Guys, this is driving me insane.

I have been unable to find a 6sp manual C6 for a test drive. I have driven automatics on a couple of occasions and have decided that without a doubt, a C6 is what I’m looking for. In the end however, I cannot bring myself to purchase an auto…simply because, I have never owned an automatic in my life; and that I grave that extra bit of connection that a stick and clutch can provide between me and a sports car. (This is just a personal thing, and is not a knock on others who choose an auto for various reasons.)

From lurking about in this forum, it appears that many of you are true car enthusiasts; that if it’s good or bad, most of you provide objective opinions, whether it’s a Corvette or Hundai.

I was hoping that some may provide comparisons between the C6’s 6sp against other performance cars’ trannies; particularly in the areas of shift action (is it clunky?), throws, clutch travel/weight, tauntness in the drivetrain, etc.

Some of the manuals out there that I really admire and have enjoyed are the following:
1) Porsche 911 (6sp)
2) Honda S2000 (6sp)
3) Subaru STi (6sp)
4) Miata (5sp)

Your opinions are much appreciated.

 

I have the A4 in my 05...I have taken it to the track 3 times, and I must admit I love it. The tranny really does behave differently when you're racing vs driving normally. Keep an open mind about the automatics...they're fun!.

 

If I lived in a city, I'd had an auto no question.

Where I live now, manual works just fine.

 

The A6 is far and away better than the POS A4.

 

humm...my post was not to debate A6 vs. M6. But either way, I'm sure they are all great drives. Honestly, I was grinning ear to ear when I test drove an 05 C6 with an A6.

 

Then get the M6, autos are for old ladies and cruiser queen old guys.

 

^^^

I don't know if you've read my original post, but I was hoping that I can get a comparison btw. the manual against others...due to the fact that I cannot find one to test drive.

 

I don't know if this will help you, but my daughter has an Infiniti, G35.
Best shifting manual I've ever driven, Quick, precise, no notchiness. Everyone will say it has 105 less horsepower, so the transmission has to be heavier duty. But my 91 Vette has 145 less horsepower, and is very simililar in character to my new vette.

BUT, I wouldn't trade my daughter, and I wouldn't have anything but a manual.

 

As far as the C6 manuals: reasonable shift throws, not too stiff or clunky (I read all the reviews before driving the car and think the shifter is better than described) plenty good enough. My primary reference is a Muncie and nothing but nothing shifts like a Muncie. Clutch releases too close to the floor for my taste (but that may be my car). IMO sticks are more fun and the fuel economy is better.

 

Bite me.

 

I live in the big city and the MN6 is the only way to go. Corvette's are meant to be shifted.

 

I find my MN6 to shift decent and fairly precise. The clutch is a little light for my likes but it sure works ok. As a matter of fact my wife loves driving the car with the MN6 and she hasn't driven one in years. It's very easy to shift and almost impossible to stall. No problems on the steepest hills around here and we have many. Haven't had the opportunity to really power shift the car yet but have grabbed some fast gears between 1st and 2nd. Would like the throw to be shorter but I understand there are after markets that can really improve it. If you really like manuals you'll be satisfied with the MN6 vette.

 

Only MN6 for me. I think you will find that the Vette 6 speed shifter is not as smooth as the imports. But, it works fine for me and it is a stout gear box.

 

There are two types of drivers: those with a manual and those with an excuse.

Now on a serious note...

I have extensively driven the following manuals:

2000 Jeep Wrangler V6 5-speed
2001 BMW X5 3.0 5-speed
2005 Volvo S60R 6-speed (300 hp sports sedan)

I have also driven the following cars:

2003 VW R32 6-speed
2004 Mini Cooper 5-speed
1991 Nissan 300zx 5-speed
1991 Camaro RS 5-speed
1967 VW Beetle 4-speed
2004 BMW 325Ci 5-speed

And now I own a C6 6-speed.

Of all those cars, the best trannies were in the R32, the S60R, BMW 325Ci, and the C6.

