automatic vs manual
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 66,409
Likes: 2,060
From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 808
Likes: 10
From: CV Rancho del Rey SoCal
I have one of each and, properly set up, they are equally fun to drive, depending on mood and convenience desired. My M6 is a blast to row through the gears on winding back country roads but I absolutely love the A4 when I'm tooling around town or in the mood for some spirited driving when I'm not in the mood to shift. My M6 is a heads cam car with headers and 4.10's but the stock LS1 with intake, headers, high stall TC and 3.42's in the A4 is just as much fun and probably quicker in some ways due to never missing a gear.
Comes down to preference. Personally, I prefer the M6 - but, just.
Comes down to preference. Personally, I prefer the M6 - but, just.
I have both also, only difference is I prefer the A4 it's a more relaxing cruise.
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 66,409
Likes: 2,060
From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 6
From: Los Angeles
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 66,409
Likes: 2,060
From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
I was on Camp Liberty up until December with the 1st Cavalry. They hit the IZ pretty hard when I was there. Hope all stays quiet for you and all my other Brothers and Sisters in Arms over there. My prayers are with you and your Family. I bet you can't wait to get back and grab those gears again
Back to the topic: Why do people start these threads
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 628
Likes: 4
From: Columbia SC
automatic versus manual
I just bought my first C5, a 2003 manual coupe with 4000 easy miles. I find the transmission to be balky and unpleasant, EVEN after going to a premium fluid (Royal Purple Synchromax). The new fluid helped enough that I am not going to dump the car right away as I was before the switch, but it is still a ****-poor shifting experience. Perhaps the sweetness of shifting T-10s and Muncies spoiled me, but it astonishes me that Chevrolet couldn't have improved the shifting on the C5s by the time my 2003 came out. Too bad the C5 auto didn't have a nice manual-shift detent---one of those "+"/"-" controls or similar.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 6
From: Los Angeles
I was on Camp Liberty up until December with the 1st Cavalry. They hit the IZ pretty hard when I was there. Hope all stays quiet for you and all my other Brothers and Sisters in Arms over there. My prayers are with you and your Family. I bet you can't wait to get back and grab those gears again
Back to the topic: Why do people start these threads
Back to the topic: Why do people start these threads
Note: sorry for the hijack
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
They start them for several reasons,, #1.they don't do Search #2 They figure they have a different slant on the topic #3 I guess they figure it's a free country #4 They figure you don't have to open and view the thread if you don't like the topic!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 785
Likes: 6
I sure like my A4...Gears & stall do the trick I can say this, a friend has an '07 6 speed & he does NOT like my A4 after getting his A$$ handed to him....Ah, something to be said for never missing a shift, 3.90's/converter/tune ! In the end it's all up to you 6 speed/A4
I can say this, a friend has an '07 6 speed & he does NOT like my A4 after getting his A$$ handed to him....Ah, something to be said for never missing a shift, 3.90's/converter/tune ! In the end it's all up to you 6 speed/A4
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 625
Likes: 95
From: Kyle TX
Well, brakes were designed to wear out, and is a cheap replacement compared to replacing or repairing a tranny. So I'd rather replace my $100 break pads, than my $3000 transmission.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,758
Likes: 4
From: Wesley Chapel FL
I like both, if you are buying pre-owned like I did the selection and chances for getting a decent deal on an auto are exponentially higher just from the sher ratio of autos to manuals purchased new. I looked for 6-8 months for the perfect car and price, found it and it happened to be an auto with 3.15 gears. Since it's my daily driver it wasn't a bad trade off.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 638
Likes: 0
From: The South
I have owned a manual and auto in C6 but neither in a C5. The forum brethren have always provided excellent observation and information.
To the men in women in Iraq-thank you. Because of your service and sacrifice, we can get on here and talk freely back and forth.
You are in my prayers daily! A dear friend's son gave his life in Afghanistan 6 months ago- freedom is not free!
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 397
Likes: 3
I have noticed that most used C5 6-speeds are priced higher than comparable autos, could be a supply and demand thing, more autos were produced than manuals. Auto is'nt my cup of tea, but I would say make sure it has the performance axle ratio if you decide to go auto.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,358
Likes: 1
From: Medford NJ
I'm sure someone can pull the exact stat, but my recollection when I bought my first C5 was that only 20% of production is MN6....so its more rare. Didn't have too much of an issue in either case that I bought C5s in finding a manual.