Manual or Automatic Trans?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,063
Likes: 104
From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
sand41
i'm 68, with a bad left knee, and had back surgery in jun 09 and sept 10. i have an 04 ce 6spd convertible and am in the process of converting my auto 78 to an OEM 4 speed. I HOPE THAT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS, LOL. seriously though as a part time, weekend driver, since the car you found seems to have everything you wanted, (color, low miles, and i assume the right price), go for it you'll never be sorry. if you were looking for a daily driver and you commuted in the atlanta, miami or charlotte area to name a few, that would be a different story in my opinion! just my 2 cents worth. in the end, it's your decision based on YOUR comfort level.
i'm 68, with a bad left knee, and had back surgery in jun 09 and sept 10. i have an 04 ce 6spd convertible and am in the process of converting my auto 78 to an OEM 4 speed. I HOPE THAT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS, LOL. seriously though as a part time, weekend driver, since the car you found seems to have everything you wanted, (color, low miles, and i assume the right price), go for it you'll never be sorry. if you were looking for a daily driver and you commuted in the atlanta, miami or charlotte area to name a few, that would be a different story in my opinion! just my 2 cents worth. in the end, it's your decision based on YOUR comfort level.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 716
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
Autos are good for: people who are tired of shifting, commuter cars, p/u trucks, 4-dr sedans, teen-age girls and definitely drag racing.
But nobody who's being honest could ever deny that manual trannies are much funner and capable of providig a more thoroughly enjoyable driving experience. Then the added bonus comes through the exhaust notes which are much more appealing to the ears when coming from a car that's being manually shifted w/clutch. If someone doesn't instinctually comprehend and appreciate those aspects, then simply not worth explaining/debating the matter and autos are just fine for those people. That's my take on it.
But nobody who's being honest could ever deny that manual trannies are much funner and capable of providig a more thoroughly enjoyable driving experience. Then the added bonus comes through the exhaust notes which are much more appealing to the ears when coming from a car that's being manually shifted w/clutch. If someone doesn't instinctually comprehend and appreciate those aspects, then simply not worth explaining/debating the matter and autos are just fine for those people. That's my take on it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
Hold out for and buy what you really want. I bought an auto vette once when I really wanted a manual. I ended up selling it for a big loss so I could get a FRC with a manual.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Slidell La.
Wow, you guys are great I didn't expect such a big reponse form everyone and just to let everyone know I'm not that old I just turn 56 but sometimes I feel like I'm almost 100 
This is my 1st vette and I'm trying to decide on what I want; I've got the C5 bug bad it is keeping me up late at night researching and trying to decide what year model I want, what color, vert or targa, manual or auto and besides all that I want it now.
I'm going tomorrow evening and take it for a test drive if I bring her home I'll be sure to post some pics.
Thanks everyone.
This is my 1st vette and I'm trying to decide on what I want; I've got the C5 bug bad it is keeping me up late at night researching and trying to decide what year model I want, what color, vert or targa, manual or auto and besides all that I want it now.
I'm going tomorrow evening and take it for a test drive if I bring her home I'll be sure to post some pics.
Thanks everyone.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,436
Likes: 14
From: CT
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,332
Likes: 46
From: Bowling Green KY
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 734
Likes: 2
From: Mt. Airy MD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXCh9OhDiCI&ob=av2e
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,600
Likes: 2
From: Outer banks North Carolina
I have always liked stick shift Vettes! They looked great in the rear view mirror!
just kidding, buy what you like. Jst don't put down people who prefer automatics. most of us were driving sticks before you were born!
just kidding, buy what you like. Jst don't put down people who prefer automatics. most of us were driving sticks before you were born!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 23,220
Likes: 3
From: HOUSTON
St. Jude Donor '06 thru '15, '19
Bought my 04 for the wife new, she insisted it be a manual. I got it a year after we bought and I am glad, still have it.Almost at 92000 miles and just a few mods later, I still love it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,429
Likes: 973
From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 415
Likes: 1
From: british columbia
I bought an AE automatic simply because I spend hours stuck in crap traffic on my commute, but if it was only a weekend car I probably would have gone the Z06 route!
