Well stated! 
Are automatic C4's well....fun?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,129
Likes: 1
From: Pasadena CA
Nothing to do with C4s- your first car should be manual period. You should learn how to be part of a machine before the general retardation sets in 
Later, when you have a dull job with a horrendous commute in bumper to bumper traffic, then you can get an auto with a really good stereo
Later, when you have a dull job with a horrendous commute in bumper to bumper traffic, then you can get an auto with a really good stereo
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
You don't want a manual valve body, they are very expensive and the same effects can be had with a much less costly shift kit. A trans cooler, and a temp gauge should be installed. You can manually shift and hold gears with a simple shift kit. For more things to do a paddle shifter can be installed or a push button shift setup. I've been testing out a new setup with mine:
Testing at Road America:
So yes an auto can be fun but if you want a manual wait for it.
Testing at Road America:
So yes an auto can be fun but if you want a manual wait for it.
I would assume it's less than a ZF6 conversion..because if it was more I would hope you would just go ZF6 route.
But again, thats really cool. I'd actually love to have that.
Nothing to do with C4s- your first car should be manual period. You should learn how to be part of a machine before the general retardation sets in
Later, when you have a dull job with a horrendous commute in bumper to bumper traffic, then you can get an auto with a really good stereo
Later, when you have a dull job with a horrendous commute in bumper to bumper traffic, then you can get an auto with a really good stereo
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Florida
I've always been dead set on getting a manual first car ever since I was 13. Now that I'm the legal age to drive, I'm obsessed with C4's. The problem is, I can't find one with a manual transmission in my price range anywhere, except for the least desirable year, 1984 CFI. I'd really hate having an auto because I love the whole driving experience and the quirks of RWD. So should I sell out for the Corvette? I'm not sure if automatic trannys would be fun, do you guys enjoy them ? Or does it take away from the experience?
I'm a single guy who always has a sports car and a pick-up and they've all been bought used. For the sports cars, I'll only settle for a manual. I know I wouldn't be satisfied otherwise. For the truck or other daily driver type vehicle, I'll settle for an auto.
The auto will be easier in heavy traffic but the the manual, IMO, always gives better car control. That's aside from drag racing. I can't comment on that.
Manuals are not only more fun on twisty-windy roads but also are better for downshifting. I've never driven an auto that was as good as a manual for downshifting. I think when you manually downshift an auto, it always does it in a forced or abrupt way.
Plus, I think a manual is better for speed control. In the right gear, the manual car will slow better without braking by justing lifting off the accelerator. You can control your speed easier with just the throttle. I like driving in that smooth, non-sudden movement manner, without having to touch the brakes except when absolutely neccessary or in an emergency.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,966
Likes: 709
From: WI
It's not to bad in cost. You need a ratchet shifter plus co2 air ram and solenoids. I got a B&M ratchet shifter recently on Ebay for $60. It works pretty sweet, just press the buttons for up and down shifts. You can do extra and put a RPM box in there too. That you can set to auto shift at whatever RPM. That I use for drag race! I had one in a previous car with a full interior and with custom work you can blend it in.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 941
Likes: 10
If you want a manual, dont settle for a auto and not be happy.
I have a 87 Auto. Its a beautiful car which I really like. All my past C3's were manual. In fact in 57 years of driving, this C4 is the first auto I ever owned. I miss the 3 pedals on the floor. With a manual you and your car become more one.
8Valve
I have a 87 Auto. Its a beautiful car which I really like. All my past C3's were manual. In fact in 57 years of driving, this C4 is the first auto I ever owned. I miss the 3 pedals on the floor. With a manual you and your car become more one.
8Valve
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 3
From: Coatesville PA
Depends if your looking for the 6 speed or the 4+3. I know a lot say hey nothin wrong with the doug nash 4+3 but hey, I figure the rumors about it dont come from no where. If you keep looking manual vs auto prices arn't too different from what I've seen lately, but it is that much harder to find a manual. Myself, I waited and passed on many very very nice autos looking for a manual, more specifically an lt4(which tended to be that thousand or so out of my price range). I got my auto after looking for over a year because it was taken care of so well. GM putting all 4 gears vs 3 like most companies on the shifter is great. It gives you tons of control over your rpms, but shifting isnt so carefree and quick as it would be in manual, that is if you plan on not gernading your trans. That being said my next car, toy or not, WILL be a manual no matter how long I gotta wait for it. It really just isnt the same.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,381
Likes: 66
From: SF bay area C.A.
