Why buy an automatic?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Bergerac Dordogne
I admit it, I haven't read any of this thread it except the last message, but I bet it's full of the usual.
I've got an MN6 'cos that's what I wanted this time (I had an A4 before).
Buy one if you want one. That's all. 'Vettes are an individual thing, all of them wonderful beasties.
I've got an MN6 'cos that's what I wanted this time (I had an A4 before).
Buy one if you want one. That's all. 'Vettes are an individual thing, all of them wonderful beasties.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,338
Likes: 66
From: Whittier California
Originally Posted by Patman
One thing that does bother me is how my trans shifts into overdrive at only 40mph. It then is almost lugging the engine, and it takes a lot of pedal pressure to force a downshift. I wish it would hold off the shift to overdrive until 50mph. I was hoping that when they did the dyno tuning to my car a couple of weeks ago that they could solve this but they couldn't find this feature in the tuning software they were using (they did pick up 11rwhp and 11rwtq though, and most importantly I got my full throttle shift points raised up from 5700 to 6000)
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
seriously asking here... if you were truly curious as to why some buy an automatic Corvette; then why add this line to the end of your question:
???
wouldn't a manual be more appropriate?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 31,791
Likes: 2,415
From: DFW/Long Island
Originally Posted by Mike Mercury
seriously asking here... if you were truly curious as to why some buy an automatic Corvette; then why add this line to the end of your question:
???
???
I had no idea that this question would spark such responses. I was sitting home watching the yankees game the other night, reading the forum and the question popped into my head, it's just that simple.
I just bought my first Vette back in May after having SUV's since '96 and having 3 Formula Firebirds with manuals prior to that, so TO ME a sports car has a manual in it. I completely understand everyone's reasons for getting autos, what I don't understand are all of the defensive responses... oh well.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 31,791
Likes: 2,415
From: DFW/Long Island
Originally Posted by Mike Mercury
seriously asking here... if you were truly curious as to why some buy an automatic Corvette; then why add this line to the end of your question:
???
???
I had no idea that this question would spark such responses. I was sitting home watching the yankees game the other night, reading the forum and the question popped into my head, it's just that simple.
I just bought my first Vette back in May after having SUV's since '96 and having 3 Formula Firebirds with manuals prior to that, so TO ME a sports car has a manual in it. I completely understand everyone's reasons for getting autos, what I don't understand are all of the defensive responses... oh well.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 652
Likes: 0
From: Katy Tx
My, excuse me, "our" 02 coupe is my wife's daily driver. I put on my best sales pitch to her when I found a GREAT deal on it. And it being an automatic was a big part of her feeling comfortable with the power on a daily basis, especially since we will put close to 20K miles on it this year. Primarily with her driving it. But in no way do I feel shorted out of a M6, the A4 has plenty of go!!!!!!!
By the way, we got the car 2 months ago and I am new to the forum. So a BIG HELLO to all of you forum vets.
By the way, we got the car 2 months ago and I am new to the forum. So a BIG HELLO to all of you forum vets.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,374
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Florida
Originally Posted by Ragin'Cajun
My, excuse me, "our" 02 coupe is my wife's daily driver. I put on my best sales pitch to her when I found a GREAT deal on it. And it being an automatic was a big part of her feeling comfortable with the power on a daily basis, especially since we will put close to 20K miles on it this year. Primarily with her driving it. But in no way do I feel shorted out of a M6, the A4 has plenty of go!!!!!!!
By the way, we got the car 2 months ago and I am new to the forum. So a BIG HELLO to all of you forum vets.
By the way, we got the car 2 months ago and I am new to the forum. So a BIG HELLO to all of you forum vets.
Bienvenue 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 869
Likes: 0
From: Nashville TN
Originally Posted by robertpel9
With the coming of 6 speed automatics in Vettes youa re gonna see even more of them.
All this macho nonsense about how only a stick is in a real sports car is pathetic. I'll take most of what is on the road in my A4. I am looking forward to the future with 6 speeds automatics, F1 paddle shifter etc. It's called progress.
Don't get me wrong i like 6 speeds and manuals too but for the type of driving i do which is in a prettyt urban area and on the drag strip a couple times a year an auto makes more sense.
I think it's great we have options to get what suits us best. For me i'll take a 6 speed automatic in my vette please asap.
All this macho nonsense about how only a stick is in a real sports car is pathetic. I'll take most of what is on the road in my A4. I am looking forward to the future with 6 speeds automatics, F1 paddle shifter etc. It's called progress.
Don't get me wrong i like 6 speeds and manuals too but for the type of driving i do which is in a prettyt urban area and on the drag strip a couple times a year an auto makes more sense.
I think it's great we have options to get what suits us best. For me i'll take a 6 speed automatic in my vette please asap.
