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You would think by now GM would have made some kind of noticeable changes to the 2018 C7? I mean you can park a 2014 C7 next to a 2018 and they're both identical looking cars... you would think maybe different style head lights, or more of an aggressive looking hood, or change the front bumper and grille, or give it lower side ground effects. Just something that buyers would want to go out and order a new 2018 Corvette. I don't know if they changed anything engine wise but as far as looks goes the standard C7 and Z51 are all identical looking.
I like my 17 GS, but if I was looking to buy a Corvette why buy a brand new 2018 when you can buy a C7 a couple years older that's virtually the same car!
just my thoughts.
PS yes I know the 2019 mid engine Corvette is supposed to be coming out with changes to the locks of the C8
Last edited by GrandSport223; 08-02-2017 at 08:28 PM.
OP,
And when you park a bone stock 1997 Corvette next to a bone stock 2004 Corvette you can see what differences? Uh, the 97 has wagon wheels and the 94 has spoke wheels and the 97 has a key entry on the right door, the 04 does not. That's about it.
If you park a bone stock 2005 C6 next to a bone stock base 2013 C6 the difference is the wheels.
But your disappointed that the 2014 looks just like the 2018? I've got an additional disappointment for you, the 2019 Stingray will look just like a 2014.
I don't tug on Superman's cape, I don't spit into the wind and I don't believe there will be a C8 or ME Corvette in model year 2019.
If you will recall, they did not change the outside of the basic C-6 coup or C-6 convert during the years of the C-6. I had a 2005 coup (the first year) and put it side by side with the 2013 (last year) and it was identical, except for the wheels. They will probably do the same for the C-7. I noticed you have a GS and if you put your GS next to a Stingray, well, most definitely a difference in the outside of the car.
They are probably saving the changes for 2019 or 2020 models. Since the launch of 2014s they have been changing tiny bits and things around for all model years and changing what is included stock or optional per trim (faster CPU to eliminate input lag of infotainment and mode changes, being able to order MRC on a base base c7, etc) but nothing significant except releasing Zo6 and Grand Sport. I can see them adding a more stock aggressive cam (like the camaro one) on the LT1 just to add 5-10hp on paper. For C6's they did add an entire new engine... the LS3 for 2008 models, 3 years after the initial launch. It's been 4 years now but a 2014 c7 is so much more refined and fantastic, you cannot even compare it to a c6, let alone the first year of the c6. So I wouldn't except any out of the box, massive "upgrades" on the c7. That would be a c8 haha. But hey, I could totally be wrong or at least we can all hope I am!
Last edited by Dogfather6; 08-02-2017 at 09:10 PM.
Ha! Life is pretty sweet. Forced to be transported in an awesome asphalt animal. I think GM design engineers are in for some work. Kind of thing that happens when you have previously done your job too well.
OP,
And when you park a bone stock 1997 Corvette next to a bone stock 2004 Corvette you can see what differences? Uh, the 97 has wagon wheels and the 94 has spoke wheels and the 97 has a key entry on the right door, the 04 does not. That's about it.
If you park a bone stock 2005 C6 next to a bone stock base 2013 C6 the difference is the wheels.
But your disappointed that the 2014 looks just like the 2018? I've got an additional disappointment for you, the 2019 Stingray will look just like a 2014.
I don't tug on Superman's cape, I don't spit into the wind and I don't believe there will be a C8 or ME Corvette in model year 2019.
Look at the history of the generations. History doesn't meet your expectations. They don't make a lot of changes during the generation and they are sitting on a crap load of inventory. Any significant changes are going to be 2019 model year at best. They will get the new plant up and running and be ready for change, then push the inventory down.
And many times when they make interim cosmetic updates it is clear that they were for the purpose of making a change not necessarily resulting in an improvement. If the introductory model year is properly styled (and the C7 certainly was INCLUDING the tail lights) then updates should be in the form of added functions and features which has been the case with the C7.
If there is a mistake with the introductory form then certainly changes can and should be made. I had a second generation Cadillac CTS which I really liked and planned to buy a third generation to replace it but that car struck me as one where the front and rear were designed by two different committees who didn't have a common design view. It should have had a serious restyling but didn't and the lack of sales (and coming cancellation) are a good indication that much of the market agreed that they missed the mark badly. I ended up replacing my CTS with an ATS and unless Cadillac steps up their game (which likely involves removing clueless division head Johan from the mix) my ATS will be replaced with a non-GM vehicle in a couple of years.
