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. 
Manual vs Auto
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,030
Likes: 289
From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
My daily driver is a 6 speed (VW GTI)....
My Z06 is a 6 speed....
I just prefer to really feel the car, and have more control over it when performance driving. Its just "fun" to me. I love it.
Honestly..... If someone told me I could not own a Corvette in a manual, then I would never be a Corvette owner.
Toque
My Z06 is a 6 speed....
I just prefer to really feel the car, and have more control over it when performance driving. Its just "fun" to me. I love it.
Honestly..... If someone told me I could not own a Corvette in a manual, then I would never be a Corvette owner.
Toque
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
I always like the Arctic White FRC's. I have a SW 2001 Z06 that I'm going to put together over the next year or so once I get the mess in my driveway and garage cleaned up.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,526
Likes: 99
From: Apache Junction, Arizona
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16
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
I ran it at Milwaukee State Fair Park in a high speed wide open event .
Many of the cars I ran against there I had soundly beat in an Autocross event. Well there were 18 cars in my class (R/P as per N.C.C.C.) and I finished in 11th place. Auto does not cut it on a High Speed Track
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2010
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I don't understand the comments to the effect of 'buy what ever you want' or 'get what you want.' THe point of the question is to try to determine what you want.
I've always have wanted a stick. I learned on a stick and I have a stick shift rice eater. They are so much more involving. But now I'm older and I know that automatics really are more rar'n to go. THey are always in the right gear and especially in Corvettes they are state of the art. You just cannot shift as fast a an automatic. Shifting is such a pain in traffic.
[But in the back of my mind is the caution 'It can't be that quick if it ain't got a stick.']
Two of my teenagers won't drive a stick though. THey hate the idea. My wife will use it more if it has an automatic. So I'd rather a stick, but that doesn't mean to get one.
So really, no one knows. It's an imponderable.
I've always have wanted a stick. I learned on a stick and I have a stick shift rice eater. They are so much more involving. But now I'm older and I know that automatics really are more rar'n to go. THey are always in the right gear and especially in Corvettes they are state of the art. You just cannot shift as fast a an automatic. Shifting is such a pain in traffic.
[But in the back of my mind is the caution 'It can't be that quick if it ain't got a stick.']
Two of my teenagers won't drive a stick though. THey hate the idea. My wife will use it more if it has an automatic. So I'd rather a stick, but that doesn't mean to get one.
So really, no one knows. It's an imponderable.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,868
Likes: 770
From: Kelso Washington
St. Jude Donor '09, '13, '15
I believe the OP was talking resale value, not personal preference. Didn't the auto option cost more than the manual when ordering??
If so, I would think the auto would/should have the higher resale value.
Personal note? As long as my legs work...sports car=manual
If so, I would think the auto would/should have the higher resale value.
Personal note? As long as my legs work...sports car=manual
Pro
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 688
Likes: 18
From: Seattle Wa
People are saying Auto doesn't stand a chance vs manual road racing?
Maybe at HIGH levels?
I've only gone once so far, but I murdered every other car out there in my auto (another mn6 c5, bunch of modded evos, some on slicks, stage 3 wrx on slicks). Lapping most of the cars multiple times throughout the day.
I'll admit, before doing the event it was a concern, but I just popped it into third and did the course, never had an issue and I felt like I got to focus more on finding the right line and being smooth.
I thought I'd regret getting an auto but it is my dd and makes it great for daily driving. I can still shift manually (and do sometimes just to hear the motor more). I've done an auto x and a road course and felt the auto didn't hold me back at all. Then of course the 1/4 is absolute cake.
Maybe at HIGH levels?
I've only gone once so far, but I murdered every other car out there in my auto (another mn6 c5, bunch of modded evos, some on slicks, stage 3 wrx on slicks). Lapping most of the cars multiple times throughout the day.
I'll admit, before doing the event it was a concern, but I just popped it into third and did the course, never had an issue and I felt like I got to focus more on finding the right line and being smooth.
I thought I'd regret getting an auto but it is my dd and makes it great for daily driving. I can still shift manually (and do sometimes just to hear the motor more). I've done an auto x and a road course and felt the auto didn't hold me back at all. Then of course the 1/4 is absolute cake.
Last edited by Worthington; Sep 3, 2010 at 07:48 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 30
From: Fairfax Virginia
That said I prefer the manual.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 264
From: Near Charlotte NC
Can't say.I've never owned an auto.
As a matter of fact,the wifey does have an auto suv.It's her first auto.She got it to transport aging parents.
She drives my GST,S2K and Z06 at least once a week.
\db2
Carolina
As a matter of fact,the wifey does have an auto suv.It's her first auto.She got it to transport aging parents.
She drives my GST,S2K and Z06 at least once a week.
