2014 or 2016?
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 33
Likes: 8
Auto or manual?
The biggest change is the auto transmission was completely overhauled for the 2015 model year, so a 15 or 16 will have the A8, while a 14 will have an A6. If you're going manual, then I don't think there's any difference in the model years.
Beyond that, a 16 will have a head unit that supports Android Auto/Apple Carplay, as well as a front parking camera. I don't *think* there too many other meaningful changes.
If none of that matters to you, I'd just go with the car that was in the best condition or was closest to the options/trim level you want regardless of year.
The biggest change is the auto transmission was completely overhauled for the 2015 model year, so a 15 or 16 will have the A8, while a 14 will have an A6. If you're going manual, then I don't think there's any difference in the model years.
Beyond that, a 16 will have a head unit that supports Android Auto/Apple Carplay, as well as a front parking camera. I don't *think* there too many other meaningful changes.
If none of that matters to you, I'd just go with the car that was in the best condition or was closest to the options/trim level you want regardless of year.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45,265
Likes: 8,541
From: Rochester, NY
Auto or manual?
The biggest change is the auto transmission was completely overhauled for the 2015 model year, so a 15 or 16 will have the A8, while a 14 will have an A6. If you're going manual, then I don't think there's any difference in the model years.
Beyond that, a 16 will have a head unit that supports Android Auto/Apple Carplay, as well as a front parking camera. I don't *think* there too many other meaningful changes.
If none of that matters to you, I'd just go with the car that was in the best condition or was closest to the options/trim level you want regardless of year.
The biggest change is the auto transmission was completely overhauled for the 2015 model year, so a 15 or 16 will have the A8, while a 14 will have an A6. If you're going manual, then I don't think there's any difference in the model years.
Beyond that, a 16 will have a head unit that supports Android Auto/Apple Carplay, as well as a front parking camera. I don't *think* there too many other meaningful changes.
If none of that matters to you, I'd just go with the car that was in the best condition or was closest to the options/trim level you want regardless of year.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,515
Likes: 1,301
From: Windermere FL
I did similar, but was going from a 2009. I specifically waited for the '15 as I wanted to get the "better" A8 - only to have the A8 tranny replaced with 100 miles on the clock.
1. Get a manual - any year, or the 6 speed auto in the 14 if you gotta have an auto. Avoid all the well documented A8 GM crap.
2. When I compared the 3LT to the 2LT, the 3LT was a gotta have.
3. Get the '16 and you will get Android/CarPlay and the pull down hatch which I wish my '15 had. Don't bother with the Nav, Waze is 1000 times better than any crapulant OEM Nav.
1. Get a manual - any year, or the 6 speed auto in the 14 if you gotta have an auto. Avoid all the well documented A8 GM crap.
2. When I compared the 3LT to the 2LT, the 3LT was a gotta have.
3. Get the '16 and you will get Android/CarPlay and the pull down hatch which I wish my '15 had. Don't bother with the Nav, Waze is 1000 times better than any crapulant OEM Nav.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 247
From: Weatherford TX
I had a 14 Z51 A6 and traded up to a 16 A8 and love it. Nothing wrong with 14, but the 16 has some needed improvements as mentioned above posts. I like my 16 base car just as well or better than the Z51. $16M cheaper, A8 is smoother, front cameras are to die for (kidding), info screen icons are larger and better placed on screen. And the smaller wheel size means that the front tries don't chatter when making slow speed turns. But as they say, pick the better car available, either is a great car. But 16 may have some factory warr time left.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 793
Likes: 142
From: Texas
If you go for a manual transmission it really does not matter the year, all of them are great.
Automatic:
'14 A6 more dependable bulletproof transmission, no issues.
'15-.... A8 transmission is more advanced but is like playing a roulette on reliability. Some owners very happy, others not.
Take your time and pick up the best one. I suggest to get an extended warranty and its safer to go with a certified GM vehicle.
Automatic:
'14 A6 more dependable bulletproof transmission, no issues.
'15-.... A8 transmission is more advanced but is like playing a roulette on reliability. Some owners very happy, others not.
Take your time and pick up the best one. I suggest to get an extended warranty and its safer to go with a certified GM vehicle.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 29
Likes: 2
After all that!
If you go for a manual transmission it really does not matter the year, all of them are great.
Automatic:
'14 A6 more dependable bulletproof transmission, no issues.
'15-.... A8 transmission is more advanced but is like playing a roulette on reliability. Some owners very happy, others not.
Take your time and pick up the best one. I suggest to get an extended warranty and its safer to go with a certified GM vehicle.
Automatic:
'14 A6 more dependable bulletproof transmission, no issues.
'15-.... A8 transmission is more advanced but is like playing a roulette on reliability. Some owners very happy, others not.
Take your time and pick up the best one. I suggest to get an extended warranty and its safer to go with a certified GM vehicle.
After all my searching and reading I went with a 2017 A8, 2LT, Z51 with mag ride, nav, and PDR. Torch red like yours. I Absolutely love this car. As you know It grips like crazy and wants to keep going faster and faster.This is a huge step up from C6. I have about 800 miles on it and now have to think about putting it in storage for the winter which is giving New England an early sample of frigid temperatures.