six speed vs automatic
Pro
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 528
Likes: 0
Isn't a GS the new Z51? If that is correct, I would only get the M6 for performance at the road course. If drag racing, of course the auto. For the extra cooling, handling etc...why not run it at the track and use it for what it was designed for?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 0
From: Columbus Ohio
Oh $HIT I better dump my ZR1 as I am heading toward upper 50's
HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA!
HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA!
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Simi Valley CA
Don't knock the A6 until you drive one at the limit. I have a "08" coupe that I have built the motor up to 560HP normally aspirated, installed a Z06 wide body kit, Wilwood brakes, and suspension upgrades.
Starting in "08" the A6s have the "blip" shifting (rev matching) software. I have been tracking the car with NASA and Speed Ventures 8-10 times a year for the last few years. I typically finish in the top three positions and just got first place in the Corvette Challenge at Willow springs Raceway. My competition was Z06 manuals.
The A6 allows me to keep both hands on the wheel at all times. With the blip shift capability, I can trail brake into corners and down shift without disrupting the balance of the car, allowing faster exits.
I do admit that I like driving manuals because they feel great, but my competition isn't knocking the auto's any more.
Starting in "08" the A6s have the "blip" shifting (rev matching) software. I have been tracking the car with NASA and Speed Ventures 8-10 times a year for the last few years. I typically finish in the top three positions and just got first place in the Corvette Challenge at Willow springs Raceway. My competition was Z06 manuals.
The A6 allows me to keep both hands on the wheel at all times. With the blip shift capability, I can trail brake into corners and down shift without disrupting the balance of the car, allowing faster exits.
I do admit that I like driving manuals because they feel great, but my competition isn't knocking the auto's any more.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 888
Likes: 50
From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
Just get what you want. Unless you can road race as good as Jeff Gordon you are not going to be faster with a standard shift than an auto in D. I got the standard just because I like to shift.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 549
Likes: 22
From: Castle Pines Colorado
The decision is obviously up to you, but take this into consideration. Every post on this forum talked about how slow and slushy the shifts were with the A6. I was extremely worried. I am 6'7" and physically fitting my foot on the clutch is extremely uncomfortable and on the track dangerous. I decided to get the A6.
When I got the car I initially tried it at lower RPM's and little throttle input. The difference is in how you drive the car. If you drive the car in a performance situation, meaning heavy throttle inputs and keeping the RPM's in the high power band range the A6 performs extremely well. The shifts are instantaneous, extremely firm, and engine breaking is great. You never have to worry about loosing the rear end when you let the clutch out do to the computer matching the RPM's.
Regardless of what anyone else says I am 200% satisfied with how the A6 paddle shifters perform. Oh yea, the sound the down shifts make add a sexy factor that really puts a grin on your face.
When I got the car I initially tried it at lower RPM's and little throttle input. The difference is in how you drive the car. If you drive the car in a performance situation, meaning heavy throttle inputs and keeping the RPM's in the high power band range the A6 performs extremely well. The shifts are instantaneous, extremely firm, and engine breaking is great. You never have to worry about loosing the rear end when you let the clutch out do to the computer matching the RPM's.
Regardless of what anyone else says I am 200% satisfied with how the A6 paddle shifters perform. Oh yea, the sound the down shifts make add a sexy factor that really puts a grin on your face.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 7,250
Likes: 6
From: Glassboro New Jersey
The A6 in paddle mode is great for a road coarse. Precise shifts every time, both hands on the steering wheel when shifting, and engine braking. Im 100% satisfied with mine.
IMO the M6 guys who knock A6 guys have some manliness issues or superiority complex.
Let's see a manual trans do this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gL2su8eMEIc
http://www.youtube.com/user/ECSRacin...53/3IKbKkegnOM
Granted neither of these cars are A6s, but they are autos.
IMO the M6 guys who knock A6 guys have some manliness issues or superiority complex.
