I recently reviewed a rented 2014 Toyota Corolla I drove from Indiana to Wisconsin.
I drove my dad's 1998 Corvette Convertible back (same route, opposite direction), so I thought I would do another review comparing the two.
Fit and Finish: Actually quite good. Panels are all straight and fit well, I didn't find anything that I would consider to be sloppy.
Interior: Close to the Corolla, and far better than my Tahoe. Both quality of materials and workmanship is excellent, and is probably near the top of GM efforts at the time. Far above the typical time-period Chevrolet. Better than new Chevrolets I've been in. The leather driver seat is showing some wear, I need to get a nice seat cover for it before it goes too far.
Comfort: Actually quite good. It is very aerodynamic, and has the same windshield sloping back close to my head as the Corolla. I have much more leg room than the Toyota. I had the seat all the way back in the Corolla and wished I had a little more. I still have some slack in the Corvette. The Corvette is much lower, and is more difficult to get in/out, especially in narrow parking spaces. But once you are in, it is a nice place to be.
Visibility: With the top up, there are blind spots in the rear. Clear win for the Corolla here. With the top down, easy win for the Corvette. The Corvette is very low, making left turns difficult when there are other left turning cars opposite of you.
Another comparison: A while back I sat in a 2013 Camaro. The Corvette is FAR better. The Camaro is cramped, claustrophobic, poor visibility with tiny windows, and huge blind spots. Worse than with the Corvette's top up.
A note about the convertible top: It is manually operated, but is quite simple and elegant. When down, it folds behind a tonneau cover and is quite sleek. It takes up very little trunk space. Up, other than a bit more noise, it is actually not much different than a hard top. It is a very high quality top, keeps the wind and rain out. Just don't take it through a high pressure car wash, and it is probably best kept in a garage and not left out in the elements long term.
Trunk: Yes, the Corvette has one, and it will actual hold quite a bit of stuff. Not as big as the Corolla. The trunk space is a bit short, a standard paper grocery bag won't fit upright. The floor is flat, and has a couple bins under removable panel. The optional 12 disc CD changer is in one of the bins.
Controls: The Corvette doesn't have the toys that the Corolla has, but it actually has quite a bit. It has a computer that can display all kinds of diagnostics, error codes, fuel consumption, estimated ranges, tire pressure, trip, plus more. It doesn't have a touch screen, blue tooth, navigation or other new stuff. No buttons on the steering wheel. It even has traction control. This car does not have the optional adjustable suspension.
The controls are almost identical to my Tahoe, including stereo and heater/AC. The headlight controls were the only significant difference from my Tahoe. The cruise control worked as expected, which I couldn't get to work on the Corolla.
Driving: Of course, this is where the Corvette shines. 345 hp vs 120-ish in the Corolla. Torque is 350 vs 100-ish. 5.7 LS1 V8 vs 1.8 I4. Manual 6-speed vs CVT. Rear wheel drive vs front wheel drive. Hydraulic steering assist vs electric. The Corvette is far faster, more nimble, and feels much better.
The Corvette has more road and wind noise, especially at highway speed. The convertible top doesn't insulate you as well as a hard top would. I didn't find it fatiguing on the drive back though. It also has more engine noise, but that isn't a bad thing. I would rather listen to a V8 rumble than a 4-banger drone on.
The Corvette has a stiffer suspension and rides harder, but it is actually quite comfortable until you get to really big potholes. You both feel and hear the big bumps.
Fuel consumption: According the trip computer, I got 28.3 mpg in the Corvette doing mostly between 75 and 80. I got a little under 31 in the Corolla. Conditions were different - much less wind on the drive back. The 28.3 is almost exactly meets the EPA numbers (I think 29). The Corolla missed badly, according to the EPA I should have achieved 38.
Cost is similar. Out of curiosity I checked to see what used C5s are going for. Turns out to be close to or a little less than a new Corolla, depending on condition, options, mileage, etc.
A convertible Corvette might not be the best choice for your only car, but it is a lot more fun to drive, and is surprisingly practical.
