Hi this is Joe Bruzek from cars.com
we're here with the 2014 chevrolet corvette stingray and by now you've read
our review and you know it's blazingly fast
it looks like a million bucks except for the rear end
we're still kind of deciding on that but anyway with all the new features
technology and performance you can make this a seventy thousand dollar quartet
if you really want it and that's nonzero 690 19 grand sport
we have some favorite features and also some features that we could do without
that you can use to keep this car closer to its 52 thousand dollars starting
price after you pick the color the first thing you want to do is option 2 12
hundred dollar multimode exhaust
now that option bypasses the muffler's for an amazing sound
yeah
one of the reasons you can skip a few of the features is that the Corvette's
standard feature list for fifty two thousand dollars with destination isn't
too shabby at all
you have this configurable dashboard and this new 8-inch touchscreen that work
pretty well together and it's all new and its standard if you want a really
complicated layout with all sorts of data like tire temperature tire pressure
and acceleration numbers you can have that but if you just want a tachometer
you can do that too
it's all digital and configurable the previous Corvette seats weren't really
that comfortable and they weren't too supportive on the racetrack
these new seats are much improved over the old ones
these are the basic GT seats with the base leather you can get a variety of
options on the seat including a napa leather which is very high quality
leather that looks really good
you can also get a competition seat which has more aggressive bolstering and
is overall more of a race see compared to this touring seat
one feature you don't have to pay for is notable all new and standard is the lt1
engine now what would a Corvette video be without talking about the engine and
this 455 horsepower v8 now uses direct injection variable valve timing and
cylinder deactivation not only be powerful anywhere in the rev range we
step on it but it's also fuel efficient at 29 miles per gallon on the highway
with the manual transmission
those who take full advantage of the removable roof will especially like how
it's made out of carbon fiber this year it's super light weight you can take it
off you can put it in the trunk and when it's in the trunk you can even lift it
up to store stuff underneath the base package is impressive enough but if you
want to add a little customization and some more luxurious features be prepared
open up your wallet many of the options aren't public art if you want heads-up
display
guess what you're shelling out four thousand dollars for the two LT package
or eight thousand dollars for the three LT package
now the 2lt on our tester also has memory seats heated and ventilated seats
as well as heated side view mirrors the three LT adds a leather-wrapped interior
package as well as a security system plus it opens up options like the carbon
fiber interior and a micro suede interior
now both of those options are about a thousand dollars and the carbon fiber it
you can feel free to skip you know they want to go for a racy vibe and add that
carbon fiber to the inside but it just doesn't look genuine even though it is
chevrolet says it's real carbon fiber just doesn't look the part on the inside
if you want to get something that looks genuine
if the microfiber suede interior it looks really good high end but it's only
available on the three LT one of the options buyers will like they go back
and forth with is should i buy the z51 now the z51 isn't absolutely capable
track package if you plan on going to autocross track or a road course
yes absolutely it's a performance bargain for fifty six thousand dollars
when you option
the magnetic ride control suspension
the z51 packages track ready with an electronically controlled limited slip
differential dry-sump oiling various coolers and specific wheels tires brakes
uniquely gear transmission and an aero package
the amount of grip on the track is mind-blowing considering its heavier
than the 2013
and narrower tires than the grand sport but is just as track ready
even though the optional magnetic ride control suspension has adjustable
firmness dampeners for comfort or track settings
there's not a whole lot of difference between those modes after a few hours on
the highway z51 roughness kind of wears on me and it's a lot different than the
base model the base model
Nnanji 51 is that highway cruiser that you could drive all day getting out of
the see if you want and into the base model car is like stepping out of the
mazda miata and into a catalog but if you want that z51 look you can
absolutely option
the rear spoiler that's unique to the car on the baseball
the 2014 Corvettes main objective is an unrivaled performance to dollar ratio
and that's something which it doesn't disappoint it's just unfortunate a lot
of desirable options are lumped into very expensive packages because that
takes this budget super car and makes it not so budget friendly
yeah