View Poll Results: Check the one that applies- age first then transmission preference
Under 35 years old prefer automatic
35
4.51%
Under 35 years old prefer manual
86
11.08%
35 - 50 years old prefer automatic
69
8.89%
35 - 50 years old prefer manual
142
18.30%
50 - 65 years old prefer automatic
112
14.43%
50 - 65 years old prefer manual
243
31.31%
Over 65 years old prefer....what was the question again? (Automatic)
43
5.54%
Over 65 years old prefer manual transmission
46
5.93%
Voters: 776. You may not vote on this poll
Poll: age versus transmission preference.
08-15-2011, 09:38 AM
#181
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St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
OK, but will have to make sure I get in contact w. jim first!
true, but Corvette and maybe a couple other cars are about the only ones where higher than 6% or so will actually buy a manual transmission. the percentage of all car buyers (probably includes pick up trucks too, by now) wanting manual trans has slipped every year for about the last 20+ years. I think the last time it was in double digits for all car purchasers was more than 10 years ago.
true, but Corvette and maybe a couple other cars are about the only ones where higher than 6% or so will actually buy a manual transmission. the percentage of all car buyers (probably includes pick up trucks too, by now) wanting manual trans has slipped every year for about the last 20+ years. I think the last time it was in double digits for all car purchasers was more than 10 years ago.
08-15-2011, 10:31 AM
#182
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
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08-15-2011, 10:48 AM
#183
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CI 2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '24
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Well this is a little surprising. In every age category but one, manual gets more votes than automatics. But when I was shopping for my car a few months ago, I found many, many more autos than sticks. Dealers frequently said that they could sell autos but just couldn't sell manuals.
So, what gives? Are stick shifters just more likely to answer a poll? Do people just hang on to sticks forever, thus keeping them off the used car lots?
So, what gives? Are stick shifters just more likely to answer a poll? Do people just hang on to sticks forever, thus keeping them off the used car lots?
I think there also may be a tendency for more manual transmission owners to respond because some believe having that type of transmission on their car makes them more manly.
I'm too old to worry about whether someone thinks I'm manly. I just like to row the gears. I can think of two instances where I wished I owned an automatic:
- I took my '01 Corvette to the races in Talladega one year. It took me four hours to get out of traffic and back home (about 60 miles away). I thought my left leg was going to fall off before I was done!
- On the occasions when I've taken my Corvette to the drag strip, I've always thought I would improve my 60-foot times with an automatic transmission.
Bottom line: No matter what transmission they have, they are Corvettes -- the only sports car that matters!
08-15-2011, 11:39 AM
#185
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
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I dig manual tranny but not all the time...
08-15-2011, 12:01 PM
#188
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
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08-15-2011, 06:05 PM
#189
Le Mans Master
08-15-2011, 06:18 PM
#190
Race Car Tech
I did have a sports car with M4, but shifting in hilly city traffic sucks the life out of the fun the other times.
My wife could not drive the M, so this time, got the A6 with paddleshifts. OK, I would like a manual for a bit more fun, but very satisfied with the A6 paddles.
My wife could not drive the M, so this time, got the A6 with paddleshifts. OK, I would like a manual for a bit more fun, but very satisfied with the A6 paddles.
08-15-2011, 08:00 PM
#191
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Mid 50's M6... Subjectively speaking, that special Corvette feeling we are addicted to, low and glued to the ground, big American V8, is best complemented by a manual transmission. It's full enjoyment every single time I hop in, mile after mile. Granted this is a fun car for me.
Regarding Drag Racing...automatic all the way. This is the case with almost all late model performance cars. It requires less skill to go straight and have the car do almost all the work for you. Automatics have come a long way. To further the comments of the advantages of an auto at the strip I'd add, less breakage, and I've yet to see an automatic Corvette brush the wall. I can't say the same for an M6.
Let's not forget road racing, what this car was built to excel in, and the accomplishments of the C6 in this arena...
Regarding Drag Racing...automatic all the way. This is the case with almost all late model performance cars. It requires less skill to go straight and have the car do almost all the work for you. Automatics have come a long way. To further the comments of the advantages of an auto at the strip I'd add, less breakage, and I've yet to see an automatic Corvette brush the wall. I can't say the same for an M6.
Let's not forget road racing, what this car was built to excel in, and the accomplishments of the C6 in this arena...
08-15-2011, 08:26 PM
#193
Pro
Age 43. Give me a stick .When I drive the wife's ride (HHR SS auto) I keep reaching for the clutch pedal but I can't ever find it. If you have to think about shifting then a auto is right for you. For me driving a stick is part of becoming one with the car.
