All Corvettes are automatics
 

I went to a car show today with mostly corvettes. I would say that about 90 percent of them had the auto transmission instead of the manual. Only the Z06 vettes were manual because they only come that way. But I saw a couple of Callaway vettes both were automatic. It would seem for a sports car that the manual would be the way to go but I guess not. The only auto I would recommend is the pdk like transmission found in the porsche other than that manual is much better choice. The auto in the vette is a joke.

If a joke, then one of my favorites.

Vettes arent sports cars anymore, they are garage queens driven by folks with excess money on nice days. Many of them prefer auto transmissions, so manuals are harder to come by.

Automatics are no joke at the track.

This is correct.
If you want to see manuals, you are looking at the wrong cars. The majority rules and the majority want automatics.

Most of them were probably Sunday cars. Mostly all convertibles also. Just my observations.

Mine is an auto and I would not want it any other way. Like everything else it is personal preference or lifestyle. Most of my driving is done in town making a manual nothing more than a pain in the butt that would detract from my enjoyment of the vehicle.

Paddle shifting fricking rocks, the best of both worlds. I would never go back to a stick in any sports car.

:iagree:

Lets face it, most Corvette's never see the track, they are a street car and in many areas of the country the 6-speed can be a real pain. All of my previous Corvette's (except my '77) have been manual transmissions. I live in a highly congested area and I simply got tired of the constant shifting in traffic, so I went with the 6-speed auto and paddle shift. Granted it is not anything like a true paddle shift, but none the less I have the option of 1. Drive and sit back,2. Sport Mode but still just sit back or 3. Sport Mode and Paddle Shift.
As for having a sports car with an automatic being a joke, I don't see it that way. and as one has already said, if you plan to go to the drag strip, the auto is the way to go.

I live in a hightraffic area, and find the manual shifting to be brainless. I have had manuals since 1985 and dont even think about shifting, its automatic to me.

A joke? Nope I disagree. I have a 6 speed now and an auto would sure be nice in traffic. The only thing an auto can't do is tons of HP. If you do massively mod it you will need to change the convertor then the drive-ability is shot.

:iagree: I just wish corvette would make a dct a true paddle shift transmission instead of the current one that is all.

:beatdeadhorse::trainwreck: This subject is sooooooooooo old. Covered many times.

Manual here, installed a new knob a few weeks ago....:rock:

Attachment 47725559

I would agree.

One more time won't hurt.

Who cares? Buy a manual if you want a manual. I love my A6 with paddle shifters.

For those of us with balky knees or a really long set of legs (I have both) the auto is the way to go. Living in a congested area like NY is another reason to have the shiftless option.
This is an age old argument, so I just say my car suits my needs and has two distinct personalities in the three esses:
Shifting: auto or paddles.
Sound: Dual mode exhaust with M2W.
Suspension: F55 normal or firm
Enjoy what you have. Either way, I'm lucky to have such a fun car.

I agree except I believe the stock auto can take more power than the stock clutch. An auto, with it's torque converter, is also much softer on the drivetrain under any condition.

I drove A LOT of manuals. It was my exclusive choice and I'm old enough that it was the rule and not the exception. Since about 90'-95' most cars come with an auto and AC. They build manuals for enthusiasts and as a 'cheaper' choice. Frankly the newest autos, while not DCTs, are superior to manuals in shift times and fuel mileage. There's a reason Porsche developed the PDK. I was at a track day w/ Porsche USA driving ALL the new Porsches including the 911 and 911S. ALL the cars had autos. During the drivers meeting it was made VERY clear that the vast majority of professional race drivers prefer the PDK auto style transmissions. This was stated by a pretty successful professional driver. It allows you to concentrate on your line rather than your clutch. Just sayin'.:cool:

The A6 w/ paddle shift, while no PDK, is a dream to use and drive with. It is literally the best of both worlds w/o an annoying clutch to deal with. It never misses a shift, it won't let you over rev, the rev matching is better than I could ever do, and I've was never a big fan of heel/toe.

So while you may prefer a manual, that's subjective, you're fooling yourself if you believe it's better. It's not. And that's objective.

Good news is most sport cars either offer a manual as an option or come with one exclusively. That will change. It's called progress.

Do you also prefer rotary dial telephones? It definitely puts you at one with your phone.:hide:

That's what the vette should have a pdk like transmission instead of the current one. It's terrific for the track like you said.

I bet 90% of those automatic vettes have chrome wheels too.

