Which do you prefer, and what is the reason?

When I first started driving my dad wanted to teach me to drive a stick I hated it! I could not drive it, and I was so nervous, so I quit, then I drove a automatic for awhile, my dad made me so nervous that I couldn't drive a stick, we had a 5 speed 95 Camaro, and one day I got so determined I took the car and drove it by myself, I did so good I was proud of myself, I couldn't learn how to drive a stick with anyone there, so I taught myself, I love driving a stick that's all I prefer to drive, I have a 03 s10 Xtreme 5 speed and a 6 speed Corvette, I hate driving automatics. So there is my story.

 

I wouldn't buy a Vette with an automatic...

 

Had eight Corvettes, only one was an automatic (but it was a great deal) Wouldn't have another automatic Corvette. My automatic was a 1981 C3 which was very underpowered and couldn't get out of it's own way, a real slug. The newer automatics, especially those with paddle shifters are much better.

In my younger days I raced big block Mopars with torqeflights. My DD is now a Ram Hemi only available with automatic.

 

I have an auto, but only for drag racing. If I didn't drag race, it would be a manual.

 

Its all about what you want. Nothing wrong with an auto. It does have around 5% more drain in HP over a manual, certainly not enough to call it "underpowered". If you are daily driving in stop and go you would want an A4. If you want spirited driving only then an M6 might be for you. Most will say go for an M6 but there is still a large portion of the sports car community that links the shifter to whats in their pants and will demand a stick even after get smoked by an A4 on a drag strip. It boils down to what you like, not what others tell you.

 

I am an "old guy" and have a 6 speed because in my day, auto's were not what they are today. I love my manual and hold a traditionalist view that a sports car should be a manual. However, I have test driven both a new C7 and a Ferrari with auto's, and outside of the missing clutch they could very well change my mind. For now I will stick with my manual C5. If and when it comes time to change I will look at an auto with renewed respect, maybe.

 

I drive a 6SP and prefer it for older vehicles of all styles.

However, we are considering a C7 with auto. They have really improved these days and seems you almost need an auto to be competitive with stuff from German and Italy.

 

I have an auto with a tune for congested city driving where a manual might make you psychotic after an hour. If I lived in the mountains with winding roads it would be different. In that case manual all the way.

For drag racing you can get a really sweet launch from an auto and never miss a shift. No need to down shift while drag racing. If your tires start spinning you just let off the gas a little and you have both hands on the wheel.

On the other hand an auto doesn't seem like it would be much fun on a road coarse without control over shifts. The torque converter would cause the trans to run too hot. Too bad A4's don't have a paddle shift option.

It depends on what you are doing with it.

 

6 speed here.

 

You can approach a corner hot, rev-match the proper gear, cut the apex and wind the gear out on the exit and bang the next gear/etc.

Can't do that with an automatic. A 6 speed has the potential to be a real driver car, the auto is best for 1/4 straight line or cruising... or if you have physical problems.

 

I have an auto for a few reasons. First, the car originally belonged to my father in law and I wasn't going to pass up on a good deal with known ownership history and low mileage.

Second, my drive to work and most anything else I do is all stop and go suburban roads.

Third, clutch maintanance scares the crap out of me and my wallet. I guess same could be said for TC, but seems they don't wear out as much?

Lastly, while I've driven a few manual cars very briefly in my past, I never felt 100% comfortable doing so and never had the opporturnity to keep practicing longer term to get comfortable. I often think about it, but just don't see it being for me. The closest I will likely get is another future Vette with paddle shifters.

 

My first coupe was auto, I hated every minute of it.
I did buy it only for a quick resale to purchase my C5Z.... I was happy to see it go.

Much better car with a 6 speed....for me at least.

 

I had nine Corvettes with only 1 being an automatic.

I like the manual transmissions. They are just more fun to drive.

I like the control of what gear vs whatever the car thinks it should be.

I don't like the car deciding in certain situations like if I let off the gas but expect to want to accelerate an instant later. The car will upshift with an auto, but I didn't want that. That situation comes up fairly often on twisty roads or even preparing to pass on the highway.

I also don't like the car deciding to downshift at certain situations. For example, sometimes when turning a corner and giving it some gas I am not expecting a downshift, but then the engine jumps in rpm and the exhaust sounds off. All this when I was in traffic and not needing or wanting the car to call attention to itself.

I tried an automatic when I was daily driving on a 100 mile per day commute. It was OK and in certain situations it worked well. But I kept finding that I wanted a manual. I sold that car to buy a manual for my daily commute. For me it was a great decision. Love the 6 speeds.

I love the control of a 6 speed and it is fun working through the gears (as often as possible). They even get better gas mileage.

I know that the later models after they went to the 6 speed automatics are probably better than the A4, the shift controls are better, and the mileage is improved too. I will probably get one some day since they are improved and also because my wife's knees are having problems and she can't drive a stick any more. I expect I will get to the point I can't drive a stick someday, but I hope that is a long way off.

 

I passed on a lot of very good C5s because they were automatics; it immediately eliminated them from my pool of possible cars.

 

I've had 32 Corvettes and all but 2 were manuals: A 68 Big Block with a Turbo 400 auto and my 97. The 97 does have the performance rear axle and pulls pretty good, so I'm kind of enjoying it. All of my other current cars are 4 speeds, 6 speeds or 7 speed manuals. I do prefer manuals.

 

Gears....lots of gears (see screen-name)

 

I would rather not have a corvette than have an A4 corvette. It's just not even close to the same driving experience. A base c5 is already too close to being an econobox feeling car since the suspension is so soft, that putting in that lazy automatic kills the fun.

Been in a few built auto cars and while they're certainly fast, it just doesn't feel right. Been through Atlanta traffic multiple times in my 6 speed car, wouldn't trade it for anything.

At the end of the day though, it's all in what you care about. Drive what's right for you, not what's right for everyone else.

 

Just went on a nice road trip with the new Gal and went to Talimena Scenic Byway, With a auto would have taken almost ALL the fun out of it, was lucky to have no traffic, what a blast with a manual !!! Would never have a Vette with a auto !!!!

 

I'm in Florida where the ground is flat the streets are straight and the traffic is stop and go in the cities especially the beach.

If you are making good Hp the A4 feels a little sketchy when it downshifts. A little out of control.

 

I prefer the MN6 in the Vette. Much more engaging driving experience. Granted this is not my DD. My wife's BMW has paddle shifters a cool feature by not as much fun as the manual.
Since I am the only one in the family that can drive a manual no one asks to borrow the car big plus in my book.