corvettesforevor

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.

Chevywrench

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.

pologreen91

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.

rconkin

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.

whydallas

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.

Corvette#2

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.

NoahGW

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

Macleod52

If you like shifting then you won't be happy with an auto.

Matt.S

Shouldn't have been made in auto IMO. Manual or bust for me

Chicago1

You answered your own question if you get a auto I think you will regret it. Get what you want the first time around if you have to save up then save up. I love rowing gears and I have driven some fast auto cars but nothing like well rowing gears, I tell the car what to do not the other way around.

Joepro95

I will never own many vehicles because they are autos or dct etc....yes they are faster, better in traffic etc, but give me a clutch and stick, or give me death!

beboggled

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.

65GGvert

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.

grantv

To me it's not extra money for a stick, it's either I buy a stick or I don't buy it.
If you're OK with an auto though, do it.

dbgoodwin

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.

Not4spd

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.

Vetteman Jack

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.

johnmike79

i love my 2000 M6! so much fun to drive man. with a borla exhaust its pretty damn great.

Tusc

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!

dbgoodwin

Yeah definitely hard to believe that more than half of corvette owners made a mistake, but since more than half of them bought a4's, half of them clearly made a mistake!

I would be okay with all cars being manuals.