6 speed vs automatic transmission
05-14-2012, 02:42 PM
#21
Drifting
I like my A4 on the track.
I also get to drive the 280 Z which I used to own once in a while, it is a four speed manual and fun also.
Not sure what my next Corvette would be. Maybe a paddle shift seven or eight speed auto.
I also get to drive the 280 Z which I used to own once in a while, it is a four speed manual and fun also.
Not sure what my next Corvette would be. Maybe a paddle shift seven or eight speed auto.
05-14-2012, 02:46 PM
#22
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Feb 2003
Location: Memphis Tennessee
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I always prefer a manual shift on my sports cars. I feel more connected to the driving experience and love the feel of running the car through the gears or a sweet double clutch down shift.
Now...
My car is a weekend warrior and not a daily driver and if it was, since I live in LA, a manual would kill me in the traffic out here.
Now...
My car is a weekend warrior and not a daily driver and if it was, since I live in LA, a manual would kill me in the traffic out here.
I want to be part of the driving process when in the AE. BUT....there are sometimes (stopped-traffic) where I would like to be a bit move removed from the actual process......but this too I take in stide as the "experience" of driving a Corvette.
05-14-2012, 03:01 PM
#25
Le Mans Master
my C5 is the manual but my 72 C3 has the th400. I wish it was the manual but when I was ready to buy a C3 it was either a 350 coupe with the manual or the 454 vert with th400.
i think i made the right choice.
i think i made the right choice.
05-14-2012, 03:07 PM
#26
Daily driven 6 speed here. Love every second of it. Knowing exactly what rpm I want to have when entering a turn on a twisty country road to sitting in traffic exercising my leg. Oh and its a great excuse to ignore the phone when you're in driving mode.
05-14-2012, 03:36 PM
#27
Drifting
Corvette sales prove that an automatic is the preferred transmission of the general new car buyer. On the other had, among enthusiasts (like this forum) you will find a STRONG bias towards the manual. I also see that 6-spd equipped Vettes seem to do better on the used car market which is contrary to new car sales. So it tells you a little about the different Corvette buyers (new vs used). The used Vette buyer seems to be a bit more slanted towards performance and value. I know I am!
Of course technology has come a long way since the C5, and I personally would prefer a twin-clutch transmission if I were buying a new Vette. Hopefully the C7 will come with one, or it will have trouble being competitive. A twin-clutch transmission is proven to offer much better overall performance, and this isn't really up to debate. I can only imagine how much quicker a car like the ZR1 would be if it had a modern transmission!
That being said, I think it may be sad when in 20 years the manual transmission is all but extinct. Kids won't ever to learn to drive a proper manual. And it is darn fun to shift a manual when you aren't stuck in stop and go traffic.
Of course technology has come a long way since the C5, and I personally would prefer a twin-clutch transmission if I were buying a new Vette. Hopefully the C7 will come with one, or it will have trouble being competitive. A twin-clutch transmission is proven to offer much better overall performance, and this isn't really up to debate. I can only imagine how much quicker a car like the ZR1 would be if it had a modern transmission!
That being said, I think it may be sad when in 20 years the manual transmission is all but extinct. Kids won't ever to learn to drive a proper manual. And it is darn fun to shift a manual when you aren't stuck in stop and go traffic.
05-14-2012, 03:37 PM
#28
Race Director
It used to be that buying a car with an auto trans would jack the price up. New cars today are the exact opposite, and you'll find yourself paying more for a manual trans than the auto. It's a shame really.
05-14-2012, 03:45 PM
#30
Pro
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Oldtimer
Check out what the average age is for a Corvette owner. Speaking for myself, old fart that I am, my dream as a kid (it's hard but I somehow recall a little) was to own a big engined whatever with a 4 speed. Yes my '04 convertible is a 6 spd. As a kid, with a new license, what car did I get to drive? my Mom's '56 Chevy Nomad - auto of course. Wish I had the nomad even automatic, but that's another story.
05-14-2012, 03:53 PM
#31
Team Owner
Member Since: Jan 2007
Location: cookeville tennessee
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AUTOS RULE
1. My wife can drive the car
2. I can drive and drink my coffee without the fear of spilling!
3. I can talk on the phone without having to shift gears!
4. At almost 700hp, I can kick the snot out of just about anything without the worry of missing a gear!
5. Manuals are very hard to get constant ET times at the track!
6. Any and all fast guys at the track runs Autos!
SO HOW DO YOU LIKE DEM APPLES!!!!
1. My wife can drive the car
2. I can drive and drink my coffee without the fear of spilling!
3. I can talk on the phone without having to shift gears!
4. At almost 700hp, I can kick the snot out of just about anything without the worry of missing a gear!
5. Manuals are very hard to get constant ET times at the track!
6. Any and all fast guys at the track runs Autos!
SO HOW DO YOU LIKE DEM APPLES!!!!
