Automatic VS Manual
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Rome Italy
Automatic VS Manual
Ok boys need some opinions here....
Wich should I choose???Automatic or manual??
I am asking because i've never driven an automatic vette.... I've driven others automatic cars (just few because I am in europe and here we mostly use manuals) but none of thoose had a v8 in it....
Some say manual is better because you get better gas mileage and performance (specally if you plan modding the engine) but is off course less confortable, others say that with an auto you can have the pleasure of crusing as well good performance wich is not so far from a manual....
Assuming that i like some sport driving sometime but nothig special (make some wheelspin at the traffic lights when setting off) and I don't plan going to the track ever, but usually I am just going to cruise around "normally" ... Wich one is the best for me???
P.S. some say that cars with an auto trans get more torque to the wheels is that true??
Thanks guys!
Wich should I choose???Automatic or manual??
I am asking because i've never driven an automatic vette.... I've driven others automatic cars (just few because I am in europe and here we mostly use manuals) but none of thoose had a v8 in it....
Some say manual is better because you get better gas mileage and performance (specally if you plan modding the engine) but is off course less confortable, others say that with an auto you can have the pleasure of crusing as well good performance wich is not so far from a manual....
Assuming that i like some sport driving sometime but nothig special (make some wheelspin at the traffic lights when setting off) and I don't plan going to the track ever, but usually I am just going to cruise around "normally" ... Wich one is the best for me???
P.S. some say that cars with an auto trans get more torque to the wheels is that true??
Thanks guys!
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 466
Likes: 1
From: Laguna Niguel California
Ok boys need some opinions here....
Wich should I choose???Automatic or manual??
I am asking because i've never driven an automatic vette.... I've driven others automatic cars (just few because I am in europe and here we mostly use manuals) but none of thoose had a v8 in it....
Some say manual is better because you get better gas mileage and performance (specally if you plan modding the engine) but is off course less confortable, others say that with an auto you can have the pleasure of crusing as well good performance wich is not so far from a manual....
Assuming that i like some sport driving sometime but nothig special (make some wheelspin at the traffic lights when setting off) and I don't plan going to the track ever, but usually I am just going to cruise around "normally" ... Wich one is the best for me???
P.S. some say that cars with an auto trans get more torque to the wheels is that true??
Thanks guys!
Wich should I choose???Automatic or manual??
I am asking because i've never driven an automatic vette.... I've driven others automatic cars (just few because I am in europe and here we mostly use manuals) but none of thoose had a v8 in it....
Some say manual is better because you get better gas mileage and performance (specally if you plan modding the engine) but is off course less confortable, others say that with an auto you can have the pleasure of crusing as well good performance wich is not so far from a manual....
Assuming that i like some sport driving sometime but nothig special (make some wheelspin at the traffic lights when setting off) and I don't plan going to the track ever, but usually I am just going to cruise around "normally" ... Wich one is the best for me???
P.S. some say that cars with an auto trans get more torque to the wheels is that true??
Thanks guys!
Go manual. My biggest corvette regret was the auto. I tried for a long time to find one with the options I wanted, but eventually gave in.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 405
Likes: 1
From: Twinsburg OH
I would say it depends on the type of driving you do. Lots of stop lights in traffic the auto is nice. Cruising through twisty mountain roads the manual is more fun. It really comes down to what you want though I think the manual is more sports car feel and the auto is more of a cruiser feels.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,671
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
I tend to agree with Travis
. But why buy a Corvette without a stick? You buy a Corvette to enjoy driving. No, autos don't get more torque to the wheels. Autos are much more consistent in racing the 1/4 mile with average drivers. Now I'm old school and the only reason you put an auto in a Corvette is for women and commuters. (flame suit on).
. But why buy a Corvette without a stick? You buy a Corvette to enjoy driving. No, autos don't get more torque to the wheels. Autos are much more consistent in racing the 1/4 mile with average drivers. Now I'm old school and the only reason you put an auto in a Corvette is for women and commuters. (flame suit on).
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 22,209
Likes: 12
From: OBAMA IS HITLER
ahh on of my favorite threads.
the auto is for:
1. old ladies and little girls.
2. hardcore racercats living for every possible -0.01 et they can find.
3. folks with medical conditions that prevent them from shifting.
for the rest of us, we either already have a manual or are stuck wishing we did.
i don't wear flamesuits, fire away
the auto is for:
1. old ladies and little girls.
2. hardcore racercats living for every possible -0.01 et they can find.
3. folks with medical conditions that prevent them from shifting.
for the rest of us, we either already have a manual or are stuck wishing we did.
i don't wear flamesuits, fire away
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,671
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
You don't see threads doing the opposite of this do you? :
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1658006
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1658006
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Rome Italy
Well I live in city so I often find myself in really slow (stop and go) traffic and stoplights, I do highway too in the w-end (non too much) and I may be doing some mountain roads in the summer...
off course as everyone pointed all depends on the driving "needs" of the owner...
I've never driven a vette before so I needed to figure out if the lack of performance (if any) is that really bad between the 2.... (i don't really care about the fuel consumption thing).... I know it may be a little hard but if some of you have driven both transmissions It may be helpful to know what "felt" like
... (sorry about my english If I made some mistakes) 
Was now wondering.... what about an auto with a full manual valve body installed?? (auto trans + manual shifting)
off course as everyone pointed all depends on the driving "needs" of the owner...
