Chevrolet Corvette (C7)

Chevrolet Corvette (C7)

Model Years Produced: 2014 to 2019

Summary

Although we didn’t know it at the time, the C7 was the final front-engine Corvette – which a lot of people argue makes it the final “true” Corvette. It was the best of a platform whose design dated back to the C5 which debuted in the 90s, right down to the leaf springs in the rear. It proudly bore all the hallmarks for which the Corvette had become (in)famous: fiberglass body, a pushrod small-block V8, cheap interior compared to its competitors, surprisingly-spacious trunk, removable roof panel, overstyled exterior with a long hood, and performance that punched well above its price tag.

Although the C7 debuted in 2014, those first model-year examples should be avoided. 2015 models replaced the archaic 6-speed automatic with a more modern 8-speed, and early models had issues with metal shavings in their oil due to manufacturing defects which caused premature engine failure.

Primary Criticisms

Major

  • The Active Fuel Management cylinder-deactivation system should be disabled in the ECU as soon as the car is out of warranty to keep the engine from exploding.
  • The Z06 has been involved in multiple class-action lawsuits regarding overheating in track use.
  • The Grand Sport and Z06 were involved in a class-action lawsuit regarding cracked wheels.

Minor

  • Interior materials are known for excessive wear and delamination after just a few years, especially on the center console and seats.
  • The automatic transmission is a letdown compared to the ZF 8-speed used by many of its competitors, and especially compared to Porsche’s PDK dual-clutch.

Warranty

Information is as of 2022 model year

Certified Pre-Owned

  • Repair Deductible: $0 per visit
  • Limited: 1 year/12,000 miles extension to new vehicle warranty
  • Powertrain: 6 years/100,000 miles from original in-service date
  • Roadside Assistance: Yes
  • Complimentary Maintenance: 2 visits

Stingray

The Stingray is what most people think of when they hear “Corvette.” It receives a pushrod 6.2L V8 that produces 455 horsepower (or 460 hp when equipped with the Z51 package), and like previous Corvettes, it can be had in both targa and convertible form factors.

Option Packages / Trim Levels

  • 2LT (+$4455): autodim mirrors, removable luggage shade, colored interior trim, heated & ventilated seats, adjustable bolsters and lumbar, memory package, heads-up display (HUD), Bose Advanced stereo, curb view cameras, universal home remote
  • 3LT (+$9745): all 2LT items + microsuede interior trim, leather dashboard, Napa leather seats, satellite navigation, performance data & video recorder
  • Z51 (+$5000): dry sump lubrication, performance exhaust, specific close-ratio gearing, transmission-cooling system, larger 19-inch front and 20-inch rear aluminum alloy wheels and dual-compound Michelin tires, larger slotted rotors and brake-cooling ducts, electronic limited-slip differential and differential cooling system, unique chassis tuning, and Magnetic Ride Control active-handling system with Performance Traction Management

The 1LT trim level is the “base” Stingray. The Z51 package adds an additional 5 horsepower thanks to the performance exhaust, and it can be optioned on any of the 1LT, 2LT, or 3LT trims.

None of the 2LT features are available as optional equipment on the 1LT aside from satellite navigation or the performance & data recorder.

Reviews

Specifications

  • Body Style(s): Targa, Convertible (soft top)
  • Engine: GM LT1 – 6.2L V8
  • Horsepower: 455 hp
  • Torque: 460 lb-ft
  • Transmission: GM 8L90 8-speed automatic, Tremec TR-6070 7-speed manual
  • Drivetrain: RWD w/ standard mechanical limited-slip differential, electronic limited-slip differential is optional
  • Fuel Economy: 19 comb / 16 city / 25 hwy

Coupe (Targa)

  • Curb Weight: 3298 lbs
  • Power-to-Weight: 275.9 hp/ton
  • Cargo Capacity: 15.0 cu ft
  • Price: Available used from the mid-$30s and certified from the low-$50s

Convertible

  • Curb Weight: 3362 lbs
  • Power-to-Weight: 270.7 hp/ton
  • Cargo Capacity: 10.0 cu ft
  • Price: Available used from the mid-$30s and certified from the mid-$50s

Grand Sport

The Grand Sport is the ultimate naturally-aspirated C7, merging the Stingray and the Z06 together. It can be best thought of as the Z06 body (minus the carbon fiber hood) but with the Stingray’s engine, and it comes standard with all the goodies of the Z51 package. The Z06’s “Z07” performance package is also optional on the Grand Sport.

