Auto vs Standard
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,678
Likes: 1
You had to know that would have happened. Some guys feel more manly by saying they drive a manual or drive a manual. We all know that guy that always needs to prove something. We have known guys like that since grade school. Remember the kid that always had something to prove?
Heck yes, both the automatic and manual are great transmissions. To knock the automatic is purely moronic and to knock the manual is about as smart as a rock. They both serve a purpose and one is faster in the 1/4 the other on the track. To simply knock one to prove someone's manhood is a sad joke.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 384
Likes: 2
From: Sterling Heights Michigan
The term sports car has been defined as "an open, low-built, fast motor car." The term describes a class of automobile with two seats, two doors, precise handling, brisk acceleration, and sharp braking — trading practical considerations such as passenger space, comfort, and cargo capacity — for driving enjoyment.
Nothing mentioned about transmission. One should buy what fits them best, not what someone else says they should have. That is why we have options. Debating whose opinion is better is a waste of time, but does create a lot of posts.
Nothing mentioned about transmission. One should buy what fits them best, not what someone else says they should have. That is why we have options. Debating whose opinion is better is a waste of time, but does create a lot of posts.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 892
Likes: 1
From: westport ct & port st lucie fl.
Nobody wants to "write off" the A drivers. Ever since the 70's the automatic has become the prefered trans. But what I think most A6 drivers are missing is the opposit of what most comments have been about. I think it is quite clear that in straight out WOT, the auto will beat the manual as the computer is faster than the human. Going up through the gears has been maybe 20% of my enjoyment.
The real fun has been in down shifting into curves and such. In my time(now 69 yrs young), I have driven and owned many sports cars. From most British to a couple of Italian, two German even one Japanese, plus three vetts, they have all been Mn with the one exception ( 54 vette).
The difference in control you have by comming down a couple of gears, while just tapping the brakes and feeling the car hunker down rather than slamming on the brakes as your only means of control, watching the nose dip, wheels lock and rear end slide as with most automatics. Maybe most of you in urban driving will never or not want to experience it. But this to me is the thrill, and the other 80%, of owning a sports car. IMHO
The real fun has been in down shifting into curves and such. In my time(now 69 yrs young), I have driven and owned many sports cars. From most British to a couple of Italian, two German even one Japanese, plus three vetts, they have all been Mn with the one exception ( 54 vette).
The difference in control you have by comming down a couple of gears, while just tapping the brakes and feeling the car hunker down rather than slamming on the brakes as your only means of control, watching the nose dip, wheels lock and rear end slide as with most automatics. Maybe most of you in urban driving will never or not want to experience it. But this to me is the thrill, and the other 80%, of owning a sports car. IMHO
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,304
Likes: 4
From: foothills of Northern California
I don't know why A6 owners like their automatic with 60's Dodge inspired push button shifting-boy talk about going retro
Yes, I am one of those old school people who believe that a sports car requires a stick; however, I realize that many Corvette owners don't enjoy the thrill of the twisties preferring the allure of cell phone usage while driving leisurely through the maze of the urban canyons. A stick allows you to enjoy the thrill and beauty of a well executed heal and toe down shift while traveling though the twistie bits-no, this not the realm of Neanderthal drag racer or the owner who only enjoys seeing their reflection in a downtown window. No, the stick transcends the mind numbing point A to point B existence that an automatic brings to the table-and tell the truth, aren't there times when you really wished that slush-o-matic was a real stick!
Yes, I am one of those old school people who believe that a sports car requires a stick; however, I realize that many Corvette owners don't enjoy the thrill of the twisties preferring the allure of cell phone usage while driving leisurely through the maze of the urban canyons. A stick allows you to enjoy the thrill and beauty of a well executed heal and toe down shift while traveling though the twistie bits-no, this not the realm of Neanderthal drag racer or the owner who only enjoys seeing their reflection in a downtown window. No, the stick transcends the mind numbing point A to point B existence that an automatic brings to the table-and tell the truth, aren't there times when you really wished that slush-o-matic was a real stick!
