\Boost Monkey/

Agreed

NB68

To me, that says it all.
No doubt the autos are faster than the manuals these days...computers do things much faster than humans.

No doubt a small percentage of the younger owners may also like the auto b\c it IS just a bit faster from what I read and maybe they intend to race etc.

I think "in general" young people like sticks and to be more engaged whereas older folks want the auto.

IMO it is all about the price tag.
The C7 is pretty expensive for most people = older \ retired people will probably be the majority of owners b\c young folks just cannot come up with this kind of cash even for the base model = in general maybe older people also prefer the auto to the manual b\c they are tired of all the shifting, hurting leg\back\reflexes etc.

It would be interesting to see compiled data on age brackets of buyer for new Vettes and % of manual vs auto.

droideka

this is a disingenuous comparison. that 135 is in no way a stock car and being that it's FI and easy to mod it's most likely at a minimum a stg 2 car. stock 135s are low 13s in the 1/4.

ratman6161

I'm certain that in a drag race, I would be faster in an automatic than a manual, everything else being equal. Then again, I don't drag race.

To me the manual just has a bigger fun factor. And in my mind sports car = manual transmission. No offense to anyone...just my preference. And as far as old guys wanting autos? Guess I'd have to ask what people consider "old". I don't care how old I get, any sports car I own will be a manual unless my knees get too bad operate a clutch anyway

DAFFYDRUNK

Basically what I was gonna say. Modded 135 vs stock C7. If you throw enough money at a bicycle you can make it faster than a C7. It will require something other than human propulsion though. I will admit I always thought the 135 was a cool car, and turbos are economical to mod.

Watching the video, the C7 driver doesn't shift that bad really. Looks like he bogs the launch, a bit of 1-2 spin or clutch slip but otherwise decent, 2-3 not too shabby, and 3-4 a little sluggish. Basically if the C7 got off the line better but otherwise made the same run he would've easily won. The launch is the M7 Achilles' heel. Finding a sweet spot between bogging and smoking em up.

Gxpz06

I do drag race and all things equal (which they are slightly different ironically) I would go faster in a manual ( BUT its relative to which car/powerlelves) ... but thats not the point of my reply... I agree with ALL words stated on your MAIN paragragh 100% ...

///ADMAN

Being that I got rid of a 335iS with 7 speed DCT for my Corvette with 7-Speed Manual, I can personally attest to the fact that the BMW is not faster. Even with overboost, the BMW only has 370TQ. I have 465TQ. Granted, the DCT makes anything feel faster than it really is. I will miss that car on E85. But, it doesn't compare to the C7 at all. Sorry...

Here's both:

RedC7AZ

I'm not sure why we need to categorize manual\auto drivers into age groups. The auto has its advantages, period, regregardless of the age of the driver. This "your old so you fit the profile for an auto transmission and all the young people are enjoying their manuals more" is a crock.

WICKEDFRC

A win is a win.


The BMW won.

DAFFYDRUNK

This is true. My father once beat a C6 GS at the drag strip with a Ford Flex:

RedC7AZ

BMW was modified so we're putting a big fat one if these on the race...... *

c7v

Just out of curiosity what makes a 135i a chick car?i used to own a z4 with the same n54 twin turbo engine and modifications, the car used to trap 117-120, put out more torque to the wheels then my auto c7 and people in a g37 that can barely break a 100 in the quarter used to say its a chick car. Im sure corvette owners enjoy that old stereotype of being 75+ years old with gold chains and nothing in their bank accounts. If you are truly a fan of automobiles, which i assume you are, there is no place for statements like that.

cheapthrills

Of course this is unfair, you need to put that same 135i up against a C7 with full bolt-ons, meth injection, e85 and tune.

cheapthrills

I have always liked the fun factor of this car but just could never do it do to the fugly factor, this coming from someone who's second car is a Focus ST, turbo mini minvan

///ADMAN

It is a chick car. Look at it.

1KULC7

I got an auto simply because if you drive in DC traffic you never make it out of second gear during rush hour. You spend all your time, shifting from 1 to 2, and may 3 then back down all over again. Not to say you will wear out the clutch in a year or less. I think much of choosing shift or auto is where you live and driving you do.

1KULC7

It looks like a bathtub.

c7v

Still dont know what that means. Is a miata a chick car?

Corgidog1

For those who don't race, I don't understand the "I got an auto because it is faster" line of thinking. I can understand someone getting an auto because of traffic, don't like to shift or can't be bothered, physical problems, or just flat out prefer an auto, but to get it because it is faster 0-60 as the reason when they don't race makes no sense to me. Maybe to others but not to me.

acroy

Beamers can be crazy fast. Expensive, ugly, unreliable, and generally driven by ******... but fast.