A4 v. MN6
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Instructor
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From: Hartsville SC
A4 v. MN6
In the classic, man v. auto arguement, what are extra cost of owning the MN6-maintance wise. I am reading that many C5 owners get 70k our of a stock clutch. Basically I am buying an 03-04 coupe in the next week or two, and because I will be keeping this car for the next 4-5 years and daily driving it until I am outa grad school I decided to go with A4, because I percieved there would be less hassle/costs down the road. How much fun am I missing out in, I live in Mt pleasant, SC, no real traffic problems, and most of the miles I put on the car will be highway cruising.
Im all ears, but on a last note, If I decided to go MN6, why not just get a Z for 3k more in price?
Im all ears, but on a last note, If I decided to go MN6, why not just get a Z for 3k more in price?
Instructor
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From: Austin Texas
Originally Posted by Ephedranator
Im all ears, but on a last note, If I decided to go MN6, why not just get a Z for 3k more in price?
Coming from an A4 driver, I would say that if you:
1. Don't have to worry about traffic congestion in your city.
2. Will be driving most of your miles on the highway.
3. You know how to properly and effectively use a manual transmission (so you don't rag out your clutch).
4. Can get a Z06 for a mere $3k more......
I think the choice would be obvious. I'd go with the Z06.
Instructor
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It's like they are two different cars, instead of the same car with a different transmission. A friend has the A4, and when I drive it I get the feeling I am in a nice sporty touring car. I have an MN6, and I feel like I am driving a sports car...much more involved driving experience.
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From: Hartsville SC
Originally Posted by Mile High C5
It's like they are two different cars, instead of the same car with a different transmission. A friend has the A4, and when I drive it I get the feeling I am in a nice sporty touring car. I have an MN6, and I feel like I am driving a sports car...much more involved driving experience.
I havent driven a stick in a while, I used to race dirt bikes, ride four wheelers, I just sold my 15ft fishing boat that ran 55mph with a tiller handle, I feel like I am a good driver with anything with an engine, that being said, I have been driving an auto truck for the last 4 years, and Im not too sure about "getting back into a stick" in my soon to be dream car: corvette. Maybe I should go rent a stick from hertz for a day or two and see if I get the feel back quick.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 924
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From: Atwater CA
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I LOVE my 6 speed, I drove several Corvettes before I bought mine and I knew I didn't want an automatic...
If you want to be one of the kuckleheads I see everyday with a cell phone glued to your ear, you better get an automatic.
BUT, you need to drive them both and make up your own mind!
If you want to be one of the kuckleheads I see everyday with a cell phone glued to your ear, you better get an automatic.
BUT, you need to drive them both and make up your own mind!
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Instructor
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From: Hartsville SC
I hate cell phones, I have a nextel phone, if I get an important call, I put it on speaker and seat it in the cupholder. Yeah, I know the MN6 would require some attention, but it would probably help keep me awake on late night highway drives....Almost fell asleep a few times in my truck over the past year or two.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 899
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From: Ex BX... Ex NJ... Hello CT!!! CT
Having driven both......
An MN6 stick is "fun" to drive and is very tempting to "get on it".... But driving an A4 is "practical", especially for me, when I get stuck in NJ traffic.
My advice is if you buy an A4, make sure you get the car dyno tuned and have the A4's shift points tuned too.... This way you can have the best of both worlds..... It sure worked for me
Good luck.............
An MN6 stick is "fun" to drive and is very tempting to "get on it".... But driving an A4 is "practical", especially for me, when I get stuck in NJ traffic.
My advice is if you buy an A4, make sure you get the car dyno tuned and have the A4's shift points tuned too.... This way you can have the best of both worlds..... It sure worked for me
Good luck.............
Thread Starter
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From: Hartsville SC
Originally Posted by NJ Vette Guy
Having driven both......
An MN6 stick is "fun" to drive and is very tempting to "get on it".... But driving an A4 is "practical", especially for me, when I get stuck in NJ traffic.
My advice is if you buy an A4, make sure you get the car dyno tuned and have the A4's shift points tuned too.... This way you can have the best of both worlds..... It sure worked for me
Good luck.............
An MN6 stick is "fun" to drive and is very tempting to "get on it".... But driving an A4 is "practical", especially for me, when I get stuck in NJ traffic.
My advice is if you buy an A4, make sure you get the car dyno tuned and have the A4's shift points tuned too.... This way you can have the best of both worlds..... It sure worked for me
Good luck.............
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Safety Car
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From: Jackson Tn
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
get a stick or you will regert it. it's a sports car damn it 
automatics were built for the ladies, lol
just kidding guys!
if you want to drag race it you can't beat an auto!
automatics were built for the ladies, lol
just kidding guys!
if you want to drag race it you can't beat an auto!
Last edited by vintage driver; Aug 25, 2006 at 01:58 AM.
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From: Hartsville SC
Originally Posted by dataporter
Z51 for sure. You can add the HUD, if the car doesn't have it for around $400
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Ex BX... Ex NJ... Hello CT!!! CT
Originally Posted by Ephedranator
And I assume I need to get the 3.15, along with z51???? Those the the make it or break it options, I think I can even go without HUD
I happen to have the Z51 and the performance 3:15 rear..... And I don't have a HUD, nor do I miss not having one either...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Hartsville SC
Originally Posted by vintage driver
get a stick or you will regert it. it's a sports car damn it
automatics were built for the ladies, lol
just kidding guys!
if you want to drag race it you can't beat an auto!
automatics were built for the ladies, lol
just kidding guys!
if you want to drag race it you can't beat an auto!
