2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Lengthy-Term Update: The Second Engine Runs Fine

Long-Term Road Test Update

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Our Corvette blew an engine but we nevertheless really like it.

WHAT WE LIKE: From the crisp, new style, to the cozy, contemporary interior, to the exceptional balance of efficiency and drivability, there’s not much we do not love about our long-term 2014 Corvette Stingray Z51. Our automobile continues to turn heads and elicit cheers from passersby, even in its subtle Blade Silver Metallic hue. (The wailing exhaust note guarantees we’ll at least be heard if not noticed.) Several drivers have praised the Corvette’s comparatively compliant ride and the comfort from the optional Competition seats, which make lengthy voyages a treat, as properly as its exceptional brakes and flypaper-like grip. Our observed fuel-economy average has climbed to 21 mpg, as well, thanks to greater amounts of highway cruising exactly where the car’s Active Fuel Management cylinder-deactivation technique and a slippery shape aid it accomplish an indicated 30-plus mpg.

WHAT WE Don’t LIKE: Our greatest displeasure has been the car’s downtime at the dealer for repairs (much more on that in a second), but we have some day-to-day complaints as effectively. A couple of drivers have however to bond with the Competition seats and moan about insufficient lumbar assistance, and other people take situation with the occasional slowness of the MyLink infotainment’s operation. There is nearly unanimous agreement that the 6-speed manual’s gates ought to be better defined. We’ve also noticed some notchiness with the shift linkage in the reduce gears regardless of how careful we are with the clutch. Lengthy stints behind the wheel are marred by substantial road noise and footwells that can get overly toasty in city visitors.

WHAT WENT Incorrect: For starters, the LT1 tiny-block V-8 introduced with the C7 lunched itself at 6000 miles, necessitating a total replacement beneath warranty. Our forensics lab was unable to help in dissecting the matter, but an investigation by GM pinned tentative blame on a piece of metal debris (likely from a negative oil filter) that worked its way into the oiling program and wrecked a connecting-rod bearing, which created even far more debris that damaged the engine’s bottom-finish. Offered the LT1’s tight tolerances and higher-functionality style, it didn’t take considerably to upset its workings. We’ve heard of a few related accounts throughout the Stingray neighborhood and GM says it’s conscious of the concern and is analyzing its manufacturing approach for a root cause. Our auto was returned quickly and as healthier as new, but—just to be safe—we sent the auto back to the dealer following 1300 engine miles for its initial scheduled service at 7500 overall miles. The stop integrated an oil-and-filter change and inspection for $ 57.28.

The vehicle returned to the dealer at 15,25 miles for an identical scheduled service, in the course of which the side-airbag module in the passenger seat was also replaced under one of GM’s several current recalls. Other maladies that befell our Corvette contain a punctured rear tire at 13,000 miles—which necessary us to reshod the rear of the vehicle with a pair of new run-flat 285/30ZR20 Michelin Pilot Super Sport ZPs ($ 905 for the pair from the Tire Rack)—as well as a sizable chip in the windshield that expense us $ 50 to seal up.

Where WE WENT: Most of our drive time in the Stingray continues to be nearby commuting, although it has embarked on a couple of trips to Indiana and a weekend in Chicago, right after which the driver noted that he loves how “the entire car subtly rumbles to the modest-block’s lumpy idle.” The grandest trek was a 6-day, 1700-mile round trip from Ann Arbor to Virginia International Raceway and New Jersey Motorsports Park, averaging an impressive 27 mpg all round. Extra voyages certainly will take place ahead of the ambient temperature drops significantly and we have to dig out the car’s winter rubber.

Months in Fleet: 6 months
Current Mileage: 15,436 miles Average Fuel Economy: 21 mpg
Fuel Tank Size: 18.5 gal Fuel Range: 390 miles
Service: $ 115 Typical Put on: $ Repair: $
Harm and Destruction: $ 1019

Continued…

Photographs (79)

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2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Lengthy-Term Update: The Second Engine Runs Fine

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Coupe Z51 Lengthy-Term Logbook: How to Eliminate the Roof

July 25, 2014 at 1:16 pm by Vehicle and Driver | Photography by Michael Simari

“Taking the top off and placing it back on is so effortless. Certainly a one particular-individual, beneath-5-minute job.” — Jennifer Harrington, Copy Editor

Like so numerous Vettes ahead of it, the C7 Stingray coupe’s central roof panel can be removed and stowed beneath the glass rear hatch. Luckily, Ann Arbor’s so-far-mild summer has provided us a lot of opportunity for topless motoring in our extended-term Corvette Stingray Z51 coupe. But just how simple is it to get that lid off? As Harrington states, it is really effortless.

