Avanti

The A8 is HARDLY a manual substitute, not by a mile.

Red08

I have had several cars with manuals over the years. 3 Hondas, a 1974 Firebird (which I bought new), a Datsun 260Z and a Datsun 310. I have no problems driving a manual, but anymore, I prefer an auto. Just my personal preference anymore.

Coach32

I must be in the minority on this post.....but, I love our A8 and often use the paddles, primarily to maintain the V8 mode. At my age, a manual is a pain in the ***. I also want to add when researching used Vet’s the manuals are more difficult to sell, thus the lower prices. So in defense of us A8 owners, it is 50-50. I drove many 4 speed sticks muscle cars when I was younger and there in may lie the answer......automatics have become so efficient drag racers been using them for a while. I have to ask.....is it just more macho?

Evil-Twin

No its simply more fun.. IM 75 years old.. I have a 2019 DCT trans and a 7 speed C7.. The DCT trans is quick shifting, but I feel less connected to the car. A traditional Automatic is the worst when it comes to being at one with the car. I would not disqualify the purchase of a C8 with DCT, but if I had a choice with a C8 it would be a manual.

KenHorse

Correct. It is an automatic substitute

SingleTrackMinded

roadbike56

No doubt about it, the M-7 is a lot more fun whether or not you're a macho type. But no doubt about it, you are correct Coach32, that manuals are harder to sell. It really shows up with used C5s and C6s and to a lesser degree, the C7.
I posted a comment in the C5 that there is no longer a price premium for a manual C5 and got jumped on, but those individuals are just not facing reality. I traded a C5 automatic back in 2016 and I can testify, dealers wanted the no fun A4 instead of the M-6 because they could sell it. If you check prices on C6s, it's obvious the paddle shifting A6 gets more money. Just look on autotrader how many dealers list the transmission when it's automatic, but those selling a manual don't post it and "no information" is what gets listed in the ad. You have to search the interior pictures to see the pattern on the shift **** to determine that it's a manual.
I hope this doesn't happen to the C7 because I own a manual, but based on what I'm seeing, there's no premium for the manual transmission unless it's a vert.

RedRedRed

My C6 coupe is a stick with Corsa exhaust. When I was shopping for a C4 , I specifically wanted an automatic and a very stock car.
I wanted a Vette with a different personality than the C6. I ended up with a '91 auto vert with 13K miles, bone stock and all original except tires and battery. Lower power, automatic, but a great cruiser, touring car, whatever you want to call it. Perfect alternative to my '09 and I love driving both.
Most likely, the next Vette added to the fleet will be stick, but you never know. If I get a C5, it would probably be a FRC with a stick, hopefully a Z06. But I think if I ever get a C7, I'd want an automatic. When I got my 2015 Grand Cherokee daily driver, I learned how much of an impact a modern multi-speed (8) automatic transmission can make on a car. The instant selection of the right gear, and having so many gears to get it right, really increases performance and responsiveness. I've not driven a C7 yet, but based on my DD experience, I'm thinking I'd love a C7 with an auto.

j0evette

As an M7 owner, "we got rights".

Vetteman Jack

I have no complaints with my A6 C7 - I can use manual mode when I want to shift the gears myself or keep it in drive when I just want the car to do the shifting. My advice - test drive a few examples of each type of tranny and see which one really calls out to you. Whether you select an auto or manual, they will all be a blast to drive