08-15-2011, 09:46 PM
#194
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For all ages under 65 years old, 67 to 71 % prefer manuals; for us old farts over 65, 51% prefer manuals. It is obvious by this poll, at least among Corvette Forum participants, age has little influence except to a small degree once your over 65, likely due to physical limitations, rather than not knowing how to use a manual transmission. Which bring up an interesting point: why do over 70% of Vette purchasers opt for the automatic when given the choice? I suspect that most "posers" aren't Forum members; either that, or most are ***** whipped into buying what pleases their wives rather than themselves.
08-15-2011, 10:10 PM
#195
I know that I had a problem finding a manual transmission locally. I had to travel out of state to get one.
08-15-2011, 10:31 PM
#196
Pro
Maybe the poll should be "people that want to go fast versus transmission preference". 
I have an LS3, so I cut from CF's own 1/4 mile results for stock LS3 cars:
Showroom Stock LS3 (2008 - ????)
11.71 @ 119.94 - AndrewZPSU - 08 M6 - (2590)
11.80 @ 118.82 - Gmrulz - 08 A6 Z51, NPP - (3482)
12.10 @ 117.60 - Dingrao - 08 A6 - (3567)
12.10 @ 115.19 - Odin - 09 A6 2.73 npp - (4329)
12.12 @ 116.59 - Pettvette - 08 A6 - (4282)
12.15 @ 115.59 - Old Goat - 09 A6 2.73 - (3712)
12.16 @ 116.54 - Vinsane112 - 08 A6 2.73 - (2744)
OK, 6 out of the top 7 1/4 ET are for automatics. That's interesting because it appears on CF that manual transmission fans easily outnumber auto fans. You would think the manuals would utterly dominate the top of the ET list, but no.
I've driven manuals and autos. They are both great and to each his own. But for me, I prefer the consistency of the auto. I live in the very urban Seattle area with rainy streets, steep hills, and frequent bumper-to-bumper traffic. The auto is actually more "fun" in this environment than a manual would be. If I lived in Montana I would probably prefer the manual.
The Corvette A6 is fairly low tech. If you have ever driven an AMG Mercedes or the Porsche PDK or any of these other high-tech autos, you are aware the A6 is good but not great. I suspect the C7 will have a much more capable auto at some point, and then the auto will almost always beat the manual in a 1/4 mile run, even with a highly skilled driver on the manual. And the auto can do it with a unskilled driver, over and over, all day long.
If you want to drive a manual because you think it is more fun, then go right ahead. But this bashing of auto drivers is just silly. It always seems like the manual types bashing the auto types, not the other way around. Get over it! We are all corvette fans!
I have an LS3, so I cut from CF's own 1/4 mile results for stock LS3 cars:
Showroom Stock LS3 (2008 - ????)
11.71 @ 119.94 - AndrewZPSU - 08 M6 - (2590)
11.80 @ 118.82 - Gmrulz - 08 A6 Z51, NPP - (3482)
12.10 @ 117.60 - Dingrao - 08 A6 - (3567)
12.10 @ 115.19 - Odin - 09 A6 2.73 npp - (4329)
12.12 @ 116.59 - Pettvette - 08 A6 - (4282)
12.15 @ 115.59 - Old Goat - 09 A6 2.73 - (3712)
12.16 @ 116.54 - Vinsane112 - 08 A6 2.73 - (2744)
OK, 6 out of the top 7 1/4 ET are for automatics. That's interesting because it appears on CF that manual transmission fans easily outnumber auto fans. You would think the manuals would utterly dominate the top of the ET list, but no.
I've driven manuals and autos. They are both great and to each his own. But for me, I prefer the consistency of the auto. I live in the very urban Seattle area with rainy streets, steep hills, and frequent bumper-to-bumper traffic. The auto is actually more "fun" in this environment than a manual would be. If I lived in Montana I would probably prefer the manual.
The Corvette A6 is fairly low tech. If you have ever driven an AMG Mercedes or the Porsche PDK or any of these other high-tech autos, you are aware the A6 is good but not great. I suspect the C7 will have a much more capable auto at some point, and then the auto will almost always beat the manual in a 1/4 mile run, even with a highly skilled driver on the manual. And the auto can do it with a unskilled driver, over and over, all day long.
If you want to drive a manual because you think it is more fun, then go right ahead. But this bashing of auto drivers is just silly. It always seems like the manual types bashing the auto types, not the other way around. Get over it! We are all corvette fans!