Well. I look at it like this, until GM comes out with a Corvette that really catches my eye, I'm just gonna keep my 2017 Grand Sport. Maybe by that time it'll be time to trade it in on a new model. (If I like the looks of it) and that's not going to be ridiculously overpriced. I got the Weapon X ported Throttlebody and K&N forced air intake kit. It's got to be pushing over 470 hp maybe over 480 hp from the flywheel... it's pretty freaking fast that's for sure!
😎
Last edited by GrandSport223; 08-02-2017 at 09:59 PM.
There were no noticeable changes is the C5 for it's entire model run. Aside from a bhp bump, deletion of the p.side key hole and wheels the '97 is identical to the '04...nothing new here. Same with the ugly C6, ugly base models from 2005 to it's demise in 2013.
OP,
And when you park a bone stock 1997 Corvette next to a bone stock 2004 Corvette you can see what differences? Uh, the 97 has wagon wheels and the 94 has spoke wheels and the 97 has a key entry on the right door, the 04 does not. That's about it.
If you park a bone stock 2005 C6 next to a bone stock base 2013 C6 the difference is the wheels.
But your disappointed that the 2014 looks just like the 2018? I've got an additional disappointment for you, the 2019 Stingray will look just like a 2014.
I don't tug on Superman's cape, I don't spit into the wind and I don't believe there will be a C8 or ME Corvette in model year 2019.
Okay, not sure about the last sentence regarding the C8 and mid-engine, but otherwise, my thoughts exactly.
I've owned two C5's. 97 and 02. Zero difference in the body, but tons of improvements under the skin. Set aside the wide-body, my 2010 GS was vastly improved over my 2006 C6.
I have neat stuff in my '16 that people couldn't get in '14!
I think GM has handled the C7 evolution fairly well.
You would think by now GM would have made some kind of noticeable changes to the 2018 C7? I mean you can park a 2014 C7 next to a 2018 and they're both identical looking cars...
No... my point is, in five years, least change the rims or give it the same head lights mine has. Granted not every one may like this look... I think it really separates it from the regular C7 Corvettes
...I don't know if they changed anything engine wise but as far as looks goes the standard C7 and Z51 are all identical looking.
I like my 17 GS, but if I was looking to buy a Corvette why buy a brand new 2018 when you can buy a C7 a couple years older that's virtually the same car!
just my thoughts.
PS yes I know the 2019 mid engine Corvette is supposed to be coming out with changes to the locks of the C8
Hmm, guess Vette enthusiasts or gearheads like me understand that we bought the car for performance! Ordered my September 2013 built 2014 Z51 before I ever saw one in person or the price was defined (even for the dealer!) Specs were enough for me and looked past the "no round tail lights!"
Perhaps you didn't know that 2017 was the first year for the Grand Sport. I sold my 2014 and bought it because I wanted the wider tires as felt my 2014's were a bit anemic when I got it. Same width as my C6 Z51 with more power. I think the looks are fine but the cleaner lines of a base and Z51 are nicer for some.
I know exactly what they did with the engine, and a car buff would -nothing for the great LT1 since I got my Z51 in September 2013. Not picking on you but am concerned that some folks buy Grand Sport because they like the looks. That happened with the early Z51 until GM offered a Z51 "look-alike' option without the "problems" for some who never pushed the cars performance! Thank goodness as it stopped complaints about the stiff ride, checking oil levels and brake dust.
The Grand Sport has stiff springs a very large front sway bar that adds to stiffness when one wheel hits a bump, a rear sway bar that the base car with it's softer springs does not have. Again adding to the ride stiffness mag shocks can't eliminate. It also uses racing type brake pads. I was having to clean my 2014 C7 Z51 wheels every ~100 miles or they not only looked bad the dust was pitting my black wheels) I finally changed to Carbotech 1521 ceramic pads with 85% less dust and no wheel pitting. I also installed on my 3 month old Grand Sport.
Yep I bought my Grand Sport for performance and even I changed brake pads as soon as I got it home (I don't track.) The Grand Sport, like the Z51 and Z06 are dry sumps. I recall in 2014 when a person who bought a Z51 because he liked the rear spoiler said, "I'm not going to use a watch to check my oil level!" If you don't, you'll get a false reading, perhaps overfill and have oil dripping on the ground! Have to follow the Owner's Manual and have the oil hot and check levels between 5 and 10 minutes. There is a good reason but won't bother to mention as many don't care!
Just say'n. Glad you're happy with the ride quality and and can live with the brake dust!
08-02-2017, 08:24 PM
Disappointed in the 2018 models
Okay, not sure about the last sentence regarding the C8 and mid-engine, but otherwise, my thoughts exactly. 