So what about long term costs? Eventual replacement parts MN6 vs. the small chance of entire replacement of A4. I plan on driving this thing to 100,000 miles, but it seems many others on the forum have gotten more mileage than that outa C5s.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Castro Valley State of Insanity
To me, driving an automatic Corvette is like having sex with a condom, your almost there, but not quite. Thats the answer I gave my wife when she asked me why I wanted an M6 car. The clutch in these cars are very easy on the left leg, wide gear selection, and a more positive feel between your right foot and the road, and how the car is handeling. Lets the driver determine which gear, and what rpm for any given situation, rather than a computer program. Go for 6, and don't look back. My .02.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Tucson Arizona
The cost for a clutch replacement is not bad. I wouldn't base any part of my decision on what the clutch would cost to replace. If you’re easy on the clutch it can last a long long time.
The money you save on gas in the next 5-6 years with the M6 will pay for the clutch 5 times.
The money you save on gas in the next 5-6 years with the M6 will pay for the clutch 5 times.
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From: Hartsville SC
Originally Posted by Gothikka
The cost for a clutch replacement is not bad. I wouldn't base any part of my decision on what the clutch would cost to replace. If you’re easy on the clutch it can last a long long time.
The money you save on gas in the next 5-6 years with the M6 will pay for the clutch 5 times.
The money you save on gas in the next 5-6 years with the M6 will pay for the clutch 5 times.
50-70k miles with gas going up.....I think your right on the math there. My good friend almost bought a z06, but said it was way too smooth and encouraged me to get a stick, bc vette trannys are silky. That being said, after 10,000 miles with a 724hp 03 cobra, he is getting rid of the cobra bc he just moved to atlanta and cant handle the traffic.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
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From: Northwest Iowa
Originally Posted by NJ Vette Guy
Having driven both......
An MN6 stick is "fun" to drive and is very tempting to "get on it".... But driving an A4 is "practical", especially for me, when I get stuck in NJ traffic.
My advice is if you buy an A4, make sure you get the car dyno tuned and have the A4's shift points tuned too.... This way you can have the best of both worlds..... It sure worked for me
Good luck.............
An MN6 stick is "fun" to drive and is very tempting to "get on it".... But driving an A4 is "practical", especially for me, when I get stuck in NJ traffic.
My advice is if you buy an A4, make sure you get the car dyno tuned and have the A4's shift points tuned too.... This way you can have the best of both worlds..... It sure worked for me
Good luck.............
Originally Posted by NJ Vette Guy
Well.......
I happen to have the Z51 and the performance 3:15 rear..... And I don't have a HUD, nor do I miss not having one either...
I happen to have the Z51 and the performance 3:15 rear..... And I don't have a HUD, nor do I miss not having one either...
j/k !!!!
Seriously, you won't be disappointed with an MN6. Better gas milage (about 30 on the highway for mine), and the added HP vs. drivetrain loss (for the Automatic) is proof.
Besides, turn the cell phone off when you are out in the Vette, you need some time for yourself to "get in the zone". Just you, the Vette, and George Thorogood
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: PA
Depending on how you drive / launch and ride the clutch, you shouldn't have any problems with the MN6 through 100k miles. Do a search on the forum, there have been a couple of poles and questionaire threads regarding the total miles before clutch replcaement.
That said, and NOT hijacking the thread, 50k miles and the clutch is oem and doing just fine.
The diff ratio is a standard 3.42 with the MN6, the MN12 on the Z06 is just a bit taller and I have zero experience with it. With the A4, there are 3 (I believe) different diff ratios.
I agree with most on here that the MN6 is the way to go, for all of the aforementioned reasons. Driving in Atlanta, well, I can see where an A4 would make life a lot easier, and keep your thighs the same size
That said, and NOT hijacking the thread, 50k miles and the clutch is oem and doing just fine.
The diff ratio is a standard 3.42 with the MN6, the MN12 on the Z06 is just a bit taller and I have zero experience with it. With the A4, there are 3 (I believe) different diff ratios.
I agree with most on here that the MN6 is the way to go, for all of the aforementioned reasons. Driving in Atlanta, well, I can see where an A4 would make life a lot easier, and keep your thighs the same size
Safety Car
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From: St Marys GA
Originally Posted by Ephedranator
In the classic, man v. auto arguement, what are extra cost of owning the MN6-maintance wise. I am reading that many C5 owners get 70k our of a stock clutch. Basically I am buying an 03-04 coupe in the next week or two, and because I will be keeping this car for the next 4-5 years and daily driving it until I am outa grad school I decided to go with A4, because I percieved there would be less hassle/costs down the road. How much fun am I missing out in, I live in Mt pleasant, SC, no real traffic problems, and most of the miles I put on the car will be highway cruising.
Im all ears, but on a last note, If I decided to go MN6, why not just get a Z for 3k more in price?
Im all ears, but on a last note, If I decided to go MN6, why not just get a Z for 3k more in price?
DBD