I'm lucky in that I live were I don't have to drive in heavy traffic very often so the manual suites me just fine for now. Over the years I've had both in my Corvettes. One thing with the manuals they are much harder to sell.

:woohoo: I want roll-up windows and manual steering, too! :hide:

:rofl:

They did haha!

Gee, I didn't know you knew me. :rock:

Tell that to these forum members who went to the track.

Showroom Stock LS2 (2005 -2007)
12.215 @ 115.45 - LS1LT1 - 06 A6 - (1278)
12.235 @ 115.58 - 06C6FVR - 06 M6 Z51 - (333)
12.290 @ 114.29 - Proney - 07 M6 - (4500)
12.314 @ 114.82 - CYA Vett - 05 M6 F55 - (675)
12.422 @ 113.90 - DrRichie - 05 M6 Z51
12.499 @ 114.90 - Jschindler - 05 M6 Z51
12.53x @ 113.00 - Wicked07C6 - 07 M6 Z51 - (914)
12.540 @ 113.59 - Tony 63 Vette - 06 A6 - (1510)
12.548 @ 113.74 - Tony96LT4 - 06 A6 Z51 - (1149)
12.56x @ 113.39 - Red Sleeper - 06 A6

Showroom Stock LS3 (2008 - 2013)
11.718 @ 119.94 - AndrewZPSU - 08 M6 - (2586)
11.806 @ 118.82 - Gmrulz - 08 A6 Z51, NPP - (3478)
11.974 @ 116.98 - Proney - 08 M6 Z51, NPP - (4652)
12.058 @ 122.05 - AndrewZPSU - 10 A6 NPP - (5051)
12.100 @ 115.19 - Odin - 09 A6 2.73 npp - (4325)
12.102 @ 117.60 - Dingrao - 08 A6 - (3561)
12.127 @ 116.59 - Pettvette - 08 A6 - (4278)
12.159 @ 115.59 - Old Goat - 09 A6 2.73 - (3708)
12.167 @ 117.15 - DarkOctane - 08 A6 NPP - (6310)
12.167 @ 116.54 - Vinsane112 - 08 A6 2.73 - (2740)

Showroom Stock LS3 Grand Sport (2010 - 2013)
12.319 @ 115.75 - Grand SportMan - 10 A6 - (5128)
12.559 @ 115.41 - Fastenuf - 11 A6 - (5269)
12.805 @ 113.33 - PhillyLS1 - 11 M6 NPP - (5085)

All I'm saying is a PDK transmission is better choice than the a6 transmission. Why does the Z06 and ZR1 only come in manual transmission? I'm willing to bet the auto can't handle the power.

My pervious car was a Z28 with a six speed. It was fun at first and fun to run through the gears every so often. But most of my driving is around town and the 6 speed became a PITA. For me, the auto is a better match. I also own a 1955 Chevy with a four speed manual if I need a fix.

:thumbs:All the Corvettes including present are auto, and love them in traffic.

That's why I pounced when I find my '09 with the options I wanted.

(manual transmission for me...:steering:)

M6 in a 13 Vert
 

Well I have the M6 but have to admit this week wish it was a A6 due to my clutch foot being operated on. I guess I bought the car to use and have 9K in 9 months over the winter so guess it gets driven more than on nice days, in fact the wipers work. I ordered the car for me and that's the only one I have to please. When the foot is mended it will be back to having fun.

Mine is a manual. If the M6 was a $1200 option and the auto no charge, I'd have paid the $1200.

Fair and balanced thread...:D

My auto runs low10's and I drive it to work every day in heavy traffic with my chrome wheels and love every minute of it! 680 rwhp:rock:

Right on, my auto isn't as fast as yours but I do enjoy driving it every day 120 miles round trip to work. Oh and I do love my shiny wheels :-). To each his own.

Well, no, that's NOT all you're saying. You said it's "a joke." And yes, an auto can handle the HP and torque of a Z06 or ZR1. You need to study up on newer autos, they're not like older ones.

See post 34.....

Jeeeze, another stick vs slush box debate!

Nothing wrong with either. But, if you like drag racing, an A6 with a high stall converter just can't be beat (in most cases)
______________________

And for the member ('LFZ') that said he thinks most automatic Corvettes more than likely also have chrome wheels ...... wrong!

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p.../GSFlorida.jpg

I have knee and ankle problems. I bought an auto because I drive the **** out of my car and don't want to not be able to due to a flare up. It sees some sort of track at least once a month.