\db2
Carolina
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,030
Likes: 289
From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
I don't care which one is faster shifting, I don't care which is faster at the drag strip, I don't care which is faster in the road courses etc. I got my Z06 with a 6 speed because its the way "I" wanted it.
If they did not offer 6 speeds in Corvettes, then I would not own a Corvette. I would get a 6 speed Viper or Porsche. I thoroughly enjoy the driver involvement in my car. I'm glad they only make the C5/C6 Z06's in manual.
Some like Auto's, and some like 6 speeds. That's never going to change. Good thing for everyone here that GM makes both.
Toque
If they did not offer 6 speeds in Corvettes, then I would not own a Corvette. I would get a 6 speed Viper or Porsche. I thoroughly enjoy the driver involvement in my car. I'm glad they only make the C5/C6 Z06's in manual.
Some like Auto's, and some like 6 speeds. That's never going to change. Good thing for everyone here that GM makes both.
Toque
Pro
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 537
Likes: 2
From: Whitesboro Texas
First, find out if your wife, significant other, etc. can drive a stick. If not, go with a manual. This definitely worked for me. Now I don't have to worry about her wanting to drive it.
Second, if you get an auto, try to get the optional 3.15 rear gear. Also, have the computer tuned for better performance. I have heard they can really be woken up.
Third, just test drive both.
Now I don't have to worry about her wanting to drive it.Second, if you get an auto, try to get the optional 3.15 rear gear. Also, have the computer tuned for better performance. I have heard they can really be woken up.
Third, just test drive both.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,237
Likes: 9
From: Springhill FL
I dont know how to drive auto 
When I was shopping for my new vette recently all the autos had lower prices. I would go "oooh thats a good deal! awww crap..its an auto
"
LOL I'm the same way, my wife doesnt know how...and I never get around to teaching her :p
When I was shopping for my new vette recently all the autos had lower prices. I would go "oooh thats a good deal! awww crap..its an auto
"LOL I'm the same way, my wife doesnt know how...and I never get around to teaching her :p
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
From: Murfreesboro TN
That was what I kept saying in January when I was looking for a C5.
I test drove a White 99 A4 Coupe with the 273 gears...
I ended up buying a Torch Red 99 Z51 coupe with a 6 speed. No looking back.
The auto just feels like any other car. The MN6 makes if feel like a rocket ship.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 159
Likes: 9
From: Greenville NC
The only vehicle I own that isn't a stick is the truck we use to pull the boat - and only because I couldn't find one I wanted in a manual.
The most fun i've had in years, hands down, was teaching my 15 year old daughter how to drive a stick and even powershift in the vette... :-)
She liked is so much we just bought her a 5 speed camaro for her first car...
don't have a wife so that part doesn't matter...
If I was going drag racing, I'd run an auto and would have a different car. There's nothing more enjoyable to me then taking a few minutes during the day, usualy when going somewhere necessary, to enjoy driving, running through the gears...
The most fun i've had in years, hands down, was teaching my 15 year old daughter how to drive a stick and even powershift in the vette... :-)
She liked is so much we just bought her a 5 speed camaro for her first car...
don't have a wife so that part doesn't matter...
If I was going drag racing, I'd run an auto and would have a different car. There's nothing more enjoyable to me then taking a few minutes during the day, usualy when going somewhere necessary, to enjoy driving, running through the gears...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 778
Likes: 1
From: Chantilly VA
If it's going to be a DD suburban commuter, I would recommend Auto. Autos can still be fun on the anaconda two lane. If it is a pleasure toy get the stick. Autos can also be made to run. $$$$$
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
Regarding the OP's resale value question. No, the auto was standard and the 6-speed manual was a $900 option as correctly stated by another poster. You may get a little more for a manual, but there is a broader market for a quicker sale for an auto IMO.
That said I prefer the manual.
That said I prefer the manual.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,868
Likes: 770
From: Kelso Washington
St. Jude Donor '09, '13, '15
Regarding the OP's resale value question. No, the auto was standard and the 6-speed manual was a $900 option as correctly stated by another poster. You may get a little more for a manual, but there is a broader market for a quicker sale for an auto IMO.
That said I prefer the manual.
That said I prefer the manual.
Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 696
Likes: 38
From: Niagara Falls Awesome Ends With Me
For a Corvette? It's a no-brainer - MN6 all the way! See what Kelly Blue Book or what some others like it, say about resale value of Auto vs. stick.
With your initial post, you should have included a poll asking "Taking into consideration all factors including wife and/or other drivers, resale, etc., what were you looking for when you bought your Vette, Auto or MN6? ", if you wanted to know what people are looking for in terms of resale.
With your initial post, you should have included a poll asking "Taking into consideration all factors including wife and/or other drivers, resale, etc., what were you looking for when you bought your Vette, Auto or MN6? ", if you wanted to know what people are looking for in terms of resale.