100%I have muscular dystrophy and cannot depress a clutch anymore with my left leg. I bought a Corvette because it is one of the few cars that are still quick even with an automatic. Trust me, just because many of us have automatics does NOT AT ALL mean we don't care about performance!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 869
Likes: 0
From: Nashville TN
Originally Posted by gresch
I don't understand your question.... a Corvette, of any configuration, is a sports car, and to me sports cars, especially American "muscle cars", are manuals... but that's just my opinion, it's no more right or wrong than anyone else's.
I had no idea that this question would spark such responses. I was sitting home watching the yankees game the other night, reading the forum and the question popped into my head, it's just that simple.
I just bought my first Vette back in May after having SUV's since '96 and having 3 Formula Firebirds with manuals prior to that, so TO ME a sports car has a manual in it. I completely understand everyone's reasons for getting autos, what I don't understand are all of the defensive responses... oh well.
I had no idea that this question would spark such responses. I was sitting home watching the yankees game the other night, reading the forum and the question popped into my head, it's just that simple.
I just bought my first Vette back in May after having SUV's since '96 and having 3 Formula Firebirds with manuals prior to that, so TO ME a sports car has a manual in it. I completely understand everyone's reasons for getting autos, what I don't understand are all of the defensive responses... oh well.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 31,791
Likes: 2,415
From: DFW/Long Island
Originally Posted by 1g1yy
Come on! You are talking to somewhat intelligent people here! You asked the question with a "looking down your nose" attitude toward automatics. And then you can't understand why people get POed!
wtf are you talking about?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 7
From: n/a SC
Originally Posted by 1g1yy
Come on! You are talking to somewhat intelligent people here! You asked the question with a "looking down your nose" attitude toward automatics. And then you can't understand why people get POed!
Like I said before I have a 72 454 4sp vert I somewhat like the manual in it since it's a old school kinda vette but sometimes even wish it was a auto. Auto's now days in the vette are just quicker it will run through the gears and keep your pinned back and blow the same car with a 6sp away.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 31,791
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From: DFW/Long Island
Originally Posted by wildman378
I feel the same as you and if the guy who started this thread will really go through and read all of it he will see most of us have been there/ done that and 90% of people on this thread are in a consensus that the auto will be a better car in most conditions. He was saying in other words it's not a TRUE sports car unless it's a auto....ha!...line up to me at the track/red light and your 6sp will get it HANDED TO YA!
Like I said before I have a 72 454 4sp vert I somewhat like the manual in it since it's a old school kinda vette but sometimes even wish it was a auto. Auto's now days in the vette are just quicker it will run through the gears and keep your pinned back and blow the same car with a 6sp away.
Like I said before I have a 72 454 4sp vert I somewhat like the manual in it since it's a old school kinda vette but sometimes even wish it was a auto. Auto's now days in the vette are just quicker it will run through the gears and keep your pinned back and blow the same car with a 6sp away.
great to know that it's ok to have an opinion on here as long as it agrees with YOURS ... I don't agree that autos are better, so what... you're entitled to your opinion and i'm entitled to mine, not ONCE in this thread did I "look down my nose" at auto owners - show me where i did... I also disagree that an auto is faster just because you can mash down on the accelerator and let the car change gears for you, maybe in a straight line you'll get a slight advantage, but usually in racing there are these things called turns
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,802
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From: monroeville pa
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
I had a problem with my left foot bone spurs so it was difficult to use the clutch.So that is why i bought an automatic,but i do love stickshift cars vey much.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,407
Likes: 1
From: HONOLULU HAWAII
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?
I think if you worded your question better you would not have received such a harsh reaction.
BTW I love my Z06...its appropriate for me
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 7
From: n/a SC
I also disagree that an auto is faster just because you can mash down on the accelerator and let the car change gears for you, maybe in a straight line you'll get a slight advantage, but usually in racing there are these things called turns
I like to let my top down on my auto 95 vert and cruise to some good tunes and when I do this with my 4sp 72 vert it isn't as enjoyable. Like I said before this is 2004 not 1954 you can't enjoy a 6sp anymore they're just too many cars on the road and it gets old FAST.
I see nothing wrong with a manual just get tired of people question autos and bringing it up over and over...it gets old.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 10,665
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Well, I've had a few C5's now...all six speeds until the current one, which is an AT (it also has 3.42 gears and 500rwhp). My upcoming project is a six speed.
As mentioned, there are numerous advantages/disadvantages to both choices.
In particular, I really like the gas mileage (and quiet cruising speeds) and the feeling of control in the manual.
The AT (with 3.15 axle; don't know why anyone would choose the 2.73 axle) has quicker response and is faster in 9/10 scenarios. Still, I prefer the manual unless driving in traffic...since I work for myself and don't have to drive in traffic often, it makes my choice easy...
As mentioned, there are numerous advantages/disadvantages to both choices.
In particular, I really like the gas mileage (and quiet cruising speeds) and the feeling of control in the manual.
The AT (with 3.15 axle; don't know why anyone would choose the 2.73 axle) has quicker response and is faster in 9/10 scenarios. Still, I prefer the manual unless driving in traffic...since I work for myself and don't have to drive in traffic often, it makes my choice easy...