Let's see a manual trans do this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gL2su8eMEIc
http://www.youtube.com/user/ECSRacin...53/3IKbKkegnOM
Granted neither of these cars are A6s, but they are autos.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,188
Likes: 4
From: S.F. Bay Area CA.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,886
Likes: 173
From: Scottsdale AZ
St. Jude Donor '11
Turn 60 in two weeks. 2010 LS3 with a M6. Figure I'm good for a manual longer than you will be off the baby bottle! 
My first Corvette was a '97 with the four speed auto. A magnificent car. Enough to lead me through three more Corvettes. Last three manuals. Fifty-two when I bought my first '02 manual. Fifty-six when I bought my first C6 manual. Close to 60 with my new 2010 LS3.
Yanking your chain, but don't yank mine with this "old" sh*t!
Repeating myself, but if anyone goes with the auto, a FINE automobile, and still a true Corvette.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 1,200
From: Ft. Myers FL
WMark: Turn 60 in two weeks. 2010 LS3 with a M6. Figure I'm good for a manual longer than you will be off the baby bottle!
Love that quote! 
Actually, you can't go wrong with either one. It's still a Corvette..
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,901
Likes: 361
From: TX
Be aware, there is a problem with some 07 & 08 transmissions that can cause a harsh or flaring upshift in the lower gears that has been attributed to some of the clutch fluid seals being installed backwards. GM has a service bulletin out on it. It seems to affect the shifting mainly when the transmission fluid is cold (below about 110 degress or so).
PIP 4395
The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.
Condition/Concern:
Some customers may comment on a flare or harsh 2-3 shift.
Recommendation/Instructions:
This condition may be caused by leaking 1-2-3-4 and 3-5-R clutch fluid seal rings (230). The following conditions are indications that the fluid seal rings may be leaking:
• Delayed/extended or delayed with harsh feel initial Park to Drive and/or Reverse to Drive shifts, that are more likely to occur when the transmission temperature is below approximately 40 degree C (104 degree F).
• Harsh or flaring 2-3 shifts that are more likely to occur when the transmission fluid temperature is in the approximately 0 degree C (32 degree F) to 40 degree C (104 degree F) temperature range, but can be present at any temperature.
• Harsh 2-3 shifts that are more likely to occur at less than 50% tp.
Vehicles built in the January through August, 2007 time frame are more likely to have leaking fluid seal rings
Important: When inspecting the 1-2-3-4 and 3-5-R clutch fluid seal rings (230) there probably will not be visible signs that the seal rings are damaged.
If any of the conditions above describe the flare/harsh 2-3 shift condition replace the 1-2-3-4 and 3-5-R clutch fluid seal rings (230), DO NOT replace the valve body or
The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.
Condition/Concern:
Some customers may comment on a flare or harsh 2-3 shift.
Recommendation/Instructions:
This condition may be caused by leaking 1-2-3-4 and 3-5-R clutch fluid seal rings (230). The following conditions are indications that the fluid seal rings may be leaking:
• Delayed/extended or delayed with harsh feel initial Park to Drive and/or Reverse to Drive shifts, that are more likely to occur when the transmission temperature is below approximately 40 degree C (104 degree F).
• Harsh or flaring 2-3 shifts that are more likely to occur when the transmission fluid temperature is in the approximately 0 degree C (32 degree F) to 40 degree C (104 degree F) temperature range, but can be present at any temperature.
• Harsh 2-3 shifts that are more likely to occur at less than 50% tp.
Vehicles built in the January through August, 2007 time frame are more likely to have leaking fluid seal rings
Important: When inspecting the 1-2-3-4 and 3-5-R clutch fluid seal rings (230) there probably will not be visible signs that the seal rings are damaged.
If any of the conditions above describe the flare/harsh 2-3 shift condition replace the 1-2-3-4 and 3-5-R clutch fluid seal rings (230), DO NOT replace the valve body or
Last edited by CSixDude; Jun 30, 2010 at 09:01 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 719
From: Northeast MA & Mad Beach FL
The decision is obviously up to you, but take this into consideration. Every post on this forum talked about how slow and slushy the shifts were with the A6. I was extremely worried. I am 6'7" and physically fitting my foot on the clutch is extremely uncomfortable and on the track dangerous. I decided to get the A6.
