Auto vs Manual
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 917
Likes: 17
From: Virginia
Auto vs Manual
I am sure this has been discused at length, but here it goes agian. Just wondering if there are any current owners who have OWNED both the A4 and the 6 speed manual. I am finding KILLER deals on autos all over, but the 6 speeds are a different story, at least from what I am finding.
I have owned an 03 manual, and sold it with under 7k cause I wasnt happy at all with it, and want to try another vette. While I like the Z06, I think I want to stick with a removable top. Just wanted to get some opinions on the trannys. I have lots of time in both 6 speed coupes, and Zs, but just a FEW miles in an auto. This is gonna be a daily driver...
I am still leaning strong towards the manual, but just wanted to get some more insight. Besides, the longer I wait, the better the deals seem to come, both on the C5 AND 6!
clk199
Feel free to post whatever, I appreciate all insight!
I have owned an 03 manual, and sold it with under 7k cause I wasnt happy at all with it, and want to try another vette. While I like the Z06, I think I want to stick with a removable top. Just wanted to get some opinions on the trannys. I have lots of time in both 6 speed coupes, and Zs, but just a FEW miles in an auto. This is gonna be a daily driver...
I am still leaning strong towards the manual, but just wanted to get some more insight. Besides, the longer I wait, the better the deals seem to come, both on the C5 AND 6!
clk199
Feel free to post whatever, I appreciate all insight!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 41,793
Likes: 153
From: Houston,Texas USA
My 99 was an automatic, and my 04 is a six speed. There are times when I miss the automatic, as in heavy traffic, and other time I enjoy the six speed. A lot of it depends on the way I feel. If I feel like driving, the six speed is great. If I feel like just going some place an automatic would be good. If I were to buy another Corvette, today it would be the six speed. Good luck with which ever you decide on.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,510
Likes: 240
From: Coconut Creek FL
I have had 2 C4's prior to my C5...one was a 6 speed, the other an auto and my C5 is an auto as well...there is nothing like the feel of hammering in 6 gears...except stop and go traffic never lets you get out of first or second! It was a great debate of mine on the C5 and I opted for an Auto...just because I like to drive it to work several days a week...and I got an incredible deal on it! so those two factors right there made the difference...if I get another vette...it would be a Z06...even though the roof is fixed...it's a power house! :-)
Good luck on your decison...if the price is right, it has everything you want...auto's can be every bit as fun to drive!
Good luck on your decison...if the price is right, it has everything you want...auto's can be every bit as fun to drive!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,722
Likes: 64
From: DFW Texas
CI 7-8 Veteran
CI 8 Car Show Winner
St. Jude Donor '07
ive owned a z51 coupe auto, it was my dailey driver at the time for 2 years, awsome car as it was my first vette and being on this forum i learned a undescribable amount of info,the removable top was nice but then i shifted over to a 04 Z and the difference was night and day and i have not even felt the need for a half vert since the day i bought the Z. i can truley say for a vette it has to be a maunal. i did offset the need for a daily driver and bought a 96 sunfire off the parents, now i insure the Z as a pleasure car and pay $60 insurance/ month for both cars. cant be any happier as a 27 year old sailor.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,772
Likes: 1
From: Tampa FL
dumb question IMHO .. it's a sports car even though mine's a DD i still opted for the manual and would do it every day of the week
manuals are just more fun.
and forget the torque converter comment ..
.. a) it's expensive as h*ll .. and b) you can still only beat them in a straight line, which isn't what the vette was made for.
manuals are just more fun.
and forget the torque converter comment ..
.. a) it's expensive as h*ll .. and b) you can still only beat them in a straight line, which isn't what the vette was made for.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 6
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08
Originally Posted by Tom/99
My 99 was an automatic, and my 04 is a six speed. There are times when I miss the automatic, as in heavy traffic, and other time I enjoy the six speed. A lot of it depends on the way I feel. If I feel like driving, the six speed is great. If I feel like just going some place an automatic would be good. If I were to buy another Corvette, today it would be the six speed. Good luck with which ever you decide on.