I've never driven a vette before so I needed to figure out if the lack of performance (if any) is that really bad between the 2.... (i don't really care about the fuel consumption thing).... I know it may be a little hard but if some of you have driven both transmissions It may be helpful to know what "felt" like
... (sorry about my english If I made some mistakes) Was now wondering.... what about an auto with a full manual valve body installed?? (auto trans + manual shifting)
Last edited by mosquiton_001; Mar 27, 2007 at 07:40 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 22,209
Likes: 12
From: OBAMA IS HITLER
You don't see threads doing the opposite of this do you? :
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1658006
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1658006
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 8,991
Likes: 2
From: Hanger 18 Taxachusetts
ahh on of my favorite threads.
the auto is for:
1. old ladies and little girls.
2. hardcore racercats living for every possible -0.01 et they can find.
3. folks with medical conditions that prevent them from shifting.
for the rest of us, we either already have a manual or are stuck wishing we did.
i don't wear flamesuits, fire away
the auto is for:
1. old ladies and little girls.
2. hardcore racercats living for every possible -0.01 et they can find.
3. folks with medical conditions that prevent them from shifting.
for the rest of us, we either already have a manual or are stuck wishing we did.
i don't wear flamesuits, fire away
Heck, back in the early 80's I bought a 79 Z28, HAD to be a stick without AC. Who needs ac in a sports car, it just slows you down
Never make that mistake again.Even when I bought my present Vette I stopped to look at one on the side of the road. Turned out to be an auto and I turned my nose up at it but the guy told me to drive it anyway.
Eventually bought an LT1 auto and love it. Sure a stick is fun on occasion but not is daily city traffic so I'm happy with my decision.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 1
From: 2003 Points Champ Great Lakes Corvette Challenge; 2006/2007 Winner MSD True Street
Rome, Italy.
Been there plenty of times.
My wife has cousins in Naples.
Anyway, if you drive in the city ALOT you may want to think auto.
Traffic there is as bad as NYC.
If you drive on weekends, up the coast, or the country go stick.
It is a lot more fun.
My vette is auto 'cause I drag race it.
My OTHER cars (WRX, Audi) are stick because I DRIVE them.
Matt383
Been there plenty of times.
My wife has cousins in Naples.
Anyway, if you drive in the city ALOT you may want to think auto.
Traffic there is as bad as NYC.
If you drive on weekends, up the coast, or the country go stick.
It is a lot more fun.
My vette is auto 'cause I drag race it.
My OTHER cars (WRX, Audi) are stick because I DRIVE them.
Matt383
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Rome Italy
Thanks
The zr1 and z06 are the "almost race" models so it makes sense
Anyway i'm not gonna buy a zr1
I think I will look for an lt1 but to be onest even the l98 can be just fine for me... i really love low end torque 
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 22,209
Likes: 12
From: OBAMA IS HITLER
I used to think like this until I grew up
Heck, back in the early 80's I bought a 79 Z28, HAD to be a stick without AC. Who needs ac in a sports car, it just slows you down Never make that mistake again.
Even when I bought my present Vette I stopped to look at one on the side of the road. Turned out to be an auto and I turned my nose up at it but the guy told me to drive it anyway. Eventually bought an LT1 auto and love it. Sure a stick is fun on occasion but not is daily city traffic so I'm happy with my decision.
Heck, back in the early 80's I bought a 79 Z28, HAD to be a stick without AC. Who needs ac in a sports car, it just slows you down
Never make that mistake again.Even when I bought my present Vette I stopped to look at one on the side of the road. Turned out to be an auto and I turned my nose up at it but the guy told me to drive it anyway.
Eventually bought an LT1 auto and love it. Sure a stick is fun on occasion but not is daily city traffic so I'm happy with my decision.the auto takes the "sport" out of sports car.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 1
From: 2003 Points Champ Great Lakes Corvette Challenge; 2006/2007 Winner MSD True Street
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 94
From: Westfield MA
Reliability/Maintenance
The manual transmissions that are available for a C4 do not have the best track record, the 4+3, especially the early ones, have their issues and even the later 6 speeds do not appear to be bullet proof. The part that I really don't like about them though is that they are orphan transmissions used only in Corvettes, meaning finding someone to work on them could be difficult. It may not be a big deal of you do your own work or the Vette is a second car, but if you travel and have a problem away from home, an automatic would be easier to get serviced.
Certainly comes down to how you use the car........................
Certainly comes down to how you use the car........................
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Crystal Lake IL
I don't mean to keep beating the dead horse, but I think he wants to know more about performance. I don't know how true it is, but I heard that the LT1 auto was a hair quicker than the 6 speed cause the computer shifts faster than human. Reversed for the L98. Mine is a daily driver, so auto. If it wasn't, it would definitely be stick just for the fun of it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
Besides, everyone knows that automatic Vettes get more azz.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 22,209
Likes: 12
From: OBAMA IS HITLER
I didn't mean to offend the original poster. I just don't understand why people on here continue to debate these things. Hardtop vs. Convertible, Manual vs. Automatic, etc.. It's just a matter of personal preference. And then theres all the immature comments. "Girls drive automatics.." "Only a manual is a real sports car.." etc.. etc..
