Auto vs Manual
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 7,837
Likes: 107
From: Huntington Beach California
Originally Posted by jackcasa
I think anyone living in a large metropolitan area such as you do would be happest with an auto. I have a six-speed but live in the mountains of northern New Mexico where I can really excercise it. 
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,089
Likes: 14
Originally Posted by Boozman
I live in Altanta and have a hour each way but still got the MN6 my C5 was auto and I would not go back to it but to each his own.
I'm also looking forward to the drag racing season, where I know from long experience that the auto will be a more consistent runner than a manual.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 7
From: n/a SC
Originally Posted by shopdog
I live here too, and made exactly the opposite choice. My last car was a 6 spd manual, this one is an auto. I just got tired of rowing back and forth between 1 and 2, 1 and 2, 1 and 2, wheee 3rd, damn, 1 and 2, 1 and 2. The auto is much nicer. I don't go any faster, but the drive is much smoother. Gas mileage is better too.
I'm also looking forward to the drag racing season, where I know from long experience that the auto will be a more consistent runner than a manual.
I'm also looking forward to the drag racing season, where I know from long experience that the auto will be a more consistent runner than a manual.
I think going through the gears at WOT is fun though but I hardly ever just pound on my cars like that day after day anyway I will only blow the dust out every now and then but with the autos when they drop down a gear when you stomp they feel so great and they're like rockets!to each his own it doesn't matter how the gears are shifted they're all vettes
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 0
From: They call me Attention Whore :D
Originally Posted by shopdog
I live here too, and made exactly the opposite choice. My last car was a 6 spd manual, this one is an auto. I just got tired of rowing back and forth between 1 and 2, 1 and 2, 1 and 2, wheee 3rd, damn, 1 and 2, 1 and 2. The auto is much nicer. I don't go any faster, but the drive is much smoother. Gas mileage is better too.
I'm also looking forward to the drag racing season, where I know from long experience that the auto will be a more consistent runner than a manual.
I'm also looking forward to the drag racing season, where I know from long experience that the auto will be a more consistent runner than a manual.
Automatics in general are parasitic on power thus are not as fuel efficient as manuals.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18
Likes: 3
From: El Dorado Hills
Auto or MN6
Just sold my 96 LT4 that had a stick (original owner) and went with the C6 Z51 automatic...As they've said, with the automatic just drop 'er a gear, launch and hang on ... You have control with an automatic in the hills and curves...just gotta know its limits and when to shift.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,089
Likes: 14
Originally Posted by C6 Enthusiast
Why is gas mileage better in an auto? I can understand if you were driving the manual super-aggressively, then that would suggest that you don't drive the auto as hard.
Automatics in general are parasitic on power thus are not as fuel efficient as manuals.
Automatics in general are parasitic on power thus are not as fuel efficient as manuals.
Now get out on the open highway and things are a bit different. Once you're in 6th in the manual, or in 4th with the torque converter locked in the auto, the slight extra parasitic loss of the auto can make a difference. I do get 28 MPG in the auto under those conditions, and some people are reporting less with the manual, so the difference isn't dramatic, and driving style appears to play a greater role than which transmission you choose.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: New York NY
Originally Posted by Noleman
I posted this Q in my last thread... but no responses yet...
Anyway, I plan on ordering an automatic trans. Does this make me a wimp???
I live in DC and I don't want to work the clutch for 2 hours a day? BTW, I will not be using this as my commute car (get this I drive a Honda Civic Hybrid - it gets me on the HOV lanes solo - I know... sahme on me!!!) except on days I am showing off.
Auto vs. Manual???
Anyway, I plan on ordering an automatic trans. Does this make me a wimp???
I live in DC and I don't want to work the clutch for 2 hours a day? BTW, I will not be using this as my commute car (get this I drive a Honda Civic Hybrid - it gets me on the HOV lanes solo - I know... sahme on me!!!) except on days I am showing off.
