Chadp12

I can't really decide what I want, originally I wanted a 7speed manual but now I'm slightly interested in the 8 speed autos. What do you guys think?

Higgs Boson

motorcycle

StingerBG

Manual

KemahGT

I'm interested in the auto based on what I've been reading. I'll decide after I test drive one.

Good luck on whatever choice you make. I'm sure you will have a helluva lotta fun with either!

DAFFYDRUNK

Have never driven a manual C7 but I've driven both A6 and A8. Still, I ordered the manual because I enjoy driving stick and I couldn't rationalize the extra cost of the A8.

The 8 speed auto does work well though. I was impressed by the responsiveness of the paddle shifters, particularly the downshifts. If it was the same price as the M7 I might have chosen it. A8 is "statistically" faster after all. I say "statistically" because I think the difference is the ease of launch and how fast a driver can shift the M7. Driver mod. Personally if I was racing an A8 in my future M7, I think I might end up a little overzealous with the launch, but once underway I think I could hang with an A8.

So... a lot easier to go fast in the A8, but I think a good manual trans driver could keep up. For me it's really more about fun though, because how many times am I lining up and racing the car? Here in IA where you are not subjected to much strop and go gridlock traffic, the M7 would be simply more fun, even if it means you might be a tiny bit slower than the guy in an A8 C7.

alienranch

Drive them both.

axr6

I've been having the M vs. A dilemma and finally yesterday I decided and purchased a car with the 8sp auto in a non-Z51 coupe. Reasons being; the overall gear ratios of the A8 are actually slightly more performance oriented than even the Z51 7sp. Also, the A8 shift faster and is much easier to drive fast. You can use 100 percent left-foot braking that helps a great deal with cornering. The Manual requires a lot higher skill set even with rev matching.

I used to enjoy driving manuals with advanced heel&toe technique and raced them for decades in various SCCA classes. Now, I got 4 performance cars and all 4 of them are paddle shift autos. It is a changing world :-).

WKMCD

This is my first auto tranny vette. About 10% of the time I wish I had the M7. The other 90% of the time I'm glad I have the auto. When I want to play, I use the paddle shifters or let the performance mode shifting kick in. The latter being a very cool feature of the auto.

Mike Campbell

Amen to that! I loved my M6 C5 and it was a rocket and great fun to drive....except 1): when I'd get stuck in heavy traffic or 2): when I'd miss a shift at the strip trying to catch an automatic that crushed me with a hole shot and 3): when my clutch crapped out and I had to get towed in for a new one. Been a different world since then.

BarneyZ

I prefer the manual, but if my car was my DD or I routinely drove in heavy traffic I would probably cave and go auto. A couple of points about the new 7 speed that frequently go unrecognized:

The emergency brake is now electronically controlled by a switch on the console. It sets every time with just the flip of the switch. It releases automatically as soon as it senses a "tug", either in a forward or reverse gear. This is a huge improvement over the old manual e-brakes.

Unlike prior manuals, the cruise control stays set at the programmed speed when you shift.

The relationship between the gearing and torque curve has dramatically changed with the C7. This is hard to explain and difficult to appreciate until you've experienced it. Essentially, the car is "more comfortable" accelerating without lugging over a wider range of speeds/rpms in any gear. Maybe someone else has a better way of putting it.

Some don't care for the rev-matching feature but I really like it, particularly when downshifting.

JMHO's

mracer14

It's a CORVETTE !!! 7 Speed Manual !!

Theta

This belongs in General, next to the (easily) 50 previous threads.

Best of luck with your decision, OP.

LrgZ51

Are you planning on tracking it, and if so, in hot conditions? I saw a thread here somewhere that the auto will run hotter on the track (and not just the box itself but engine also), and that the design spec for ambient temperature at the track was 30C (86F). Hotter than that and the auto will overheat before the manual.

rmorin1249

If most of your driving is not in traffic and you like to row the gears, get the manual.

Corgidog1

Get the manual and read the manual.

C2367

If your on a budget and can't afford the extra cost for the Auto then get a 7 speed, if not get a 8 speed, the auto would help for resale, most buy auto. The auto would be the best for the 1/4.

Bavaria

My Corvette is manual, my DD is automatic (best of both worlds). The car I choose depends on conditions. Rush hour traffic - automatic; open roads - manual.

C7-Beast

M7 all the way. I just don't like auto's at all. Not on any car.

docprego

I'm frankly a bit intimidated by the 7 speed. More than one review mentions how it's quite easy to go from 4 to 7th unintenionally.

Am I worried about nothing?

C7-Beast

Yes, drive it for a few miles and you get used to it. I have not gone from 4th to 7th yet. I do intend to swap the shifter to an MGW just due to personal preference. I like the bolt action feel of the MGW but the C7 M7 is better than the C6 M6. The shifter itself looks identical to the C5 and C6 sticks.