Auto VS 6-sp
Safety Car
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,524
Likes: 0
From: Burbs Illinois
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by spiderman
This is my 2 cents worth; if I'm going to own a sports car its got to be a manual. This is my 10th Vette and I've never owned a automatic yet and never will. Half the FUN is shifting!!! I can understand if its a dailey driver were there's tons of traffic. The column lock issues are very few and far between. Theres a recall on this and I had mine done. NO issues. Next, if your looking at performance, the 6-speed has it all over the auto. Check out the dyno posts for similar equiped vehicles, 6-speed vs. auto. The manual also gets better gas mileage. This is just my opinion, you need to look at how your going to driving yours.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
As an A4 owner even I have to agree that for pure fun the MN6 has to be the way to go. But......
Mines a DD and in Vegas traffic the A4 is just so much more gentlemanly. If you drop it to "2" you can recover some of the thrill; if you can find a free area
In fact in my case that wasn't my problem as it wasn't a choice between A4 and MN6. To get the sweet deal I had to chose between MN6 or the convertible. I made the right choice.
Mines a DD and in Vegas traffic the A4 is just so much more gentlemanly. If you drop it to "2" you can recover some of the thrill; if you can find a free area
In fact in my case that wasn't my problem as it wasn't a choice between A4 and MN6. To get the sweet deal I had to chose between MN6 or the convertible. I made the right choice.
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
I would get a Manual because all MN6/MN12 drivers are vastly superior drivers to the lowly automatic drivers 
this is my full race automatic, by the way...
this is my full race automatic, by the way...
Last edited by EG@EnglandGreen; Nov 27, 2005 at 10:38 AM.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 9,121
Likes: 1
From: Southeast Va.
Get what ya want. I test drove a manual before I purchased my '01 A4 and it took about 5 miles of shifting before I said..........."I think I'll order the auto." Nothing wrong with the manual and nothing wrong with the auto. But you will read completely ridiculous and immature statements in threads like this stating if it isn't a manual, then it isn't a sports car, etc. Like the old saying goes, different strokes for different folks!
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,515
Likes: 17
From: Keller, TX
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by RedWolf
A column lock bypass installation should calm your fears of the 6 sp. IMHO, your Vette should be an MN6. You will love running up through the gears.
Column lock issues shouldn't weigh into your decision. Buy what makes you feel best when you drive it.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 62,195
Likes: 28
Cruise-In II Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19
Damn.....all the Cali guys so far are wimps.....I gotta stick up for the studs here......go 6 speed! 
They may be right if all you're gonna do is sit on the freeway....but there are SO MANY great driving roads here.....you're in the PERFECT place for a 6 speed!
Whatever you decide on....take a look in the Pacific section of the forum....and look for the next SCMR (SoCal Mountain Run) and join us! You'll have the time of your life....and if you did choose a 6 speed you'll be forever happy you did!
They may be right if all you're gonna do is sit on the freeway....but there are SO MANY great driving roads here.....you're in the PERFECT place for a 6 speed!
Whatever you decide on....take a look in the Pacific section of the forum....and look for the next SCMR (SoCal Mountain Run) and join us! You'll have the time of your life....and if you did choose a 6 speed you'll be forever happy you did!
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Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,308
Likes: 1
From: The Beautiful Greater Bay Area California
Originally Posted by spiderman
This is my 2 cents worth; if I'm going to own a sports car its got to be a manual. This is my 10th Vette and I've never owned a automatic yet and never will. Half the FUN is shifting!!! I can understand if its a dailey driver were there's tons of traffic. The column lock issues are very few and far between. Theres a recall on this and I had mine done. NO issues. Next, if your looking at performance, the 6-speed has it all over the auto. Check out the dyno posts for similar equiped vehicles, 6-speed vs. auto. The manual also gets better gas mileage. This is just my opinion, you need to look at how your going to driving yours.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 12,952
Likes: 0
From: Greer SC
Cruise-In II Veteran
These threads always crack me up. Every time I beat a 'manual' at the track (road course) I think of the line 'sportscars must be manuals'. 
Get what you want but don't do it based on the comments by those who think the only Vette worth having is a manual. I have driven both over the years & I actually find I can focus more on my driving at the track in my A4.
Every time I beat a 'manual' at the track (road course) I think of the line 'sportscars must be manuals'. Get what you want but don't do it based on the comments by those who think the only Vette worth having is a manual. I have driven both over the years & I actually find I can focus more on my driving at the track in my A4.
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
Originally Posted by Chris@East Coast Supercharging
Do they even make Vettes in automatics ??? 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 9,770
Likes: 0
From: Sahuarita AZ
Originally Posted by Vet Interested
With the problems related to the column lock on 6 speeds and how it does not appear to be such a problem with the automatic, do any 6-speed owners regret getting a 6-speed?
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
From: "Second place is just the first loser" Edmond, Oklahoma
Originally Posted by Sully C5
These threads always crack me up. Every time I beat a 'manual' at the track (road course) I think of the line 'sportscars must be manuals'. Get what you want but don't do it based on the comments by those who think the only Vette worth having is a manual. I have driven both over the years & I actually find I can focus more on my driving at the track in my A4.
Every time I beat a 'manual' at the track (road course) I think of the line 'sportscars must be manuals'. Get what you want but don't do it based on the comments by those who think the only Vette worth having is a manual. I have driven both over the years & I actually find I can focus more on my driving at the track in my A4. tell it, bro...............have you guys never manually shifted an A4? .... sure, I enjoy grabbin 2nd gear coming out of a corner in a Z06 or running wot shifting like a wildman........... but in the end, my C5 A4 coupe with a LS6 in it (also 3.73 diff) has beaten 9 out of 10 real C5 Z06's at the 2 mile road course.......... and in stop and go traffic (cuz it's a daily driver), I can lazily sip my starbux, listen to some jams or talk to momma on the blackberry.
I've driven both - to each his own - my problem is that I WANT both! But that's just MY opinion...............peace out
craig
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 725
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by craigo
tell it, bro...............have you guys never manually shifted an A4? .... sure, I enjoy grabbin 2nd gear coming out of a corner in a Z06 or running wot shifting like a wildman........... but in the end, my C5 A4 coupe with a LS6 in it (also 3.73 diff) has beaten 9 out of 10 real C5 Z06's at the 2 mile road course.......... and in stop and go traffic (cuz it's a daily driver), I can lazily sip my starbux, listen to some jams or talk to momma on the blackberry.
I've driven both - to each his own - my problem is that I WANT both! But that's just MY opinion...............peace out
craig
To each his own. I own a 4 speed '69 roadrunner 4406pk with factory 4.10 drag pak rearend and its a lot of fun but I can't discount the performance of my C5 A4 corvette or my '70 superbird 440 commando with a 727 torqueflight automatic transmission because they can keep up and probably surpass the manual transmission. This is a personal decision and you just have to be happy with your choice and neither is really superior to the other! Just have fun and dont worry about this crap!!!!!!! I love making the tires chirp in every gear in my Roadrunner- All Four Gears!!!!! 
