Jp23rockstar

I went to a car show today with mostly corvettes. I would say that about 90 percent of them had the auto transmission instead of the manual. Only the Z06 vettes were manual because they only come that way. But I saw a couple of Callaway vettes both were automatic. It would seem for a sports car that the manual would be the way to go but I guess not. The only auto I would recommend is the pdk like transmission found in the porsche other than that manual is much better choice. The auto in the vette is a joke.

Joe B.

If a joke, then one of my favorites.

flange

Vettes arent sports cars anymore, they are garage queens driven by folks with excess money on nice days. Many of them prefer auto transmissions, so manuals are harder to come by.

EVRose

Automatics are no joke at the track.

sjohnson2615

This is correct.
If you want to see manuals, you are looking at the wrong cars. The majority rules and the majority want automatics.

Jp23rockstar

Most of them were probably Sunday cars. Mostly all convertibles also. Just my observations.

42Chevy

Mine is an auto and I would not want it any other way. Like everything else it is personal preference or lifestyle. Most of my driving is done in town making a manual nothing more than a pain in the butt that would detract from my enjoyment of the vehicle.

Snowwolfe

Paddle shifting fricking rocks, the best of both worlds. I would never go back to a stick in any sports car.

LSD 2005

BWF07

Lets face it, most Corvette's never see the track, they are a street car and in many areas of the country the 6-speed can be a real pain. All of my previous Corvette's (except my '77) have been manual transmissions. I live in a highly congested area and I simply got tired of the constant shifting in traffic, so I went with the 6-speed auto and paddle shift. Granted it is not anything like a true paddle shift, but none the less I have the option of 1. Drive and sit back,2. Sport Mode but still just sit back or 3. Sport Mode and Paddle Shift.
As for having a sports car with an automatic being a joke, I don't see it that way. and as one has already said, if you plan to go to the drag strip, the auto is the way to go.

flange

I live in a hightraffic area, and find the manual shifting to be brainless. I have had manuals since 1985 and dont even think about shifting, its automatic to me.

scnhra

A joke? Nope I disagree. I have a 6 speed now and an auto would sure be nice in traffic. The only thing an auto can't do is tons of HP. If you do massively mod it you will need to change the convertor then the drive-ability is shot.

Jp23rockstar

I just wish corvette would make a dct a true paddle shift transmission instead of the current one that is all.

MikeyTX

This subject is sooooooooooo old. Covered many times.

R&L's C6

Manual here, installed a new **** a few weeks ago....

LFZ

I would agree.

Jp23rockstar

One more time won't hurt.

Tonylmiller

Who cares? Buy a manual if you want a manual. I love my A6 with paddle shifters.

BSE1956

For those of us with balky knees or a really long set of legs (I have both) the auto is the way to go. Living in a congested area like NY is another reason to have the shiftless option.
This is an age old argument, so I just say my car suits my needs and has two distinct personalities in the three esses:
Shifting: auto or paddles.
Sound: Dual mode exhaust with M2W.
Suspension: F55 normal or firm
Enjoy what you have. Either way, I'm lucky to have such a fun car.

Jefe's GS

I agree except I believe the stock auto can take more power than the stock clutch. An auto, with it's torque converter, is also much softer on the drivetrain under any condition.

I drove A LOT of manuals. It was my exclusive choice and I'm old enough that it was the rule and not the exception. Since about 90'-95' most cars come with an auto and AC. They build manuals for enthusiasts and as a 'cheaper' choice. Frankly the newest autos, while not DCTs, are superior to manuals in shift times and fuel mileage. There's a reason Porsche developed the PDK. I was at a track day w/ Porsche USA driving ALL the new Porsches including the 911 and 911S. ALL the cars had autos. During the drivers meeting it was made VERY clear that the vast majority of professional race drivers prefer the PDK auto style transmissions. This was stated by a pretty successful professional driver. It allows you to concentrate on your line rather than your clutch. Just sayin'.

The A6 w/ paddle shift, while no PDK, is a dream to use and drive with. It is literally the best of both worlds w/o an annoying clutch to deal with. It never misses a shift, it won't let you over rev, the rev matching is better than I could ever do, and I've was never a big fan of heel/toe.

So while you may prefer a manual, that's subjective, you're fooling yourself if you believe it's better. It's not. And that's objective.

Good news is most sport cars either offer a manual as an option or come with one exclusively. That will change. It's called progress.

Do you also prefer rotary dial telephones? It definitely puts you at one with your phone.