It's a joke compared to the dct. Not to the manual.

not in today's technology, the converter has come a long way, if you live near 08088 stop by and take a ride, pure fun and excellent street manners, very close to 500 rwhp in an automatic with 373 gears have driven it 100s of miles away from home raced it and drove home, have drove it to Manhattan Philly Baltimore AC even let the valet drive it

Exactly!

Automatic technology has advanced light years ahead of manual technology.

Today they are computer controlled and maximize engine horsepower better than ever before.

Douglas in Green Bay :D

Right on brother!

Douglas in Green Bay :D

The bottom line is this. If you aren't driving what I drive and like what I like, YER WRONG!!!:rofl:

This is my 3rd corvette and this one is a Manual just like the previous 2 were. Automatics? You gotta be kidding me!! my $.02:D
and lets not get on the Convertible vs. hardtop kick either.:hide:

I would most definitely agree that automatic severely outnumbered manuals. Just wait until you actually want a manual. You'll be looking until the cows come home to find the right car in the right conditions with the right mileage and options. I know I was. FAR less to choose from.

For me personally, this is always been a brain dead decision on a sports car. I just feel like I'm driving the car and not just riding in the car. However, I respect both and understand why people have their reasons. It still does, however, surprise me that they outsell them by such a great margin.

I can't recall the exact figure, but I read that in the U.S. about 70% of cars are auto trans and the remaining 30% are manual.

I have lived in Europe, which is way more congested in general than the U.S., and the figure is reversed. Yes, a big majority of cars there are manual. Americans ride in their cars, Europeans drive their cars, is what I have been told by more than one European.

Now, in fairness, a lot of Corvette owners are in their 60's and 70's and maybe knees and hips and assorted joints don't work as well as when their odometer was lower. They still want to enjoy a Corvette, and the auto trans makes that possible.

If Chevy can't sell enough of them, then they can't sell any of them if you catch my drift. So, don't sweat the fact that some are automatics.

I thought that was the Corvette Forum theme! :hide:

Just joking kids!

when I drive a manual car in traffic I am quickly reminded why I bought an automatic

Manual here (purchased on purpose) and most assuredly NOT A CONVERTIBLE. I guess I am an old guy, 52 in a couple of months, but I dont care for verts.

Garage queen, I guess you could say that too. I have an HHR for Houston traffic. I see no reason to put my Corvette out there every day for the masses and the horrible roads to beat the hell out of.

Oh, and to take more of the old guy stereotype away, I prefer painted wheels over chrome. I took the chrome wheels off and sold them.:hide:

"The auto in the vette is a joke". Sounds like a personal preference to me. What do you say to those that have some physical limitations and find it difficult to drive a manual? Not my situation, but I have no problem with an auto, and apparently neither do the majority of corvette owners. If you look at factory build statistics, most vettes have autos.

GM pays engineers lots of money to design automatic transmissions that can shift just as effectively as I can.....

You guys have AC in your car? What a joke. Real men open the widows and sweat ba11s so they put a bandana on... And brakes?? Brakes?? What a bunch of pansies... What a joke..

Auto here. Most days I'm glad it is and some days I wish it wasn't. Both are fine with me.

I just bought mine and over a month into it I've driven 3,000 miles. I bought it as a semi garage queen (2 year old car 17K on the clock) but I'm going to rack up the mileage.

Anyways, I love stick and wouldn't have it any other way. Even in bumper-to-bumper this clutch is easy to operate. People who complain about it even in heavy traffic are just a bunch of babies. I've driven high powered cars with heavy aftermarket clutches and THOSE cars are ones I wouldn't tolerate in bumper-to-bumper. :thumbs:

so I would guess from your comments that you own a vette with a manual trany

I live in Atlanta and it is a highly congested area and I simply got tired of the constant shifting in my BMW in traffic, so I choose to buy an automatic Vette. When I drive the manual car in traffic I am quickly reminded why I bought an automatic vette. The vette is now my daily driver:thumbs:

I got it. :rock:

Who cares. Whatever makes you happy. I've been driving German luxury cars with paddle shifters and felt I wasn't getting all the performance I wanted so I opted for a manual when I bought my Vette. I will confirm it was hard to find the options I wanted with a manual. I ended up with an 08 with NPP, two tone interior, heated seats, and magentic ride, it's an LS3. I would see what seemed like the perfect car only to find out it was an Auto. I've had several manuals in the past and it takes more effort and at times I wished I had an auto.

