Alright. It's finally come down to it. I have the funds, and the job I've always wanted. So here's a few questions I have about the C6, and Forum Dealers..

First: My C6 will be my Daily. I know I want the Z51 package for the handling, but will the Eagle F1 Supercar's wear too quickly for a decent DD?
Second: Manual or Automatic - Traffic isn't really heavy out this way unless you happen to get on the highway between 5 and 6 pm, which I don't, (I work close to home), so it essentially comes down to which gives me more power, and which is more comfortable to drive daily. I'd love if owners of both could chime in.

Third: On the topic of Forum dealers, here, I've seen that a few C6's have been bought from dealers who list their vehicles for sale here, on the forums. What is the advantage (Price and service wise) to doing this, over going to a dealership to make the finance of my new Corvette?

As a somewhat extended note to the above, would I be able to order a vehicle through one of the online dealers, to my specifications?

Thanks for taking some time to read this and (possibly) answer my questions.

 

You open a can of worms with question number 2

You'll certainly get opinions from both sides, so here's mine. The ONLY reason why I would EVER get an automatic would be because of non-stop traffic all of the time. Since you've already answered that question...

 

you don't sound like you "Need" a 6 speed manual like i would so maybe consider a 6 speed automatic with paddle shifters

both i would still test drive both to make sure

 

Thanks for the opinions so far, guys. Don't get me wrong, I drive everything I own like it was built for LeMans, but only where it's legal. Otherwise I'm just kind of hard on the throttle. The only thing I noticed (Besides not having to shift), in the automatic, was that the paddle shifters seemed a bit slower than a straight manual.

 

Test drive both. I've ordered a manual. Paddle shifters don't give me any "satisfaction" at all even if they achieve a similar result in the end, but you may be different. But one bonus to the Vette is it's so powerful could get away with lazily leaving your car in the higher gear if you noticed yourself shifting up and down a lot.

 

Yeah! I've heard that. I've actually been in my friends C5 Z06, and he can launch from a dead stop in third.. Which, while the stock 08 C6 is no C5 Z06, I imagine it get similar results. On topic; I'd love it if someone who's ordered from one of the forum dealers could tell me about the experience, and who I should talk to..

 

Bump for the 3:00 am crowd!

 

Check out Tommy Jr. @ MacMulkin Chevrolet. I just ordered a car from him, and received the lowest price. I started a thread on this topic the other day and have gotten a lot of positive feedback on this dealer.
Good Luck!

 

I ordered my 07 mn6 from Rick Daniel of Les Stanford (Corvette Forum dealer.) It is a daily driver. That being said, I have some thoughts.

1. Do NOT make the decision of manual vs automatic without testing both. We just dont know what you would like. I will tell you I was very unhappy with the automatic in my C5. When I punched it, invariably it went into a gear I didnt want. Yes, I know the C6 auto has 6 gears and a paddle. I love my manual and has no issues on how fast or slow the paddle shifts. By the way, I like my manual enough to deal with occasional traffic.

2. Z51 on a daily driver. I have the base suspension for my daily driver. Again, I love it. But I don't track it or drive it even close to the limit on windy roads. Thats me. I wanted a softer ride to work and I have the option of upgrading the sway bars and shocks. After 9000 miles, the base suspension has been perfect for MY style.

3. Corvette Forum dealers. Rick Daniel was great and the price fair. He was slightly above invoice while the stealership here in Wheatridge, CO had a $5000 SURCHARGE above MSRP. The difference was over $10,000. I dont have the time or the extra cash for that stupidity. The customer service from Rich was far superior to the local dealership which I did in fact purchase a new from for my wife. There is a reason a couple of our CF dealers sell the most vettes in the country.

Happy Hunting.

PS
A little background on you bio would be helpful to us.

 

Thanks for the kind words.

 

Ah, alright. I'll check both of those dealers out. Thanks, man. I'm going to schedule my testdrive sometime early next week when work allows, and then I'll be abe to decide on that. As to a bit of a bio, I'm 21, I live in Kansas City, Missouri, and I have a passion for automobiles that borders on obsessive.

 

Whatever you end up choosing
You are gonna love it.
I like my paddle shift and Npp Exhaust

 

Where Are You? Ah, you just posted it up. Good.

I'd agree with all the above incl. driving both auto and man trans first before making a decision. But first and last, write out eventually what you want on your car, and send it via email with a follow up phone call to each forum dealer and see what they total numbers back to you say.

And the ans. is yes to ordering the way you want it, but the time grows so short for '08s that I'd almost suggest you wait for the '09s (announcement on what's in them as of Apr. 25).

 

1. Whatever your butt wants
2. Whatever you want to do, shift or not.
3. Use a Corvette forum dealer, wish I had! Do a museum deliverly since you've got to travel anyway.

They'll work with you. I've priced a new Vette locally and over the net. The local yokels I've dealt with must think I'm stupid (maybe I am but that's a different issue) but I'm not paying them several thousand extra just for them to sell it to me.

 

If you go with a A6, I suggest getting a Chuck CoW tune. He does wonders to the auto. My 2007 C6 A6 was a dog until Chuck done his thing. He transformed it into a monster. The shifting is fantastic. Those with the manual that have never been in an A6 after a tune that included the trans are in for a big surprise. I love my A6 now!!

Mike