Still the auto is a ball to drive, after all it is a Vette!
Still the auto is a ball to drive, after all it is a Vette!
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 721
Likes: 70
From: Fla
manual or automatic
If you like to shift and are into road racing, the stick is for you. If you would rather not be bothered and you will not be road racing but rather drag racing, the auto is for you. Since most of the racing on the street are short drag race sprints, auto rules on the street.
I have an a4 with around 550 hp at the wheels so it does fly. Got to be careful if you punch it while moving since the downshift is very brutal and usually ends with tire smoke and drifting. The auto is best off the line. They tend to break less as long as you dont put slicks or do agressive transmission drops etc... Sticks tend to have more maintenance but are excellent in road racing. Sticks are more controllable if your car is supercharged since you determine if you downshift or not...no surprises. Swap out the 2.73 gear in that automatic... go for a 3.42..it makes a huge difference. you will leave on everybody.
I have an a4 with around 550 hp at the wheels so it does fly. Got to be careful if you punch it while moving since the downshift is very brutal and usually ends with tire smoke and drifting. The auto is best off the line. They tend to break less as long as you dont put slicks or do agressive transmission drops etc... Sticks tend to have more maintenance but are excellent in road racing. Sticks are more controllable if your car is supercharged since you determine if you downshift or not...no surprises. Swap out the 2.73 gear in that automatic... go for a 3.42..it makes a huge difference. you will leave on everybody.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,600
Likes: 2
From: Outer banks North Carolina
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: Hershey PA
I bought a 50th AE Coupe with auto trans back in June and love it! I told my wife it was her retirement gift so it should be an automatic since she doesn't drive stick.
I would have probably enjoyed the 6-speed equally as much but I haven't been happily married for all of these years by being stupid!
And it has the 3:15 axle so it performs very well...
I would have probably enjoyed the 6-speed equally as much but I haven't been happily married for all of these years by being stupid!
And it has the 3:15 axle so it performs very well...
Last edited by my50thAE; Dec 2, 2011 at 03:25 PM. Reason: spelling
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,375
Likes: 426
I still like the clutch and the feel of the gears so I'm sticking with a manual for now.
I had two auto Fieros and they were OK but they never got the cornering correct.
I'd like to try one of the new Paddle Shift autos in a C6.
I had two auto Fieros and they were OK but they never got the cornering correct.
I'd like to try one of the new Paddle Shift autos in a C6.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,341
Likes: 723
From: Chicago N/W Suburbs
Sand41,
I am 53 years old.
I had owned a few fully optioned C5 Corvette convertible automatics which are extremely well engineered. The software that controls the shift points is very impressive.
I test drove a few manual transmissions and did not think highly of them for the strange noise in the throw-out bearing or wherever it comes from.
Not meaning to insult the youngsters here, but....
When it comes time to sell a high end Corvette, most people with funds to pay for them are older people looking for a fully loaded convertible with automatic.
I drove stick shift vehicles since 1981 and still drive one today, my daily driver Ford Ranger and are simply tired of it. I want to stop using all 4 limbs to move the vehicle along, relax, and enjoy a cup of coffee along the way.
I am 53 years old.
I had owned a few fully optioned C5 Corvette convertible automatics which are extremely well engineered. The software that controls the shift points is very impressive.
I test drove a few manual transmissions and did not think highly of them for the strange noise in the throw-out bearing or wherever it comes from.
Not meaning to insult the youngsters here, but....
When it comes time to sell a high end Corvette, most people with funds to pay for them are older people looking for a fully loaded convertible with automatic.
I drove stick shift vehicles since 1981 and still drive one today, my daily driver Ford Ranger and are simply tired of it. I want to stop using all 4 limbs to move the vehicle along, relax, and enjoy a cup of coffee along the way.
Last edited by Ron Dittmer; Apr 19, 2012 at 01:31 PM.