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C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech
View Poll Results: Which Transmission do you prefer?
A4 - Automatic
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47.48%
M6/MM6/M12 - Manual
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A4 or M6?

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Old Apr 24, 2008 | 09:12 AM
  #1  
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Default Which do "You" prefer A4 or M6?

Excuse all of my questions as I am narrowing my search down and I'm gathering more intel for this weekends hunt.

Provided that I do not buy a Z06...What transmission do you guys prefer?

I love Manual Transmissions in a performance car and driving around, but I also like the little hassle and the consistency of an Automatic. I do plan on running the course at Sebring sometime as well as running the 1/4 mile in Bradenton once in a blue moon. But for overall strength and durability (I will be modding the car), as well as maintenence (replacing Clutches or Converters and Gears), which do you guys enjoy the most.

I know this is a loaded question as everyone has their preferences, but I would like to get feedback from others on what they like and why.

Last edited by Hysteria; Apr 24, 2008 at 09:19 AM.
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Old Apr 24, 2008 | 09:19 AM
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Beware.
I love my six speed.
DD, I would certainly consider an automatic.
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Old Apr 24, 2008 | 09:22 AM
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Autos are good (when built up and modified) for drag racing but they really take the drivers feel away from the car IMO. If you are going to Sebring, you'll want the manual.

Stock for stock, It's a vette... 6 speed. I'll never have a sports car with an automatic.
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Old Apr 24, 2008 | 09:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Hysteria
Excuse all of my question as I am narrowing my search down and am gathering more info for this weekends hunt.

For someone who has driven both and provided that I do not buy a Z06...What transmission do you guys prefer?

I love Manual Transmissions in a performance car and driving around, but I also like the little hassle of an Automatic. I do plan on running the course at Sebring sometime as well as running the 1/4 mile in Bradenton once in a blue moon. But for overall strength and durability (I will be modding the car), as well as maintenence, which do you guys enjoy the most.

I know this is a loaded question as everyone has their preferences, but I would like to get feedback from others.


You are certainly right about this being a loaded question.
M6 cars are better for the road course and autoX
A4 cars are better drag racers (consistent launches)

Not to say you can't use an M6 as a drag car or an A4 as a road racer/autoX car. Both transmissions are pretty strong so it comes down to which car fits your style of driving.

If you go with an A4, get one with 3.15:1 gears (option G92) Good luck
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Old Apr 24, 2008 | 09:25 AM
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I voted for the manual.

I have owned both manual and auto vettes. The difference is that with an auto the car drives you while with a manual you drive the vette.

Really, in the end it all comes down to how you plan to use the vette and your personal preferences.

Highly suggest you drive both and then decide. One thing to keep in mind. The stock C5 shifter sucks. If you get a stick put in the C6 Z06 shifter and do the anti-venom mod (reduces the spring pressure of the detente bolt for the shifting rod).

Good luck.
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Old Apr 24, 2008 | 09:25 AM
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I know ChemDawg, this has probably been beaten to death, I just couldn't find a thread in a search. Thanks for the G92 option #.

Great point of view with the "Taking away the Drivers Feel" and " You Driving the Vette vs It Driving you" with an Automatic!!

That's the kind of feedback I'm looking for on both trannys!

Thanks for the info on the C6 Z06 shifter as well!

Someone had recently told me that an A4 could take 600 RWHP, I guess that was not such a true statement?

Last edited by Hysteria; Apr 24, 2008 at 09:31 AM.
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Old Apr 24, 2008 | 09:29 AM
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Some of us have no choice but to go with an auto. (bad knees)
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Old Apr 24, 2008 | 09:29 AM
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If your going to Sebring the mn6 is the only way to go! On a road course as soon as I hit the turns my 6 speed runs away from the A4s
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Old Apr 24, 2008 | 09:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Fuelie driver
If your going to Sebring the mn6 is the only way to go! On a road course as soon as I hit the turns my 6 speed runs away from the A4s
Nice!!
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Old Apr 24, 2008 | 11:13 AM
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As suggested by Independent1,,drive them both,,then decide.. I prefer stick period. My super crew pick up is the only auto I own,,because they don't offer a stick..But different people have different needs,wants and likes!! Regardless it's a vet!! Good luck on your quest,hope you join us soon,you'll love it!!
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Old Apr 24, 2008 | 11:30 AM
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Love my MN6 in my blowin Vette
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Old Apr 24, 2008 | 11:33 AM
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You will likely find some very strong opinions from this forum regarding transmission preference. It just comes down to what YOU want out of your Corvette. I personally don't think either choice is bad as long as the transmission is tucked inside a Corvette.
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Old Apr 24, 2008 | 11:37 AM
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There is NOTHING I hate more than an automatic in a high performance car
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Old Apr 24, 2008 | 11:49 AM
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I prefer the auto for my needs. Car is easier to launch and what little bit of course driving I do is easily handled with the auto. Depends on what you like. To NCSU-I would be willing to bet you would hate a lot more things than an auto in a hi-po car. One would be to be attacked by the African ***** shrinkers. LOL

Last edited by tiojames; Apr 24, 2008 at 11:53 AM.
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Old Apr 24, 2008 | 11:52 AM
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stick vs auto

I think you should test drive both and see what you like. If you are not going to be drivign in stop and go traffic all the time, and you like manual trannies..I say go for the 6 speed. If you are going to hit a lot of stop and go traffic on a daily basis, then you could consider the Automatic.

Both have advantages. Obviously at the track, launching an Automatic is going to be a lot easier than manual. Once nice advantage though of the 6 speeds is that they all come with a 342 gear stock... if you get an A4 you get a 273 gear, or maybe 315 if you can find that option (G92 code in the glovebox).
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Old Apr 24, 2008 | 11:56 AM
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My c4 is a manual and the 5 is auto,both are fun...the manual is more sporty feeling on the twistys.
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Old Apr 24, 2008 | 11:58 AM
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MN6 FTW

If I had to drive in Chicago traffic daily,an automatic would've been the choice
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Old Apr 24, 2008 | 12:17 PM
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Originally Posted by peter pan
Love my MN6 in my blowin Vette
I'll second that!!! I've been driving stick for so long I'd have to take lessons to learn how to drive an auto.
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Old Apr 24, 2008 | 12:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Great White North
My c4 is a manual and the 5 is auto,both are fun...the manual is more sporty feeling on the twistys.
WhazUp Frank?

My computer never miss-shifts because of distractions, fatigue or anxiety.

BTW, 2.8k Stall and Headers being installed @ FLP today.

Hopefully I'll have it for the Frank Lunch and Speed Inc.
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Old Apr 24, 2008 | 12:22 PM
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Originally Posted by ChasC5
WhazUp Frank?

My computer never miss-shifts because of distractions, fatigue or anxiety.

BTW, 2.8k Stall and Headers being installed @ FLP today.

Hopefully I'll have it for the Frank Lunch and Speed Inc.
whats up charles Youre gonna love your car with the headers and stall
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