Automatic Corvettes...
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 179
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 66,408
Likes: 2,058
From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
I hear guys ripping through gears all the time and some of them don't sound smooth at all. Who would replace the clutch on a Vette that they are selling? Yea, I want to acquire someone else's headache. That's why I wouldn't buy a high mile MN6 and a low mileage one cost more than I would spend. As far as the driving experience, I could have the best of both worlds by simply putting a ratchet shifter in my A4. However, I have a ratchet shifter in my daily driver and the only thing it has done for me is cause me to drive faster when I use it. Not a good reason in my book.
Frankly, I'm a cruiser. I want to drive by people slow enough to get a dental exam. That kind of driving doesn't require a MN6 in order to "feel" the experience. It only requires a empty passenger seat for all the babes who wanna ride.
My car is a Grand Tourer
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Shawnee Kansas
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 469
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City Utah
Heres my take on this sensitive subject.
Most people get auto because they cannot drive stick or do not want to put up with stick in traffic.
1. It only takes a day to learn to drive stick. 1 week of practice to learn "stopping on a hill" 2 weeks later its 2nd nature.
2. Really, how often are you in bumper to bumper traffic honestly? very rarely, so its not enough to justify that reason. and this car wasnt designed to be a daily driver, grocery getter, commuter car.
With any sports car, you are not experiencing the true potential of one unless its a manual....no matter how you slice it
Most people get auto because they cannot drive stick or do not want to put up with stick in traffic.
1. It only takes a day to learn to drive stick. 1 week of practice to learn "stopping on a hill" 2 weeks later its 2nd nature.
2. Really, how often are you in bumper to bumper traffic honestly? very rarely, so its not enough to justify that reason. and this car wasnt designed to be a daily driver, grocery getter, commuter car.
With any sports car, you are not experiencing the true potential of one unless its a manual....no matter how you slice it
There is only a slight difference between an auto and manual 0-60 times, the difference in the 50-60's were greater, but not now. Get want you want, I love my A4.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 1
From: Littleton Colorado
well, since you asked......
1. i didnt know how slowly the auto downshifts.
2. i didnt know how slowly the car excelerates when you are at certain speeds.
3. i didnt know that i would take interest in a little recreational road coarse racing.
4. i didnt know that i would have this particular vette for so long and put so much money into it.
that's all i've got.
1. i didnt know how slowly the auto downshifts.
2. i didnt know how slowly the car excelerates when you are at certain speeds.
3. i didnt know that i would take interest in a little recreational road coarse racing.
4. i didnt know that i would have this particular vette for so long and put so much money into it.
that's all i've got.
For 1/4 and street, the A4 is king, they take way more power for longer and are faster. But, your right about road course racing, the A4's overheat and its not a problem that can really be solved
But the advantage is that you can concentrate more on just driving than shifting when you first start out. Just shift it and it will do well, I shifted just about as much as any other car on the track...That said, I'm attempting a swap to mn6, mostly because of the heat issue. That and I do perfer a manual in general.
The A4 IMO is not a dis-advantage, it has its place. Its what you want and want to do
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
I have a Automatic and I prefer automatic over manual. Its preference. Once i get a z06 then obviously, that will be manual. But for now, im happy with my automatic and I definitely wouldnt enjoy traffic if i owned a manual, given that i live in LA. Its preference. AT the end of it, you are the one paying for the car, no one else. So its your choice haha.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,787
Likes: 6
From: Winchester TN
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Hi RichEd223 -
I can tell you from the experience of an owner of one of each -
I have a 2002 Z06 and a 1999 A4 coupe.
The A4 coupe is a fun car by any standard EXCEPT when compared to the fun of driving the manual Z.
You just simply are more a part of the driving experience with a manual, and any performance car enthusiast worth his or her salt will probably agree.
The auto C5 (stock trans) just feels more sluggish and overall less performance oriented.
However, if you live in a high-traffic city, an A4 might be the ticket for you.
In regards to your friend - it is his opinion that he wants a manual car.
There is no earthly reason to try to dissuade him from what he wants.
