Shifting
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,253
Likes: 50
From: Sandy Eggo Calif.
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12, '16
Shifting
I have a deposit on an '06 with Les Stanford Chevrolet. Chris Cosman is great. I'm still having problems with choosing a man. or auto. The last car I owned that was man. was a old V/W Bug.
I know, DRIVE ONE AND FIND OUT!. Well no dealer will let me drive one, and that's probably a good thing. The less mileage the better. My question is, what other manual car would I be able to go test drive that would give me the feeling of the C6. I know it's not going to be the same, but I just want to feel what I'm missing,(if anything) and not end up regretting getting the auto. I'm 6'2" and 220 lbs.
I know, DRIVE ONE AND FIND OUT!. Well no dealer will let me drive one, and that's probably a good thing. The less mileage the better. My question is, what other manual car would I be able to go test drive that would give me the feeling of the C6. I know it's not going to be the same, but I just want to feel what I'm missing,(if anything) and not end up regretting getting the auto. I'm 6'2" and 220 lbs.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 8,133
Likes: 144
From: Ex-SF Bay Area; now happily Denver area
Originally Posted by YellowVette22
I Would Try a Mustang...Or a Used Corvette like an 04 or 03..Should be almost the same..
By the way, I had three automatic Corvettes ('84, '85, '90) before I got an NSX with a manual. I then remembered how much fun a manual shifter was and will never get another automatic Vette. If I want a nice easy ride with the car doing all the work, I'll take the Lexus out.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,450
Likes: 0
From: Huntington Beach Ca 1 out of 4 Americans are mentally unstable, so if 3 of your friends are OK . . . .
St. Jude Donor '05
I don't know what size has to do with it, but we're about the same. Here's my .02, when I test drove a C6, they only had an auto, great fun. The shifting algorithm is fantastic. I had not driven a manual for about 20 years. Ordered the MN6. First drive was off the dealers lot, dumped it once on the way home, the long way. At 2200 miles the shifter is smooth and I wouldn't even consider getting this car with an auto. I do, however, have a Silverado for when I have to drive in the stop and stop L.A. grind traffic.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,412
Likes: 1,295
From: Bluffton, SC
Also, note that the manual transmission on a new C6 will feel very stiff until it's well broken in. The clutch will also feel too sensitive before break-in. When broken in, both the clutch and transmission improve dramatically.
Your decision should be based on your own driving preferences. If you like running through the gears, nothing beats a manual transmission. If you're in traffic frequently or just don't want to bother shifting, the automatic makes more sense. Either way, you wind up with a fantastic car.
Your decision should be based on your own driving preferences. If you like running through the gears, nothing beats a manual transmission. If you're in traffic frequently or just don't want to bother shifting, the automatic makes more sense. Either way, you wind up with a fantastic car.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,456
Likes: 6
From: Spicewood, Texas, USA TX-Texas
Your first consideration should be how you will use the car...if it is a daily driver and you live in an urban area, traveling main arteries daily that are frequently at a standstill bumper to bumper or inching along, my first preference would be the automatic. The degree to which you can accept the inconvenience of constant clutching and shifting will depend on how badly you want the shifting experience.
On the other hand, if the car is a second or weekend car, and/or you live in a small city or rural area, then my preference would be the MN6...there is no substitute for having control over both the engine speed and the gear shifting. It was that excitement of controlling a machine that you first felt when you learned to drive, and that is the heritage of sports cars. I would never give it up if I had a choice.
On the other hand, if the car is a second or weekend car, and/or you live in a small city or rural area, then my preference would be the MN6...there is no substitute for having control over both the engine speed and the gear shifting. It was that excitement of controlling a machine that you first felt when you learned to drive, and that is the heritage of sports cars. I would never give it up if I had a choice.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,253
Likes: 50
From: Sandy Eggo Calif.
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12, '16
O.k., used C5 or new GTO, thanks. It will be a daily driver, but I live about 10 miles from my job and at the most spend about 5 to 10 min. in slow traffic. It's that I driven an auto for sooo long that I forgot what a good manual in a sports car feels like.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by TommyV
I have a deposit on an '06 with Les Stanford Chevrolet. Chris Cosman is great. I'm still having problems with choosing a man. or auto. The last car I owned that was man. was a old V/W Bug.
I know, DRIVE ONE AND FIND OUT!. Well no dealer will let me drive one, and that's probably a good thing. The less mileage the better. My question is, what other manual car would I be able to go test drive that would give me the feeling of the C6. I know it's not going to be the same, but I just want to feel what I'm missing,(if anything) and not end up regretting getting the auto. I'm 6'2" and 220 lbs.
I know, DRIVE ONE AND FIND OUT!. Well no dealer will let me drive one, and that's probably a good thing. The less mileage the better. My question is, what other manual car would I be able to go test drive that would give me the feeling of the C6. I know it's not going to be the same, but I just want to feel what I'm missing,(if anything) and not end up regretting getting the auto. I'm 6'2" and 220 lbs.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,456
Likes: 6
From: Spicewood, Texas, USA TX-Texas
Originally Posted by TommyV
It will be a daily driver, but I live about 10 miles from my job and at the most spend about 5 to 10 min. in slow traffic. It's that I driven an auto for sooo long that I forgot what a good manual in a sports car feels like.
