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A4 or paddle shift?

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Old Nov 23, 2005 | 08:46 PM
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Default A4 or paddle shift?

now that its been around a little wich is the better of the two ?
I was looking for a new vert and when I found out they GM was going with the paddle in 06 I pulled the trigger on the A4 05 vert. really wanted to wait but i didn't want a new tranny not the first year one anyway. what your comment?
Love my A4 no need for more gears at all! and the little GM badge we don't need no stinking badges..LOL
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Old Nov 23, 2005 | 08:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Realtor Dan
now that its been around a little wich is the better of the two ?
I was looking for a new vert and when I found out they GM was going with the paddle in 06 I pulled the trigger on the A4 05 vert. really wanted to wait but i didn't want a new tranny not the first year one anyway. what your comment?
Love my A4 no need for more gears at all! and the little GM badge we don't need no stinking badges..LOL
Have A4 3:15 vert both have same 0-60 and 1/4 times so no need to switch right now but will switch maybe in 07 because can always go for that upgrade.Both trannys are great.
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Old Nov 23, 2005 | 08:56 PM
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would have rather seen a his/her shifter
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Old Nov 23, 2005 | 09:00 PM
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A-4 / 3:15 here...No complaints at all. I'm very happy with what I've got, and I don't want paddle shift. I don't think GM has the design figured out yet, in my opinion, the operation is backwards from what it shoud be. (No offence to the guys/gals that have paddle shift, it's just my preferance.)
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Old Nov 23, 2005 | 09:17 PM
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2005 A4 Vert, 3.15 here, pw top, it seems to do the job. Have an Is300 with option to use paddles or drive. 95% of the time it is used with out the paddles. So with that said, A4 is good for me.

Will take the Z06 6sp someday when the dealer supply is more than the demand, or when at least it is better then so many on the waiting list and dealers selling over msrp.

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Old Nov 23, 2005 | 10:20 PM
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Originally Posted by NVR LAT
A-4 / 3:15 here...No complaints at all. I'm very happy with what I've got, and I don't want paddle shift. I don't think GM has the design figured out yet, in my opinion, the operation is backwards from what it shoud be. (No offence to the guys/gals that have paddle shift, it's just my preferance.)



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Old Nov 23, 2005 | 10:24 PM
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I had the A4 and no complaints but I really like the A6. You don't need to paddle shift if you don't want to and have the best of two worlds.

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Old Nov 23, 2005 | 10:33 PM
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A4 or a6, who's counting? It's a Vette
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Old Nov 23, 2005 | 10:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Realtor Dan
now that its been around a little wich is the better of the two ?
I was looking for a new vert and when I found out they GM was going with the paddle in 06 I pulled the trigger on the A4 05 vert. really wanted to wait but i didn't want a new tranny not the first year one anyway. what your comment?
Love my A4 no need for more gears at all! and the little GM badge we don't need no stinking badges..LOL
I ordered an '06 A6 but wouldn't even consider if I already had an A4...that would be a complete waste of $$ IMO.
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Old Nov 23, 2005 | 10:36 PM
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Originally Posted by jim213
I had the A4 and no complaints but I really like the A6. You don't need to paddle shift if you don't want to and have the best of two worlds.

Have the A4 3:15 any difference in speed noticed in the A6 to you ? I would never use the paddles ! Im happy with what I have but always still want that next ALL NEW VETTE!!
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Old Nov 23, 2005 | 10:48 PM
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I have an A6 and it is incredible!!!!!!!!!!! I usually drive around in S-mode, but almost everytime I drive it I end up using the pattles and it shifts quickly and I enjoy down shifting to hear the motor and keep the brake dust off my wheels, (I know that last one is a bit **** RETENTIVE). I enjoy having both options to use or not use the pattles. It is the best especially in congested traffic. Once clear of traffic, I jump on those pattles. It is great fun and when in nasty traffic, I don't have to mess with the clutch. This is the fourth car with a clutchless-shifting Tranny, and this one is by far the best. GM really got this one right!!! I have had Porsches, Audi, Mercedes Benz, & Ferrari. This tranny rocks. The C6 A6 also feels quicker than my C5 A4. IMO!!!!!!!!!!!

