They don't call em Fix it again Tony's for nothing. I never had one but had friends that had them. Fun to ride in. Their usual comment was I'll be over in half an hour if the car starts. After 45 minutes come get me.
I was into pickups 53 to 58. First car was a used but mint 66 Mustang.

[kahrseye]

You're right Bawanna, in our group there was always someone that had a problem getting their car started. The guys would be working on the car and the women would be sitting on the side of the road drinking wine (everyone always had a cooler on board). Bet you wish you had one or two of those pickups now, right?

[O'Dell]

I bought a 1968 Triumph TR 250. This is pretty much what it looked like, but this pic I got off the internet. It was the first car I ever owned, and I loved that car. But when I headed off to Vietnam my wife wanted something more "practical" so I had to sell it.

http://www.kahrtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=117&pictureid=742

I'm quite familiar with the TR-250 although I never owned one. The Corvette was my first new car but my first sports car was a 61 TR3 which was shipped over from England. [See picture] In the sixties I also had a TR-4, solid rear axle, MGB, Porsche 911, and my favorite, a Lotus Elan. I bought the Elan when I sold the Corvette because I wanted to go SCCA racing.

[O'Dell]

Am I the only one that thinks the new Corvette rear end looks like the Camaro's? First time I saw a picture of the 2014 Vette I thought that....and other friends commented the same way.

I've heard that quite a bit, but I really don't agree. The tail lights are quite different, especially when lit.

[RevRay]

I'm quite familiar with the TR-250 although I never owned one. The Corvette was my first new car but my first sports car was a 61 TR3 which was shipped over from England. [See picture] In the sixties I also had a TR-4, solid rear axle, MGB, Porsche 911, and my favorite, a Lotus Elan. I bought the Elan when I sold the Corvette because I wanted to go SCCA racing.

Very nice TR3. Over the years I've toyed with the idea of finding an old Triumph to play with, but I just never seem to get over the hump of cost ... mainly because I don't have the skill to restore something myself, so I would have to pay someone else to do it.

[O'Dell]

Very nice TR3. Over the years I've toyed with the idea of finding an old Triumph to play with, but I just never seem to get over the hump of cost ... mainly because I don't have the skill to restore something myself, so I would have to pay someone else to do it.

Me too. In fact I found a running 62 TR3B in the early eighties a couple of blocks from my house. It had no brakes and a lot of rust [surprise!] but I got it for $200. I figured the wire wheels were worth twice that. Anyway I bought a new floorpan, two used fenders, and doors, but after that it sorta languished in my garage for 2 or 3 years because I didn't have the time or skill to go further. I ended up selling the whole mess for $1200. At least I made a bit of profit on my folly.

[Alfonse]

I fixed up an old Spitfire for a driver once, drove it a couple of years. I also had a Sunbeam Tiger too. On hot days when you wanted to drive it, it would boil you. It was a kick to drive until heat stroke set in.

[RevRay]

I'm just a sucker for all kinds of older foreign cars ... Triumphs, MG's, Citroens, VW's, Austin Healeys, Minis, etc., etc.