Since you mentioned that it has polished thin spokes, one thing to check for are cracks in the wheels. There have been stories about this problem with the polished rims. Good luck with your search.

 

Wow, same rearend but a .5 second improvement with the auto vs the manual. That's impressive!

 

Yeah, but keep in mind he wasn't power shifting in the first video. Power shifting makes a big difference when drag racing a manual on slicks. When an auto shifts, it's doing basically that because you're not letting off the throttle.

I agree that Autos are better for drag racing, but that doesn't always mean they're faster. The defining factors are shift time, power loss, shift-time loss, pre-torquing, and consistency. An auto will always be more consistent. The more power you have the less gears you want to run through. So a 4 speed is definitely better than a 6 if you're making good power. Drag racers that make monster power use 2-speed powerglides. The autos will almost always lose more power through the drive train than a manual because of the torque converter and additional internal spinning mass, but a full lock up torque converter will fix most of that. Autos can also shift much faster than any human can. With a proper shift kit, an auto will shift faster and more precise than any non-DSG manual. And finally, an auto can pre-torque the driveline and reduce shock to the drivetrain while also getting more torque to the ground at the launch faster.

However, when you're making stock power in a stock daily driver, at the end of the day, the manual is faster. It keeps you in the power band better and with power shifting the car will not lose so much time in the shift. The manual is harder to launch right so you need to know your car. But even if you don't get the best times with a 6-speed, you'll enjoy getting the times more.

Again, it still comes down to what you prefer. What I just wrote is strictly for drag racing results.

 

just got home from driving the auto, (430 miles there and back)
i was imporessed at how responsive and crisp the auto was, not a slouch at all

i liked it!!

 

I couldn't WOT powershift with this much power, it's too brutal on the parts. They won't allow it and if you try forcing it, things get tore up.

On the street, I like the torque multiplication of an aftermarket converter. Just flick my toe and have a ton of grunt to pull away. For a 6 speed to keep the same acceleration off a light, you gotta mat it and when you throw into the next shift, watch the passengers get tossed around. With an auto, pulling away is so much more relaxed, as we stay pushed into the seat.

Dang Rich, that's a long trip for a test drive. But I know it was worth it! Good luck on your search for the right vette.

 

Fair enough. Power shifting is really hard on the car.

 

Do you plan on driving a 6 speed for a comparison?

 

i have driven 2, 6 speeds, a 2000 convertable (stock)
and an 03 that was a removable top, and it had an air intake , and exhaust on it


i liked both the auto and the manuals
my daily driver is a 5 speed GTI, so im thinking the auto might be a nice change

 

You might just be surprized one day....lol

 

Agreed. Most high end exotics only have 2 these days.

 

and a paddle shifter of sorts.

 

I know of a few automatics that will make you think twice about being embarrassing.

 

The old auto's were not much but tech. over the years have
really improved them. Besides I like a auto after shiffting
for 3.5 million miles ,I don't even want to see a stick.

 

Pirelli ad: "Power is nothing without control."

I couldn't imagine driving a Vette with an auto box. However, my 68-year-old father would disagree. That having been said, I think it all boils down to what works for you.

But I wouldn't trade my 6-speed for the world!

 

I had a youngster approach me at the track just the other day looking the car over and saying "to bad it is an automatic",funny thing was ,I had put him out two rounds earlier by over 8/10's!!!! LOL

 

Yea don't let some of these guys scare you into buying a 6 speed over the auto. The notion that "real" sports cars are manual only is old school thinking, and just plain stupid..yea back in the 60,70, maybe 80's but now days with the technology, Autos perform right up there.

In fact, I have seen at the track, and street where a automatic car with 50-70 less HP beats a manual car by lenghts because very few people can shift a manual as good as a computer can shift the auto.

BTW, i have a 6 speed Get the car that you like the most. Good luck

 

Bottom line, auto vs manual is a matter of personal preference. A manual can be more fun to drive than an auto at times, but it can also be more tedious to drive at other times. It's a compromise, and it all boils down to what you're willing to deal with and accept in the compromise.

 

Amen to that!

 

You are so right...I see them in my rearview all the time!