Is m6 worth the extra $$?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Is m6 worth the extra $$?
So i'm in the market for a 97-99 c5, cause that is all I can afford at the moment haha. I have a 4 speed c4, and I really like driving manual. That Is not to say I hate driving auto, I just love the satisfaction of slamming it into gear and hearing your exhaust.
So my question is, do you guys think its worth the extra money to get a 6 speed? I want a 6 speed but they are all about $1500-2,000 more in my area than their auto counterparts.
Is the auto fairly good in the c5? Or should I hold out for a manual? Let me know what you guys think.
So my question is, do you guys think its worth the extra money to get a 6 speed? I want a 6 speed but they are all about $1500-2,000 more in my area than their auto counterparts.
Is the auto fairly good in the c5? Or should I hold out for a manual? Let me know what you guys think.
8th Gear
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
I am in the same boat as you looking at a lot of C5's in that vintage, you can find a lot of great deals on vehicles with an auto trans.
I think you answered your own question, you really want a manny trans you better save a little longer and get what you really want. Corvettes are dream cars, at least to me. Get what you really want and you will never have any regrets.
Good luck on your Corvette search.
I think you answered your own question, you really want a manny trans you better save a little longer and get what you really want. Corvettes are dream cars, at least to me. Get what you really want and you will never have any regrets.
Good luck on your Corvette search.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 208
Likes: 8
From: Austin TX
For me it comes down to the type of driving you will be doing most of the time. I have an auto and since I get stuck in traffic a lot on my daily commute I'm glad I do. There are times when I get out on a weekend I'd love to have manual though. In my opinion as long as you're in a Corvette you can't go wrong either way.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 151
Likes: 5
From: Jonesborough TN
I really think you answered your own question. Sounds like you really want an M6 and that is what you should probably do. I bought an 89 last July because I was in a hurry. I really wanted an 03 AE convertible so this past May I sold the 89 to a coworker and got what I wanted to begin with. Patience has never been my best trait. If you can wait and get what you really want, wait. Oh, they both are M6 and I enjoyed driving the 89 as well as the 03. Good luck and enjoy whichever one you decide on.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 72
Likes: 3
Just sold my 2 owner torch red 6speed with 39000 miles, near excellent condition 1999 c5 for 10 grand. I wanted a quick sale and I got it, guess I could of waited a week and get 4 or 5 grand more, but I hate selling cars. sold in 30 seconds after talking to my mechanic.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,830
Likes: 394
From: Rocky Mountains
It's easier to find a deal on an automatic C5, but as you know, the 6 speeds are a blast to drive. Personal choice, I think it's easily worth an extra 2k. You get the 3.42 gear ratio. more rwhp and better highway gas mileage.
I had a C3 auto due to budget but always wished it was a stick. I would save longer for a 6 speed if that's what you like best.
I had a C3 auto due to budget but always wished it was a stick. I would save longer for a 6 speed if that's what you like best.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 160
Likes: 3
From: Missouri
I had a 2000 auto C5 and loved it but eventually I traded it for a 2002 6 speed C5. I love the 6speed, however it was more expensive to buy, and maintain (synchronizer went out for 2nd gear a month after I got it, $1500 to repair)
It's all your preference, but the stick is more fun, and easy to drive daily in my opinion
It's all your preference, but the stick is more fun, and easy to drive daily in my opinion
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Rio Rancho NM
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 483
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From: Bridgewater NJ
Don't be afraid to travel a bit. Finding the right manual car in the right color at the right price is worth driving a few hundred miles. Search Craigslist in surrounding areas...there are definitely deals to be had.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,114
Likes: 4,138
From: Kannapolis NC
Manual cars aren't really any higher, just a more specific market. More likely to have been ridden hard. To answer your question: No, the manual isn't worth more money, but getting the car you really want and not settling is well worth the extra money and will save you in the long run when you're trying to sell what you settled for and getting the one you want.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,346
Likes: 755
From: Greensboro Nc
I couldn't imagine ever driving an auto anything. Anytime I have to I find myself so bored that I end up driving like an idiot power braking and driving like I never would in a manual.
Automatics are really boring in anything, no matter how fast.
My fiance's manual Corolla is more fun than my buddies automatic g37.
Automatics are really boring in anything, no matter how fast.
My fiance's manual Corolla is more fun than my buddies automatic g37.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,185
Likes: 641
From: Garland TX
I got a manual cause my Vette is a toy not to mention I was only the market for a Z06. Had I been looking for a C5 as a daily I would have got an auto. F Dallas traffic at anytime of the day and all its surrounding cities. I HATE driving my Z in traffic.
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Hard to believe that the over 50% of C5 buyers that chose the A4 tranny made a mistake.
I have had two 6-speed C5s and now own an A4. While the 6-speeds were fun to drive, I do not feel like I have given up anything by getting the automatic other than a few MPG (and perhaps a tired leg when in heavy traffic
). When I stomp down on the gas pedal, the automatic will sit you back in the seat and the exhaust just roars (I have a Corsa Indy Pace Car exhaust). Sure performance is not quite as good as with the manual cars (a little slower 0-60 and through the 1/4 mile) but an A4 car still is a very capable performer.
As the OP said, the manual equipped cars generally cost a bit more (not sure I would pay up to $2K more since they were less than half of that new). If you truly want a manual car, you should try and find one that meets your desires. That way hopefully you would be totally happy with your choice. But, before you decide, take a test drive in cars equipped with each type of tranny and see what you end up liking the best.
I have had two 6-speed C5s and now own an A4. While the 6-speeds were fun to drive, I do not feel like I have given up anything by getting the automatic other than a few MPG (and perhaps a tired leg when in heavy traffic
). When I stomp down on the gas pedal, the automatic will sit you back in the seat and the exhaust just roars (I have a Corsa Indy Pace Car exhaust). Sure performance is not quite as good as with the manual cars (a little slower 0-60 and through the 1/4 mile) but an A4 car still is a very capable performer.As the OP said, the manual equipped cars generally cost a bit more (not sure I would pay up to $2K more since they were less than half of that new). If you truly want a manual car, you should try and find one that meets your desires. That way hopefully you would be totally happy with your choice. But, before you decide, take a test drive in cars equipped with each type of tranny and see what you end up liking the best.
Running Guns & Moonshine
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 12,370
Likes: 7,078
From: CT
Stick to manual. The car is just a LOT more fun with direct driver decisions.
As for cost, if time is not a factor then keep hunting for a while and don't get emotionally attached to any you see or make offers on. That's what I did, and I lucked into what was the cheapest used C5 in clean shape with low miles in 2013. $13k for 37k miles with $8k of suspension and other upgrades installed. The unicorns exist!
As for cost, if time is not a factor then keep hunting for a while and don't get emotionally attached to any you see or make offers on. That's what I did, and I lucked into what was the cheapest used C5 in clean shape with low miles in 2013. $13k for 37k miles with $8k of suspension and other upgrades installed. The unicorns exist!
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,346
Likes: 755
From: Greensboro Nc
I would be okay with all cars being manuals.