What's Your Choice
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Fairfield County CT
I told my son he can take mine to his senior prom next year. Let's see if he can figure it out. He is part of a generation that has never touched a television, relying solely on remotes.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 557
Likes: 3
From: El Sobrante CA
I've learned that whenever you post a message, I find myself staring at your avatar. Something 'bout that red-head......
My 2 cents - adjusted for inflation:
Had I found the 'right Vette' with a stick, I would've bought it. But I found the 'right 'Vette' with an auto instead. Am I unhappy? No. Seems the 350TH works splendidly (for me) with that stock small block and whoppin' 180HP.
.
I've owned plenty of cars with sticks and I enjoyed those too. In fact my DD (dare I say it's a hybrid?
) is a 5 speed. Plenty fun to drive, especially after an hour in stop/go commute traffic and sore left leg. 
Now - for my definition of 'right 'Vette:'
One that could be purchased for below wholesale market, good bones, no deep rust, straight body, unbuggered components, some documented history, no-brokey motor or trans, issues fixable without having to rob a bank.
But enough about me.
Dan G>
My 2 cents - adjusted for inflation:
Had I found the 'right Vette' with a stick, I would've bought it. But I found the 'right 'Vette' with an auto instead. Am I unhappy? No. Seems the 350TH works splendidly (for me) with that stock small block and whoppin' 180HP.
. I've owned plenty of cars with sticks and I enjoyed those too. In fact my DD (dare I say it's a hybrid?
) is a 5 speed. Plenty fun to drive, especially after an hour in stop/go commute traffic and sore left leg. Now - for my definition of 'right 'Vette:'
One that could be purchased for below wholesale market, good bones, no deep rust, straight body, unbuggered components, some documented history, no-brokey motor or trans, issues fixable without having to rob a bank.
But enough about me.
Dan G>
Last edited by Capkunu; Nov 18, 2013 at 11:55 AM.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
This is one of those weird personal taste questions that has so many factors,
I used to believe that a real vette a real sports car for me had to be a convertible , have real side pipes and be a stick shift,
Through out the years I have owned and driven many stick shift cars and when all is said and done the "cool" factor of hunting for gears never trumps the luxury of having an automatic,
I hear people say a stick is more "performance" sadly in most all cases a person can not out shift/ shift a stick better than a correctly set up auto can shift.
I see people go to great pains to install newer gear boxes in older cars it seems their comes some bragging rights with a stick and I have to wonder how many people want a stick because they really do and how many are lemmings you know following the leader sticking lime in their Corona,
Well it's a persons personal choice but for me the pros of the auto way out weight the cons of the stick.
I used to believe that a real vette a real sports car for me had to be a convertible , have real side pipes and be a stick shift,
Through out the years I have owned and driven many stick shift cars and when all is said and done the "cool" factor of hunting for gears never trumps the luxury of having an automatic,
I hear people say a stick is more "performance" sadly in most all cases a person can not out shift/ shift a stick better than a correctly set up auto can shift.
I see people go to great pains to install newer gear boxes in older cars it seems their comes some bragging rights with a stick and I have to wonder how many people want a stick because they really do and how many are lemmings you know following the leader sticking lime in their Corona,
Well it's a persons personal choice but for me the pros of the auto way out weight the cons of the stick.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
That used to be the case but with modern computer controlled automatics an automatic transmission gets better gas mileage and is faster than a manual transmission - humans can't shift as efficiently as a computer. Ferrari hasn't sold a car with a manual transmission in a number of years.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Terrorizing Orange Cones
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 17
From: Northern CO
Mine was issued a 4-speed and I enjoyed it so much that I added another gear. Love the concept of the upgrade to the old classic.
I like clutch cars because they remind me of my "yute". Part of growing up then was learning how to motor somewhere by coordinating appendages and simultaneously moving controls to initiate (forward) motion. An automotive coming-of-age thing.
The complexity of automatics are fascinating and enjoyable too; they have their place in my needs.
The clutch just reminds me of earlier times when a simple car ride was a real treat, instead of riding the bus or hoofin' it.
Installed into something as sexy as our C3s and life is good.
I like clutch cars because they remind me of my "yute". Part of growing up then was learning how to motor somewhere by coordinating appendages and simultaneously moving controls to initiate (forward) motion. An automotive coming-of-age thing.
The complexity of automatics are fascinating and enjoyable too; they have their place in my needs.
The clutch just reminds me of earlier times when a simple car ride was a real treat, instead of riding the bus or hoofin' it.
Installed into something as sexy as our C3s and life is good.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 259
Likes: 6
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Carrollton TX
4-speed. It was kind of a deal breaker for me. While I have had cars with both I do prefer sports cars with a manual.
It is not necessarily faster, just a more "immersing" driving experience. You feel more connected to the car and the action of driving it. Plus I guess I just like to pretend I am McQueen in Le Mans while 16 year olds drive past me in V6 accords.
It is not necessarily faster, just a more "immersing" driving experience. You feel more connected to the car and the action of driving it. Plus I guess I just like to pretend I am McQueen in Le Mans while 16 year olds drive past me in V6 accords.
Last edited by Sharkwagon; Nov 18, 2013 at 04:34 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
I swapped a Richmond 5 speed in my 76 for the original TH350.
Best upgrade I've done IMHO for what I use it for. The car doesn't see traffic jams or much city driving so having a slightly heavy clutch isn't an issue.
Best upgrade I've done IMHO for what I use it for. The car doesn't see traffic jams or much city driving so having a slightly heavy clutch isn't an issue.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
I grew up with shifting gears. I always want a manual in all my cars since I prefer to be in control of which gear the car is in.. nowadays one can't even get a manual in a some cars/trucks. I know I am in the minority.
I had a 2001 6-speed vette and I had to drop and drop the price to just about the cheapest in the nation before anyone would consider it. I kept losing out to my competition with automatics. That 800$ transmission option cost me about 3000$ come selling time.
reality is, that if we want to grow the classic car hobby and bring in the younger crowd.. then Auto is what they will want..
this is all not currently true for the C3's.. see all the posts above.. but auto is prevalent in the custom car and restomod world.
I had a 2001 6-speed vette and I had to drop and drop the price to just about the cheapest in the nation before anyone would consider it. I kept losing out to my competition with automatics. That 800$ transmission option cost me about 3000$ come selling time.
reality is, that if we want to grow the classic car hobby and bring in the younger crowd.. then Auto is what they will want..
this is all not currently true for the C3's.. see all the posts above.. but auto is prevalent in the custom car and restomod world.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 259
Likes: 6
I grew up with shifting gears. I always want a manual in all my cars since I prefer to be in control of which gear the car is in.. nowadays one can't even get a manual in a some cars/trucks. I know I am in the minority.
I had a 2001 6-speed vette and I had to drop and drop the price to just about the cheapest in the nation before anyone would consider it. I kept losing out to my competition with automatics. That 800$ transmission option cost me about 3000$ come selling time.
reality is, that if we want to grow the classic car hobby and bring in the younger crowd.. then Auto is what they will want..
this is all not currently true for the C3's.. see all the posts above.. but auto is prevalent in the custom car and restomod world.
I had a 2001 6-speed vette and I had to drop and drop the price to just about the cheapest in the nation before anyone would consider it. I kept losing out to my competition with automatics. That 800$ transmission option cost me about 3000$ come selling time.
reality is, that if we want to grow the classic car hobby and bring in the younger crowd.. then Auto is what they will want..
this is all not currently true for the C3's.. see all the posts above.. but auto is prevalent in the custom car and restomod world.