I drove my dad's 1998 Corvette Convertible back (same route, opposite direction), so I thought I would do another review comparing the two.
Fit and Finish: Actually quite good. Panels are all straight and fit well, I didn't find anything that I would consider to be sloppy.
Interior: Close to the Corolla, and far better than my Tahoe. Both quality of materials and workmanship is excellent, and is probably near the top of GM efforts at the time. Far above the typical time-period Chevrolet. Better than new Chevrolets I've been in. The leather driver seat is showing some wear, I need to get a nice seat cover for it before it goes too far.
Comfort: Actually quite good. It is very aerodynamic, and has the same windshield sloping back close to my head as the Corolla. I have much more leg room than the Toyota. I had the seat all the way back in the Corolla and wished I had a little more. I still have some slack in the Corvette. The Corvette is much lower, and is more difficult to get in/out, especially in narrow parking spaces. But once you are in, it is a nice place to be.
Visibility: With the top up, there are blind spots in the rear. Clear win for the Corolla here. With the top down, easy win for the Corvette. The Corvette is very low, making left turns difficult when there are other left turning cars opposite of you.
Another comparison: A while back I sat in a 2013 Camaro. The Corvette is FAR better. The Camaro is cramped, claustrophobic, poor visibility with tiny windows, and huge blind spots. Worse than with the Corvette's top up.
A note about the convertible top: It is manually operated, but is quite simple and elegant. When down, it folds behind a tonneau cover and is quite sleek. It takes up very little trunk space. Up, other than a bit more noise, it is actually not much different than a hard top. It is a very high quality top, keeps the wind and rain out. Just don't take it through a high pressure car wash, and it is probably best kept in a garage and not left out in the elements long term.
Trunk: Yes, the Corvette has one, and it will actual hold quite a bit of stuff. Not as big as the Corolla. The trunk space is a bit short, a standard paper grocery bag won't fit upright. The floor is flat, and has a couple bins under removable panel. The optional 12 disc CD changer is in one of the bins.
Controls: The Corvette doesn't have the toys that the Corolla has, but it actually has quite a bit. It has a computer that can display all kinds of diagnostics, error codes, fuel consumption, estimated ranges, tire pressure, trip, plus more. It doesn't have a touch screen, blue tooth, navigation or other new stuff. No buttons on the steering wheel. It even has traction control. This car does not have the optional adjustable suspension.
The controls are almost identical to my Tahoe, including stereo and heater/AC. The headlight controls were the only significant difference from my Tahoe. The cruise control worked as expected, which I couldn't get to work on the Corolla.
Driving: Of course, this is where the Corvette shines. 345 hp vs 120-ish in the Corolla. Torque is 350 vs 100-ish. 5.7 LS1 V8 vs 1.8 I4. Manual 6-speed vs CVT. Rear wheel drive vs front wheel drive. Hydraulic steering assist vs electric. The Corvette is far faster, more nimble, and feels much better.
The Corvette has more road and wind noise, especially at highway speed. The convertible top doesn't insulate you as well as a hard top would. I didn't find it fatiguing on the drive back though. It also has more engine noise, but that isn't a bad thing. I would rather listen to a V8 rumble than a 4-banger drone on.
The Corvette has a stiffer suspension and rides harder, but it is actually quite comfortable until you get to really big potholes. You both feel and hear the big bumps.
Fuel consumption: According the trip computer, I got 28.3 mpg in the Corvette doing mostly between 75 and 80. I got a little under 31 in the Corolla. Conditions were different - much less wind on the drive back. The 28.3 is almost exactly meets the EPA numbers (I think 29). The Corolla missed badly, according to the EPA I should have achieved 38.
Cost is similar. Out of curiosity I checked to see what used C5s are going for. Turns out to be close to or a little less than a new Corolla, depending on condition, options, mileage, etc.
A convertible Corvette might not be the best choice for your only car, but it is a lot more fun to drive, and is surprisingly practical.
Toyota lost me about 7 years ago.
