Manual vs Auto
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,841
Likes: 19
From: CLT, North Carolina
If rowing up and down through gears all the time is fun to you then get an M6. If your daily commute involves lots of stop and go traffic and lights sticks can get to be less fun in a hurry. Purely from a which is faster standpoint a good auto can beat a stick anyday. Sticks really have little relevance anymore other than a personal preference to have one. A Z06 would not seem right without one though and a convertible should not have one. A convertible is a boulevard cruiser, not a racer.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Clemson SC
I had to look for a long time for a MN6 when I was buying mine, there aren't many around here. I say go with the manual, I feel a lot more involved with driving when I drive one, you have more control over the car. Every time I drive an auto I feel detached.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,470
Likes: 1,056
From: Chester County Pennsylvania
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Manual is always a higher resale value...check it out on the used car listings, even a dealer will get less money for an automatic.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 663
Likes: 0
From: Show me lower taxes Missouri
But SOME can!!! 13.08/110.24 with a stock 2000 FRC with just Corsa TOURING and a Blackwing filter
!!!
The ONLY way to REALLY have fun in a vette!!!If I recall correctly,,Corvettes do NOT take a hit in the used car guides for having a stick!! What hair I have left is gray,,but for me ANY fun car HAS to have a stick!!!
!!!The ONLY way to REALLY have fun in a vette!!!If I recall correctly,,Corvettes do NOT take a hit in the used car guides for having a stick!! What hair I have left is gray,,but for me ANY fun car HAS to have a stick!!!
. And yes I have the hardened half shafts with 3:73's.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 53
From: Warrington Pa.
Resale value is in the tank, doesn't really matter if it's a stick or auto.
Cars are not an investment, they are an expense.
Buy whatever you want. I prefer an automatic. Unless you're going to road race or live in the middle of nowhere, then an auto is the way to go.
C5's seem to have all kinds of clutch woes.
Cars are not an investment, they are an expense.
Buy whatever you want. I prefer an automatic. Unless you're going to road race or live in the middle of nowhere, then an auto is the way to go.
C5's seem to have all kinds of clutch woes.
I'll be driving my MN6 today 15 miles to go to Hooters, I don't think I'll get into 4 gear with all the traffic in my area. 
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: Killeen, TX
Go with whatever you want. By the time you sale your car if you do the amount you would make or lose for auto or manual wouldn't really be all that much if anything at all. Its basically what you want. I have an auto and wouldnt have it any other way. I first learned how to drive on a stick and absolutely hated so I will never go back. But some people feel if its a sports car it better not be an auto. But the end of the day its your car not theirs so its up to you.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,856
Likes: 242
From: Hillsboro OR
I went the A4 route. It is a DD with all of the "bolt-ons". I also have a tuned transmission. That tune made a huge difference for me. Now I can cruise in the city with little effort. The part throttle shift points are agressive enough to feel "sporty" during the cruise. However, when I want to experience some HPDE I can still shift the car when I want as well. IMHO it is the "best of both worlds".
Instructor
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 167
Likes: 1
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Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
I've decided to convert my SW Z06 to an automatic over the winter. I'm a cruiser, not a road racer and thus it makes not sense to have a six speed in are area.
This week I'm out in Indiana (South Bend) area and out here a six speed would be fun. Very Little traffic and lots of back roads.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 53
From: Warrington Pa.
I don't live far from you Bill. I'm over in the King of Prussia area.
I've decided to convert my SW Z06 to an automatic over the winter. I'm a cruiser, not a road racer and thus it makes not sense to have a six speed in are area.
This week I'm out in Indiana (South Bend) area and out here a six speed would be fun. Very Little traffic and lots of back roads.
I've decided to convert my SW Z06 to an automatic over the winter. I'm a cruiser, not a road racer and thus it makes not sense to have a six speed in are area.
This week I'm out in Indiana (South Bend) area and out here a six speed would be fun. Very Little traffic and lots of back roads.
Your area has much more than we do but it's not my DD, if it were I'd get rid of it. I did manage to win "Hooters Girls Pick" !! There had to be almost 400 cars there. Bill
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
No worries, you are young--enjoy your vette and your next one can be a manual......
I'm in my late 30s and I will drive manual for the next 10 yrs--c5 and c6 z06, before getting an auto grandsport possibly with FI- (unless of course GM starts offering an auto Z06--don't laugh, it could happen)
I'm in my late 30s and I will drive manual for the next 10 yrs--c5 and c6 z06, before getting an auto grandsport possibly with FI-
(unless of course GM starts offering an auto Z06--don't laugh, it could happen)Dang,,,I didn't know there was a TIME LIMIT for driving a stick
!! Guess I'm violating it,,,In my 60's,,and STILL am VERY biased toward stick shift!!,,was fun till you blew by me
!!! Put it back to stock,,and I'll give it a go with you again!!Still partial to sticks!!
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 628
Likes: 4
From: Columbia SC
If the C5 manual trans wasn't the worst-shifting transmission ever made--or close to it--I would certainly recommend the manual. Two years ago I bought a 4000-mile 2003 with the manual and after driving it, the shifting was so poor I thought something was wrong with it. Drove some other C5 manuals and found mine was normal--that is to say, atrocious. I've improved shifting on mine a little by changing fluid, putting one thin washer under the detent, etc. but it still sucks.
I'd get the automatic if I was going to do it over again. Too bad the C5 auto didn't come with a nice manual-control stick/gate.
I'd get the automatic if I was going to do it over again. Too bad the C5 auto didn't come with a nice manual-control stick/gate.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,526
Likes: 99
From: Apache Junction, Arizona
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16
An auto might have an advantage in a 1/4 Drag Race, but if you want to take the car to a Track event an auto does not have a chance at all against a 6 speed! It is a sports car and they are alot more fun to drive with a manual. I had both, 6 Speed all the way
Pro
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 623
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta Ga
8th Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Greetings..New member here, first post.
I have owned three Vettes in the past and I'm going to buy another one soon...probably a C5 Auto. I have a dedicated track day/HPDE car but I plan to also take the Vette to some road course events occasionally. I know a manual gearbox is preferred, but I would like to hear more opinions on an automatic vette at road course events from those of you that have been there and done that.
Thanks
I have owned three Vettes in the past and I'm going to buy another one soon...probably a C5 Auto. I have a dedicated track day/HPDE car but I plan to also take the Vette to some road course events occasionally. I know a manual gearbox is preferred, but I would like to hear more opinions on an automatic vette at road course events from those of you that have been there and done that.
Thanks