For starters, the roof panel on the C7 coupe is created of carbon fiber, which means it weighs almost nothing: 18 pounds according to our scales. Removal starts with undoing a trio of latches inside the vehicle. Next—and this step is made simpler if you have lowered the windows or have opened each doors and are standing subsequent to the car—lift up the front of the panel with one hand so the pegs rise totally free from their catches and will not scratch something, then guide the panel with your cost-free hand toward the front of the auto till the horizontal rear pegs slide out of their slots. The roof then simply lifts up and away. Simple. Grab a buddy to support, and it’s even easier. (If it is windy, your buddy will be practically imperative, specifically if you care to avoid dropping the lid on the pavement.)

Stowing the panel in the trunk is just as equally straightforward—it’s stored in the same orientation as when it’s fitted in place—but pay close attention to exactly where the front 2 pegs are supposed to rest. There’s a pair of hooklike objects that jut out of the cargo-location floor that can give the impression that the major edge of the roof slides into them. It does not, so do not do that. As an alternative, decrease the front pegs into committed slots ahead of these hooks, then press the tail edge of the roof snugly into the rear mounts. Despite the fact that the panel appears to eradicate all cargo space, it sits a few inches off of the trunk floor, so things can still be loaded underneath, albeit from inside the cabin. Reverse the approach to place the roof back in place: Stick the rear pegs in very first, then reduced the front pegs into their slots and relatch almost everything.

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The Vette is reasonably quiet with the top off, which is to be expected provided how little space is opened. Our only complaint? The sun visors stick up awkwardly into the void left by the roof and appear a tiny dorky. We’ll reside.

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2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Coupe Z51 Lengthy-Term Logbook: How to Eliminate the Roof

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Updated, Like New Eight-Speed Automatic

June 13, 2014 at 6:46 pm by Alexander Stoklosa | Photography by James Lipman and John Lamm

Chevrolet has announced a rash of minor tweaks headed the Corvette Stingray’s way for 2015. Even though the new 650-hp Z06 coupe and convertible soak up the limelight, the Stingray gains a series of functional upgrades like a new 8-speed automatic transmission, while also seeing its paint and wheel options shuffled a bit. Don’t be concerned, the 455-hp 6.2-liter V-8 and 6-speed manual transmission are nevertheless very significantly regular.

We previously reported on the replacement of the optional 6-speed automatic with GM’s new, in-residence 8L90 8-speed unit, so we’ll skip to the other stuff. Like practically each and every other Chevy product, the Corvette’s OnStar telematics setup gains a constructed-in 4G LTE data connection supplied by AT&T as regular. A 3-month/3-GB data trial is incorporated, but right after that buyers should pony up for a month-to-month data subscription.

On the efficiency side of issues, the optional high-efficiency Z51 package now involves the Corvette’s offered sports exhaust. We’re guessing that these interested in the Z51 kit had been also keen to order the amazing-sounding upgraded exhaust, too, so this is a logical step. Chevrolet’s new Overall performance Information Recorder, which enables drivers to download a flurry of dynamic and track data following a drive—and record their antics with a built-in camera—is now incorporated with the Vette’s optional navigation technique.

Uplevel 3LT trim levels now get a suede-wrapped dashboard and upper door panels, convertible buyers can get carbon-fiber tonneau inserts, a CFZ carbon-fiber style package is now obtainable, and purchasers can opt for the Z51 wheels and spoiler by way of a new ZF1 package. The only other changes are some updated wheel styles and the loss of a couple of colors, most notably this author’s preferred, Lime Rock Green. The hues have been replaced by Shark Gray and Daytona Sunrise Orange.

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Finally, there are 2 style packages, the Atlantic (luxury GT automobile vibe) and the Pacific (high-overall performance sports vehicle theme). You can read all about those right here. Full pricing and availability for the 2015 models will be released later, but we’re glad to see Chevy continuing to lavish focus on its 10Best-winning sweetheart.

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20,000 Miles - 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Lengthy-Term Road Test

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray: 20,000 Miles

May possibly 20, 2014

It really is only been 6 and a half months considering that we picked up 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray No. 23 from the factory in Bowling Green, Kentucky, but we’;ve currently reached the 20,000-mile plateau that we shoot for in all of our long-term automobiles.

Credit for this fast accumulation can definitely go to that initial journey to our headquarters in California as nicely as a round trip winter adventure to the Detroit Auto Show, but the Corvette itself has a lot to do with it. With its comfy ride, accommodating interior and surprising refinement, it really is been an straightforward choice for extended stints behind the wheel. The truth that we’;ve had couple of issues with it over these miles surely does not hurt.

The true query now is how many a lot more miles we can tack on prior to the ‘Vette’;s year is up? Will we be in a position to tack on one more 10 grand in the subsequent 4 months to reach 30,000, a yearly distance previously reached only by our extended-term 2009 Dodge Ram (the current record holder) and 2009 Ford Flex?

There’;s only 1 way to locate out.

James Riswick, Automotive Editor @ 20,000 miles

20,000 Miles - 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Lengthy-Term Road Test