Paddle Vs. MN6
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 860
Likes: 2
From: Naples. FL.
IF the automatic Corvette could get the same 3.42 axel in the rear end...heck...3.90 ratio, I bet it would be alot more fun...
Too bad Chevrolet doesn't let you order whay you want...
They used too...back in the old days...when the air was clean and sex was dirty...and a joint was a place on the corner...
Too bad Chevrolet doesn't let you order whay you want...
They used too...back in the old days...when the air was clean and sex was dirty...and a joint was a place on the corner...
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 463
Likes: 4
From: Park City, UT
I've got an A6, and to be honest I didn't realy care which I got (A6 or M6). Now that I've got the A6 I really love it!
Some interesting tidbits regarding shift speed that I've learned from Mike at Rocky Mountain Research Center (RMCR). RMCR has been responsible for some 900+rwhp vettes as well as several Pikes Peak racers.
Mike told me that there's a delay in the processor between shifts (e.g. no way to speed up the shifts in the 07 and earlier C6's due to the processor speed) that a software change and/or tune wouldn't be able to help too much. However, he wasn't sure if these issues would continue to exist in the 08's and later. He also mentioned that as the HP/TQ increases (e.g. 500+rwhp), the delay seems to become more exagerated.
Interesting side note: After driving my car, SpinMonster (who owns an M6) seemed to like the speed of the shift changes as well as the sustained RPMs and power delivery durring shifts. That being said, my car is lucky if it's putting out 380rwhp.
Some interesting tidbits regarding shift speed that I've learned from Mike at Rocky Mountain Research Center (RMCR). RMCR has been responsible for some 900+rwhp vettes as well as several Pikes Peak racers.
Mike told me that there's a delay in the processor between shifts (e.g. no way to speed up the shifts in the 07 and earlier C6's due to the processor speed) that a software change and/or tune wouldn't be able to help too much. However, he wasn't sure if these issues would continue to exist in the 08's and later. He also mentioned that as the HP/TQ increases (e.g. 500+rwhp), the delay seems to become more exagerated.
Interesting side note: After driving my car, SpinMonster (who owns an M6) seemed to like the speed of the shift changes as well as the sustained RPMs and power delivery durring shifts. That being said, my car is lucky if it's putting out 380rwhp.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 168
From: Frederick, MD
The Corvette "paddle shift" is advertising hype, it's another automatic transmission. Just a different way of selecting gears in an auto trans, used to be a lever on the column, then a lever on the console, now paddles on the steering wheel.
I traded my '05 M6 for an '08 A6 and am happy with the A6.
I traded my '05 M6 for an '08 A6 and am happy with the A6.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,644
Likes: 1,220
From: Lake Worth Beach, Florida
The Ferrari paddle shift is probably not an auto, but a electronically shifted manual.
Performance wise the auto is about the same for the street, when I say about the same I mean minuscule difference, but for the track only the manual will work.
If you intend to keep the car for a really long time the auto should be less maintenance because you have the clutch in the manual, it is very expensive to change out.
Personally I prefer manual in a performance car like the vette. I like to feel involved when I drive and even in bumper to bumper traffic I don't regret driving stick.
Performance wise the auto is about the same for the street, when I say about the same I mean minuscule difference, but for the track only the manual will work.
If you intend to keep the car for a really long time the auto should be less maintenance because you have the clutch in the manual, it is very expensive to change out.
Personally I prefer manual in a performance car like the vette. I like to feel involved when I drive and even in bumper to bumper traffic I don't regret driving stick.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,436
Likes: 4
From: Everett Wa
I have owned both and I like both but for very different reasons. The A6 gives you the best of both worlds. Once you learn it you can focus on your line through the corners and it makes driving in rush hour traffic. But you tend to be disconected from the car for the most part. With the MN6 you are always in touch with the car. It makes driving so much more interesting it is hard to put into words. It provides a challenge when driving sporty but is a pain in traffic.
