1999 Chevrolet Corvette Review

1999 Chevrolet Corvette

The latest generation \'Vette

by: Dan Jedlicka

The Chevrolet Corvette is in high demand despite few changes for 1999.

Newly optional for the 1999 Corvette are a power telescoping steering column and ``head-up'' display that projects readouts--such as vehicle speed--onto the windshield so drivers need not look away from the road. Also new is a Twilight Sentinal, which delays shutting off the headlights after the engine is turned off.

The latest generation 'Vette is so refined it almost feels like a two-seat version of a fast sports sedan, especially with an automatic transmission.

The 1999 Corvette comes as a base $38,197 hardtop, $38,591 hatchback and the $44,999 convertible, which has a manual top that is easy to work.

Prices too high? Although the Corvette is costly and not as refined as $100,000-plus Ferraris, it can run with exotic foreign sports cars costing considerably more.

Still, it's unfortunate that Chevrolet backed off from offering a 1999 model that would have cost about $30,000, with less equipment and about 45 fewer horsepower. That car would been more affordable to a larger number of people.

Considering the rear-wheel-drive Corvette's extraordinary handling, it delivers a smooth, supple ride--although badly broken pavement tosses the chassis around a bit.

The 345-horsepower V-8 has pushrods instead of overhead camshafts but provides exotic-car acceleration (0-60 m.p.h. in 4.9 seconds). It's as smooth and docile as a Chevy sedan engine, although no such sedan emits the sporty exhaust rumble of the 'Vette V-8.

Fuel economy isn't bad, either--the 'Vette delivers an estimated 18 m.p.g. in the city and 28 on the highway with a smooth six-speed manual transmission and 17 and 25 with the responsive four-speed automatic.

The Corvette is more fun with the manual, but has so much power and torque that the automatic works well. The automatic is standard on the coupe and convertible; the manual is standard on the hardtop.

This is a big, heavy car that feels more at home on the open road than in town. The cockpit isn't roomy for the Corvette's size. But it's not cramped for a sports car. And a user-friendly dashboard and supportive seats help make the 'Vette comfortable on long trips. Run-flat tires eliminate the need for a spare.

However, loading luggage--or any cargo--is a hassle because one must lift items to the high trunk opening before plunking them in the cargo area. On the other hand, it's easier to get in and out of the Corvette than was the case with previous generation models.

The precise steering puts the car exactly where you want it to go, and the powerful brakes stop it quickly and surely. Standard is a traction control system that provides good stability on slippery roads. Recommended is the $500 Active Handling System, which further enhances stability on such roads.

The hardtop models are quieter than the convertible, which forces occupants to raise their voices at highway speeds. Still, the soft top is the sexiest 'Vette and the one that can be the most fun in warm weather.

Dan Jedlicka

Dan Jedlicka joined the Chicago Sun-Times in February 1968 as a business news reporter and was named auto editor later that year. He has reviewed more than 4,000 new vehicles for the Sun-Times--far more than any newspaper auto writer in the country. Jedlicka also reviewed vehicles for Microsoft Corp.'s MSN Autos Internet site from January, 1996, to June, 2008.

Jedlicka remained auto editor at the Sun-Times until October, 2008, and continued writing for the newspaper's AutoTimes section, which he started in 1992, until February, 2009. While continuing his auto writings at the Sun-Times, he served as assistant financial editor of that newspaper from 1970 to 1973, when he began his automotive column.

He has appeared on numerous radio and television shows, including NBC's "Today," ABC's "20/20" and "The CBS Evening News." He was a host, consultant and writer for Fox-TV Channel 32's 1991 New Car Preview show and that Chicago-based station's 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995 Chicago Auto Show Previews.

Jedlicka's auto articles have been printed in national magazines, including Esquire and Harper's. His auto columns have been reprinted in U.S. government publications and economic textbooks and he is profiled in the "World's Greatest Auto Show" history book about the Chicago Auto Show. In late 1975, Jedlicka was host and technical advisor for three one-hour television specials, "Auto Test 76," which aired nationally on PBS and were the first nationally televised auto road test shows.

In 1995, Jedlicka was the recipient of the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois Inc.'s Consumer Education Award, given annually to a person who has gained distinction in the field of consumer education. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award in the Media category and inducted into the Legends of Motorsports Guild at the Carquest World of wheels custom car show in Chicago in January, 2006.

Jedlicka was a member of the North American Car and Truck of the Year jury, composed of a select number of auto journalists from throughout the country, from 1995 until 2009. From 2010 to 2012, he was a member of Consumer Digest magazine's auto experts panel that gave Best Buy new vehicle recommendations.

He is a 1987 graduate of the Bob Bondurant Race Drivers School and later of the BMW "M" and Skip Barber Advanced Driving schools. He was a member of the U.S. team that participated in the 1987 1,000-mile Mille Miglia race/rally in Italy and has been a race winner at the Chicago area's Santa Fe Speedway.

Jedlicka has owned 25 classic cars, including 1950s and 1960s Ferraris and 1950s and 1960s Porsches, a 1965 Corvette, a 1967 Maserati and a 1957 Studebaker supercharged Golden Hawk. Jedlicka resides with his wife, Suzanne, in the Frank Lloyd Wright historic district of Oak Park. They have two children, James and Michele.

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