six speed vs automatic
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
Yea...I wouldn't get an automatic. They just don't compare to the precision and control afforded by the manual shift. There are reasons some people want or need to have an automatic and that's fine. As long as you want a manual shift keep looking until you find one! Don't be in such a rush you're willing to compromise.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,246
Likes: 5
From: West Coast
With age and/or physical limitations, autos are the way to go. 
Dropping a clutch pedal every 5 seconds is not fun for someone with a bad knee, hip, leg, foot, etc. Also not fun if you are stuck in traffic. 
Even the $200K Ferrari F430 Spider comes with an optional auto trans.
The auto transmissions of today are night and day difference over the auto's of yesteryear.
Dropping a clutch pedal every 5 seconds is not fun for someone with a bad knee, hip, leg, foot, etc. Also not fun if you are stuck in traffic. Even the $200K Ferrari F430 Spider comes with an optional auto trans.
The auto transmissions of today are night and day difference over the auto's of yesteryear.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
From: Basingstoke England
What performance are you giving up, exactly? 1/4-mile times seem to show that A6 is at least as fast as M6. The on-paper standing-start figures show the M6 a few tenths quicker to 60mph, but for 99% of drivers they'd be faster and more consistent with an auto (easier launch, no missed gears). Some people may prefer M6, but performance difference isn't the issue.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,886
Likes: 173
From: Scottsdale AZ
St. Jude Donor '11
Given that (estimated) only 30% of the 2010's were manual, they are hard to find with the close of production. I wanted a manual, and past the ordering deadline for a 2010. Wanted to grab the incentives, so couldn't wait for the 2011's. Dealer had a heck of a time finding a manual close to my other needs. I even offered up a choice of three different colors that I would accept.
Bottom line, I'm old school, and sinking a bunch of money into a "toy" forced me to hold the line. Manual, or no sale. As others have mentioned, you can change the exhausts, throw on a supercharger, but you can't change the tranny.
Having said that, I've driven LS3 auto's, and they are superb cars.
Gets to a matter of choice and your driving expectations.
Good luck!
Bottom line, I'm old school, and sinking a bunch of money into a "toy" forced me to hold the line. Manual, or no sale. As others have mentioned, you can change the exhausts, throw on a supercharger, but you can't change the tranny.
Having said that, I've driven LS3 auto's, and they are superb cars.
Gets to a matter of choice and your driving expectations.
Good luck!
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 270
Likes: 1
From: So CaL
With two cars set up with bigger cube blocks, heads, superchargers and a few other goodies, wouldn't an auto trans stay at least even with a manual trans up to 100 mph?
Last edited by qboy; Jun 28, 2010 at 02:03 AM.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
From: NY
I love my m6. If its what you want try and find it, makes the car way more fun (unless you are in bumper to bumper traffic). Nothing like having the NPP exhaust fuse pulled and slowing down in 3rd or 2nd gear listening to the sweet sound of the LS3 gurgle and pop.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 756
Likes: 0
From: rochester new york
over 60 get auto! under get manual! much more car in manual , dry sump ,rear mounted battery , rear differential cooler, and npp is enjoyed a lot more? more cost for oil change, more oil capacity? seems to be more features for less money. over 60i purchased manual after driving both.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,891
Likes: 1,199
From: Ft. Myers FL
I have an A6 and it really is a nice tranny. When I've been in heavy traffic, or at Englishtown in the Corvette Challenge I really appreciate it and I'm glad I have it. Plus, just in everyday stop light traffic, it'll easily take you where you want to go. ;yn However, it will never be as much fun as a M6, like I had in my C5. Wifey doesn't understand that, but, if I were getting a new GS, I'd lean toward the M6. It's standard, and the only thing you need to do is get rid of the CAGs. As to the so called M6 being faster, it is, if you're lucky enough to hook up and not wheel hop all over the place...and then not miss a shift. 
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,578
Likes: 23
From: Waldorf, MD
kdzdds,
I just got a new GS. I can tell you I was going to get an automatic. But the salesman and I were out on the lot one day and he said lets go for a ride. The new Vette we hopped into was a 6X so, OK. Wow! What a lot of fun that care was to drive. We went back and I got into an automatic just to compare it. Nope, not even close. Despite I live in one of the worst traffic areas of the country I still went with the 6X, I just won't use it as a DD.
I want a new 2010 GS and seem to have a problem finding one with manual tranny... so, any thoughts about the automatic with paddle shift? Responsive or not??? Thanks in advance.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,436
Likes: 4
From: Everett Wa
What performance are you giving up, exactly? 1/4-mile times seem to show that A6 is at least as fast as M6. The on-paper standing-start figures show the M6 a few tenths quicker to 60mph, but for 99% of drivers they'd be faster and more consistent with an auto (easier launch, no missed gears). Some people may prefer M6, but performance difference isn't the issue.
