Anyone know this car? Reckon it looks a fair buy?

Llewelyn

CCCUK Member
Hi all

I'm interested in this C7 - It's a bit leggier than I want and I don't particularly want a red car but it seems like reasonable value... It would be nice at £36k! Anyone know it? Interested to hear more about it being a "UK" spec, I didn't think they were ever officially imported to the UK?

 

teamzr1

Supporting vendor
Some info on the LT1 engine for C7

When the next Corvette hits the street and racetrack, it will do so with an all-new, Gen 5 Small Block V-8 engine.
Named LT1, it will be the most powerful and efficient standard engine ever in the car’s six-decade history, thanks to a trio of Next-Gen technologies the first Corvette applications of direct injection, Active Fuel Management and continuously variable valve timing for greater performance and efficiency.

The Corvette wasn’t born with a V-8 between its front wheels. It arrived in the fledging sports car’s third model year, 1955, where it was an option selected by 90 percent of customers.
That first 4.3L (265 cu. in.) engine produced 195 horsepower (145 kW) with a four-barrel carburetor. The new Gen 5 LT1 the third Small Block to carry the moniker – displaces 6.2L (376 cu.-in.) and delivers an estimated 450 horsepower (335 kW).

The Small Block V-8 engine was physically smaller, 50 pounds lighter and more powerful than the “Blue Flame” inline-six engine it replaced in the 1955 Corvette. Its 4.4-inch bore centers – the distance from the center of one cylinder to the next would come to symbolize the compact, balanced performance of the engine’s architecture.
Every generation of the Small Block, including the forthcoming Gen 5 features 4.4-inch bore centers.

After only two years on the market, the Small Block began a steady march upward in displacement, power and technological advancement.

In 1957, a version equipped with mechanical fuel injection was introduced, dubbed Ramjet.
The only other high-volume manufacturer to offer fuel injection at the time was Mercedes-Benz.

Mechanical fuel injection was discontinued in the mid-Sixties, but the Small Block introduced electronically controlled fuel injection in the 1980s on the Corvette and established a benchmark with the 1985 launch of Tuned Port Injection on the C4 Corvette generation.
This electronically controlled port fuel injection system was advanced in its day, and its basic design is still used on most passenger cars and light-duty trucks more than a quarter-century later.

The introduction of the Gen 3 Small Block with the 1997 launch of the C5 Corvette ushered in a new era of technologically advanced performance.
It was a clean-sheet redesign of the architecture retaining, of course, the 4.4-inch bore centers and cam-in-block foundation with features including an aluminum, long-skirt cylinder block with six main cap fasteners, high-flow cylinder heads that improved high-rpm horsepower and a lightweight composite intake manifold.

As the C6 Corvette enters its final year, it sends off the Gen 4 Small Block with a couple of notable distinctions:
The 7.0L LS7 engine that powers the Corvette Z06 is the largest-displacement production Small Block ever, while the 638-horserpower 6.2L supercharged LS9 engine in the Corvette ZR1 is the most powerful production Small Block ever, helping power the car to a 205-mph top speed.

LT1 legacy

The first LT-1 (with a hyphen) engine was introduced in the Corvette in 1970 as an option.
It was a raucous, racing-inspired engine with solid valve lifters, a high-lift camshaft and high-winding personality that redefined Small Block performance. Displacing 350 cubic inches (5.7L), with a compression ratio of 11:1, it was rated at 370 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 380 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm.
It was enough to push the Corvette from 0 to 60 mph in less than six seconds.

Indeed, the LT-1 was a true high-performance powerhouse, featuring many heavy-duty components not found on the Corvette’s standard 350 engines, including a stronger cylinder block with four-bolt main caps, forged aluminum pistons, a high-rise aluminum intake manifold, a baffled oil pan for reduced wind age, a transistorized ignition system and high-volume oil and fuel pumps.

Only 1,287 Corvettes left the factory in 1970 with the LT-1 engine. It remained in production for another couple of years, but lower compression ratios and other regulations-conforming changes resulted in lower horsepower.

The LT1 (no hyphen) returned to the Corvette in 1992, launching the five-year lifespan of the Gen 2 Small Block.
It built on the successful design of the L98-code Gen I Small Block that debuted in the 1985, featuring the port fuel injection design that most automotive engines still use today.
Like the original LT-1, the Gen 2 version displaced 350 cubic inches and featured a four-bolt-main block.