Option Packages / Trim Levels

  • 2LT (+$4455): autodim mirrors, removable luggage shade, colored interior trim, heated & ventilated seats, adjustable bolsters and lumbar, memory package, heads-up display (HUD), Bose Advanced stereo, curb view cameras, universal home remote
  • 3LT (+$9745): all 2LT items + microsuede interior trim, leather dashboard, Napa leather seats, satellite navigation, performance data & video recorder
  • Z07 (+$8000): Z07 performance suspension, 285/30R19 front & 335/25R20 rear Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, 394mm front & 388mm rear carbon-ceramic brakes

The 1LT trim level is the “base” Grand Sport. The Z07 package can be optioned on any of the 1LT, 2LT, or 3LT trims.

None of the 2LT features are available as optional equipment on the 1LT aside from satellite navigation or the performance & data recorder.

Reviews


Specifications

  • Body Style(s): Targa, Convertible (soft top)
  • Engine: GM LT1 – 6.2L V8
  • Horsepower: 460 hp
  • Torque: 465 lb-ft
  • Transmission: GM 8L90 8-speed automatic, Tremec TR-6070 7-speed manual
  • Drivetrain: RWD w/ standard electronic limited-slip differential
  • Fuel Economy: 19 comb / 16 city / 25 hwy

Coupe (Targa)

  • Curb Weight: 3428 lbs
  • Power-to-Weight: 268.4 hp/ton
  • Cargo Capacity: 15.0 cu ft
  • Price: Available used from the low-$50s and certified from the mid-$60s

Convertible

  • Curb Weight: 3487 lbs
  • Power-to-Weight: 263.8 hp/ton
  • Cargo Capacity: 10.0 cu ft
  • Price: Available used from the low-$50s and certified from the mid-$50s

Z06

The Z06 bolts a supercharger onto the 6.2L V8, cranking the power up from 455 to 650 horsepower. The roof panel and hood are carbon fiber, the rear fenders are wider to accommodate larger rear wheels and tires, and there are tweaks to the aero for better cooling and downforce – especially on the optional Z07 package. The Z06 also comes standard with magnetic ride control dampers and an electronic limited-slip differential.

Option Packages / Trim Levels

  • 2LZ (+$3565): autodim mirrors, removable luggage shade, colored interior trim, heated & ventilated seats, adjustable bolsters and lumbar, memory package, heads-up display (HUD), Bose Advanced stereo, curb view cameras, universal home remote
  • 3LZ (+$8945): all 2LT items + microsuede interior trim, leather dashboard, Napa leather seats, satellite navigation, performance data & video recorder
  • Z07 (+$8000): Z07 performance suspension, 285/30R19 front & 335/25R20 rear Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, 394mm front & 388mm rear carbon-ceramic brakes, aero kit

The 1LZ trim level is the “base” Z06. The Z07 package can be optioned on any of the 1LZ, 2LZ, or 3LZ trims.

None of the 2LZ features are available as optional equipment on the 1LZ.

Reviews

Specifications

  • Body Style(s): Targa, Convertible (soft top)
  • Engine: GM LT4 – 6.2L V8 supercharged
  • Horsepower: 650 hp
  • Torque: 650 lb-ft
  • Transmission: GM 8L90 8-speed automatic, Tremec TR-6070 7-speed manual
  • Drivetrain: RWD w/ standard electronic limited-slip differential
  • Fuel Economy: 17 comb / 15 city / 22 hwy

Coupe (Targa)

  • Curb Weight: 3524 lbs
  • Power-to-Weight: 368.9 hp/ton
  • Cargo Capacity: 15.0 cu ft
  • Price: Available used from the mid-$50s and certified from the mid-$70s

Convertible

  • Curb Weight: 3582 lbs
  • Power-to-Weight: 362.9 hp/ton
  • Cargo Capacity: 10.0 cu ft
  • Starting Price: Available used from the low-$60s and certified from the high-$70s