Last edited by GordyRay; Nov 23, 2005 at 10:50 PM.
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Old Nov 23, 2005 | 10:51 PM
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Originally Posted by GordyRay
I have an A6 and it is incredible!!!!!!!!!!! I usually drive around in S-mode, but almost everytime I drive it I end up using the pattles and it shifts quickly and I enjoy down shifting to hear the motor and keep the brake dust off my wheels, (I know that last one is a bit **** RETENTIVE). I enjoy having both options to use or not use the pattles. It is the best especially in congested traffic. Once in clear driving, I just on those pattles. It is great fun and when in nasty traffic, I don't have to mess with the clutch. This is the fourth car with a clutchless-shifting Tranny, and this one is by far the best. GM really got this one right!!! I have had Porsches, Audi, Mercedes Benz, & Ferrari. This tranny rocks. The C6 A6 also feels quicker than my C5 A4. IMO!!!!!!!!!!!
I am sure the 50 horses and 50 pounds of tourqe from the engine make it feel stroger than your C5. good luck !
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Old Nov 23, 2005 | 10:59 PM
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I drove an Acura on Tuesday. It has a gate on the console. Left side is manual, right side is automatic. The manual shifts by bumping the shifter forward for upshifts and backward for down shifts. I would like that on the Vette.

I had a 6 spd manual in my last Vette, never driven an A4. I really like the A6 and I use the paddles quite often. It is amazing to cruize 70 mph at 1550 rpm and be able to drop it down a couple of gears for passing without flooring it.

BTW be sure not to go from 5th to 4th at speeds above 168 mph!!
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Old Nov 24, 2005 | 09:22 AM
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I like my A4/3.15 just fine. I think the paddles would be nice sometimes, but it does occur to me that you could only use them when you're on the straightaway. Trying to hit the paddle while turning the wheel could be a challenge for me.
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Old Nov 24, 2005 | 09:29 AM
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I have the A6 on mine and my son had the A4 on his C5. They are both very good, but I think that the shiftpoints are a bit smoother with the 6 speed, I like the sport mode when traffic isn't backed up and from time to time, it is nice to be able to go through the gears on my own. I think that GM did a good job on the new tranny.
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Old Nov 24, 2005 | 09:33 AM
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The A6 is silky smooth, the paddles are fun. I don't have anything to compare it to since this is my first/only vette. It's very smooth, but not super fast. The Infiniti auto transmission was faster between gears, but was no smoother.
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Old Nov 24, 2005 | 09:35 AM
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Originally Posted by SDCEB
I have the A6 on mine and my son had the A4 on his C5. They are both very good, but I think that the shiftpoints are a bit smoother with the 6 speed, I like the sport mode when traffic isn't backed up and from time to time, it is nice to be able to go through the gears on my own. I think that GM did a good job on the new tranny.
I agree would take the new one if I didnt have the A4 3:15 already but I can wait since there is no 0-60 and 1/4 time gains . I do agree that shift points are better and gas milage is supposed to be better, not enough to switch, enjoy your ride!
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Old Nov 24, 2005 | 11:23 PM
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Question regarding the A6 paddle shifters. If you are in first gear and on the gas hard, then click to go into second, say at 4,000 rpm, what happens? Does the car immediately shift into second or does it continue to wind out in first gear and then shift into second when it wants to? I guess I'm asking if it's any different than a normal automatic tranny without paddles. Thanks.
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Old Nov 25, 2005 | 01:22 AM
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I have the A4 and considered the A6 but decided that $1200 or so that they add on was more than the return. Also it was the first year (although that doesn't seem to be a problem so far). Over all I'm happy with the A4.
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Old Nov 25, 2005 | 02:08 AM
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I hesitated and got buyers remorse in May while I was at the NCM and learned the 06 would have paddle shifters. My 05 was about four weeks from delivery. Then I realized it would be similar to the Pontiac Grand Prix paddles and I never gave it another thought. I personally think Chevy missed the boat on this feature and should leave auto-shifting on the console...just like Cadillac did on the XLR. However, I do like the idea of six speeds.
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