with all said above. Traffic at times is heavy and I enjoy my automatic. Yes, if I was to have another one, that is prob the "only" one thing I would want, six speed on a Z06! 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,819
Likes: 1
From: Toledo Ohio
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
A4 Vert. Only way for me to go. Try and drive a few more A4s, In heavy stop and go traffic. Makes great daily driver. Find whts right for you. Best of luck.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 793
Likes: 0
From: IN
Cruise-In VII Veteran
6-Speed is more fun imho. Once you have owned it for awhile you shift without even thinking about it. It took a good 6 months before I was really used to it, because I had never owned a stick before. Of course I live 5 miles from work with no traffic. I drove the 6-speed in Chicago stop and go traffic once, it was a pain in the butt. C6 should be getting the 6-speed AUTO soon, that would be cool. Hurst shifter helps too.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 299
Likes: 1
From: Coastal Sektor, Southern Province, Peoples Republik of Kalifornia
I live in the Southern Sector of the Peoples Republik oF Kalifornia and currently drive an A4...Because of the BRUTAL traffic, IF I used the car as a daily driver, it wouldn't even be close, the A4 would take it HANDS DOWN. HOWEVER, my joy rides are limited to the weekend, so that is why I am currently looking to trade up to a MN6...like an earlier post said it's sports car...nothing like going through all the gears on a sports car...the pure driving experience. How much traffic are you going to be sitting in??? Take my word on this, IF IT'S a lot, then get the A4, if not get the MN6. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 9,770
Likes: 0
From: Sahuarita AZ
The feeling here is pretty clear: if you intend on driving the car in traffic to work everyday, an automatic may be more convenient. If the car's just for fun, then you may enjoy the manual better. Both cars are capable of some excellent cruisin' - it just depends on where you're cruisin'. 
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 17,786
Likes: 4
From: Redsox, Pats, Celts & Bruins !!! Redsox Nation !!!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Alot was said above. It is all what you are going to use the car for. I live in the city and drive my car everyday. I had an M6, in traffic it sucks azz. Plus my wife also cannnot drive a manual, even though she hardley never drives the vette. I got the Auto for 2 reasons. City driving and if in an emergency my wife needs to drive the car.
Supporting Tuner
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 51,896
Likes: 39
From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Love my slush box. Rips the tyres in 1st, big rip 1-2, and chirp 2-3. Add a shift kit, stall, gears and reprogram your A4 and you will never go back to the left leg workout method of shifting.
Plus you never, ever have to change your clutch.
If you like constantly work a clutch, get a manual. If you like to shift, get an A4.
2 cents deposited.
EG
Plus you never, ever have to change your clutch.
If you like constantly work a clutch, get a manual. If you like to shift, get an A4.
2 cents deposited.
EG
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,402
Likes: 3
From: Raymore Mo
Different strokes for different folks. Get what ever you want.
I have an A4. Some days I wish I had an M6, and there are other days I'm glad I have an A4. Get what ever, but get a C-5 and you can't go wrong.
I have an A4. Some days I wish I had an M6, and there are other days I'm glad I have an A4. Get what ever, but get a C-5 and you can't go wrong.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 16,398
Likes: 0
My 01' Vert was a A4 and it was a fun car even with the 2.73 gears. My 04' is a 6-speed and I think I like it better. Sometimes with the automatic you can get into a "no-man's land" and the tranny won't downshift for you , that is what happens when you are limited to 4 gears as opposed to 6 gears.
One side note, if you do decide to get the A4, make sure the car has 3.15 rear gears, that make all the difference and keep you out of the no-man's land that I had with my 2.73's.
One side note, if you do decide to get the A4, make sure the car has 3.15 rear gears, that make all the difference and keep you out of the no-man's land that I had with my 2.73's.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 24,921
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville, TN
CI 3-4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude '03 thru '26
Originally Posted by 2000BSME
A4 Vert is the only way to go. Save the 6 speed until you can buy a second vette. A4!!!!
...MN6 or A4...
...coupe or vert...
...show or go...
Dang it, I just got both
Oh, and giving opinions is one thing, but saying this is a "dumb" question is not what this thread is all about and is what usually gets a "lockdown".
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 2
From: San Diego
Two cents more...
MN6 is the ticket traffic or not. Its a SPORTCAR!
I've driven stick cars for my whole life (~45 driving yrs) till I bought a used Cadillac a few years back. In fact before the Caddy I'd never had power windows or A/C. I like the fresh air and hated pwr windows that would shut down when you turned off the key (of course that's changed now).
The Cadillac STS is a nice luxury ride but no way would I want a Vette to feel that 'luxurious'. If Chevrolet still sold Vettes without A/C and power windows I would own a C5 6spd set up like that but alas, those days are gone forever I suspect.
A/C in a convert? Who would've thunk... too much! Heater, yes!
(Yes I'm still living in the past, hehee)
..rickko..
MN6 is the ticket traffic or not. Its a SPORTCAR!
I've driven stick cars for my whole life (~45 driving yrs) till I bought a used Cadillac a few years back. In fact before the Caddy I'd never had power windows or A/C. I like the fresh air and hated pwr windows that would shut down when you turned off the key (of course that's changed now).
The Cadillac STS is a nice luxury ride but no way would I want a Vette to feel that 'luxurious'. If Chevrolet still sold Vettes without A/C and power windows I would own a C5 6spd set up like that but alas, those days are gone forever I suspect.
A/C in a convert? Who would've thunk... too much! Heater, yes!
(Yes I'm still living in the past, hehee)
..rickko..