Why is it that
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Canada
the computer on the automatics on cars is just widening....most corvettes sold i assume are still automatics----gm made automatics optional because they weren't making enough when they made them standard. more people want an automatic and gm makes more money.
the last figure i saw was that 6-7% percent of cars sold in america are
manuals. with gas prices,cvt's,hybrids,etc. the manual market will shrink more. the fastest of them all the bughati comes only with an automatic because it gives max. performance.
whatever you pick for whatever reason,just enjoy your corvette.
the last figure i saw was that 6-7% percent of cars sold in america are
manuals. with gas prices,cvt's,hybrids,etc. the manual market will shrink more. the fastest of them all the bughati comes only with an automatic because it gives max. performance.
whatever you pick for whatever reason,just enjoy your corvette.
But it is not an ordinary automatic.
It is a 7 speed dual-clutch, the fastest of them all and a special one-off project only for this car. It shifts in 8 ms!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bugatti_Veyron
So we cannot bring it in this discussion for many reasons, one of them being that Veyron's transmission alone costs more than an entire C6 car.
Last edited by TeddyFreddy; May 4, 2007 at 09:28 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,277
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From: Boston's south shore MA
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,535
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
The average manual driver might use more gas as he may drive more aggressively. Of course if there were no manuals, they would drive automatics harder.
It also cost money (and fuel) to tool up and make the manual in the first place.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 787
Likes: 5
From: Kansas
St. Jude Donor '07
Wow. It's amazing to me how much attention these manual vs automatic threads get!!
GM offers both because they need to in order to meet the various needs/desires of different buyers and the myriad of ways those buyers are going to use the car.
There is no wrong answer to this question, only OPINIONS and PREFERENCES, which are individual.
I like the "connectedness" to the car that I get with a manual that I personally don't perceive to be as high with an automatic. But my wife doesn't drive a stick so if she had any interest in driving the car, I would have bought an automatic. (I'm thankful she doesn't!!)
To each his own. There are positives and negatives to BOTH sides. The SMG was supposed to be the common ground and the best of both worlds. Having owned an SMG M5, I say "don't count on it". I'll do the clutching myself, thanks.
GM offers both because they need to in order to meet the various needs/desires of different buyers and the myriad of ways those buyers are going to use the car.
There is no wrong answer to this question, only OPINIONS and PREFERENCES, which are individual.
I like the "connectedness" to the car that I get with a manual that I personally don't perceive to be as high with an automatic. But my wife doesn't drive a stick so if she had any interest in driving the car, I would have bought an automatic. (I'm thankful she doesn't!!)
To each his own. There are positives and negatives to BOTH sides. The SMG was supposed to be the common ground and the best of both worlds. Having owned an SMG M5, I say "don't count on it". I'll do the clutching myself, thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 6,970
Likes: 14
From: Calif
I would never comment on other peoples choices in cars, but for me personally, I would never buy a Corvette or any other performance car without a manual transmission.
I would never buy an M3 with an SMG, and I had no interest in an M5 until the 6sp manual became available.
I also know that some cars like the Ferrari 360/430 and the M5 are faster with the auto boxes, but I prefer a manual.
To each his or her own, but I feel that a big part of the enjoyment of a "sports" car is manually rowing the shifter.
I would never buy an M3 with an SMG, and I had no interest in an M5 until the 6sp manual became available.
I also know that some cars like the Ferrari 360/430 and the M5 are faster with the auto boxes, but I prefer a manual.
To each his or her own, but I feel that a big part of the enjoyment of a "sports" car is manually rowing the shifter.
As the late Johnny Cochran once said. " If you can't row, you can't go. " 
Or something like that. Never had a Vette with an Auto. Never will.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,535
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
Wow. It's amazing to me how much attention these manual vs automatic threads get!!
GM offers both because they need to in order to meet the various needs/desires of different buyers and the myriad of ways those buyers are going to use the car.
There is no wrong answer to this question, only OPINIONS and PREFERENCES, which are individual.
I like the "connectedness" to the car that I get with a manual that I personally don't perceive to be as high with an automatic. But my wife doesn't drive a stick so if she had any interest in driving the car, I would have bought an automatic. (I'm thankful she doesn't!!)
To each his own. There are positives and negatives to BOTH sides. The SMG was supposed to be the common ground and the best of both worlds. Having owned an SMG M5, I say "don't count on it". I'll do the clutching myself, thanks.
GM offers both because they need to in order to meet the various needs/desires of different buyers and the myriad of ways those buyers are going to use the car.
There is no wrong answer to this question, only OPINIONS and PREFERENCES, which are individual.
I like the "connectedness" to the car that I get with a manual that I personally don't perceive to be as high with an automatic. But my wife doesn't drive a stick so if she had any interest in driving the car, I would have bought an automatic. (I'm thankful she doesn't!!)
To each his own. There are positives and negatives to BOTH sides. The SMG was supposed to be the common ground and the best of both worlds. Having owned an SMG M5, I say "don't count on it". I'll do the clutching myself, thanks.
It's about why do manual drivers look down on automatics?
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Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 392
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From: Orange County CA
It is all personal choice. Both have their advantages. The manual provides more control and more of a direct feel but it requires more effort to drive. Personally, I think the effort is worth it.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 188
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From: WEST NYACK N.Y.
I Think The Reason Is Because When Your`e Driving A Manual Transmission Car, Be It A Sports Car Or Any Other Car, Your`e More In Control Of Your`e Vehicle, That`s Not Taking Anything Away From An Automatic........................
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Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
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I prefer the manual transmission driving experience, but considered an auto based only on the fact that it was a bit quicker in the 1/4 mile. Then I realized how infrequently that would matter at all given my plans.
I wonder how many auto-enthusiasts would switch their preference to manual if the drag-racing advantage didn't exist?
I wonder how many auto-enthusiasts would switch their preference to manual if the drag-racing advantage didn't exist?