Do Automatic Corvettes really suck?
Pro
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 671
Likes: 171
From: Birmingham, Alabama
My preference has always been a manual. Took me awhile to find my 1995 manual though due to low production numbers. I almost caved a couple times, but I knew I would be miserable with an auto. I've been driving 25 years and have never been without a manual transmission. For me, they are much more fun to drive and I feel more connected to the car.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,974
Likes: 261
Serious question. Can you say for certain that you don't care what the other boys think of your car? If you cannot, don't buy an auto or you will be miserable when the other boys make fun of your "slush box", "dogamatic", etc, etc. BTDT with a couple of friends with "not true" sports cars who wish they had bought a stick shift, basically to please the other boys.
I guess, what is fun, assuming the above statement is true, really depends on you. Was it more fun for me to shift gears on a "real bike" or have a semi auto trans like the wife's Spyder? Your call. Whatever you do, it is pretty much permanent unless you are willing to make major changes and why bother? Might as well sell the thing and get something you want at that time.
I guess, what is fun, assuming the above statement is true, really depends on you. Was it more fun for me to shift gears on a "real bike" or have a semi auto trans like the wife's Spyder? Your call. Whatever you do, it is pretty much permanent unless you are willing to make major changes and why bother? Might as well sell the thing and get something you want at that time.
I love this
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,427
Likes: 3,277
From: Hartford WI
Think about it. Seen so many that are so concerned about what the other boys will think of them if they don't have a manual in their "sports car", whatever the boys;s definition is of such vehicle, it's funny.
Last edited by aklim; Apr 16, 2019 at 03:15 PM.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 389
Likes: 77
What SUCKS more than having an “automatic corvette” is coming in 2nd when you pull up next to one with STALL and GEARS at a stoplight or track in your manual and you get a nice view of its taillights as you’re having fun shifting 
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 600
From: Question Government
The main reason one would want a manual over an auto trans is if they plan on racing it, or just have "happy feet" and really luv to shift.
Last edited by RetroGuy; Apr 16, 2019 at 06:58 PM.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,427
Likes: 3,277
From: Hartford WI
Being last is a possibility regardless if the other guy is better prepared than you.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,427
Likes: 3,277
From: Hartford WI
OTOH, "VROOM! VROOM!" sounds are more realistic sounding with manual
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 240
Likes: 51
From: Putnam County NY
Bought my 95 6-speed coupe first, I really love to drive it but my wife didn't want to try. She really wanted a Corvette so I bought the second 95 auto vert and she loves it. I must say that driving either one is a blast but I personally prefer the manual...
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,427
Likes: 3,277
From: Hartford WI
Congrats on your mastery of the steering part. If I had that mastery, I'd definitely want to move up to the big leagues doing both steering and driving. Done manual on both cars and motorcycles. Wasn't quite the glamour it was made out to be.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,974
Likes: 261
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bunbq12rUVM
Think about it. Seen so many that are so concerned about what the other boys will think of them if they don't have a manual in their "sports car", whatever the boys;s definition is of such vehicle, it's funny.
Think about it. Seen so many that are so concerned about what the other boys will think of them if they don't have a manual in their "sports car", whatever the boys;s definition is of such vehicle, it's funny.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 60
Likes: 1
From: St. Augustine FL
Hey jgalfo, how'd that effect ur rpm's,overdrive,gas mileage, etc.....in other words does it make the car more like a short distance race car or can you still cruise higher speeds relatively decent rpm's. Also how much did it cost for the change over? If you did it yourself do you have an idea what it would cost me to pay a mechanic to do the job....plus the rear obviously?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,974
Likes: 261
Hey jgalfo, how'd that effect ur rpm's,overdrive,gas mileage, etc.....in other words does it make the car more like a short distance race car or can you still cruise higher speeds relatively decent rpm's. Also how much did it cost for the change over? If you did it yourself do you have an idea what it would cost me to pay a mechanic to do the job....plus the rear obviously?
If you have TPI get a 3.54. If you have a series 2 carrier or 2.xx gears you'll need a thick gear set and rebuild kit. If you have a 3.07 gear stock you can get a series 3 gear and go lower if you wanted. If you have an LT1 get 3.73 If you do a 96 s10 stall it is cheap and fun. Of course MPG gets lower, you will need a speedo gear, and rhaving this work done is VERY expensive on a c and many shops won't do it anymore. Probably cheaper to buy a new or rebuilt rear end.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 60
Likes: 1
From: St. Augustine FL
It's a 94 coupe base LT1. Completely stock no mods whatsoever. I'm not sure what gears I gave in it now, someone on this site told me it would be on the SPID sticker somewhere on the car but I can't find it. I'm just gonna assume I have 2.59 . Would a change to 3.07 be more logical,cheaper and more importantly little more fun. It's my first Vette ever and I'm not complaining or nothing but even with the ASR off I can't even do a hole shot. I'm gonna be 50 this year so I'm not looking to beat the snot out of her....... Just wanna have a little fun is all. It's a car I only plan on using it perfect weather other then that it's in storage
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,648
Likes: 1,059
From: N.E. Ohio OH
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
my '96 has the Z51 option and the optional 3.07. it is reasonably crisp to drive, and still gets decent mileage and isn't spinning the rpm's up as we do a lot of highway driving due to where we live