The C6 is a blast to shift gears in, but the clutch is vague, kind of like an ON-OFF switch. The S60R had a tricky clutch but it was very precise. The R32 was just smooth and fluid. The BMW clutch was the same.

The C6 throws are the best - they are short and swift, and the gate feels tight. The S60R had longer throws but the gate felt very tight. The R32 was liquid smooth but had some wobble in the gate, as did the BMW gearbox. The C6 feels more mechanical, yet more "performance" oriented than the others.

There is some notchiness, and sometimes it's hard to shift into 1st at a stop on the C6. I never had this in the Volvo. On cold mornings (we're talking sub 35 degrees), the C6 box does NOT want to play. Once the fluid is warm, though, it's all smooth.

I'm really impressed with the accuracy of the gates. I have no problem on the 1-2, and at speed going from 2-3 is a breeze and I never miss into 5th gear. Sometimes I would miss into 5th or get stuck in neutral on the other cars.

I do have to say the clutch is hard to work with in some cases though. Once you learn it, things are easy and fun. But before you get the hang, the ON-OFF nature of it can prove daunting on a hill.

All in all, the C6 manual is a very fun transmission. It has a more mechanical, purposeful feel than say the BMW or R32's transmissions, but all were fun. I can't say it was the best transmission I've experienced, but definitely in the top.

Try and get an extended test drive. The C6 is my only car, and I can say even in stop and go traffic, it's a breeze to drive. I truly love it.

Keep in mind though that I consider a car like the Corvette a write-off if it has an automatic. Unless I get my left leg blown off (knock on wood), I'm not going to own an automatic. It's just such a soulless experience for me, ESPECIALLY in a sports car like the Corvette. They have their merits, but for my preferences I find autos to be a waste of a good sports car. It's so rewarding to DRIVE, not to be DRIVEN.

Good luck!

 

I don't get the point of your post. If you have decided on a C6 and wont buy an automatic why not just find one and buy it. Why do you need to test drive one or ask us about it? (not trying to be critical; truly curious). I know most places around here dont let people test drive new vettes but I cant imagine a test drive talking me out of one bc of the tranny.

 

Its a bit clunkier than all the comparison cars you list, but what isn't clunkier than an S2000 or even a Miata? It also has more horses and torque than all your comparison cars.

 

Is there an 05 - A6???????????????

 

no.

 

My MM6 shifts a lot crisper than my Eaton 9-speed roadranger. (Of course the Eaton has two and a half million miles on it...)

 

I've always had manuals (Saab, Acura, BMW) and this car is definitely a different driving experience and much more amazing!

My last car was a BMW 323 with a manual tranny and it was much smoother. Thinking about it now, and after driving the C6, the Bimmer was too easy... it was almost like an Auto.

The C6 is MUCH more powerful and that affects my shifting in a couple of ways: The gears of the C6 cover a much wider range of speeds so you can skip multiple gears. After 1,000 miles, I'm still getting used to being able to find my chosen gear when I do that (1st to 5th is tough for me). In the Bimmer, I could only skip one gear at most so it was pretty easy to find where I was going. The C6 shifter is also notchy during the break-in, but that gets much better and doesn't bother me anymore. It's a world-class sports car and so it seems fitting and fun that you should have to put a little more muscle into it.

I'm also getting used to the clutch in the C6. Maybe it's because I had the 323 for 7+ years, but I was super quick at launching it and had the release point down pat. I find it more difficult to do a quick launch in my 2 month old Vette - still working on getting that on-off switch down perfectly. I've never stalled it, it's just a matter of getting the perfect balance between adding gas and releasing the clutch so I can feel like the car is doing exactly what I want... and when I'm first in line at the light, what I want is to get to the speed limit as quickly as possible without having to think too much about it. I don't have that problem when launching in slow traffic, I can do that very well since I have all that time.

The other thing with all that power is that when I floor it in first, it pushes me really hard into the back in my seat and I have to fight the urge to just hang onto the wheel with both hands and not shift. It's definitely exhilarating.