C4 of the Year Finalist
Shift kits are not expensive and you dont have to floor it to downshift, just shift. As far as a hard downshift , you wont get that if you feather the shift in with your gas pedal.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 9
From: Winston Ga.
Having been 16 and having been in the position of not having driven in metro Atlanta traffic for 20+ years I would get a manual too.
Now I own 2 autos and only drive the stick on weekends or occasionally to work.
Get what you want, but dont think because its an auto its not fun or is just for "old folks". That just makes me laugh knowingly when people say that!
Now I own 2 autos and only drive the stick on weekends or occasionally to work.
Get what you want, but dont think because its an auto its not fun or is just for "old folks". That just makes me laugh knowingly when people say that!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 9
From: Winston Ga.
Nothing to do with C4s- your first car should be manual period. You should learn how to be part of a machine before the general retardation sets in
Later, when you have a dull job with a horrendous commute in bumper to bumper traffic, then you can get an auto with a really good stereo
Later, when you have a dull job with a horrendous commute in bumper to bumper traffic, then you can get an auto with a really good stereo
At 16 the general retardation has been set in stone for at least 6 years. We all went through it! For me it lasted until I was about 25 and some say I am still retarded.
I agree though, get the manual while your young and learn to drive it. Everyone should know how to drive a stick. although when I was 16 and applied the same number or years to get an older Vette it would have been a midyear and those have NEVER been as cheap as the c4's are to kids today!
Wow if I had a 67 427 at 16 I would still be in jail for one reason or another
Last edited by jnealg; Sep 3, 2010 at 09:42 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,495
Likes: 3,298
From: Hartford WI
The rice boys tend to think that. In their case, it might be true since the auto sucks more power than stick and they only have a little power to begin with. We have much more.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 794
Likes: 2
From: Allentown Pa.
O.K. Here is my argument for a automatic. Put my 90 C-4 in first, floor it and " boom " go like hell, shift into second still flying low and then in third have even more fun. Then in normal driving you never have to shift. Also the previous owner had a shift kit installed in the car. Of course this stock C-4 is fast enough for this old man but then just buy what you like. All Corvettes are great . Allentown Ernie.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 233
Likes: 1
From: Parkersburg WV
I have an 84 with an automatic and it's a lot of fun, but I would say to be patient, that's the hardest thing when you're 16 and buying your first car. Try to drive several. There's a lot of other things to think about too, color, vert,..., wheels, dash, seats. Get a good deal so you don't loose your shirt if you want to change! Good Luck!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,742
Likes: 43
From: Color my life with the chaos of trouble.
If you want a 6 speed get one. It doesn't matter what a thousand other people think. It is your car and you ar ethe one driving it. There are a lot of people who love their autos with a lot of good reasons. That doesn't mean that I do or you do.
I do have to disagree with a few of you though. "Shifting" an automatic is not the same as shifting a manual. Again, I'm not at all knocking the automatics or even saying that one is better than the other. That is up to each person to decide for themself, but no matter what shift kit, etc you might have it isn't even close to the same thing.
I do have to disagree with a few of you though. "Shifting" an automatic is not the same as shifting a manual. Again, I'm not at all knocking the automatics or even saying that one is better than the other. That is up to each person to decide for themself, but no matter what shift kit, etc you might have it isn't even close to the same thing.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,742
Likes: 43
From: Color my life with the chaos of trouble.
Too dangerous? Depending on what year, it is nothing more than a 200-something horsepower car that is slower than many of todays family sedans. Would you say the same thing if you saw a 16 year old in a (faster) Cobalt SS? 
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
But I doubt it's faster than a C4 corvette...LT1 or not haha. Terrible thing about these "performance" FWD is that they don't have any traction in 1st, second, or third. 300+HP to the front wheels is awful when your car's weight goes to the rear of the car and the front lifts. Respectfully quick though.
Thanks for the advice though guys. I'm found a doug nash 86' I'm waiting for the guy to get back to me.
Last edited by charlesdarwin; Sep 3, 2010 at 11:41 AM.
