Manual or Automatic?
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Overall I prefer the much more sporting 6 speed manual transmission. When I drove in a parade this year I would have liked an automatic. I like the auto for the drag strip too.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Tulsa OK
You have to drive them both to decide. Learning to drive a stick is easy so don't let that bother you.
I have an 03 automatic with a 3:42 rear and have lots of fun. I also have a bimmer that gives me the option of driving it like an automatic or shifting the gears manually - its a five speed and pretty quick off the line when going through the gears - and I almost never shift the gears manually just drive it like an automatic. Put it in D and go. It also has a S automatic setting for "Sport" and revs higher before shifting - don't use that much either.
A good friend has owned vettes for probably 20 years or more C3s, C4s, C5s. He always had automatics and a few years ago bought a new 04coupe with a manual trans. Drove it for about a day and brought it back to the dealer and swapped it for an automatic. He said that he was always shifting and it was pain in the a**.
Both are great and I think which is better is a personal preference.
Edit: I started my driving career on a stick when I was 17 and have owned a lot of them - the last stick I bought new was a 79 camaro with a 4 speed. Restored a 69 VW bug in 2001 that had a stick - it was a blast to drive but it felt like a tuna fish can with wheels - read "DEATH TRAP"
I have an 03 automatic with a 3:42 rear and have lots of fun. I also have a bimmer that gives me the option of driving it like an automatic or shifting the gears manually - its a five speed and pretty quick off the line when going through the gears - and I almost never shift the gears manually just drive it like an automatic. Put it in D and go. It also has a S automatic setting for "Sport" and revs higher before shifting - don't use that much either.
A good friend has owned vettes for probably 20 years or more C3s, C4s, C5s. He always had automatics and a few years ago bought a new 04coupe with a manual trans. Drove it for about a day and brought it back to the dealer and swapped it for an automatic. He said that he was always shifting and it was pain in the a**.
Both are great and I think which is better is a personal preference.
Edit: I started my driving career on a stick when I was 17 and have owned a lot of them - the last stick I bought new was a 79 camaro with a 4 speed. Restored a 69 VW bug in 2001 that had a stick - it was a blast to drive but it felt like a tuna fish can with wheels - read "DEATH TRAP"
Last edited by EStreeter; Aug 8, 2008 at 04:12 PM.
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I've had both manual and automatic Vettes, but my last two (both C5s) have been 6-speeds. I just like driving a manual tranny in a sports car. That being said, there is really nothing wrong with getting the automatic either - it is still a fun car especially with either the performance axle or an aftermarket set of gears.
Burning Brakes
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From: Woodstock Ontario
manual are fun and it has to be a convertible.Colour should be red these are features all sport cars should have,not, this is what my taste is. I know my car is silver 2 out of 3 ain't bad
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Mine's a manual because I like to shift through the gears, but the decision is entirely up to YOU.
Good luck on whatever choice you make.
Good luck on whatever choice you make.
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The best advice is to drive both and make your decision. There's no wrong decision if you get what ... YOU ... want. Don't get what popular opinion tells you to get.
For me I prefer an automatic as long as the shift points and firmness have been corrected with a tune. My upgraded A4 tranny was built to level 4 specs and I upgraded gears to 3:42's. A world of difference from a stock A4.
For me I prefer an automatic as long as the shift points and firmness have been corrected with a tune. My upgraded A4 tranny was built to level 4 specs and I upgraded gears to 3:42's. A world of difference from a stock A4.
