By Chad Kirchner | May 23, 2014
Motor Review
The 2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray convertible is unlike any Corvette that came before it. In some ways it seems strange to even call this new car a Corvette because of the changes. The seventh-generation Corvette is a world-class sports car with everyday livability that many cars don’t possess.
I had the opportunity to take a Stingray convertible with the Z51 and LT3 package around the roads of Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. On the surface the as tested price of $74,365 seems expensive for a Chevrolet, but compared to cars like the Jaguar F-Type V8 S, the Corvette is about $25,000 less. Option up a Porsche 911 like the Stingray, and the price soars even higher.
The 7-speed manual in the Stingray is one of the best systems I’ve driven. It’s not as mechanical as a MX-5 or Honda S2000, but the throws are short and the shifter is precise. It would be easy to teach someone how to drive a manual transmission with this car. In addition, the rev matching on the downshift makes shifting smooth.
The car also had magnetic ride control. The version that comes optional on the Corvette impresses. Stiff but not jarring, the sport setting works well for back road runs. Turn the knob to touring mode, and the system smooths out the bumps in the road, giving it a luxury car ride. On long distance journeys, the Corvette would be an excellent companion.
Full Review: 2014 Corvette Stingray: The Only Car You’ll Ever Need
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