6Speed vs Auto?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
From: Lawrence Kansas
6Speed vs Auto?
Alrighty guys. I need some input on this debate. I have been talking with a good buddy of mine about whether I want to try and look for a 6speed or an automatic when I start looking for a C5 Coupe. I have a 89 Mustang GT thats a 5-Speed, that I will be keeping for strictly 1/4 Mile running. So, he is telling me since I have that car to abuse at the track, that I should look for a Auto in the Vette. The Vette will strictly be a fun weekend car, evening go out to eat car, car shows, etc etc. I am almost 99.9% sure it wont see the 1/4 mile. So...... what do you guys thing? List up some Pros and Cons of each for me, or some reasons as to what to get. I would greatly appriciate it. Thanks alot! Everyone is always so helpful here, which is helping my search for a Vette!
Kyle
Kyle
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 12,952
Likes: 0
From: Greer SC
Cruise-In II Veteran
There's not right or wrong, it's all about personal preference. If you have the need to shift, enjoy going throught the gears, then get the MN6...if not the A4 is fine. The MN6 (for a couple of reasons) is faster than the A4, but both are fast, fun cars to drive. I have an A4 and race it on road courses. C5's are just great cars!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
if the car was a 1/4 mile car I would say A4.
If it was a Road race car I would say MN6.
If it is neither then I would go with what you like the most - of course real sport cars are MN6
J/K all you A4 owners
If it was a Road race car I would say MN6.
If it is neither then I would go with what you like the most - of course real sport cars are MN6
J/K all you A4 owners
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 1
From: Hollywood Md
Since I am fortunate enough to have both, let me say that you shouldn't let either be a deal breaker if you find the "right" car. Both trannies are a blast to drive. As to which is faster...that debate will never end!
Good Luck with your search.
Good Luck with your search.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 1,271
From: Central Ma
I think I would opt for the auto if it was my DD, especially in high traffic situations. It does not sound like that will be the case for you.
I have the six speed and love it.
I would say, get the six speed.
I have the six speed and love it.
I would say, get the six speed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,222
Likes: 0
From: Mayfield kentucky
Originally Posted by cenzo
Since I am fortunate enough to have both, let me say that you shouldn't let either be a deal breaker if you find the "right" car. Both trannies are a blast to drive. As to which is faster...that debate will never end!
Good Luck with your search.
Good Luck with your search.
Same here a 98 pace car 6 sp and a 97 couple a4 love the drive both.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,594
Likes: 959
From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
I just bought my C5 two weeks ago and it has the 6 speed. I actual had in my mind that I was going for the A4, because it was going to be a weekend driver and not raced. However when I found the one I have it was like it just came off the showroom floor with only 25k miles (it is an 01). I had look at quite a few both MN6 and A4, but once I found this one, the 6 speed was not a deal killer. I looked at the whole package. In fact my wife does not like a manual trans, but she agreed that becauce of the condition of this car we needed to go for it.
Good luck and buy what you feel is best for you.
Good luck and buy what you feel is best for you.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,509
Likes: 240
From: Coconut Creek FL
My 97 was an A4- I loved it and it was pretty much like you said "weekend car" etc...I did a few nice mods to it to give it a little bit more HP (Intake and LT headers) now I have an 00 MN6- and to be honest, it feels SOOOO much better! not because its newer with considerably less miles, but because its a 6 speed! It is my daily driver, traffic, highways you name it...I LOVE it...would I consider an A4 again?? perhaps...but I wouldn't bat an eye at a 6 speed again! I thought I would hate it in traffic etc...but it is so much fun to drive I don't think about it...couple this with a Corsa Indy catback and a few down shifts...and the smiles last for miles!
But you should get what you feel comfortable with...I do get better gas mileage with it as well...
But you should get what you feel comfortable with...I do get better gas mileage with it as well...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 961
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque NM
It's all about personal preference -
My wife bought me a new A4 as a surprise. I got "bored" with it after a couple of years, but couldn't make myself sell it as it was a gift from her. I spent $$$ converting it into an MN6!
Gordon
My wife bought me a new A4 as a surprise. I got "bored" with it after a couple of years, but couldn't make myself sell it as it was a gift from her. I spent $$$ converting it into an MN6!
Gordon
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 805
Likes: 54
From: Murrieta CA
I had an auto in my previous car ('02 Mustang GT) and really regretted it. Didn't make the same mistake with the Vette. I've had it for over 2 years now and love every shift. However, I drive in very little traffic so that helps. If I drove in a lot of traffic I might have opted for the A4.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 661
Likes: 0
From: Flemington NJ
I personally wouldn't buy a "sports car" that I couldn't shift
, just can't match the "feel' and control you have with a stick vs an auto...then again I'm only 24 and don't mind rowing the gears
It's the same as everything else...do what you like and don't worry about what everyone else says to do, at the end of the day it's your car and you have to drive it
, just can't match the "feel' and control you have with a stick vs an auto...then again I'm only 24 and don't mind rowing the gearsIt's the same as everything else...do what you like and don't worry about what everyone else says to do, at the end of the day it's your car and you have to drive it
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,333
Likes: 1
From: VA
St. Jude Donor '03-'11
unless you have back pain or another good reason to not want to shift, go with the 6 speed. As manual tranny cars go, this is the easiest to drive in traffic... you can eaily chug along at 1000 rpm in 3rd and gently accelerate to keep up with traffic.
A couple of months ago I had to borrow my nephew's 4 cyl. accord. I think I shifted at least 3 times as much as I do with the vette in traffic. That was annoying.
A couple of months ago I had to borrow my nephew's 4 cyl. accord. I think I shifted at least 3 times as much as I do with the vette in traffic. That was annoying.