The Gen 2 LT1’s most significant update over the Gen I Small Block was a reverse-flow cooling system, which cooled the cylinder heads first to achieve lower cylinder temperatures.
That allowed a higher, 10.4:1 compression ratio that helped achieve greater power: 300 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 330 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm.

It helped the Corvette achieve 0-60 acceleration comparable to the 1970 model, while also helping propel the 1992 model to a top speed of more than 160 mph.

To mark the final year for the C4 Corvette generation and the final year for the Gen 2 Small Block, a pair of special-edition models was offered in 1996 with a higher-power version of the engine, dubbed LT4. It was rated at 330 horsepower and is easily identified by its red cast-aluminum intake manifold.

After an 18-year hiatus, the LT1 returns to the Corvette for 2014, matching an all-new car with an all-new Gen 5 engine one of the most technically advanced engines in the world and the most significant redesign of the Small Block ever.

It will have the highest base horsepower and torque, as well as the greatest efficiency, of any Corvette in its 60-year history.

With preliminary output of 450 horsepower (335 kW), the new LT1 builds on a heritage of high-winding, power-dense Small Blocks that have become high-performance legends.
 

maudyz28

Regular user
2014 oldest car, obviously, but means less to fiddle with on the infotainment, if that's your thing. Plus no connectivity apply play or android auto

Colour combo is not very nice. I like Kalahari interior colour but not in a red car.

Someone fitted fake aftermarket wheels. The standard z06 ones should say "z06" in the big gap opposite the tyre valve. Note the gap opposite is not big nor does it say z06 on the wheels

In addition someone put the winglets on the rear spoiler from a stage 1 GS/Z06, or a full spoiler. Breaks the flow of the Z51 spoiler which is a body colour option. I don't think it's a full z06 spoiler as it would be 2inch wider than the stingray one.

There is the GS/Z06 grill in the front bumper. I also upgraded my own. Bumper off job. My only concern....why are the little rubber air deflectors that are in front of the tyre at either side of the bumper not there. Or I don't see them. I.e. bumper off and painted for some reason?

Who has been driving it and why did it need a clutch at 50000miles. Wow. My old stingray was on that and drove perfectly. Just saying.
 

Nassau65

CCCUK Member
Hi all

I'm interested in this C7 - It's a bit leggier than I want and I don't particularly want a red car but it seems like reasonable value... It would be nice at £36k! Anyone know it? Interested to hear more about it being a "UK" spec, I didn't think they were ever officially imported to the UK?

Try low, say 34k, all they can do is say no. Then negotiate and go up a little.
Nothing ventured etc. good luck.
I like it in red, agree with mr Rosco a few black graphics will split it up a bit.
 

teamzr1

Supporting vendor
Who has been driving it and why did it need a clutch at 50000miles. Wow. My old stingray was on that and drove perfectly. Just saying.

I agree, new clutch at 50K means it was not a cruiser
also see a marketing license plate on rear that says Florida, if so
Consider several months at a time per year, over 10 years in the daily high heat, puts a stress/wear on the whole car

Here is several 2014 with Z51 and the mileage they have with selling prices as compares

 

Nassau65

CCCUK Member
Looking at those US prices, let’s say $35k USD paid. Then add shipping at say a modest $2K. That’s $37k landed at $1:26 to £ thats £29,365. 10% duty adds £2936 making £32301 and then 20% VAT £6461 total just under £39k.
Then the cost of any light conversion, and any work needed for our MOT.
No bargains there I’m afraid.
But of course you may find a colour more to your taste by importing.
 

Roscobbc

Moderator
We obviously all like Vette - and of any year.......but generalising a late model Vette (whilst perhaps grudgingly admired by many brits) will still not be first, second of even 10th choice for anyone looking to buy a late model performance car. Its interesting that USA 'asking' prices in dollars seem to reflect sellers advertising here in similar sterling prices (so £45K vs $45K dollars) which is simply too pricy really for UK pockets. The is still dodgy advertising I see - listing perhaps 2014 C7 as a 2019 vehicle and only making a small reference to the manufacture year VS when registered in UK.
Jon perhaps can answer this question......even though the older 6 speed auto transmission was effectively 'carried over' from the last of the C6's in to the 2014 C7 for perhaps the first year or so of production (and until replaced by new 8 speed) I am correct in thinking that there were some components on the 'old' transmission' that were unique to the C7 (and differed from the C6)?
 

maudyz28

Regular user
Be careful here guys the seller has two red vettes, a UK one manual, and a 6 speed auto. The car in question is a UK spec manual and it is listed as a 3lt, so top spec.