If your friend liked pistachio ice cream and you did not, would you also try to talk him into some butter pecan?
Same idea to me.
Best regards -
mqqn
I can tell you from the experience of an owner of one of each -
I have a 2002 Z06 and a 1999 A4 coupe.
The A4 coupe is a fun car by any standard EXCEPT when compared to the fun of driving the manual Z.
You just simply are more a part of the driving experience with a manual, and any performance car enthusiast worth his or her salt will probably agree.
The auto C5 (stock trans) just feels more sluggish and overall less performance oriented.
However, if you live in a high-traffic city, an A4 might be the ticket for you.
In regards to your friend - it is his opinion that he wants a manual car.
There is no earthly reason to try to dissuade him from what he wants.
If your friend liked pistachio ice cream and you did not, would you also try to talk him into some butter pecan?
Same idea to me.
Best regards -
mqqn
Pro
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 610
Likes: 0
From: CHICAGO IL
Work with a tuner, the shift points and torque management can be changed. You would be surprised. The stock tune is very tame.
For 1/4 and street, the A4 is king, they take way more power for longer and are faster. But, your right about road course racing, the A4's overheat and its not a problem that can really be solved But the advantage is that you can concentrate more on just driving than shifting when you first start out. Just shift it and it will do well, I shifted just about as much as any other car on the track...
That said, I'm attempting a swap to mn6, mostly because of the heat issue. That and I do perfer a manual in general.
The A4 IMO is not a dis-advantage, it has its place. Its what you want and want to do
For 1/4 and street, the A4 is king, they take way more power for longer and are faster. But, your right about road course racing, the A4's overheat and its not a problem that can really be solved
But the advantage is that you can concentrate more on just driving than shifting when you first start out. Just shift it and it will do well, I shifted just about as much as any other car on the track...That said, I'm attempting a swap to mn6, mostly because of the heat issue. That and I do perfer a manual in general.
The A4 IMO is not a dis-advantage, it has its place. Its what you want and want to do
an auto is great for a nice relaxing cruise or a few runs down the 1/4 mile and that is all.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: Lehighton PA
Im a bit partial when it comes to this topic.
I'm a firm believer that theres always a place for automatic trans, especially for those who want to drive a performance car but can't shift due to physical problems. My dad doesn't like to drive stick anymore because he had his knee replaced a few years ago. In cases such as that, an auto sports car is more then acceptable. However, when it comes to able bodied people, there is no excuse to miss out on the experience that shifting gears adds to the equation. The excuse of traffic is null and void, in my mind. I spent some of my youth in Europe where a VAST majority of the cars are manual and people drive them in downtown Paris traffic that is bumper to bumper. In all honesty, the Vette's clutch is much lighter then my Subaru's was.
If you want to cruise, by a '57 Bel Air.
.02
I'm a firm believer that theres always a place for automatic trans, especially for those who want to drive a performance car but can't shift due to physical problems. My dad doesn't like to drive stick anymore because he had his knee replaced a few years ago. In cases such as that, an auto sports car is more then acceptable. However, when it comes to able bodied people, there is no excuse to miss out on the experience that shifting gears adds to the equation. The excuse of traffic is null and void, in my mind. I spent some of my youth in Europe where a VAST majority of the cars are manual and people drive them in downtown Paris traffic that is bumper to bumper. In all honesty, the Vette's clutch is much lighter then my Subaru's was.
If you want to cruise, by a '57 Bel Air.
.02
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
well, since you asked......
1. i didnt know how slowly the auto downshifts.
2. i didnt know how slowly the car excelerates when you are at certain speeds.
3. i didnt know that i would take interest in a little recreational road coarse racing.
4. i didnt know that i would have this particular vette for so long and put so much money into it.
that's all i've got.
1. i didnt know how slowly the auto downshifts.
2. i didnt know how slowly the car excelerates when you are at certain speeds.
3. i didnt know that i would take interest in a little recreational road coarse racing.
4. i didnt know that i would have this particular vette for so long and put so much money into it.
that's all i've got.
