AMERICAN MUSCLE:2014 CHEVROLET CORVETTE STINGRAY
There was a time when the driver of a Corvette would be expected to be a guy wearing a gold chain around his neck and sporting a ring on his pinkie finger. The psychographics were not right for a CEO.The completely redesigned, seventh generation 2014 Corvette Stingray, however, commands respect. It is, of course, sleeker, more angular and more pleasing to the eye. Its interior is dramatically improved and it has all the latest electronic features, including a rear-vision camera on the dashboard. General Motors has used aluminum and carbon fiber to make the car lighter than ever.But what it really represents is the best in pure, unadulterated, rear-wheel power driving. It is equipped with a heads-up display that the driver sees in the windshield, like the pilot of a jet fighter would see. It shows speed and which gear you are in. That is essential information,because with the roar in your ears and your heart in your throat, it is easy to forget just how fast you really are going. Stingray is officially part of this Corvette’s name, harkening back to the 1960s.
Appropriately, the Corvette is equipped with a standard, seven-speed manual shift. You can push the car to 60 mph while still in second gear, which means that, for the vast majority of time, you don’t need to go beyond third or fourth gear. The higher gears are for when you choose to put the top down, turn up the music and cruise smoothly with a companion. That’s also a glorious way to go.To be sure, there are trade-offs to make with a Corvette. There are no back seats, so space is limited and insurance rates shoot up for two-seat cars. But, oh, what a thrill! And at this price, you could buy or rent matching His and Hers models for less than the cost of the PorscheTurbo S and still have cash left over (click here to view the listing).
- Horsepower: 450 hp.
- Price as Tested: $66,080
- MPG: 17 mpg city, 29 mpg highway
- Plus: The passenger seat is equipped with a panic bar to grip, which will be essential for some spouses.
- Nit: There’s no windscreen to help bu er the wind when driving topless.
- What It Says About You: You are serious about torque
William Holstein is a freelance writer and author of “The Next American Economy: Blueprint For A Sustainable Recovery.” He resides in the greater New York City area.
Scott Oldham is Editor in Chief of Edmunds.com. He is based in Santa Monica, Calif.