Auto vs. Manual???
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,040
Likes: 416
From: hardyston new jersey
St. Jude Donor '09-'25
Originally Posted by Noleman
I posted this Q in my last thread... but no responses yet...
Anyway, I plan on ordering an automatic trans. Does this make me a wimp???
I live in DC and I don't want to work the clutch for 2 hours a day? BTW, I will not be using this as my commute car (get this I drive a Honda Civic Hybrid - it gets me on the HOV lanes solo - I know... sahme on me!!!) except on days I am showing off.
Auto vs. Manual???
Anyway, I plan on ordering an automatic trans. Does this make me a wimp???
I live in DC and I don't want to work the clutch for 2 hours a day? BTW, I will not be using this as my commute car (get this I drive a Honda Civic Hybrid - it gets me on the HOV lanes solo - I know... sahme on me!!!) except on days I am showing off.
Auto vs. Manual???
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Redding, CA
I haven't heard anyone with an automatic having any regrets about their choice of transmissions. I thought long and hard about the manual vs auto choice and nearly caved in to what a couple of guys here at the office thought a new vette should be all about. But, I went with my gut (mine's a daily driver) and I'm thrilled with the auto. No regrets at all. Not one. It's a pleasure to drive. Just shove your foot into it and excitement happens, well, automatically. Besides, with 400/400, you just about need both hands on the sterring wheel.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 67,942
Likes: 1
St. Jude Donor '12
2012 Election Contest Winner
The question is - do you really want a vette? I'd say you might be more happier in a german 2 seater. MB makes the best 5 sp automatic for a very comfortable commute.
C5s had horrible, ancient, 4 speed, GM truck tranny - and I'd not get a vette with it. It is slow, it is jerky, it is dumb, etc.
Get a MB or wait till vette comes with the new 6sp auto, which might be late 2005.
C5s had horrible, ancient, 4 speed, GM truck tranny - and I'd not get a vette with it. It is slow, it is jerky, it is dumb, etc.
Get a MB or wait till vette comes with the new 6sp auto, which might be late 2005.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,514
Likes: 1
From: Orwigsburg Pa.
Originally Posted by PeterK
The question is - do you really want a vette? I'd say you might be more happier in a german 2 seater. MB makes the best 5 sp automatic for a very comfortable commute.
C5s had horrible, ancient, 4 speed, GM truck tranny - and I'd not get a vette with it. It is slow, it is jerky, it is dumb, etc.
Get a MB or wait till vette comes with the new 6sp auto, which might be late 2005.
C5s had horrible, ancient, 4 speed, GM truck tranny - and I'd not get a vette with it. It is slow, it is jerky, it is dumb, etc.
Get a MB or wait till vette comes with the new 6sp auto, which might be late 2005.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
From: New York
Originally Posted by Noleman
I plan on ordering an automatic trans. Does this make me a wimp?...I don't want to work the clutch for 2 hours a day
As for your choice of transmission, get what you want. Motojournalists uniformly agree that a manual transmission is more engaging and more enjoyable for someone looking to get involved with the driving experience. An SMG or automatic simply take some of the pleasure out of driving but they do make it easier. Only you can decide what you want. I drive in New York City four days a week and wouldn’t buy a sedan with an automatic, leave alone a sports car. Shifting for yourself becomes second nature and isn’t a problem. If you want an automatic, get it but realize the added convenience has its costs and you have to figure out why you want a sports car in the first place and then decide if the cost is too much to bear. In your case, it sounds like it isn’t.
Alan
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
I have both transmissions in two different cars
My observations are that when I go through turns or corners I can perform better with the manual at this time. I just got the automatic and am still getting used to it but around turns I have to brake whereas the manual I really don't have to use the brakes at all. But it is nice now to have an auto since I have been driving a manual for over 20 years now. Straight line performance there is less chance of misshifting or throwing a rod compared to the auto. 