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,407
Likes: 0
From: Canton/Detroit Michigan
The paddles are nice if you prefer an auto trans but want to purposely select and hold a gear. No more mashing the pedal and getting a 2 or 3 gear change which is hard to anticipate. Just select gear (I like 3 for around town, lots of torque).
I think we all know what you get whether it is a stick or auto. The paddles are a good option IF you want an auto Vette. Better than not having the option at all, that's for sure.
One other benefit of the auto is that unless you like to waste gas, the auto does a good job of keeping the car in the RPM range that helps gas mileage if you drive it as a DD a lot and not as a race car. However, like I said, if you prefer to have lots of torque on tap, just drop it into third around city speeds or 4'th on the hwy. Very fun.
I think we all know what you get whether it is a stick or auto. The paddles are a good option IF you want an auto Vette. Better than not having the option at all, that's for sure.
One other benefit of the auto is that unless you like to waste gas, the auto does a good job of keeping the car in the RPM range that helps gas mileage if you drive it as a DD a lot and not as a race car. However, like I said, if you prefer to have lots of torque on tap, just drop it into third around city speeds or 4'th on the hwy. Very fun.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 5
From: Plainfield, IL
I drove an A6 vette and thank god it wasn't mine and dont have to drive it again. I think its horrible I couldn't imagine actually enjoying shifting a car using paddle shifters or even see the point of it. What I also didn't care for was when I just left it in normal automatic mode the car sometimes didn't know which gear to go in and the downshifts when I floored it were horribly rough. I will stick with my MZ6 6pd thank you 
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
This is so true. My Ferrari is 12 years old and the paddles are miles ahead of the Vette. Keep in mind, I had to replace the pump last fall at a clip of $16k which is absurd. I think I'll take the more reliable, albeit slower shifting and poorly interfaced Vette over the F bomb.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: Newport News VA
I drove an A6 vette and thank god it wasn't mine and dont have to drive it again. I think its horrible I couldn't imagine actually enjoying shifting a car using paddle shifters or even see the point of it. What I also didn't care for was when I just left it in normal automatic mode the car sometimes didn't know which gear to go in and the downshifts when I floored it were horribly rough. I will stick with my MZ6 6pd thank you
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 0
From: Spring City Tn
The c6 with a m6 is completly different car. I had a 07 z06 and a 05 mn6 at the same time for almost a year. I now have a 08 a6.Comparing the 2 is like comparing a new caddy to a Fererri. Anyone who says that the a6 feel is similar to a mn6 has never had both in a c6. There is NO comparison!! The mn6 makes the c6 a real sports car that is so much more fun. But its a different kind of fun. The trouble with a mn6 is you want to drive it like a sports car all the time.......In my new 08 A6, I drive alot less agressive. And if I am on one of our great mountain roads around here and want a little extra fun, I use the paddles. Its fun, BUT ITS NO MANUAL, NOT EVEN CLOSE!!
It all boils down to you, your driving style, and where you will drive the car..............just my .02
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,359
Likes: 163
From: Concord NC
On a side note,if a true paddle shift were available for the Z06, I'd be all over it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
Likes: 344
From: Houston, TX
Paddle shifting is probably great on a race track when you are all about lap times, and its probably great for someone who is really an automatic guy at heart but wants to be Joe-Racer every once in a while. But as a die hard manual guy, I just don't get any satisfaction from them (and yes, I've driven them).
But in the end, its all personal preference as there is no right or wrong answer for each individual.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,791
Likes: 44
From: Loudon/Lake Mary Tennessee/Florida
Thanks the prompt feedback. I'm looking at replacing my C5 and wouldn't have considered anything but a MN6, but with the feedback from both you and my friends Ferrari experience, it does give me some food for thought.
Any idea what model year that became available?
Thanks.
Any idea what model year that became available?
Thanks.
The sales guy asked if I had every used a paddle shifter and I had not so I tried it out. Wow, what fun. I was sold. The paddle shifter shifts quickly (there is a little pause before it shifts up) and is really fun. I think with the A6 w/ paddle shifters I have the best of both worlds.
