claf

What are the SIGNIFICANT differences from one model year to the next. Only looking for the differences on manual shift (convertible) cars. Not looking for cosmetic changes, mostly interested in mechanical Trying to decide if C7's newer than 2014 are a better value, assuming condition and mileage are comparable. Thanks, Bob C

RapidC84B

Basically no changes other than the flat bottom steering wheel in mid 2015 and later and some infotainment menu changes. The 2016 and newer body panels have different composition SMC with less glass content for a smidge less weight and for some reason 2015 and newer had a different axle than the 2014s (just learned that). 2018 late production and all 2019 went through the new paint shop where the panels are robot sanded before paint and the paint system is much better. However, looking at new ones on the lot the panel fit/finish is still all over the map depending on how much meth the UAW worker had in his or her system at assembly.

Zymurgy

3 significant differences that I can think of (since you have ruled out the A6 to A8):

1) Addition of PDR in 2015
2) Addition of CarPlay/Android Auto in 2016?
3) Addition of front cameras (not sure which year added those).

I'm sure others will correct me model years if they are wrong and maybe add some other things to the list.

RapidC84B

OP to your question more directly the manual trans cars are unchanged 2014-2019. They have the exact same 460 horse LT1 and 7-speed gearbox. As for good deals... depends on if you want a loaded up car with options or not. 2019s are being discounted a bunch and once the C8 is uncovered more I'm sure there will be a fire sale. I saw a dealer in SC who had a host of nice 1LT low options manual trans verts for $51K to $52K. They were brand new 2019s with only options being the performance mufflers and panted calipers. Most medium optioned verts I've shopped are mid $40K asking. For and extra $5K I'll take the brand new car with the full warranty. Z51 and a bunch of options wouldn't be important to me for a driver convertible. Just my $0.02.

lobsterroboto

2016+ has lighter body bits like fenders and what not. that to me is fairly significant.

RapidC84B

They went from 30s% glass content to 20s%. I've heard the weight savings is like 5-10lbs. Anyone have an official statistic? My guess is the mfg figured out a way to make a cheaper panel that happened to be lighter so they marketed it as such.

Fun fact... I asked the paint plant engineer why my 2014 paint sucks so bad compared to my 4 C5s and any C6 I looked at. He explained that the C7 (even the early years) were a lighter lower density SMC vs. the C5/C6 and they had trouble getting the panels to take paint even with an electro-static primer. They went even ligher in 2016+ which exacerbated the issue. So... as well knew. They designed an entirely new paint shop designed around specifically painting composite panels. It's the best they, or anyone, know how to mass produce paint a composite panel. Only thing better would be a custom hand painted and buffed job.

sTz

Front cameras were added in ‘16 (2 & 3 LT/LZ), as well as flat bottom steering wheel, power-cinching hatch, Mag ride as an option.

Edit: Not much difference for ‘17+ except better cooling for the Z06/M7, GS added, 3/4 side skirts standard on the Z06 & GS, updated electronics... and ZR1 added in ‘19.

JMII

This thread seems to cover everything thru 2017:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1595992635

This covers changes in 2018 when the base wheels got bigger plus the new paint colors:
https://www.autoevolution.com/news/h...18-116835.html

claf

Thanks all, exactly what I wanted to know. Bob c

James Dean

2014 can't be updated for MRC, has different axles, 6 Speed Automatic, and different radio settings available 17+ (forget what it's called).

2015 has PDR, the newer axles, 8 Speed auto from now on. Newer water pump housing and different temp thermostat.

2016+ have lighter weight panels and different quality paint. It's a tad bit thicker. Android Auto is also on them.

That's just for the base Stingray as far as I know. The radio changes can be added to the older models for $1000 by replacing a module and it can add nav too.

2016+ is the better one to get but any one would be awesome. Get the newest you can afford with the options you like.

I'd say stay LT2 or LT2 Z51 due to the leather dashes cracking. Mine has 42k miles and is on it's 3rd dash for a 2014 and no more B2B warranty

RapidC84B

Any clue what changed on the axles 2015 and up? My 2014 still has the one side fatter to stop wheel hop.

roadbike56

The radio in the 2014 is HD. That was dropped in 2015. HD did come back in later years but I'm not sure which one. Best guess, 2017.

Vetteman Jack

Good info. Keep the differences coming if there are more.

Perf n Restore

Anyone have more details on "robot sanded before paint"?
Have not heard this before.

RapidC84B

It's just what it sounds like... they have robotic sanders that sand the SMC panels smooth before paint. You can have the best paint in the world, but if you're painting an orange it'll come out like an orange. Historically SMC panels have some waviness do them when looking down the panel. At the bash last year I was very impressed with the panel flatness and asked the paint plant manager what they did and he explained the robot sanders as much as he could w/o giving away anything. They are the first in the industry to develop an automated process to do this. He commented that you have to be careful as you can mess up the "surface tension" of the panel if you sand off too much and/or get into the substrate too much.

1BadRS

Pretty sure in 17 they changed to the quilted suede headliners on the 3LT. My 17 has it, so I know it was at least back that far.

19672014

A couple of these posts have magnetic ride control being added in later years. My 2014 has magnetic ride control.

RapidC84B

In 2014 you could only get it with the Z51 package. At some point later they made it available stand-alone.

Deepdiver

Auxillary coolers were added to the Z51s in 2016. This a must have should you want to do any sort of tracking.

IPTV65

The Automatic transmission was changed from a 6 speed in 2014 to an 8 speed 2015-present.

• 6-speed GM 6L80 automatic (2014)
• 8-speed GM 8L90 automatic