So I'm 21 and I plan on getting a used C5 this winter. I'm now wondering whether I should go for the auto or the 6-speed. I have no experience with sticks... yeah I know it's sad. Is it absolutely crazy to have a vette as your first manual car?

Recently we bought a piece of junk honda civic 5-speed (we're selling it for a few hundred more than we paid, hopefully). So I started practicing sticks in it. Of course, I stall sometimes.

Since I assume most of you (with 6-speeds) have driven many manual cars before you got your vette. How would you consider the vette's 6-speed to other manual transmissions? for example, I heard Mazda's sticks are very smooth and easy to operate (clutch and shifter).

I am NO where near any vettes with 6-speed, there's only an auto at a dealer in my town. So there's no way I can go and try it. Please share your experience with me. I'd appreciate any help.

 

If I were your age I would say stick shift. At my age it's an automatic for me.

 

In England we start from Day 1 driving a stick. The vette is only the 2nd Auto I've ever owned (20+ cars over the years). Even though I have an auto (A4) I'd planned to buy stick (MN6). My choice was stick or convertible. If I wanted the soft top the only ones on offer with the deal I was given were A4s.

I've only driven an MN6 C5 twice but the clutch is hard by the standards I'm used to. That said, you'd pick it up very quickly and once you do its like riding a bike. Easy, particularly on US urban roads. It might be different on the narow roads here in UK or through the mountains.

So I'd say you're down to the usual debate. What is the main use for the car. In my view, you can't beat the fun of a stick in a sports car. The auto on a C5 is refined and there's still plenty of power but you never get the pure satisfaction of driving a manual gearbox. I find my A4 frustrating on the bendy roads here. With the gearing and the power its always wanting to shift up, normally in the middle of a corner. Hopefully, not a problem you'd see too often nor did I in Vegas. However, if you commute regularly and you're likely to sit in a line of traffic on a daily basis, a stick can be a real PITA. So, if you live in the boonies I'd say no question; go with a stick.

Given the choice (if I could have got a convertible and a manual) I'd have bought the MN6 but I don't regret my decision for a minute.

 

It leaves a free hand for whatever.
Auto for me.

 

Age has nothing to do with it. I'm young with an Auto Vette that I drive every day. No regrets at all.

Do what you want to do.

 

Thank you all for the quick responses. Sorry I didn't include everything, so I think some of you didn't answer what I was asking.

I have a toyota for DD.. it's an avalon so it's roomy/comfy. I just LOVEEE the vette and want to buy one to have fun with! I don't race on street or track. I'm not going to supercharge it and go wild. In fact, the stock vette is probably too much power for me to handle in the first place (I think it's a bad idea when young people such as myself are over-confident in our driving skills).

With that said, I'll be first to admit, I'm a TOTAL newb when it comes to driving a stick. I just began practicing. I've driven like no more than an hour total with sticks.

So my main concern is, is the vette (6-speed) hard to drive compare to other cars? I'm talking about things like the huge horsepower/torque, clutch (long travel?), shifting (smooth/easy?). For those of you who have/had several manual transmission cars, is the vette "normal" or is it "difficult"?

Since it's a "fun" car, I won't be stuck in traffic with it. Also, I have concerns about safety. I don't want to get into an accident easier or mis-shift or over-rev.

Again, I thank you all for the help.

 

Its a high speed sports car with a load of excess power. If you treat it irresponsibly it can get you into trouble or difficulty quicker than you can shake a stick. Without the drivers aids (traction control and active handling) the back end will step out without even trying. I'd say the manual box is one of the harder boxes to drive but you can fit other shifters and set it up to your requirements or preferences. You don't need to stick with the stock set up (forgive the pun).

So to answer your question YES.

That said, you've got a great attitude. My 22 year old son drove my Vette in the US and did just fine.

Just becase a car will do 100mph+ doesnt mean we have to drive at that speed. It's down to the driver. If you treat it with the respect it deserves you'll have a ball. It's without doubt the best bang for the buck in this category of sports car in the world.

 

First off my hat is off to you, These are very good questions you are asking. You have to get what you feel comfortable with, There is nothing wrong with an automatic, You will enjoy the auto or the 6speed. Some will tell you it is a sport car and it has to be a 6 speed. Hog wash I say, The autos are very capable also.
Only you can say what you feel better with. Bottom line you can't go wrong with either one.

 

I would say try to find one that is semi close to test drive. It would be worth the trip to make sure you get the car you want.

 

Sorry for more questions, but what is difficult about the transmission? is it hard to get into gear? Or is the clutch work difficult?

Also, I don't plan on turning off any stability/traction control. I'm not driving competitively. I've never street raced, and probably never will.

So being inexperienced, I should not go for the 6-speed then?

 

Daily drive in traffic? Probably go with an auto.

Occasional driver and don't mind shifting? Manual.

Personally, I wouldn't have a Vette unless it was a manual.

 

With a little, emphasis on little, practice you will acquire the necessary skill required. No problem. I love my 6 speed. But to each his own. Good luck.

 

Hey, you're from Quincy. I live in Springfield.

 

But get the trans you feel most comfortable with. I love manual shift cars. I feel like I have complete control. (The car should not tell me when to shift)

 

I have had auto and stick. I luv the 6-speed and think the clutch is very forgiving. Next to impossible to stall. The auto is nice, but I think the 6-speed makes you a part of the car. No matter how bad my day is...shifting threw the gears and hearing the roar of the engine...PRICELESS!!!

 

mine is 6speed. I love it but my wife gets annoyed when I let go of her hand every time I shift. It wouldn't cause me to sell and buy an automatic, but if I were to replace the car with a new C6 I would likely buy the Auto with tiptronic. I don't think an automatic is a bad move in the C5 as there is so much power that you can have fun with it no matter what.
If mine was auto my wife would likely want to drive it though!!

 

It's not easy to stall? That'd help a lot! lol

Well, I'm only stalling now because I'm a total newb. My left foot is very unconditioned to pressing any pedal, let alone the foot long travel for the clutch. Also, I'm not sure if it's me or the car, but I have a hard time "feeling" the engagement position of the clutch. I don't really feel it connecting to the car. Needless to say, there had been some rough stalling. But as everyone says, once out of first gear, the rest is simple.

So hopefully more people can tell me the 6-speed is not as intimidating as I think...

Really, it all comes down to safey concerns for me. I'd hate to ruin any beautiful car like a vette.

 

Haha. My GF does that too. I always use the excuse of "I need to concentrate with both of my hands on the wheel". But geeze, it's not really necessary to hold hands at ALL times...

What I'd really like to see if a dual-clutch in C7. The new one in the Porsche is sweet. They are better performing than manual, yet as easy as an auto.

 

when my wife speaks, listen...

If it's not a stick and I can't look up and see the sun... it's not coming home...

 

2 words - manual