ronvenna

So i ordered my 1LT AW z51 Mag Ride Automatic about two weeks ago and I am having second thoughts on the automatic transmission. I have been reading some articles online about how the Automatic transmission is very slow and even GM is replacing it next year. However all those articles were about non z51 cars. Everyone that I have talked to has said that the z51 car is like a completely different car from the non-z51. So can someone with a z51 automatic please share your experiences with the Automatic transmission and the shift speed? I currently own a 2010 Camaro RS Automatic and the paddle shifters are horrible, is the experience similar? Would love to hear from someone that owns one rather than auto journalists.

BTW here are the links to the two articles that talked about the bad auto transmission.

http://www.thesmokingtire.com/2013/t...ven-this-year/

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/defa...?storyId=28875

panerainovice

I would recommend waiting for the newer dual clutch 7 or 8 speed auto gearbox coming soon or stick with the 7 speed manual with rev matching.

themonk

He already ordered it.

ronvenna

Yup I already ordered it and my plan is to trade it in for a z06 maybe two or three years down the line. But I live in San Francisco and its going to suck using a manual on those hills and in traffic everyday. But is the manual that big of a deal breaker for this car? If it is than i'm thinking of canceling the order and picking up a Boxster with PDK and waiting for the z06 with the dual clutch auto.

Razz1

You just answered your own question.

Traffic and hills.

themonk

Manuals have hill assist.

panerainovice

If you're good at driving manual, hills and traffic are really not an issue.

Eagle Ray 7

What!!! My auto non z51... is slow?

panerainovice

Ignorant is bliss. I use to drive a Mitsubishi Evo X with the dual clutch transmission and I can say that car's dual clutch transmission is world's better and faster than any slush box.

FrancisDGarcia

I have a Z51 Auto. I took it to Pacific Raceways in Kent, WA and had one of the Proformance Racing School instructors drive in around the track. He was pretty impressed with it. Hope this helps.

VETJAZZ

I have an A6. I love it. I use it manual mode when I'm in traffic. No problems at all. Good luck with your decision.

dcbingaman

Drive one and decide. I have an A6 in my Z51 and it works great - it shifts as fast as I can pull the paddles, and faster than I could manage with the stick.

If you waiting for a DCT, you will waste a lot of time. You will not see one in a C7. In addition, the torque convertor auto transmission is undergoing a revival. The next generation of torque convertors autos like the ZF 8-speed and others will likely put the DCT back on the shelf for anything but race cars.

If you are still hesitant, wait for the 2015 and the rumored GM 8-speed. It will incorporate newer torque convertor technology and give better gas mileage, but it will not be a DCT. The option will probably cost you $1000+ more than the A6, but it's only money.

george vee

I have a C7 with the A6. I use the paddle to hold gears on country back roads and on hwys sometimes. For straight mash the pedal acceleration like 1/4 mile runs, the A6 does better in D mode.

Down8

Is your RS an SS?

I don't think of the 6A in my V6 Camaro as anywhere near comparable to the 6A I just ordered for my Z51, other than the gear count.

-bZj

KX2STINGRAY

Just got my Z51, auto, torch red when I saw you mention SIR. Can you give me some info on it..as in when can you use the track, how much is it, and do they have classes on how to drive The Beast (gave my grandson a ride, he names my cars...) I'd appreciate any info

FrancisDGarcia

Hi KX:
Here is the link to Pacific Raceways: http://pacificraceways.com/Index.aspx
Proformance Racing School: http://www.proformanceracingschool.com/
regularly hold High Performance Driving Sessions on Saturdays through out the Winter season. Their instructors really know their stuff. Talk to Don Kitch, the owner. He is an awesome guy and can give you great advice. They will also be holding a racing class in March 2014. If you take and finish this class, you will earn a Racing Driver's license. It is a two day school and I am attending this.
Hope to see you there.
-Francis

ronvenna

I have the V6 RS. Its a fun car to drive but those manual shifts in M mode are painfully slow. I just hope the C7 shifts are much faster.

fdxpilot

Same here. It's a big improvement over the A6 in our 06 Z51.

musclecar6

I agree. Each iteration of the A6 has been an improvement over the A6 that came out in 2006 ( had an 06 C6/A6 that was a POS. My 2012 CTS-V A6 is a HUGE improvement over the 06, and an improvement over your 2010 Camaro with staged faster upshifts). The C7 has yet again another improvement over my 2012 CTS-V. It might be enough to keep you happy until the A8 comes out. The safe bet is go to with the Porsche PDK or wait till 2015 for the expected A8. You are the exact customer that GM must address with a modern instant shifting auto tranny as people ARE cross shopping Porsche PDK and BMW DCT versus the C7 with a holdover, albeit much improved, slushbox that is not in the league of the PDK/DCT.

gthal

I bought a 7MT but would have bought a DCT if GM offered it. If they put a true DCT in the Z06, I will upgrade. I don't expect they will.