AT vs. 6 spd manual
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 234
From: SW Nuh Hampsha
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
I ordered my 2002 C5 coupe on 9/8/2001. The 6-speed manual tranny option was $1200. First time in my life I had to pay extra for a manual shift car. IIRC, about 70% of C5's came with the A4.
At one point, I had both manual and A4 C5's at the same time for several years. To make the A4 more competitive with my 6-speed and more tolerable/fun, I installed Blackwing intake, ARH headers, a Yank 3200 stall converter and 3.42 gears. It definitely made it more fun to drive but I love my manual trannies so the auto will always be my second choice when pure fun is the goal. That's why I bought a 7-speed manual when I got my C7.
At one point, I had both manual and A4 C5's at the same time for several years. To make the A4 more competitive with my 6-speed and more tolerable/fun, I installed Blackwing intake, ARH headers, a Yank 3200 stall converter and 3.42 gears. It definitely made it more fun to drive but I love my manual trannies so the auto will always be my second choice when pure fun is the goal. That's why I bought a 7-speed manual when I got my C7.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 657
Likes: 181
From: Houma Louisiana
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,346
Likes: 755
From: Greensboro Nc
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
My window sticker on 04 vert says $915 cost for the M6. Since I drive in non traffic time between commute times and back roads, the M6 is a lot of fun. But if I had to drive the Vette as a DD and subject to stop and go, I would have bought a auto.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 6,029
Likes: 85
From: Palm Coast, FL
the manuals must be better because the ones with an automatic are not men 
but still like the A4 old farts club "point and shoot" with the 373's and 3,800 stall on the street or track (1/4 mile) and the consistency is amazing when at the track.
but still like the A4 old farts club "point and shoot" with the 373's and 3,800 stall on the street or track (1/4 mile) and the consistency is amazing when at the track.
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,442
Likes: 2,189
From: Buffalo Texas
I do agree with that but most probably don't drag race theirs !!!!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 6,029
Likes: 85
From: Palm Coast, FL
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 429
From: Houston TX
Auto is king when it comes to holding your car in a straight line for 10-11 seconds. For everything else, including driver involvement and enjoyment, give me the T56 all day long.
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,442
Likes: 2,189
From: Buffalo Texas
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,137
Likes: 2,985
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
My first C5, a 99, had an auto. My current 98 and 02 are 6-speeds. I definetely prefer the 6-speed.
(the 98 has been upgraded to a C6 ZO6 shifter which is even better)
(the 98 has been upgraded to a C6 ZO6 shifter which is even better)
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,671
Likes: 4,621
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
Drag racing is nothing more than beating the crap out of the car in a straight line for 11 to 13 seconds. It has nothing to do with driving, handling and braking while shifting up and down through the gears through turns through hills and valleys and being involved with the driving experience and enjoying the scenery. Drag racing an automatic car is smokey burn outs followed by destroying the drive train of the car in a violent launch and holding on to the steering wheel wrestling with it to keep the car straight for a quarter of a mile with your right foot mashing the gas pedal to the floor then suddenly having to stop abruptly. I enjoy accelerating too but not destroying the car in the process. To each their own but consistent quarter mile times is not what a sports car is about. I enjoy driving my Corvette every day for a 60 mile round commute while shifting through the gears listening to the exhaust note and the down shifts and steering through the curves. If I was buying a car and learned that it was drag raced I would immediately pass.
Last edited by Mike98SilVert; Dec 14, 2015 at 09:45 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 6,029
Likes: 85
From: Palm Coast, FL
Most of the people that drive manuals do not run a 1/4 mile because it's too hard for you and you might break something. Besides most can't even drive a stick the way it was meant.
I have to laugh at the people who say automatic cars are beaten running down the track. A big cam wants to turn some rpms and to me I'm just letting it do what it does best besides handling turns on the streets and me listening to the motor
Remember mine was built to run a 10.50 index and still be a grocery getting daily driver. For me to go to the track and make a few passes a couple of days a year is my way of not racing in the streets because of it being really kinda FAST, I let it go at the track and unlike all of you manual cars that are always zooming through the twisties downshifting and digging the sounds of the motor. Know what to do at a track. Lol
I have to laugh at the people who say automatic cars are beaten running down the track. A big cam wants to turn some rpms and to me I'm just letting it do what it does best besides handling turns on the streets and me listening to the motor
Remember mine was built to run a 10.50 index and still be a grocery getting daily driver. For me to go to the track and make a few passes a couple of days a year is my way of not racing in the streets because of it being really kinda FAST, I let it go at the track and unlike all of you manual cars that are always zooming through the twisties downshifting and digging the sounds of the motor. Know what to do at a track. Lol
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 258
I love rowing my own in my 6spd car; esp at the track (1/4 mile)
It's a challenge to drive a stick car fast and consistently; which I'm not too shabby at
However I have a stick shift turbo mustang too; and I'm seriously considering going auto. They just stay in boost and eat. You'd have to no lift shift to be close. However it's fun lol
It's a challenge to drive a stick car fast and consistently; which I'm not too shabby at
However I have a stick shift turbo mustang too; and I'm seriously considering going auto. They just stay in boost and eat. You'd have to no lift shift to be close. However it's fun lol
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,671
Likes: 4,621
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
Drag cars and Sports cars are two different types of vehicles. I don't understand why someone turns a great handling well balance Sports car into a drag car. There are plenty of solid rear axle V8 cars available for drag racing. I have driven manual transmission Corvettes since 1978, Muscle cars as well. I can drive a stick very well, I have a lot of experience. I don't care if an auto trans is more consistent and may be a couple tenths faster today. We each have different perspectives. I love a fast car that can handle and like it to do both well. Someone will always have a faster or better handling car. Originally from NJ as I see you are, I have been to Raceway Park in Englishtown many many times starting at a very early age. I enjoyed going there but I have seen a lot of carnage especially coming off the line. I enjoyed the pits the most, watching as the repairs were made until the next run. Maybe we have crossed paths there.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,346
Likes: 755
From: Greensboro Nc
Drag cars and Sports cars are two different types of vehicles. I don't understand why someone turns a great handling well balance Sports car into a drag car. There are plenty of solid rear axle V8 cars available for drag racing. I have driven manual transmission Corvettes since 1978, Muscle cars as well. I can drive a stick very well, I have a lot of experience. I don't care if an auto trans is more consistent and may be a couple tenths faster today. We each have different perspectives. I love a fast car that can handle and like it to do both well. Someone will always have a faster or better handling car. Originally from NJ as I see you are, I have been to Raceway Park in Englishtown many many times starting at a very early age. I enjoyed going there but I have seen a lot of carnage especially coming off the line. I enjoyed the pits the most, watching as the repairs were made until the next run. Maybe we have crossed paths there.