My paddle shift auto is a delight to drive. My last three Corvettes were manuals and my old 1974 that I still have is a manual 4 speed. When I saw the C6 had a manual 6 speed I thought NOW do I have to row 6 gears all the time, it's bad enough with 4 speed. I thought heck with that I'm letting the transmission do the work for me if I want it too. I guess I got lazy when I realized I had to shift a 6 speed, so I bought the automatic. Now you do feel like part of the machine with a manual I have to admit.

Personal preference I guess I am one of the 90% I love the auto JMO

Love my manual, it is my fair weather car and I want to drive/race, not "sit back and relax." That's what my daily driver Acura is for. The Corvette is my big kid toy, and until they are completely extinct in favor of paddles, I will have a manual in my toys. For those that do lots of city driving or daily drive their Corvettes, I can see the virtue of an anto tranny, but it's not my style. A stick adds tons of driving enjoyment in my opinion.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^for this^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

It still stands that it's my opinion. Just ask Bill Dearborn on the forum about the auto tranny vs a pdk transmission and tell me which one is better for the track.

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q...ndvita/003.jpg

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q...ndvita/002.jpg

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q...ndvita/001.jpg

I now understand why I prefer the manual transmission. It's because I'm a retired telephone guy. :lol:

Base Corvettes are 95% automatic on chrome wheels. Stock as could be. Owners probably still wear fanny packs and visor hats and never take the car above 60 MPH. Maybe some chrome stick ons. Thats the Corvette image right now.


What a waste of a good car. These cars have amazing exhaust notes at WOT, Gear box is in a perfect location, Solid chassis and engineered towards speed with its aggressive gearing and aerodynamics. I think alot of owners mustve mistaken the Chevy bowtie for the Buick badge or something.

Wait....they put Automatics in Vettes?

Who knew? :crazy:

Just a few of them. :D

But you went to a car show. What did you expect to see? A bunch of race cars?

I love reading all the reasons (excuses) for getting an automatic.

My '96 and '05 convertibles are both 6 speed manuals.:cheers:

The c7 with active rev match will be pretty cool considering having perfect up and down shifts.

If you miss 5th do you have to start all over in 1st again?:D

I drive my car harder then 90% of the people crying about autos being a waste.

It wasnt my choice to suffer from psoriatic arthritis at 28 years old, but it was my choice to buy the transmission that would allow me to enjoy the car every single day.

Screw you manual elitists.

I have always preferred manual gear box cars, just more fun I suppose. Never liked stepping on the brake while stopped.

Why so defensive? Which trans would you choose if you had no disability?

I don't think anyone is criticizing you for choosing an AT.

I was a manual "elitist" for years until I bought an M3 with a DCT. Now I understand why Formula 1 uses these automated manual transmissions. Mercedes is making some amazing automatics with performance rivaling the DCTs at a lower cost.

I would love to see a DCT mated to an LS7. I would be all over that in a heartbeat.

Either honestly. I'm fine 90% of the time but last week I had a bad flare up in my ankle and ended up working from home a few days.

I always said that when I bought a corvette it would be an M6. Had they kept the 4 speed auto I would own a M6. The car between my GTO and C6 was a G8 GT and I learned to appreciate the 6L80 for being a jack of all trades transmission. The A6 became an option and after looking and seeing how hard it was to locate a used M6 with the options I wanted it became the front runner. At the time I found my car I was also working a deal on a M6 jet stream blue but the dealer wouldn't deal and the one that had my car came down 4k off asking price and came within $1000 of what I wanted for the G8.

I think if some of the manual guys would deflate their ego and actually drive one of the 6 speed autos and use the paddle shifters they would change their tune a bit. The only time my car ever is in D is when you would be in 6th on the highway. Rev matching downshifts and holding second through some windy mountain roads is awesome no matter what the trans.

If there is no DCT by the time I'm ready for a C7, M7 it will be.

If you have a manual tranny, AND black wheels, you are probably way COOLER than me

It's not about ego, it's about preference.

I prefer a manual. My brother-in-law used to have a C6 with an auto and I drove it. It was fun, but I knew I'd get bored with it.

To each their own.

My Centennial GS is manual, and a daily driver (no matter the weather). Handles great in torrential downpours, very surprisingly. It's a lot more engaging and fun than an automatic in my opinion. I wouldn't have it any other way. I'd rather be involved in the driving process than further divorced from it, quicker quarter miles or no. If I ever bought an automatic, it means I've died inside and given-up, or I'm medically unable. Just my thing.

I wash the car often, as, of course, the Centi is black, but it's a labor of love.

I drove the automatic GS and felt the trans to be the worst part of the car....the paddle shifting was just lackluster IMO and it may have been just the way they are tuned. I heard the trans tunes helped, but I don't have any experience on that.