Again I have owned both and understand the strong and weak points of each. And by no means do I feel the A6 is inferior. But it is a fact that the A6 eats more HP and at the end of the day you are giving up performance for convinance.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,359
Likes: 163
From: Concord NC
With age and/or physical limitations, autos are the way to go. Dropping a clutch pedal every 5 seconds is not fun for someone with a bad knee, hip, leg, foot, etc. Also not fun if you are stuck in traffic.
Even the $200K Ferrari F430 Spider comes with an optional auto trans.
The auto transmissions of today are night and day difference over the auto's of yesteryear.
Dropping a clutch pedal every 5 seconds is not fun for someone with a bad knee, hip, leg, foot, etc. Also not fun if you are stuck in traffic. Even the $200K Ferrari F430 Spider comes with an optional auto trans.
The auto transmissions of today are night and day difference over the auto's of yesteryear.
Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 691
Likes: 184
For God's sake, don't be forced into buying an Automatic transmission just because one dealer doesn't have any. Check out this website and keep the search a bit vague so you can find the nearest manual transmission car.
http://jeffhardy.com/lookupvette.php
http://jeffhardy.com/lookupvette.php
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 719
From: Northeast MA & Mad Beach FL
For God's sake, don't be forced into buying an Automatic transmission just because one dealer doesn't have any. Check out this website and keep the search a bit vague so you can find the nearest manual transmission car.
http://jeffhardy.com/lookupvette.php
http://jeffhardy.com/lookupvette.php
When someone asks " manual or automatic ? " ... in my opinion, they must be asking because they don't really know.
........................................ ........................
Talking strictly today's Corvette, between auto and manual, it's night and day.
You have to know and want a manual. If you don't know, you have to DRIVE both manual and auto.
No way will others opinions help anyone make the right choice.
I have the auto and knew that's what I wanted.
Had manuals for years and loved them.
But again, I wanted an auto and I think the auto in my 09 is great and it's what I enjoy.
BUT... it is not a manual, doesn't do what a manual can do, .. and never will.
Don't buy anything until you know what you want and will be Happy with
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Fl
Go for the auto if you're:
a) old / injured
b) plan on taking a perfectly nice grand touring car bracket racing.
I generally frown on autos in sports car in the same way that I do when I see someone washing their 'Vette in a do-it-yourself carwash with the bubbling brush (
).
Find yourself a manual gearbox car if that's what you REALLY want. Use this forum and sponsors -- that's what it is here for.
~VDR
a) old / injured
b) plan on taking a perfectly nice grand touring car bracket racing.
I generally frown on autos in sports car in the same way that I do when I see someone washing their 'Vette in a do-it-yourself carwash with the bubbling brush (
).Find yourself a manual gearbox car if that's what you REALLY want. Use this forum and sponsors -- that's what it is here for.
~VDR
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,642
Likes: 9
From: Dalllas/Ft Worth Area TX
Cop out!
Of course the A6 will be faster in the 1/4 for 99% of the drivers out there including me.... But you do give up approx 5-10% more hp to run the A6 offset by never missing a shift. On a road course or autocross cross track the manual has advantage. Being a little slow on a shift is more than offest by the 30 more hp the manual enjoys. And don't forget the manual also has better MPG numbers.
Again I have owned both and understand the strong and weak points of each. And by no means do I feel the A6 is inferior. But it is a fact that the A6 eats more HP and at the end of the day you are giving up performance for convinance.
Again I have owned both and understand the strong and weak points of each. And by no means do I feel the A6 is inferior. But it is a fact that the A6 eats more HP and at the end of the day you are giving up performance for convinance.
PS: "Just missed a shift" won't work when running for money, you'll go broke.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,514
Likes: 235
From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
Unless you are a machine, the machine will be more consistent resulting in faster times almost every run. That's why they now have launch control (a computerized form of automatic) on the manuals. Autos might lose a bit in HP at the top end but they get there faster.Because mine is a DD, I would never want a manual. If I only drove it on deserted roads as a toy then a manual would be fun but getting leg cramps in traffic just makes the traffic seem worse. It can also be dangerous. A few months ago I was at a light in long lines. A guy with a manual started to creap forward when the light changed. His foot must have slipped off the clutch because next he rammed the car in front hard. That would not be an issue with the auto. And if you do suddenly want to go fast you never have to worry about changing gears first. Just step on the go pedal.
So we are back to what do YOU want? They are both six speeds and both very good at what they do.
Goon Squad King of Battle
Joined: May 2008
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