1)Manual valve body
2)A bit costly, but you can used the TCI stand alone trans controler and make your A4 paddle shift
3)Get with Gear Vendors, they can make your A4 an A8!! with paddle shifters!
All it takes is MONEY
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 900
From: Oro Valley, AZ
2022 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C2 of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified
I love my automatic. If I want to shift gears I jump in my big block 1969 Chevelle SS and get all the shifting pleasure I need
There's nothing wrong with the automatics
-Garry
There's nothing wrong with the automatics
-Garry
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 66,408
Likes: 2,058
From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
If we're gonna talk winning races; then 49 out of 50 6speed owners will either:
*not downshift
*downshift to the wrong gear
*miss a shift
causing themselves an embarrasing defeat
or if at the dragstrip, add..
*smoke the tires on launch
*kill the engine at launch
*damn near kill the engine at the launch
and that's because only 1 out of 50 of these manual shift owners are born with the cordination and natural skilz to use a manual shift to it's full potential.
And even natural born skill won't help much inless the driver practices... practices... practices... practices... practices...
No one is gonna consistantly win without plenty of dragstrip launch practices per season.
I see this all the time at our local dragstrip. Corvette owners with 6 speeds that either don't have the born-with coordination... and/or they don't practice; and too many times they just embarrass themselves and never return.
With the manual shift C5; it's not the transmission that gives extra the performance... it's the gifted driver that gets the advantage a manual shift transmission can offer.
*not downshift
*downshift to the wrong gear
*miss a shift
causing themselves an embarrasing defeat
or if at the dragstrip, add..
*smoke the tires on launch
*kill the engine at launch
*damn near kill the engine at the launch
and that's because only 1 out of 50 of these manual shift owners are born with the cordination and natural skilz to use a manual shift to it's full potential.
And even natural born skill won't help much inless the driver practices... practices... practices... practices... practices...
No one is gonna consistantly win without plenty of dragstrip launch practices per season.
I see this all the time at our local dragstrip. Corvette owners with 6 speeds that either don't have the born-with coordination... and/or they don't practice; and too many times they just embarrass themselves and never return.
With the manual shift C5; it's not the transmission that gives extra the performance... it's the gifted driver that gets the advantage a manual shift transmission can offer.
Nice post Mike
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 179
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Excuse me but.......YOU ARE WRONG. These were make for daily driving, if they weren't...it would be a Ferrari. A 25K-30K car was meant to be driven. Come on your Garage panzies.
There is only a slight difference between an auto and manual 0-60 times, the difference in the 50-60's were greater, but not now. Get want you want, I love my A4.
There is only a slight difference between an auto and manual 0-60 times, the difference in the 50-60's were greater, but not now. Get want you want, I love my A4.
*not downshift
*downshift to the wrong gear
*miss a shift
causing themselves an embarrasing defeat
or if at the dragstrip, add..
*smoke the tires on launch
*kill the engine at launch
*damn near kill the engine at the launch
and that's because only 1 out of 50 of these manual shift owners are born with the cordination and natural skilz to use a manual shift to it's full potential.
And even natural born skill won't help much inless the driver practices... practices... practices... practices... practices...
No one is gonna consistantly win without plenty of dragstrip launch practices per season.
I see this all the time at our local dragstrip. Corvette owners with 6 speeds that either don't have the born-with coordination... and/or they don't practice; and too many times they just embarrass themselves and never return.
With the manual shift C5; it's not the transmission that gives extra the performance... it's the gifted driver that extracts the advantage a manual shift transmission can offer.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,866
Likes: 768
From: Kelso Washington
St. Jude Donor '09, '13, '15
Sorry, but I'm the same way. Having an auto in a sports car is just wrong to me. I also insisted on buying a truck with a manual tranny. I'm just that way. No disrespect to auto users.
Plus, I don't trust the auto trans these days.....they don't seem reliable anymore. Just my gut feeling....no stats available....
Plus, I don't trust the auto trans these days.....they don't seem reliable anymore. Just my gut feeling....no stats available....