Nothing against autos...my dad drives nothing but autos.

And younger too ;)

Glad I'm in the 10%

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...8FA537BD36.jpg

And I'm under 30.

I'm just a god damn enigma.

I agree fully with to each their own. My comments were directed at the ones that talk down to people with autos, we know what they say about assuming.

I plan on picking up a new C6 in the next month or two. Not that this is a primary concern, but is there a gas mileage difference between manual and auto?

What do you on a incline?

I just bought my 1st Vette (427) and 1st stick shift car I've ever owned and I love it, traffic or not. Since I ride a Harley as well, we have a saying "Drive what you like".

I'm old, I got chrome wheels & love them! I drive my vehicles fast and enjoy winding them out & shifting. I just came out of a Mercedes E63 with the paddle shift, great car but really didn't care for paddle shifting.

Whatever floats your boat is what you should get! It's just a preference and no justification is needed when you're paying the note!:thumbs:

By the way, I have a difficult time believing that most Vettes are autos, I mean why would G.M. charge more for the auto if that is the standard?:hide:

Believe it. You can search and find production numbers here. For all C6's it's ~70% autos and 30% manuals.

I have a friend with an automatic Vette...he is a retired Marine and 6'4"...I'd like to get you two together so that you can say that to him in person...:crazy2:

What's he gonna do, beat him up for calling his transmission a joke? :lol:

I was just kidding:D about G.M. or any MFG for that matter will find a way to charge more even though that transmission is produced the most!:eek:

I always make sure to keep my foot on the brake when someone is behind me. My luck some idiot texting won't see my brake lights and rear end me.

Auto or manual it doesn't matter. Drive what you like. For me I feel more connected to the car being a manual. Being a third/fund car I wouldn't want it any other way. Maybe when I'm older I'll change my mind....then again maybe not.

I'm glad I'm in the 10% too. Automatics feel detached and uninvolving for me (and I guess my wife too) so all four of our cars are manuals. My kids have had to and are learning to drive manuals- my son just got his learners and my daughter now has two manual cars. I can't fault auto drivers for buying what they wanted just as they can't fault me for wanting to be part of the driving experience with a manual ;-)
Manual transmissions will soon be like anti-theft devices, my daughters friends were in awe that she owned and could drive a manual- my thoughts were that it kept her focused on driving instead of eating or talking on the phone while driving.
As to traffic, I live in Atlanta. These cars have an easy clutch and I don't find them to be a bother at all. And the satisfaction of heel/toe down shifting perfectly only happens with a manual.
I recently went to a Corvette-centric car show and found the same thing, most were autos. I have friends and family members that don't know how, nor do they care to know how to drive a manual. My wife was a late learner but found a car she wanted that only came in manual so I agreed to buy the car if the salesman taught her how to drive it. A couple of hours later we were completing paperwork.

In the BMW I have a tiptronic tranny which will shift when you get to a certain RPM. You can't over rev or under rev the engine but you can take it up a bit over the normal auto shift points. Is it like that with the paddles in the Vette? I rarely use it since it just isn't that much fun.

Exactly I'm not criticizing people that drive autos (a6), I just wish GM would either develop or outsource a dct. For the record I prefer a dct to a manual any day of the week.

No, I just think that people say lots of things online that they wouldn't say to someone in person....either because of a lack of politeness or a lack of courage.:thumbs:

Getting mad at people online is not worth the stress. They are just words on a screen. People need to learn to have thick skin on the interwebz. :thumbs:

Automatic
 

This is my 4th Vette, first auto and was wondering if installing an A&A SC
on a bone stock GS would be ok. Street only, just for fun driving. Any suggestions?
New to forum so my apologies if I'm in the wrong place

I didn't read ALL the posts, but for me, it's all about preference. I have a 6 spd manual because FOR ME, I feel more "CONNECTED" to my car. I don't drive my Corvette everyday, because I saved for YEARS to be able to afford the Corvette that I have. When I do drive my Corvette, I enjoy the feeling of rolling thru the gears and the feeling of interacting with the car and enjoying the experience and connection of man and machine that you just don't get (in my opinion) with an automatic. I test drove an automatic, but the "Feeling" just wasn't there for me. I have had some cars over the years and have always had manuals (Camaro, Firebird Formula, 04 and 06 GTO). If you like an auto, enjoy it, because after all...it's still a Corvette!!! Thank you and enjoy the drive and happy motoring...:cheers: :thumbs: