Auto or 6-speed
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Auto or 6-speed
I am sure this has been debated at length, but I am getting ready to buy a C5 and am trying to decide between an auto and a 6-speed. Main concern is wife driving car, i.e., concerned she will be less willing to drive car if I get a stick. Does anyone have any input other then personal preference? Looking for technical reasons or information on the stick such as difficulty pressing clutch, etc. I have not driven the stick and the dealers don't have one I can try.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 901
Likes: 2
From: Deptford, NJ
Re: Auto or 6-speed (vettenuts)
I am partial to the 6-speed. All of my Vette's 93, 96, 98 and 01 have been sixes. I would have to say that the weight of the clutch on the 01 was not as heavy as the C4's.
To me, it's not a Vette unless you are shifting it :)
Just my .02
To me, it's not a Vette unless you are shifting it :)
Just my .02
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 5,266
Likes: 15
From: Syracuse NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Auto or 6-speed (vettenuts)
I am sure this has been debated at length, but I am getting ready to buy a C5 and am trying to decide between an auto and a 6-speed. Main concern is wife driving car, i.e., concerned she will be less willing to drive car if I get a stick. Does anyone have any input other then personal preference? Looking for technical reasons or information on the stick such as difficulty pressing clutch, etc. I have not driven the stick and the dealers don't have one I can try.
Friends with the A4 seem to love it, Us "3-pedal-ers" love our manual trannies, too.
The only way to be sure is to test drive one of each and see which you like better. I couldn't do that, so I just went with instinct... hence my 6 speed :) .
Oh... once the wife gets to drive the car... no matter what tranny... you're all done. She'll never wanna give up the keys :D !
Happy shopping!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 3
From: Davie Florida
Re: Auto or 6-speed (1BAD-LS1)
My advice is to take your time and wait for the opportunaty to drive a stick and the auto. Both are great cars, I currently own an A4 and I love it. The reason you are having a hard time finding a 6 speed to drive is because 7 out of 10 Corvettes sold are automatics not 6 speeds. So I quess most people who buy Corvettes really don't want a sports car since they are automatics not 6 speeds(LOL).
98 A4 Purple Metalic
Donaldson Blackwing
Powerloaded
3.15 axle
172 T.Stat
[Modified by Mitch C, 5:54 PM 10/26/2001]
98 A4 Purple Metalic
Donaldson Blackwing
Powerloaded
3.15 axle
172 T.Stat
[Modified by Mitch C, 5:54 PM 10/26/2001]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 2,521
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Re: Auto or 6-speed (C5 Frank)
If there's any concern that she won't be as comfortable with an MN6, then get the A4. Either that or maybe yall can make it a point to learn/explore the virtues of the MN6.
To own a Corvette is all about enjoyment. Either one will be a great car.
To own a Corvette is all about enjoyment. Either one will be a great car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,371
Likes: 5
From: Alamo CA
Re: Auto or 6-speed (C5Cemo)
Comments on 6 sp with the wife driving. We came back on long trip mentioned below and wife enjoyed open roads and she only killed it once, I killed it twice, and I drove two different demo cars prior to buying. She drove my MG in the 70's and have had a floor 3 or 4 sp ever since that has been my car, but she drives them regularly. However, when she got into traffic, deciding which gear to be in was a new and not too great experience. Wanted to drive in 4th or at most 5th. With fewer gears you can and many do, drive it like an auto after getting up to speed, down shifting is not natural. She doesn't like having to row through the gears, up and down, which I love. She will drive it some and our daughter who went to third on the first skip shift she hit without missing a beat, and no input on the issue, would drive it full time if she could but it won't be something the wife looks to take to the store. We're in our 50's so the fact that she was passing on a two lane in Idaho was a pretty big deal, so on trips I have backup, but around town don't think I will fight to drive, except for the 23 year old. :) - :cheers: -
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,466
Likes: 0
From: GARDENA Ca, State Of Konfusion
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: Auto or 6-speed (Speed-Racer)
Depends on your wife, I had a auto Mustang for sale, three women called wanting a stick. Go to the dealer and let her test drive both, this may help.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1
From: Wilmington NC
Re: Auto or 6-speed (vettenuts)
I've posted this before but if you are planning to do any road course driving consider the 6 speed, for 2 reasons.
1. The 6 speed gives you a little more control.
2. The transmission heat alarm seems to go off on the A4 when the car is driven hard at the track.
1. The 6 speed gives you a little more control.
2. The transmission heat alarm seems to go off on the A4 when the car is driven hard at the track.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 41,792
Likes: 153
From: Houston,Texas USA
Re: Auto or 6-speed (vettenuts)
In heavy traffic, the automatic is much easier to handle. Granted, the six speed is more fun. It is going to be a tough choice. :chevy
[Modified by Tom/99, 7:57 AM 10/25/2001]
[Modified by Tom/99, 7:57 AM 10/25/2001]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,857
Likes: 84
From: Gainesville VA
Re: Auto or 6-speed (Tom/99)
I posted the same question and I got the 6 speed. A4 is cool with converter and make sure you don't get 2.73 gears with it!!! OPT for A4 w/3.15 or get a 6 speed which has 3.42's
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,421
Likes: 3
From: Memphis Tn
Re: Auto or 6-speed (vettenuts)
A stick would be more fun on open road, if you both drive in alot of traffic it would be bothersome. Eitherway, if you do get the auto, make sure it's with the 3:15 gear!!! :seeya
Repeat after me,"Must keep wife happy. Must keep wife happy..."
Repeat after me,"Must keep wife happy. Must keep wife happy..."
Pro
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
From: highland, maryland, usa
Re: Auto or 6-speed (vettenuts)
This was one of the biggest decisions I had to make when I bought. I went with the 6 speed. Realize that if you want to do bracket racing the A4 with performance axle might be a little better. A4s seem to be a little more consistent and dont have the clutch issues we 6 speeds have. I do like shifting though, a lot more fun in my opionion than just putting in drive and going. Either way you will love it. Jeff :cheers:
Pro
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 627
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta GA
Re: Auto or 6-speed (ajrls)
Simple, buy two Vettes :D
My fiancee could care less either way, when getting mine she preferred the stick and I like a 6 speed, but was kind of thinking a A4 with a converter would be nice too for straight line racing :D :)
If she can drive stick, get one if that is what you want, the car's have so much power that you hardly have to shift the car anyway
My fiancee could care less either way, when getting mine she preferred the stick and I like a 6 speed, but was kind of thinking a A4 with a converter would be nice too for straight line racing :D :)
If she can drive stick, get one if that is what you want, the car's have so much power that you hardly have to shift the car anyway
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,569
Likes: 0
From: Greenville NC
Re: Auto or 6-speed (vettenuts)
Main concern is wife driving car, i.e., concerned she will be less willing to drive car if I get a stick.
