4 speed vs automatic different angle
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Western Washington
4 speed vs automatic different angle
I was reading the latest 4 speed vs auto thread and it got me thinking. (my wife hates it when I do that) Now 4 speeds are preferred by most but what about in the future. Our generation is aging and some already want autos because of health issues. The upcoming generations won't have the nostalgia we do and many don't even know how to drive a stick. Autos are rarer so in the future it just seems like there could be a different angle. Just thinking. Oh, I'm a 4 speed guy.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Limerick Pa
Most of the Rice burner/ Tuners are sticks and I have seen some pushing 700 HP. They will do the same as we did, just 40 years later. Then they will be low ridding George Jetsons car.
I am not sure how to do it but someone should start one of those polls 4sp or auto just to see whats preferred. Im guessing 25-1 sticks
I am not sure how to do it but someone should start one of those polls 4sp or auto just to see whats preferred. Im guessing 25-1 sticks
Pro
Joined: May 2000
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From: New Knoxville Ohio
Dad had a '66 convertible in Nassau blue with hdtp., black soft top, bright blue interior, A.C., teak, original K.O.'s and the automatic. I wish I had bought it when he sold it. It was such a nice drive. Last I heard the car was in the Chicago area. I know the ser. no. was around 19750. Wonder where she is. I could very easily be happy with that car!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: west babylon new york
all my cars are automatic;s but the other day i drove my friends 2008 pace car 6spd and what a blast ,no traffic just cruiseing arround for a few hours ,it brought back some good memeries but don;t know if i want a 6spd of my own
Team Owner
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Army
Le Mans Master
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Jim
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Le Mans Master
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From: Southeast Missouri
Not really . . . . . almost without exception throughout my career anytime we had problems with a system and tried the next time to make it idiot proof, eventually, along would come a smarter idiot . . . . Oh, and as far as the thread topic, as I've said before, if I only owned one it would be a 4-speed. But, when I opted for the second car, I made it an automatic. I like the option of being able to choose which one I drive, both are nice in their own way. Never drive a manual transmission in a parade of any length . . . . . . . .
Last edited by Ron Miller; May 17, 2010 at 09:38 PM.
Team Owner
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Army
Drove Toms_Silver_60s (Tom Blount) 200(something) - don't remember the exact year Z06 twice, once up to Daytona Turkey Run and back (3 hour run)...never drove a car so forgiving about which gear you stuck it in. Seems like it pulled away nicely no matter how miserably you treated it.
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; May 17, 2010 at 11:32 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2003
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Auto -vs- Stick all depends on what you're using the car for. If its a weekend toy, 4 speed all the way. If its a daily driver with a rush hour commute I'd opt for the auto, which is what I did in the 2010 GS I have as a daily driver right now. I'd also opt for an automatic if I planned on using the Vette as a parade car. As Ron says, "Never drive a manual in a parade of any length" . . . . unless of course you've always wanted to replace a clutch and build up the muscles in your left leg. Since my '65 is a weekend toy and never sees the stop and go of rush hour traffic or any parade duty, its a 4 speed.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Western Washington
I wasn't thinking about our generation that grew up with them. I was just tossing around thoughts on changes in what will happen in the next 20 to 30 years. ( I want to drive mine when I'm 90 but not sure that will happen)
Skip Shift
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,031
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From: Citrus Hills, Florida
I sure love a 4spd and remember how much fun they were to drive growing up.
In 1999 I purchased a new Corvette Conv. with a 6spd. Great car but I could not handle the clutch pedal due to injuries to my left leg years ago. Sold the '99 after a year. So, I opted to buy a 58 Powerglide equipped car and have never looked back.
Saved some money, and can still enjoy painless cruising.
Still trying to figure out the best entry and exit strategy though...
Fred
In 1999 I purchased a new Corvette Conv. with a 6spd. Great car but I could not handle the clutch pedal due to injuries to my left leg years ago. Sold the '99 after a year. So, I opted to buy a 58 Powerglide equipped car and have never looked back.
Saved some money, and can still enjoy painless cruising.
Still trying to figure out the best entry and exit strategy though...Fred
7th Gear
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 7
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From: Monte Carlo Monaco
I'm going to switch to an auto, but keep the manual in a box!
Hi all, where I live we have a lot of very twisty roads and very over zealous police. In short i tend to drive more sedately than i would like and rarely get out of second.
For the sake of convenience and to increase the pleasure i get from the car, i am going to switch to an automatic box. This might drop the value, so i will keep the original parts and offer them for sale with the car if i ever sell it. For me that is the best of both worlds and makes sense.
Does anyone have any advice about where, and what to get in terms of auto box? I am in Europe so i will have to ship the box in and get it fitted locally.
For the sake of convenience and to increase the pleasure i get from the car, i am going to switch to an automatic box. This might drop the value, so i will keep the original parts and offer them for sale with the car if i ever sell it. For me that is the best of both worlds and makes sense.
Does anyone have any advice about where, and what to get in terms of auto box? I am in Europe so i will have to ship the box in and get it fitted locally.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 41,792
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From: Houston,Texas USA
After having three Corvette's with automatic transmissions, I thought I would try one with a manual transmission. It is far better on gas, which is one of the reasons I bought a Corvette for in the first place. My next one, if I ever buy another Corvette, will also be a manual transmission car. I am getting right at 20 mpg around town, and break 30 mpg on the road.
Last edited by Tom/99; May 18, 2010 at 09:03 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Puget Sound
Mine is in 6th, anytime I'm over 40mph.
After having three Corvette's with automatic transmissions, I thought I would try one with a manual transmission. It is far better on gas, which is one of the reasons I bought a Corvette for in the first place. My next one, if I ever buy another Corvette, will also be a manual transmission car. I am getting right at 20 mpg around town, and break 30 mpg on the road.
After having three Corvette's with automatic transmissions, I thought I would try one with a manual transmission. It is far better on gas, which is one of the reasons I bought a Corvette for in the first place. My next one, if I ever buy another Corvette, will also be a manual transmission car. I am getting right at 20 mpg around town, and break 30 mpg on the road.
6th gear is the same as a typical 4 speed with 1.90 rear end gears. Certainly not the combination for low speed acceleration.
Frank is correct,they are very forgiving which gear you're in but 6th is for the open road only.
I've only had 1 Corvette with an automatic, the other 15 were manuals. If I were to buy a C6, doubtful
,it would be an auto with the paddle shifter.Jim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Southeast Missouri
If I'm gonna own a late model Corvette, it's absolutely gonna be an automatic.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
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I was reading the latest 4 speed vs auto thread and it got me thinking. (my wife hates it when I do that) Now 4 speeds are preferred by most but what about in the future. Our generation is aging and some already want autos because of health issues. The upcoming generations won't have the nostalgia we do and many don't even know how to drive a stick. Autos are rarer so in the future it just seems like there could be a different angle. Just thinking. Oh, I'm a 4 speed guy.
I think the Corvette of every generation will be popular because it is a Corvette. Many who drive the new ones will want that connection with the older generation to try to understand what the fuss was about. I do, however, think that the car culture of old has lessened somewhat. That is what will reduce interest in the corvette - and all collector type cars - in the future. It's not that they won't care about Corvettes; they won't care about any cars.
Race Director
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