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Nicholasville Kentucky
People are getting lazier by the day. I had to make a decision when buying my C6 and KNEW it had to be manual or I would have been sOOOOOOOOOOO sorry.
Thems fightin' words. LOLYour right, I am lazy, and I just like to drive while taking it easy. I'm not a typical poster in this subject. So yes, I'm a lazy Vette owner if having an automatic equals being lazy, and I'm kind of proud of it!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5,464
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
So you get up and change the channel on your TV everytime you want to watch another channel, or do you use your remote?
Do you walk to the store or drive?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 178
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
I love my C6 M6 but think some guys just love handling sticks way too much! I must admit, that it sure is sweet smoking 
a C6 M6 in my SL65 while drinking a coffee. I know, I know it is more manly to be handling a shaft. 
I think some stick guys would issue muzzle loaders to their SWAT teams rather than autos! 
Everything is designed for a purpose enjoy your choices
I must admit, that it sure is sweet smoking a C6 M6 in my SL65 while drinking a coffee. I know, I know it is more manly to be handling a shaft. I think some stick guys would issue muzzle loaders to their SWAT teams rather than autos! Everything is designed for a purpose enjoy your choices
A 16 year old girl can mash the throttle on your SL65 and let the car do the accelerating, while she's texting too I'm sure. Is that your idea of performance driving? Take your SL65 on a track and apex a corner at 90mph without putting yourself in the barrier and then I'll be the first one to give you cool points. You might want to put your coffee down first tho...
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,168
Likes: 3
From: Dyer IN
http://www.dragtimes.com/Lamborghini...assifieds.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 785
Likes: 0
From: Rocky Mount NC
My previous sport car was my daily driver and was a six speed. When it came time for me to switch to a Vette, it was going to be my daily driver too and I was tired of shifting gears while talking on a cell phone and trying to drink coffee all at the same time, so I bought an automatic. Now the Vette is not my daily driver and I wish I had bought one with a manual. 
The good side is with the auto I keep my foot out of it more and there are not those embarrassing miss shift moments.
The good side is with the auto I keep my foot out of it more and there are not those embarrassing miss shift moments.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,936
Likes: 260
From: Westchester County New York
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5,464
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
I bet your house is quiet on Super Bowl Sunday.I think you get my point though. Modern advancements such as auto tranny's are used all the time. Is it lazy? Maybe. But, you cannot say using a auto tranny is lazy and go home and flip the channels with your remote. Hypocrisy comes to mind.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 16,068
Likes: 4,151
From: Bergen county NJ
I wish the corvette team offered a dual clutch sequential transmission just so these arguments would finally end..
Supposedly the c7 will offer that and thats what I'll buy.
As it is...I personally prefer the manual transmission because it lets me make believe I'm a race car driver....but as far as performance? I am sure the Automatic A6 is a better all around performer..
The cool part of the vette having 436hp and 428 lb/ft of tq is that with the automatic transmission its just as fast as the manual version.
for those that chose the A6 over the M6 .........enjoy the car..
For those of us who enjoy driving the corvette and imagine we are race car drivers....more power to us...
If you can get that feeling in the A6? Cool...
If you need the manual transmission for the make believe session of racing one hell of a fast sports car..? thats cool too..
Just my too cents...
Supposedly the c7 will offer that and thats what I'll buy.
As it is...I personally prefer the manual transmission because it lets me make believe I'm a race car driver....but as far as performance? I am sure the Automatic A6 is a better all around performer..
The cool part of the vette having 436hp and 428 lb/ft of tq is that with the automatic transmission its just as fast as the manual version.
for those that chose the A6 over the M6 .........enjoy the car..
For those of us who enjoy driving the corvette and imagine we are race car drivers....more power to us...
If you can get that feeling in the A6? Cool...
If you need the manual transmission for the make believe session of racing one hell of a fast sports car..? thats cool too..
Just my too cents...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,412
Likes: 1,295
From: Bluffton, SC
