What do guys prefer, automatic or stick shift?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 115
From: Yelm Wa
My attraction to the early C3's, is partly due to the fact that I drive the car, unlike the newer cars, where it is more like driving a couch.
A major part of that driving experience is shifting the 4 spd., it completes the experience for me.
Automatics are fine..I've had a couple, but as long as I'm physically able, I'll stick with the 4 spds.
A major part of that driving experience is shifting the 4 spd., it completes the experience for me.
Automatics are fine..I've had a couple, but as long as I'm physically able, I'll stick with the 4 spds.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: Sayville New York
As far as re-sale, I think if you look at prices on Hagerty or other sites, they list the 4 spds as being higher than an auto.
Just have to throw this in there, got it off a post from another car site, and it is too funny not to use here...
"Driving an automatic is like artificially impregnating your wife, sure it gets the job done, but you're missing the best part".......
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
Several years ago I would have said manual only. However when I went looking for a vette the auto tranny vette was significantly more available. The one I have now was in great shape, but it was an auto. I wanted a stick but this one was in great shape, so beggars can't be choosers.
The stock TH-350 with stock stall converter was a pig of a combo. Strictly for grocery getting type driving.
So I put in a Th-350 with a shift kit and a high stall torque converter.
That made all the difference in the world.
Overhauled the motor gave it the HP it deserved.
Can't beat that shift. So hard into second that the tires spin. Love the squat it does when you shift from park to 3.
And after all I can shift it to the next gear when I want to, don't have to let it shift up automatically.
If HP is marginal the stick is the way to go. Works good for my DD Mazda3 and the wife's Mazda Miata. Miata, now there's a car that is under rated. That thing is on rails on the curves.
The stock TH-350 with stock stall converter was a pig of a combo. Strictly for grocery getting type driving.
So I put in a Th-350 with a shift kit and a high stall torque converter.
That made all the difference in the world.
Overhauled the motor gave it the HP it deserved.
Can't beat that shift. So hard into second that the tires spin. Love the squat it does when you shift from park to 3.
And after all I can shift it to the next gear when I want to, don't have to let it shift up automatically.
If HP is marginal the stick is the way to go. Works good for my DD Mazda3 and the wife's Mazda Miata. Miata, now there's a car that is under rated. That thing is on rails on the curves.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: California
[QUOTE=GRipp 73;1588279362]My previous two C3's were auto's, the current is a 4 speed and it is so much fun! But I gotta say, when you pull that C3 auto out of park and into gear and the rear ends drops down and says "I am ready to go", it is a great feeling.
So to me, they both have their merit.
You know I'm European and I'm kinda of picky, I all ways make statements that a person should know how to drive both "auto and manual"I been in a situation where I need an extra driver and all they know is automatic, so teaching your wife to drive manual it's a good idea.
So to me, they both have their merit.
You know I'm European and I'm kinda of picky, I all ways make statements that a person should know how to drive both "auto and manual"I been in a situation where I need an extra driver and all they know is automatic, so teaching your wife to drive manual it's a good idea.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
I pee sitting down and I drive a manual. Whether you drive an auto or a manual says nothing about how macho or feminine you are. If you feel driving an auto puts your manhood in doubt you aren't very secure in your manhood.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Although the conventional wisdom is that nowadays an automatic is faster than a manual transmission that isn't always the case. The manual trans 2015 Mustang is somewhere between 2 and 4 tenths faster (I don't recall the exact number) in the quarter mile than automatic trans car. And while automatic trans consistency is desirable for bracket racing, in older cars like the C3 the manual will be faster almost every time (other than where there is significant driver error in shifting the manual) even though it will often lose in bracket racing to the slower but more consistant automatic.
I pee sitting down and I drive a manual. Whether you drive an auto or a manual says nothing about how macho or feminine you are. If you feel driving an auto puts your manhood in doubt you aren't very secure in your manhood.
I pee sitting down and I drive a manual. Whether you drive an auto or a manual says nothing about how macho or feminine you are. If you feel driving an auto puts your manhood in doubt you aren't very secure in your manhood.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
That's my point. Whether you prefer an auto or a standard has nothing to do with whether you pee sitting down or standing up or how masculine or how feminine you are.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: California
My attraction to the early C3's, is partly due to the fact that I drive the car, unlike the newer cars, where it is more like driving a couch.
A major part of that driving experience is shifting the 4 spd., it completes the experience for me.
Automatics are fine..I've had a couple, but as long as I'm physically able, I'll stick with the 4 spds.
A major part of that driving experience is shifting the 4 spd., it completes the experience for me.
Automatics are fine..I've had a couple, but as long as I'm physically able, I'll stick with the 4 spds.
I also have a truck 6 gears manual and the feeling of shifting the 6th gear 70 miles or so is what makes me feel I have the control of the Beast, and that's not counting breaking with the engine down hill