The seller probably put the Florida style plate on to look better or cover the number plate. Which is weird being a UK car. History check ??
 

teamzr1

Supporting vendor
Totally new and designed by GM, A8 auto tranny was in the 2015 C7
This had the paddle shifters, closer gear ratios, new TCM controller, launch control, etc,
Because of that, I doubt any carry-overs from the older A6

New for 2015 is an available eight-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission. Designed and built by GM, the new 8L90 transmission delivers world-class shift times that rival the best dual-clutch designs.
It is also expected to contribute up to 5-percent greater efficiency, when compared to the previous six-speed automatic. EPA fuel economy test results are pending and will be announced later.

The A8 is considered to be a crap design, lots of failures and TSBs resulting last year in a class action lawsuit broke about

Certain C7 Corvettes are among the half-million vehicles targeted by a class action lawsuit against General Motors just approved by a federal court.

For years, some GM owners have complained about shuddering and shaking in higher gears and lurching in lower gears when shifting their eight-speed 8L45 or 8L90 automatic transmissions. In the past, GM has responded by having dealers reassure customers the issues are normal and also suggested changing the transmission fluid to fix the problem.

Now, the 6th U.S. Circuit of Appeals has ordered GM to face a class action suit involving 514,000 owners of GM vehicles produced from 2015 to 2019, including the Chevrolet Corvette, Camaro, Colorado, and Silverado; Cadillac CTS, CT6, and Escalade; and the GMC Canyon, Sierra, and Yukon, among others.

GM had argued against the class action suit because it believes most customers were not affected by the problem and therefore lacked standing to sue, adding that the differences between class members were also too great for group lawsuits.

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that drivers from 26 U.S. states can sue GM in groups over Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC vehicles equipped with 8L45 or 8L90 eight-speed automatic transmissions, sold in model years 2015 through 2019.

Circuit Judge Karen Nelson Moore ruled against those arguments, however, noting that overpaying for the defective vehicles was enough to establish standing.
The judge also argued that specific shuddering or shift quality experiences of individual plaintiffs were irrelevant to whether GM concealed known defects.
Moore’s ruling returns the case to U.S. District Judge David Lawson in Detroit, who had originally certified the classes in March 2023.

“We look forward to holding GM accountable before a Michigan jury,” said Ted Leopold, a partner at Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll representing the vehicle owners.
The appeals court also rejected GM’s attempt to push many of the claims into arbitration, returning the case to U.S. District Judge David Lawson in Detroit, who had originally certified the classes in March 2023.
 

teamzr1

Supporting vendor
Be careful here guys the seller has two red vettes, a UK one manual, and a 6 speed auto. The car in question is a UK spec manual and it is listed as a 3lt, so top spec.

The seller probably put the Florida style plate on to look better or cover the number plate. Which is weird being a UK car. History check ??

Any VIN # posted for it ?
 

Dorsetsteve

Busy user
Is it just me?.......or does the £40K+ price (even £36K for the one above) being asked for a 10 year old Vette really worth its money?
I think that’s pretty reasonable for the market. I viewed a C6 that was up for £30k, I felt that was overpriced. In terms of enthusiast cars though it’s a hell of a car for that money.
 

FelixP

Busy user
I think this car was on autotrader before for a few months. Didn't Manchester United players get c7s for their sponsorship deal?

Maybe some fancy foot work killed the clutch
 

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Pinhead

CCCUK Member
Hi all

I'm interested in this C7 - It's a bit leggier than I want and I don't particularly want a red car but it seems like reasonable value... It would be nice at £36k! Anyone know it? Interested to hear more about it being a "UK" spec, I didn't think they were ever officially imported to the UK?

I know this car
I viewed it before buying mine
It seems to be doing the dealer merry go round hoping up here and there at different prices
When I looked at it it was mouldy inside from been in a damp cold showroom
Dealer knew I was coming but hadn't bothered to clean it up was £43k asking then
When I popped the bonnet some of the plastic trim fell off and landed on the sepantine belt good job it wasn't running
The clips on the trim were broken
I also didn't like some of the alignment on the front end bumper to wings and headlights and missing air deflectors underneath
My suspension is its had a light bump probably unrecorded
This was about a year ago now so it's been fir sale a while and I suspect more people than me will have viewed it and said no
 

Pinhead

CCCUK Member
I have had a better look at this advert and I think this may well be a different car so disregard what I have said
If its straight it's possible it's a bargain go make that video of buying it lew
 
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