View Poll Results: Can the Tranny be a deal killer?
6 Speed Manual
116
69.05%
Automatic
52
30.95%
Voters: 168. You may not vote on this poll
6 Speed vs Automatic
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 13
From: Redding California
This poll leans heavily to the manual transmission choice, and yet, when given the choice when buying new approx 70% of C5 buyers opted for the auto trans. (on coupe or convertible)
And even if we include Z06 sales where the purchaser doesn't have a choice of transmission, the total sales are still approx 54% auto to 46% manual.
.
And even if we include Z06 sales where the purchaser doesn't have a choice of transmission, the total sales are still approx 54% auto to 46% manual.
.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 76
From: Portland OR
My C4 was auto and it was fine for what I purchased it for (to cut up for another project) but when I bought my C5, it was for a driver and a driver has a manual, otherwise it isn't a drivers car.
While I have heard the auto in the C7Z is supposed to be bad ***, I didn't care for the funky paddle shifters in the grand sport I test drove and still don't like the idea of them in any car. I guess I am old school.
While I have heard the auto in the C7Z is supposed to be bad ***, I didn't care for the funky paddle shifters in the grand sport I test drove and still don't like the idea of them in any car. I guess I am old school.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 76
From: Portland OR
This poll leans heavily to the manual transmission choice, and yet, when given the choice when buying new approx 70% of C5 buyers opted for the auto trans. (on coupe or convertible)
And even if we include Z06 sales where the purchaser doesn't have a choice of transmission, the total sales are still approx 54% auto to 46% manual.
.
And even if we include Z06 sales where the purchaser doesn't have a choice of transmission, the total sales are still approx 54% auto to 46% manual.
.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,014
Likes: 48
From: Dayton Ohio
All depends what you want to do. Don't settle! There are plenty of good cars out there. Take your time on the search and expand your area. I bought my Z06 out of state and it was great. Even had a fellow forum member check it out for me before I came up with the check so I only had to make the trip once. Just post in the regional section where the car is located and I'm sure someone will help you check it out local.
A plane ticket and fun drive home is not the worst thing
Good luck!
A plane ticket and fun drive home is not the worst thing
Good luck!
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 429
From: Houston TX
This poll leans heavily to the manual transmission choice, and yet, when given the choice when buying new approx 70% of C5 buyers opted for the auto trans. (on coupe or convertible)
And even if we include Z06 sales where the purchaser doesn't have a choice of transmission, the total sales are still approx 54% auto to 46% manual.
.
And even if we include Z06 sales where the purchaser doesn't have a choice of transmission, the total sales are still approx 54% auto to 46% manual.
.
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
From: Stafford Va
Hey I'm not a statistician or expert by any means, IJMO that you buy what fits your lifestyle, what YOU desire and in the end will make you happy. For me with arthritis in my knees and bad traffic to boot, it's a no brainer....Now if I was to get another sport car, I might have to go with a manual just to mix it up a bit; IDK. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,962
Likes: 254
From: Richmond, Ky
Deal breaker, back in 2010. Next time maybe not. I have a six speed and have been completely happy with my choice. I enjoy the the feel and sound of going up and down the gears, especially with my Corsa's. I have nothing against the automatics and if absolute quickness was my goal, I'd probably want gears, stall convertor, and a built auto.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 13
From: Redding California
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 169
From: SE VA VA
I used to hate manual...maybe b/c I learned on a '75 Vega, but a few years later when I started working at a local Nissan Z repair center, I leaned sport/y/s cars were way more fun with manuals, and have bought manual trans ever since.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 46
From: Springfield IL.
Oldtimer
It would be a deal breaker for me. I had all the sticks I wanted when I was young. With a bad left knee I wouldn't even consider a stick anymore. One of my good friends is just the opposite. He says for it to be a Corvette it has to be a Roadster and a stick, so he bought a AE Roadster 6 speed. He's 70 and loves his 03, he still has his 61 that he bought when he got out of the army in 66.