My 65 vette has a 5 speed in it but I also dont run it hard also... Robert
05-14-2012, 05:22 PM
#34
Melting Slicks
I did not want an auto because.
1.) I did not want my wife driving it. My wife can't drive a 6 speed....
2.) Auto's are boring for the type of driving I like to do (my daily driver GTI is 6 speed also)
I wanted a 6 speed because.
1.) Its not a daily driver.
2.) Fun to drive factor is very high !
I just love 6 speeds....
I could care a less who is faster (auto vs manual). I bought my car to enjoy. I would not have enjoyed an auto at all.
Toque
1.) I did not want my wife driving it. My wife can't drive a 6 speed....
2.) Auto's are boring for the type of driving I like to do (my daily driver GTI is 6 speed also)
I wanted a 6 speed because.
1.) Its not a daily driver.
2.) Fun to drive factor is very high !
I just love 6 speeds....
I could care a less who is faster (auto vs manual). I bought my car to enjoy. I would not have enjoyed an auto at all.
Toque
I would however, prefer to have an auto for my dd. Unfortunately, my dd is a 1.5L Civic & it NEEDS the 5spd to go up any hills...!As a side note - the clutches in my C5 and Civic feel about the same. Real easy compared to my C4 - not a car for traffic!
05-14-2012, 05:48 PM
#35
I really wanted a 6 spd Vette but ended up with a auto. I have always been a manual guy but the only 6spd Vette I could find equiped like my auto was 2k more. The seller would not budge on the price and I got the auto instead. I would have loved to have the 6spd but it was not worth 2k to me.
Reggie
Reggie
05-15-2012, 08:32 AM
#36
Safety Car
Note that most people in the auto camp are telling you why it's better.
Most people in the m6 camp are telling you how much they love it.
Read into that what you will.
Most people in the m6 camp are telling you how much they love it.
Read into that what you will.
05-15-2012, 08:38 AM
#37
Drifting
AUTOS RULE
1. My wife can drive the car
2. I can drive and drink my coffee without the fear of spilling!
3. I can talk on the phone without having to shift gears!
4. At almost 700hp, I can kick the snot out of just about anything without the worry of missing a gear!
5. Manuals are very hard to get constant ET times at the track!
6. Any and all fast guys at the track runs Autos!
SO HOW DO YOU LIKE DEM APPLES!!!!
1. My wife can drive the car
2. I can drive and drink my coffee without the fear of spilling!
3. I can talk on the phone without having to shift gears!
4. At almost 700hp, I can kick the snot out of just about anything without the worry of missing a gear!
5. Manuals are very hard to get constant ET times at the track!
6. Any and all fast guys at the track runs Autos!
SO HOW DO YOU LIKE DEM APPLES!!!!
100%!!I went to autos when i was drag racing every weekend and got tired of breaking parts and getting beat by cars with B&M hydros and beefed up automatics. i love a well set up automatic!
05-15-2012, 08:53 AM
#38
Safety Car
I have a 4 sp in my 68 Camaro ( I am the only owner of it). In 03 I ordered my 03 Vette with a 6 sp and had to pay for it cause it was an option. I am looking at ordering a 2013 and now the 6 sp is standard and you pay for the auto. I feel that is a marketing decision, they sell more autos so charge for them and make more money.
05-15-2012, 10:06 AM
#39
Instructor
Member Since: Jan 2011
Location: Buffalo Grove Illinois
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AUTOS RULE
1. My wife can drive the car That is your problem.
2. I can drive and drink my coffee without the fear of spilling!Why would I drink coffee while driving my Vette?
3. I can talk on the phone without having to shift gears!Blue tooth
4. At almost 700hp, I can kick the snot out of just about anything without the worry of missing a gear!Missed gears are for bad drivers
5. Manuals are very hard to get constant ET times at the track!Not if you have your launch down
6. Any and all fast guys at the track runs Autos! False - I see many cars in excess of your HP running manuals
SO HOW DO YOU LIKE DEM APPLES!!!!
1. My wife can drive the car That is your problem.
2. I can drive and drink my coffee without the fear of spilling!Why would I drink coffee while driving my Vette?
3. I can talk on the phone without having to shift gears!Blue tooth
4. At almost 700hp, I can kick the snot out of just about anything without the worry of missing a gear!Missed gears are for bad drivers
5. Manuals are very hard to get constant ET times at the track!Not if you have your launch down
6. Any and all fast guys at the track runs Autos! False - I see many cars in excess of your HP running manuals
SO HOW DO YOU LIKE DEM APPLES!!!!
Last edited by TwinTurboZ51; 05-15-2012 at 10:10 AM.
05-15-2012, 10:27 AM
#40
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Mar 2009
Location: GRAYSLAKE IL
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Oldtimer
St. Jude Donor '13
Interesting read. I prefer my 6 speed FRC as I enjoy driving it. My DD is a auto & it fits my DD needs. Side note: "No food or drink in MY Vette ever!). Only joking. I wonder how many of none return waves come from auto vettes?