In your situation, I say go for the MN6. There is no substitute for downshifting as you start a nice banked turn high, aim for the shoulder at the apex, and accelerate and upshift as you leave the turn. That's what Corvettes are about. Shifting for yourself RULES!
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,276
Likes: 8
From: Tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Test drive isn't the answer...sounds like you're really not sure if you like shifting period, anymore. You better get an auto...sounds like your shifting days are over my friend.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 295
Likes: 0
6 Speed Or Bust
I DIDNT HAVE A MANUAL FOR 20 YEARS UNTILL I GOT MY C6. I DIDNT KNOW WHAT TO DO, ASKED A 100 PEOPLE, GOT ALL KINDS OF OPINIONS. THE BEST ADVISE WAS THAT IF YOU IDENTIFY WITH PERFORMANCE VEHICLES, AND YOUR CAR IS A REFLECTION OF YOUR IDENTITY, AND YOU WANT YOUR CAR TO BE ADMIRED BY FRIENDS THAT HAVE PERFORMANCE VEHICLES, THEN A 6 SPEED IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO! MY MAG RED VETTE JUST WOULDNT BE THE SAME WITHOUT THE STICK. IT TOOK ME 3 HOURS TO GET USED TO IT. I WILL NEVER LOOK BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
P S ....NEVER TOOK A TEST DRIVE....JUST ORDERED IT!!!!!!!!
P S ....NEVER TOOK A TEST DRIVE....JUST ORDERED IT!!!!!!!!
Last edited by corvette05; Apr 30, 2005 at 03:02 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 221
Likes: 6
From: Somerville MA
Makes no sense.
If you like shifting go with the stick it's more sporty feeling and if you're doing road racing buy the 6 speed.
If you are in traffic a bunch go with the auto. also the automatic is more of a pleasure to drive, does take a bit of the sport away but IMO more of a pleasure.
Either way it's your preference. Really nothing to do with a drive.
Stanford will do GMS or GMID on their cars in stock, I was offered this Friday--Don't let a bad sales guy tell you different. (Seems sales guys there differ greatly!!!)
If you like shifting go with the stick it's more sporty feeling and if you're doing road racing buy the 6 speed.
If you are in traffic a bunch go with the auto. also the automatic is more of a pleasure to drive, does take a bit of the sport away but IMO more of a pleasure.
Either way it's your preference. Really nothing to do with a drive.
Stanford will do GMS or GMID on their cars in stock, I was offered this Friday--Don't let a bad sales guy tell you different. (Seems sales guys there differ greatly!!!)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,316
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio Texas - Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic
Originally Posted by YellowVette22
I Would Try a Mustang...Or a Used Corvette like an 04 or 03..Should be almost the same..
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
What are you going to use the car for?? daily driver, weekend road trips, or?? do you do a lot of stop an go driving or just drive 
We have two vettes, the manual is for the track, which sees 3rd & 4th most of the time, occationally 2nd and not had a long enough straight to see 5th, ( above 150 mph) and auto is the street car.
but what the heck toss a coin. Which ever vette you buy it will be the RIGHT choice
We have two vettes, the manual is for the track, which sees 3rd & 4th most of the time, occationally 2nd and not had a long enough straight to see 5th, ( above 150 mph) and auto is the street car.
but what the heck toss a coin. Which ever vette you buy it will be the RIGHT choice
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles CA
Remember that everyone that tells you that manuals are the only way to go arent the ones that are going to help you drive it home after your foot is numb from shifting in stop and go traffic for 1 hour.
The decision of manual vs auto is a simple decision on practicality. Traffic, who the primary drivers are, what kind of driving you will do, what feels BEST for YOU should be the primary factors in your decision... what others think or if the car will be "admired" only if it has a stick is a bunch of crap... at the end of the day YOU are going to be the only one affected by the decision
Having said that I think your original thread wasnt a manual vs auto but more of a "How does the manual feel" - I would suggest you test drive a used C5 Z06 - its prob. going to be the most comparable OR find a serious dealer and right before you sign the dotted line tell them that you DEMAND a test drive to be sure of auto or manual... I doubt any of them will loose your business if they see you are seriously ready to buy - just be ready to finish the sale after the test drive (Have pricing , etc all worked out)
The decision of manual vs auto is a simple decision on practicality. Traffic, who the primary drivers are, what kind of driving you will do, what feels BEST for YOU should be the primary factors in your decision... what others think or if the car will be "admired" only if it has a stick is a bunch of crap... at the end of the day YOU are going to be the only one affected by the decision
Having said that I think your original thread wasnt a manual vs auto but more of a "How does the manual feel" - I would suggest you test drive a used C5 Z06 - its prob. going to be the most comparable OR find a serious dealer and right before you sign the dotted line tell them that you DEMAND a test drive to be sure of auto or manual... I doubt any of them will loose your business if they see you are seriously ready to buy - just be ready to finish the sale after the test drive (Have pricing , etc all worked out)