Corvette Cowboy
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,852
Likes: 23
From: Cen-Cal Broke A$$ Kalifornia
Not a deal breaker for me as I get what I want I have 6sp but how I see it if it's a DD I would get A4 cuz shifting sucks in traffic. I have a C3 that's a auto but this car is for Drag racing only, I see my C5 as a sportscar and all sportscar so man. all the way.
P.S. My vette was not a mid-Life crisis it was a investment for my Soul
Pops
P.S. My vette was not a mid-Life crisis it was a investment for my Soul
Pops
Last edited by BOUT X; Sep 18, 2014 at 05:24 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,309
Likes: 13
From: FW/d Texas
When looking to replace my previous '01 MY vert 6 spd - I wanted one like it in a year or 2 newer C5. Found several that were auto but passed as I wanted a 6 spd. Did get an '04 sliver vert 6 spd but at times still wish it was MY. I was told by the sales manager at chevy dealer where I bought my '04 that MY 6 spd were hard to find in my area - they were getting sold as fast as they came on the market !
Last edited by C5Txfan; Sep 18, 2014 at 06:15 PM.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 655
Likes: 2
From: Rio Vista ca.
Had a C4 auto that I truly loved. It was my first Corvette. I recently traded it in on an 02 Z06. I love the 6 speed manual tranny in this car! It's a ball to drive and sounds great going through the gears after I installed a Corsa Extreme cat back. I only use the Z for fun drives though. If I had to use it as a daily driver in stop and go traffic, it wouldn't be doable. My left knee will only take so much punishment before it begins to throb.
Kim
Kim
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
For daily driving: auto
For drag racing: auto
For a relaxing Sunday stroll: auto
For highway sweepers and high speed turns: auto
For ripping a road course: stick
For extremely spirited twisties on public roads: stick
For top speed runs over 170 mph: stick
For highway roll racing : stick ... Sometimes
I've had a ton of stick and auto cars, ultimately for the kind of driving/cruising/racing I do, I prefer autos.. They are quicker/faster, easier on parts, more consistent and less human error.
If I lived in Cali and could rip up Mulholland drive every weekend, I'd have a stick.
Both have pros and cons, but after you've pulled the drivetrain a few times to repair broken stick trannies and worn out clutches, the enthusiasm for them runs out quick.
I'd never knock a car or someone's opinion for what they want.. I catch a bunch of flak at car shows/cruises for having an "auto z06"... Yet that auto hasn't lost to a stick car yet.. Hmmmm
For drag racing: auto
For a relaxing Sunday stroll: auto
For highway sweepers and high speed turns: auto
For ripping a road course: stick
For extremely spirited twisties on public roads: stick
For top speed runs over 170 mph: stick
For highway roll racing : stick ... Sometimes
I've had a ton of stick and auto cars, ultimately for the kind of driving/cruising/racing I do, I prefer autos.. They are quicker/faster, easier on parts, more consistent and less human error.
If I lived in Cali and could rip up Mulholland drive every weekend, I'd have a stick.
Both have pros and cons, but after you've pulled the drivetrain a few times to repair broken stick trannies and worn out clutches, the enthusiasm for them runs out quick.
I'd never knock a car or someone's opinion for what they want.. I catch a bunch of flak at car shows/cruises for having an "auto z06"... Yet that auto hasn't lost to a stick car yet.. Hmmmm
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 353
From: Little Rock Arkansas
I had my heart set on a Nassau Blue C5 with the six speed. I really wanted an FRC, but would settle for a targa if it came along. I turned away a WHOLE lot of cars because they were automatics; a lot of cars. I probably could of had a C5 much sooner, but spent a lot of time looking for the "right" car and waiting for the "right" car to come along. It was transmission first as the most important item, followed by paint, followed by little options.
I think that the transmission is one of the most deciding factor in ANY car. Color is what your eyes see. And options one can simply live with or eventually modify in some way. The transmission can make or break the enjoyability of a purchase. Don't settle for something that you don't want.
I think that the transmission is one of the most deciding factor in ANY car. Color is what your eyes see. And options one can simply live with or eventually modify in some way. The transmission can make or break the enjoyability of a purchase. Don't settle for something that you don't want.