Why buy an automatic?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,927
Likes: 9
From: Ozark, Alabama
Originally Posted by boatboatboat
Mine is a DD. I have put 3k on it in 5 weeks. I am on the cell phone atleast an hour a day with my job , I also drink coffee by the bucket.
Hard to do those things with a 6 speed.
Hard to do those things with a 6 speed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,186
Likes: 7
From: Evansville, IN The GOCC, rebels without a clue.
St. Jude Donor '06
I bought my first auto in 8 years. Mostly because it's hard to get my size 13 EEEEs to navigate in the pedal area without getting all tangled up in pedals and each other.
A side benefit of getting an auto is learning how to drive again. It does feel funny setting up for a turn on a road course and having nothing for my left foot to do, most of the time.
Stick or auto? It's still a whole lot of fun.
A side benefit of getting an auto is learning how to drive again. It does feel funny setting up for a turn on a road course and having nothing for my left foot to do, most of the time.
Stick or auto? It's still a whole lot of fun.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,374
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Florida
The very car I wanted became available and it had an A4 3.15 Z51. I've always had manual shift sports cars, but have come to enjoy the A4 and I have just as much fun on road courses or AXs with it as with an M6. Plus A4s can be deadly in a straight line, too.
☠☣☢ Semper Ebrius ☢☣☠
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 83,301
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII Veteran
St. Jude's Donor '06
Originally Posted by gresch
Just out of curiosity, for those of you who bought an automatic, why did you do it? Considering the type of car that a Corvette is, wouldn't a manual be more appropriate?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
From: Fredericksburg Va
Bottom Line-----Traffic--------Traffic------Traffic
Even to get to a two lane mountain road you have to wade through traffic.....that also includes the weekends.
If I lived in Montanna or Wyoming or Nevada and could get out on an open road my Corvette would be a manual.
My 69 is a manual. I drive that on Sunday mornings while everyone is literally taking advantage of the "Day of Rest".
Rd
Even to get to a two lane mountain road you have to wade through traffic.....that also includes the weekends.
If I lived in Montanna or Wyoming or Nevada and could get out on an open road my Corvette would be a manual.
My 69 is a manual. I drive that on Sunday mornings while everyone is literally taking advantage of the "Day of Rest".
Rd
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,220
Likes: 0
From: St. Robert Missouri
I've had both - And am currently driving an automatic. I just get lazy as the years pass, and in the mornings my right hand is gripping my convenience store mug. Many reasons I suppose, and could go on and on. Just get's down to need and preference.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,296
Likes: 0
From: Pearland TX
St. Jude Donor '03-'06-'07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by Yello95
I got my '04 in an automatic because I was tired of constantly having to shift gears...it is a pain in the azz sometimes...especially in stop and go traffic...a little bit goes a long way...I still have my '95 ZF6 speed...so when I want to do the shift thing...I just hop in the '95 and do the shifting thing...but otherwise the auto is so much easier to drive not shifting gears all of the time...and I can relax more without constantly having to shift gears.... 
my 98 was the first A that i ever bought, my 03 the second
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,387
Likes: 2
From: Chicago Burbs, IL
St. Jude Donor '03 & '06
With this kind of performance in a car, I figured I wanted both hands on the wheel. I also sacrificed a little for cost of the car (i.e. manual tranny, polished wheels). Still love the car.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 12,473
Likes: 127
From: HOPE is the first step on the road to disappointment.
Originally Posted by gresch
Just out of curiosity, for those of you who bought an automatic, why did you do it? Considering the type of car that a Corvette is, wouldn't a manual be more appropriate?
Because I wanted it and NO.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles I'm here for a good time, not a long time!
My vette is my daily driver, and living in So. Cal NOT FUN with a manual. I would just shift to 2nd and then have to downshift and put her in 1st. UGH!!! Way too painful all morning long and all afternoon long. I commute 2 hours to work, (1 each way) everyday is a struggle, BUT A LOT EASIER IN A 2004 Coupe A4. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,313
Likes: 803
From: Naples Florida
I ahve the six speed and at first driving my car was a blast. Rowing through the gears, felt like it had more pull than my 98 Transam A4. I was loving it all the way. Now after having my car for two years I kinda wish I had an A4. It gets tiring shifting all the time, especially in stop and go traffic. If I had the chance to get another Vette it would most likely be an A4.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 120,798
Likes: 11
From: Charlotte NC
Cruise-In IV Veteran
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Cruise-In VII Veteran
I have an automatic. I never learned how to drive a stick although numerous people have tried to teach me. I'm happy with what I have.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 0
From: Sparta NJ
Because it's my money and I can choose to spend it any way I wish. With traffic in NJ an auto made more sense to me (I have a 90 mile commute) and I bought the vette to drive, not to shine and keep parked in the garage. And, with a gear ratio and torque converter mod in an auto, you don't need to worry about missing a shift in a drag race.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,076
Likes: 26
From: Nevada and Florida
I have owned (3) C5s, two were A4s. I did not like the 6-speed since it was notchy with a heavy clutch. The A4s are sloppy. I decided on the 2004 to modify the A4 with PCM programming and a shift kit. I have the A4 set to shift on demand or full manual. It is the best setup I have experienced.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: Clinton MD. USA
I owned a 99 six speed and loved every minute of it. However, I lost my left leg above the knee and thought it wasn't possible to drive a stick. Well I can tell you I had no trouble . I sold the 99 and bought a 04 auto not as much fun but I can take my prosthetic leg off and not worry about a clutch. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 996
Likes: 13
From: Dallas TX
With the improvements being made to auto & SMG style trannys out there, I imagine it won't be long before manual transmissions will only be purchased by those wanting a nostalgic (or cheaper) driving experience at the expense of slower acceleration.