6Speed vs Auto?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 877
Likes: 0
From: Feasterville PA
Originally Posted by craig04c5
It amazes me how many people that buy a sports car and then get an automatic.
Some people don't want to be bothered with shifting gears....then again some people like impressing high schoolers by thinking they're cool by being able to shift gears. I'd take a well built auto with a good converter over a MN6 ANY DAY of the week.
Besides, the only thing matters is who crosses the finish line first
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,333
Likes: 1
From: VA
St. Jude Donor '03-'11
Originally Posted by FrostyZ28
Why? Does that make it "less" of a car? If that's the case I guess half the fast automatic cars out there are somehow less than a car with a 6-speed.
Some people don't want to be bothered with shifting gears....then again some people like impressing high schoolers by thinking they're cool by being able to shift gears. I'd take a well built auto with a good converter over a MN6 ANY DAY of the week.
Besides, the only thing matters is who crosses the finish line first
Some people don't want to be bothered with shifting gears....then again some people like impressing high schoolers by thinking they're cool by being able to shift gears. I'd take a well built auto with a good converter over a MN6 ANY DAY of the week.
Besides, the only thing matters is who crosses the finish line first
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 877
Likes: 0
From: Feasterville PA
Originally Posted by 99C5Vert
if you take the bus, you won't have to steer or brake either
The fact is it's personal preference....but whoever wins the race is what matters..who cares what trans the vehicle has.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,333
Likes: 1
From: VA
St. Jude Donor '03-'11
Originally Posted by FrostyZ28
True but a bus isn't fast
The fact is it's personal preference....but whoever wins the race is what matters..who cares what trans the vehicle has.
The fact is it's personal preference....but whoever wins the race is what matters..who cares what trans the vehicle has.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,012
Likes: 15
From: Jensen Beach FL
Originally Posted by FrostyZ28
Why? Does that make it "less" of a car? If that's the case I guess half the fast automatic cars out there are somehow less than a car with a 6-speed.
Some people don't want to be bothered with shifting gears....then again some people like impressing high schoolers by thinking they're cool by being able to shift gears. I'd take a well built auto with a good converter over a MN6 ANY DAY of the week.
Besides, the only thing matters is who crosses the finish line first
Some people don't want to be bothered with shifting gears....then again some people like impressing high schoolers by thinking they're cool by being able to shift gears. I'd take a well built auto with a good converter over a MN6 ANY DAY of the week.
Besides, the only thing matters is who crosses the finish line first
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 706
Likes: 0
From: Sterling VA
I'd go test drive a few and see what you think. I was going to get an A4 but after a nice long test drive and a couple fun launches and running through the gears on an MN6 with a really cool salesman I changed my mind and went with the sitck. Haven't regreted it once. You'll enjoy your C5 regardless of which way you decide to go.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,030
Likes: 289
From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
I have a Z06 6 speed (Z06's are all 6 speeds).
I myself could not imagine driving a car like this in an Automatic.
My friends who have Automatics tell me they wish they got a 6 speed because they mostly drive it on weekends.
If your Corvette will see mostly traffic days, then get an Auto... If not then get a stick for pure enjoyment.
Its up to you though...
Toque
I myself could not imagine driving a car like this in an Automatic.
My friends who have Automatics tell me they wish they got a 6 speed because they mostly drive it on weekends.
If your Corvette will see mostly traffic days, then get an Auto... If not then get a stick for pure enjoyment.
Its up to you though...
Toque
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 9,121
Likes: 1
From: Southeast Va.
Originally Posted by Sully C5
Seems like transmissions are not a factor.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 1
From: Longview Texas
It all boils down to your preference. I've had both and appreciated the cars for what they were - Corvettes. One (of many) things to think about - if you'll be driving in a lot of stop & go traffic, you may prefer the auto. Oddly, my wife prefers the 6 speed over the auto.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 12,952
Likes: 0
From: Greer SC
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by DAVS Y2K
Sully why do you even bother? The ones you are explaining this to are the tards who unintelligently say "real sports cars are manuals". You can't make a more juvenile statement than that. Any attempt to educate someone like this will be way beyond their level of comrehension.
I guess I find it annoying because many of these 'manual tranny only' drivers have never been on a race track, like every member of our local Corvette club...talk-the-talk but afraid to walk-the-walk. Then I think of all the laps that my lowly A4 has put in and also watching 'manual guys' blow shifts which cost them time & sometimes even worst. I think of all the cars that I pass on the track, just to hear this crap that A4's don't belong in Corvettes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 3
From: Orland Park Illinois
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Originally Posted by gkc501
real sports cars do not have automatic transmissions
Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 528
Likes: 0
If you're still in doubt after reading all of the previous posts, and before you commit, why not just fly down to SoCal and then try navigating the 405, the 91, the I-10, etc, between the hours of 5am-8am or between 3pm and 7pm, and you'll experience the actual benefits of owning a vehicle with an automatic transmission...especially if your C5 will be your 'daily driver'.
Unless driving in 'heavy traffic' is of absolutely no concern to you, then get an MN6 by all means...especially if you enjoy putting a C5 through its paces manually. Manual transmissions comprise half of the vehicles I own/have owned and each have their own pros/cons, and as a true automotive enthusiast, I love 'em all. BTW, I learned how to first drive 'stick' in a 'mint' 1968 Triumph 'TR250'...a 'sports car'.
Unless driving in 'heavy traffic' is of absolutely no concern to you, then get an MN6 by all means...especially if you enjoy putting a C5 through its paces manually. Manual transmissions comprise half of the vehicles I own/have owned and each have their own pros/cons, and as a true automotive enthusiast, I love 'em all. BTW, I learned how to first drive 'stick' in a 'mint' 1968 Triumph 'TR250'...a 'sports car'.
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
From: Chesapeake Virginia
I have a SOLUTION for you:
Get a maual transmission. Drive it for awhile and see how you like it. Later down the road you are going to want to do some performance mods to it. Then your going to get used to those performance mods and want do something more like a h/c package, supercharger, turbo, or nitrous. Once you do this you are going to need to replace the clutch. At this point in time you will know if you like the manual transmission or not. So if you dont like it swap it out for a rodney built auto tranny. Then all of your problems are solved.
Get a maual transmission. Drive it for awhile and see how you like it. Later down the road you are going to want to do some performance mods to it. Then your going to get used to those performance mods and want do something more like a h/c package, supercharger, turbo, or nitrous. Once you do this you are going to need to replace the clutch. At this point in time you will know if you like the manual transmission or not. So if you dont like it swap it out for a rodney built auto tranny. Then all of your problems are solved.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,064
Likes: 95
From: MI
If you are going to keep it stock/stock like, go with the M6/M12. Finding a clutch that shifts smoothly and can hold up to big power is difficult to say the least. Plus Big power+M12/M6+C5 Driveline = breakage/$. If you think you might want to add FI, then go with the auto. I converted my Z06 to an auto and haven't looked back. With the right turbo system/engine/convertor combo it is a pleasure to drive on the road and a beast on the track. You can control boost rampup with the boost controller and the torque convertor is more street than strip, so I'm willing to bet it could work on a road course.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,064
Likes: 95
From: MI
Originally Posted by ShooterMcgavin
Earl if you dont mind me asking....how much was that auto conversion? I know it was a good chunk of $$$