LT4_CE

In my opinion, this is the discussion to have. Unless you go to the track and run 1/4 miles, I don't think the extra speed 0-60 matters. Something tells me we'll still be able to get up to speed with the M7 when merging with highway traffic.

But I'm wondering, will the A8 actually be faster at a place like the 'Ring? My initial thought was that the M7 would be faster (at least with a skilled driver behind the wheel.)

Michael A

Can't go along with "Daily Driver"=A8. Some of us like to have fun EVERY day.

Michael

Michael A

A8 vs. M7

1/4 Mile 10.95-11.2= -.25 seconds
Trap Speed 127-127 = 0 mph
0-60 2.95-3.2= -.25 seconds

Based on this data, all the loss is right off the line. The two are comparable everywhere else. Unless you are drag racing from a dead stop, I don't see the performance benefit of the A8.

Nice to see GM still builds some nice manual cars that hold their own.

Michael

BYBY4RE

M7 All day long.
I only get to the drag strip a few times a year and other cars are always faster so 0.25 seconds is not relevant. As for daily driver with the 450lbs of torque at idle I would expect you could just leave the car in 4th or 5th and never shift around town. I only use first an fourth most of the time in my dd Camaro. Don't believe me watch Jeremy Clarkson at 1:40

Kadorja

I was leaning towards the A8 but from what I've heard it just isn't that good. The performance aspect is great but I would miss out on slamming through the gears and hitting that perfect rev match into a corner on my own.

arcticblast

About three weeks ago I drove an 8 Speed auto Stingray back to back with a 7 speed Stingray. Although the 8 speed auto was quicker in traffic, it was not as involving or fun to drive as the 7 speed.
I think with the extra HP and torque of the Z06, it would be even more fun to drive with a 7 speed. I don't regret getting the 7 speed on my order. Besides, I'll be enjoying mine a month or two before the 8 speeds come out.

Mdm23

With the Stingray I had to have the manual. If I ever get the C7Z, I'll probably go with the auto. I've always wanted to drive a factory made supercharged automatic of this performance level. Automatics have simply closed the gap and now are even faster than the manuals in some cases. I hope we continue to have the option to choose though, and GM doesn't start axing manuals like Porsche and Ferrari have done.

badhabit_wb

I think it all boils down to personal preference and health. I love the manual and for me it's a lot more fun. My brother loves the automatic and wouldn't consider the manual. I am buying mine to drive and have fun with. I don't plan on drag racing but i'll probably autocross some. After watching the video with the auto downshifting in turns etc i'd probably be just as fast on a track, if not faster, with the auto. But I wouldn't have as much fun! Fun wins.lol

C7/Z06 Man

I like a stick for small hp, it's fun stretching out the gears. I like an auto for big hp, operating the go pedal Is All That You Need To Get By.

badhabit_wb

I had a stick in my 70 big block, doug nash 5sp and I loved it. Sold it and bought an 85 new with a stick and I just didn't like the car at all. I went from a 550hp big block with a short throw close ratio 5 sp to a small block with a really long throw manual and I was bored to tears. Different strokes.

phils C5 vette

I have a manual in my C5, and a Automatic 6L80 on my Camaro.

Very different driving experience between the two. I love shifting my corvette with the added HP.............(4 clutches later)

I love the way I calibrated my Camaro shifts. Stock it was boring and when AFM kicked in, it felt like a tank on four cylinder, but after calibration, I never use the paddle shifters, and the kick in the azz at the shift points is more fun than the manual........ to me

My Z will be an Automatic.

tail_lights

I was already set on the auto, so performance figures did not factor in, but I like it. However if for some reason the numbers were reversed, I would give the manual a second thought.

badhabit_wb

I think a lot of the difference in 1/4 mile is the way the auto hooks up off the line. This makes a difference on the strip but not so much if you're already moving. we should all get what we like best and not worry about a couple of tenths of a second.

JackTripper

Agreed. Well put!

C7/Z06 Man

An auto still puts down the same mph in the 1/4 as the manual according to GM, but here is a big "added advantage" for the auto at a roll: You won't get caught with your pants down "" in the wrong gear by some Ya-hoo in a Hellcat.

Oldfiddler

I plan on driving my new Z06, once it arrives, a lot. Not really a daily driver but more than the C5 stick that I have now which is pretty much an occasional drive on weekends.
Stop and go traffic with an auto is much more pleasant than continually playing stick games.
Further, at my age my knees are beginning to hurt from time to time. Since I can electively put the car in manual with the paddles to get my ya yas, I will probably go with the 8 speed auto.

Callsign_Vega

Here is a pic of me and my wife, even she wouldn't get an auto:

JerriVette

With yaw sensors and accelerometers and all the other technology available today that ties the cars performance together....automatic c7 z06 would be my preference....

When stick shifts were faster I was a manual driver......but after seeing and hearing the reports in the next few months we will know for sure which to choose,

WA 2 FST

I agree with you completely.

DaveN007

Some feel the same about power steering and electric starters, I suppose.

For me, the A8 is about usable acceleration and track performance. I have driven dual clutch auto cars like the GT-R on the track and they are a lot of fun. You can spend more time focused on your line, braking, and acceleration out of a corner and less time worrying about gears if the auto is done right.

On the street it is tough to wring out the potential of a car with so much HP with a manual.

This will be my first auto sports car and my first American car.