I'm currently in the market for a 98-2000ish Corvette.

I haven't driven a manual since I was 16 years old (I'm 25 now,) and even then, it wasn't for long, and I was far from mastering it.

I'm sure the real aficionados prefer manual, right? I always thought it would be more fun myself, for a sports car, especially.

Correct me if I'm wrong on this, having browsed ads the past few weeks, it SEEMS like there are more automatics than manual (is that correct?)

Eventually in the next year or so, I will be moving to either Orlando or Tallahassee to finish school. I live in a smaller community right now. Am I nuts to want a manual in a city with a lot of stop and go traffic? Is it really that much of a pain in the ***?

I'm sure there's a bit more "fun" factor with the manual when you're in wide open areas. I think I'll kick myself if I don't at least give the manual a run.

Tough decision...

 

Test drive both and pick the one you like.

 

Yeah, that's the sensical way to do it, but kinda hard. I can't really get a feel for driving a manual in a city without like, actually doing it, heh.

Sounds silly, but I actually would NOT submit myself to driving a car I don't actually own yet with a manual in heavy traffic.

If I get a manual, I'm going to have to lug it around the backroads for a day or two to get the hang of it for a while first.

I'll probably have to get my dad to drive it off the lot for me. Ha.

I will at least test drive an automatic before buying anything, though.

 

Without having formal lessons on a manual, I bought my first car at 23 with a stick, lived in a major city, and within a week I was fine, maybe stalled it twice. After I got married, I drove an automatic for 8 years, but still preferred the feel of driving a stick, so when I get the C5 that's what I did.

Ultimately, you should do what you feel you prefer. Driving a stick in the city is just as fun as anywhere else.

 

I would take a guess and say there were more autos produced than manuals. I bought a manual because I like to row through the gears. Either way, you can't go wrong because it's still a vette.

 

Manual Vettes have slightly more power, generally lower rear gears and slightly higher top speed vs. Auto tranny cars.

I have an Auto and I love it because I like to cruise slow much more than slide my car sideways at high speed on twisty roads (but only because I don't possess the "intestinal fortitude" to drive it hard!!!!)

It's a very personal choice either way.

Good luck.

 

Oh GAWD..........Please let's not start an automatic vs. manual thread again! Let's just answer this gentleman's questions and not start bashing each other over which one is best, okay???

Now - to answer your questions, there's probably more automatics since they were standard equipment and the MN6 was an option.

Year by year it went like this -

1997 29% (9752 total)
1998 23% (31,084 total)
1999 47% + all of the FRC's (4031 made) 29239 + 4031
2000 42% + all of the FRC's (2090 made) 31592 + 2090
2001 53% + all of the Z06's (5773 made) 29854 + 5773
2002 31% + all of the Z06's (8297 made) 27470 + 8297
2003 32% + all of the Z06's (8635 made) 26834 + 8635

The reason I wrote it this way is that all FRC's and Z06's came only with the MN6. So the numbers bear out your observation that there were more A4's than MN6's.

As far as being a pain in traffic - I'm sure the MN6 is more effort - but the engine has so much torque, I find that in heavy traffic, I can leave it in 1st or 2nd with my foot off the clutch and just let it idle, until I have to stop.

The MN6 is a lot of fun on twisty roads, on the freeway - it's like an A4. The MN6 came standard with a 3.42 rear end, the A4 came standard with a 2.73 and an optional 3.15. Now that doesn't mean that you can't swap out the 3.15 or the 2.73 for a 3.42 or higher numerically.

Like StephenT said - drive both and make your own choice.

BTW - I have a '98 MN6 convertible.

 

I think its pretty safe to say alot of vettes are auto. I would get nothing but manual, but I rarely have to deal with any type of stop and go rush hour traffic. IMO, a vette is made to be driven with enthusiasm, and having a manual in your hand will allow you more control of the driving experience. You're young, go manual. The week it might take you to brush up on it will be well worth it.

 

All good information, thanks for the replies.

I'd say I'm probably heavily leaning towards manual.

 

I have an auto C5 and I hate it. I had a 92 6-speed before and I am selling my vette now to get another 6-speed. What a mistake buying an automatic was. Anyone who sees your car sees it's a vette and then sees it is an automatic. says "an automaitc sports car how is that any fun" And they are right!

 

I am curious to what generally has a better resale value - MN6 or A4?

 

without a doubt manuals sell for more used

 

Ive had six vettes; the first four were mn, the 5th auto, current mn...
I'm ready to buy a new one and I'm going to back to auto this time....for years I loved going through the gears, giving people the 'second gear treatment', etc but....nowadays there are other things I need to do in the car where shifting is a downer ie, drinking coffee, eating, phoning, affectionate dates, yada yada yada......also, I missed Passing Gear on the auto....for some reason flooring a Vette into passing gear at about 40 running up to 80 makes me think of Cape Canaveral.

 

I drove 2 auto's before getting mine, one had the smaller rear with the 2.73's and one had the Z51 package with the 3.15's. The 2.73's really didnt do much for me, but the 3.15's were pretty darn good for an auto.

as others have said - drive both and get the one you like best!

 

The first 'vette that I bought was an A4. I bought the A4 simply because I thought that if I had the MN6 I would lose my licence. The A4 is a civilised gran torismo car in the old sense of the word - it'll take you to the end of the world and back in comfort and style.

In the end I gave in and stopped being civilised. I've got a 2000 MN6 now and I smile and I smile and I smile every time I drive it. Third gear on a tight windy road is the most fun you can have with your clothes on (apart from my now departed full power Suzuki Hyabusa, one has to make some concessions to sanity).

The A4 IS a wonderful car, but it's different to the MN6.

Decide what you want and go for it.

 

2-3 times a week MN6
7 Days a week A4

 

Can't add anything to that!

 

I didn't have a choice when I got my '03 Coupe, it came with an auto. If I had been given a choice I would have selected the manual.

I have since upgrade the gears from 3.15s to 3.42s, added a 2800 stall converter and a shift kit. I can't imagine a manual is any more fun than driving this upgraded auto. I am delighted with it.

 

Only you can answer this question. Yes, they make more automatics than manuals. Yes, the manual will be a little more effort to drive if you are in heavy traffic. But, it also is a lot of fun to own and drive.

 

isn't there some guy on here that runs low 9's with an A4? Seems like that qualifies as a "sports car" I wanted a MN6, however my wife, and dallas traffic forced the A4 purchase. Now comes the secret gear swap, and an ls1edit......ha ha.
my wife will never know.......