M6 vs A4 question
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 4
From: Freeport, FL
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,373
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From: cold & windy
basically - going back to the beginning, an auto will mathematically faster due to the gearing, but a manual will be quicker
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 40
From: Orangevale California
St. Jude Donor '10
a4 easier on engine due to no over revving, with 3.42 gears it is a beast. never a missed shift and no expensive clutches and other parts to replace. the a4's are durable unless you are unleashing 500+ hp then you will have to upgrade some parts. I see most drivers lose drag races missing shifts.. bumping rev limiter etc... autos never make mistakes and usually win. fyi.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
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From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
Depends on your goals---IF you want a DD weekend occasinal drag race car--my opinion is the A4 is best--BUT I would deff get a stall converter in the 3000 range---
IF you watch PINKS--you'll see 99% of the cars in the over 10 second range all use automatics !!! WHY--cause an auto is more consistant to for a driver that doesn't have 100's of laps under his belt-- and in bracket racing where everyone runs the same ET's--its consistancy that wins races--Not HP--Too many variables involved in driving a M6 to run consistantly the same everytime----Like launch RPM--Shift RPM
driver experience--- I don't care if you're Mario Andretti--you're not gonna drive that car better than that computer will in a car with an A4 !!! JMHO
IF you watch PINKS--you'll see 99% of the cars in the over 10 second range all use automatics !!! WHY--cause an auto is more consistant to for a driver that doesn't have 100's of laps under his belt-- and in bracket racing where everyone runs the same ET's--its consistancy that wins races--Not HP--Too many variables involved in driving a M6 to run consistantly the same everytime----Like launch RPM--Shift RPM
driver experience--- I don't care if you're Mario Andretti--you're not gonna drive that car better than that computer will in a car with an A4 !!! JMHO
Last edited by tblu92; Dec 25, 2010 at 01:43 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
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From: Los Angeles California
Right, but you're assuming the only track the car is taken to is a drag strip. I DD my car, but there are road race tracks around here. I've never taken my car to one, but I plan to at some point. Remember, these are Corvettes; not Camaros. I don't see anything wrong with DDing a 6 speed. Some people think back to the days of cable driven and heavy clutches and immediately think "AUTO!" But LSx clutches are hydro-assist and really easy to engage/disengage. I'll admit that I was once stuck in bumper to bumper for 3 full hours and I was hating my 6 speed at that moment, but it's too rare an occurrence for me to switch to an auto. The fun I have with a 6 speed cannot be had with an auto.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: cold & windy
haha... i DD my truck & it's a blast - even in traffic. shoot - the vette was easier to DD around town those few weeks because i shift less doing the 1-3-5 instead of the 1 through 5 i have to do in the truck 
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,787
Likes: 2
From: Wildomar CA
Not exactly correct...under normal circumstances then yes the Rev limiter kicks in but a 3-2 downshift or a 5-4 downshift could cause a mechanical over Rev. Then hopefully you can get the clutch pushed back in before something goes boom.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: cold & windy
i can tell ya - it's friggin scary!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
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From: Los Angeles California
I did an accidental 5-2... But the clutch never came up before I realized it and quickly put it in 4th... What's crazy is that it actually LET me put it in 2nd doing about 70MPH!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Yorktown Virginia
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Los Angeles
How many different times and ways will the auto v. manual conversation take place?
If you're a drag racer or have a bad left knee or are just a little lazy then go with an auto.
If you're a road racer or just want to feel more connected to your car and enjoy banging through the gears then go with a manual.
Personally I love the experience of driving with two feet and being able to downshift before changing lanes, not to mention the increased throttle response that comes with a manual, and my Z06 is my daily driver in L.A.'s city traffic. It's certainly not for everybody though.
If you're a drag racer or have a bad left knee or are just a little lazy then go with an auto.
If you're a road racer or just want to feel more connected to your car and enjoy banging through the gears then go with a manual.
Personally I love the experience of driving with two feet and being able to downshift before changing lanes, not to mention the increased throttle response that comes with a manual, and my Z06 is my daily driver in L.A.'s city traffic. It's certainly not for everybody though.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 4
From: Freeport, FL
How many different times and ways will the auto v. manual conversation take place?
If you're a drag racer or have a bad left knee or are just a little lazy then go with an auto.
If you're a road racer or just want to feel more connected to your car and enjoy banging through the gears then go with a manual.
Personally I love the experience of driving with two feet and being able to downshift before changing lanes, not to mention the increased throttle response that comes with a manual, and my Z06 is my daily driver in L.A.'s city traffic. It's certainly not for everybody though.
If you're a drag racer or have a bad left knee or are just a little lazy then go with an auto.
If you're a road racer or just want to feel more connected to your car and enjoy banging through the gears then go with a manual.
Personally I love the experience of driving with two feet and being able to downshift before changing lanes, not to mention the increased throttle response that comes with a manual, and my Z06 is my daily driver in L.A.'s city traffic. It's certainly not for everybody though.
I absolutely LOVE driving and being a part of the experience. Now that auto equipped cars are coming with paddle shifters, I think I still would get a manual tranny. That would be a tough decision.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,355
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From: Los Angeles
I wouldn't mind trying a car with nice paddle shifters (like maybe a Ferrari, I'm assuming). I've driven one of the new V6 Camaros with paddle shifters and wasn't impressed at all. It just wasn't responsive enough.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,189
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From: Freeport, FL
The responsiveness would be my issue also. It was fun to drive and auto that had that feature, but I think that being able to control the clutch is part of the fun for me.
I don't even know, but do the C6's have paddle shifters? Hmmm, if so, maybe a test drive is in order.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,355
Likes: 113
From: Los Angeles
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 4
From: Freeport, FL