miamivette02

Before I got my vette, I drove a '99 Trans Am manual. I test drove an auto vette and decided that it was nice, but not worth trading my car in for. Then one day after work I test drove a manual vette and I was hooked! It was one of those things where I just had to drive it and get the feel of it. That night, I drove home in my new vette.

Tony P

Just traded my '00 MN6 cooupe for an '04 A4 'vert. I loved my MN6 but drive a lot in traffic and must tell you that the A4 is a lot more pleasant to drive, UNDER TRAFFIC CONDITIONS!

Without traffic, I miss the MN6. So I guess I have to agree with those who suggest that it all depends on your driving conditions. I for one will probably never go back to the MN6.

Good luck!

JACKAL0PE

I have an A4 coupe (my first corvette). My next one will be a 6-speed convertible.

But by that time, I'll be retired and won't be driving in Atlanta's famous traffic jams. Think carefully about how you WILL be driving it rather than how you'd LIKE to be driving it.

CAJUNY2KC5

Yep. And Happy Birthday!! Hey everybody - it's JD's BD!!

jeff1surfs

I agree my mn6 is getting me upward of 22mpg on the freeway.
About 1700rpm cruising in 6th @70 or so.
Rack to fifth and hit the gas, go BYE BYE!

ANTIVINUM

I broke one and the tech at the dealer (Dealer=Tack it at face value) told me it was because of me slamming gears. He recommended a shifter with stops. So I took that as they do not.

wildman378

"Why spend money on an auto when you're just going to have to turn around and spend more money on gears (EXPENSIVE!!!!!) and a stall??

Ok this gets brought up a lot but hopefully I can clear this up. A manual car will always be geared lower (higher ratio number) than the same car in a auto. Why you ask? to make up for shifting, in a manual you loose time each time you push that clutch in to change gears....

So a 2.73 geared auto pretty much ='s a 3.42 geared manual and the 3.15 geared ones are about like having 3.73 in a manual.

for c4's the 2.59 geared auto = 3.45 geared 6sp and the 3.07 geared autos have the performance over the 2.59 about like 4.10's would in the manual.

this making sense? just think about it and it will. They did this to bring the cars closer to the same performance level.

So what I am saying in trust me if you put a stock mn6 c5 with the stock 3.42 gears agaisnt a auto c5 with the same 3.42 gears the auto would toast it. So now you know having 3.42's in the manual isn't like they gave you so really low gears right outta the boc it just equals the cars up a bit.

6 speed Sid

6 speed is the only way to go (IMO). Makes it seem more like a sports car.

lvvette777

Try shifting to 3rd at 70 and you will really go bye-bye. : )


If you get an automatic, make sure you get the "performance rear end" option which will give you the 3:15 rear ratio. Otherwise you get the 2:73's which is really too high of a gear for these cars as they like to rev.

Sorny

22MPG on the freeway? Have you tried shifting into 5th or 6th gear?

I get above 30MPG on the freeway at 85. (32.5MPG on a trip from Phoenix to Minneapolis).

Try going into 3rd gear and standing on the gas pedal. That is a real hoot.

I typically average about 23-26MPG combined driving. It is very dependant on how heavy my right foot is; which is usually quite heavy.



Sorny

ExRedRacer

Probably true, but if your driving is mostly commuting in a city or suburban area, especially if there are any hills where you live/work, an A4 is the way to go.

If you are tall (over 6'3") you'll probably bang your left leg on the door every time you work that clutch.

Love my A4

Sully C5

I always love the A4/MN6 wars. Some people need to shift...some don't, so it boils down to your driving style. My A4 is reasonably fast & I thoroughly enjoy it.

Richin Chicago

I'm 6' 3" and there is plenty of clearance. I think you may be thinking of a C4.

BHP

The A4 is great street tranny if you have at least 3:15 gears. You can edit the PCM to improve shift points and firmness. With a shift kit you can also have fast manual shifts. If you want to road race consider the MN6.

Personally I don't care for the MN6 (had that tranny on my '01 vert.) It is too notchy and the clutch is heavy, also hangs up when hot. No fun for stop and go. Also had the B&M Ripper shifter and syn. oil which helped a little.

lbro305

Hey guys, i just purchsed a 2004 c5 mn6 i was reading in the book about the 1 to 4 shift and it was sayibg if u didnt shift from 1 to 4 when the light comes up on the instrument cluster panel, that u could damage the transmission. Is this true? Also i was reading about when the light is supposed to come on, theres apparently 3 conditions:
1. You are at 21% throttle or less
2. The collant temp is 169 or above
3. You are going 15-19 mph
Doesnt that mean u would have to shift from 1 to 4 most of the time? Also i did it a few times when i was supposed to, and the engine seemed like it was struggling and the rpms were really low.
Is this necessary to do??

stu12dozen

Get yourself a CAGS (Computer Assisted Gear Selection) Eliminator for $20 or less from one of our vendors. It's easy to install and then you won't lose any sleep at night worrying about gear selection. You will have the option of going 1-4,5,6 or 1,2,3,4,5,6. And yes, without the CAGS Eliminator you can do some damage if the 1 to 4 Shift light comes on and you force it into 2nd.