When I got the car I initially tried it at lower RPM's and little throttle input. The difference is in how you drive the car. If you drive the car in a performance situation, meaning heavy throttle inputs and keeping the RPM's in the high power band range the A6 performs extremely well. The shifts are instantaneous, extremely firm, and engine breaking is great. You never have to worry about loosing the rear end when you let the clutch out do to the computer matching the RPM's.
Regardless of what anyone else says I am 200% satisfied with how the A6 paddle shifters perform. Oh yea, the sound the down shifts make add a sexy factor that really puts a grin on your face.
When I got the car I initially tried it at lower RPM's and little throttle input. The difference is in how you drive the car. If you drive the car in a performance situation, meaning heavy throttle inputs and keeping the RPM's in the high power band range the A6 performs extremely well. The shifts are instantaneous, extremely firm, and engine breaking is great. You never have to worry about loosing the rear end when you let the clutch out do to the computer matching the RPM's.
Regardless of what anyone else says I am 200% satisfied with how the A6 paddle shifters perform. Oh yea, the sound the down shifts make add a sexy factor that really puts a grin on your face.
I like my A6. Like a manual too but wanted the A6.Starting to find just what you've said. The harder you push it the better it works.
Mine has always shifted instantly when in Sport without the paddles active under full throttle.
But now I've been seeing the same results when using the paddles under full throttle, shifts instantly at higher RPM's
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio TX
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,246
Likes: 5
From: West Coast
The think that "irks" me is that some people have this hard a** attitude because they drive a "manual". They rip on people who drive autos. 
Case-in-point, there was a guy who ripped on anyone who drove auto. There was a 30-year old war vet who suffered a leg injury and could not drive manual even if he wanted to. Suffice it to say, that MANUAL DRIVING Vette owner got clocked in the jaw when he acted the a** and made fun of people driving autos.
You can see and read that here. Most people find it to be a personal preference. Others mock and ridicule those who drive autos and make it a macho thing to drive a manual. Those guys are the jerks who need to get their clocks cleaned....
Case-in-point:
There are war vets who drive autos, as there are people who suffer from physical disabilities who drive autos, yet jerks who lack self-confidence and act the bully like to attack those who drive autos. The real cowards are the manual driving Vette owners who mock those who drive autos.
Case-in-point, there was a guy who ripped on anyone who drove auto. There was a 30-year old war vet who suffered a leg injury and could not drive manual even if he wanted to. Suffice it to say, that MANUAL DRIVING Vette owner got clocked in the jaw when he acted the a** and made fun of people driving autos.
You can see and read that here. Most people find it to be a personal preference. Others mock and ridicule those who drive autos and make it a macho thing to drive a manual. Those guys are the jerks who need to get their clocks cleaned....
Case-in-point:
There are war vets who drive autos, as there are people who suffer from physical disabilities who drive autos, yet jerks who lack self-confidence and act the bully like to attack those who drive autos. The real cowards are the manual driving Vette owners who mock those who drive autos.
Last edited by LBear; Jun 30, 2010 at 06:41 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 2
I'm 33 and mine is an A6. This is my first auto sports car. I did enough manual driving around the chicagoland in 5 other cars through out the years. Now I just hit the gas and go and it's awesome. Really, when it all comes down to it, NO ONE cares except on the internet!!!!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 6
From: San Jose, CA, USA
The A6 in paddle mode is great for a road coarse. Precise shifts every time, both hands on the steering wheel when shifting, and engine braking. Im 100% satisfied with mine.
IMO the M6 guys who knock A6 guys have some manliness issues or superiority complex.
Let's see a manual trans do this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gL2su8eMEIc
http://www.youtube.com/user/ECSRacin...53/3IKbKkegnOM
Granted neither of these cars are A6s, but they are autos.
IMO the M6 guys who knock A6 guys have some manliness issues or superiority complex.
Let's see a manual trans do this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gL2su8eMEIc
http://www.youtube.com/user/ECSRacin...53/3IKbKkegnOM
Granted neither of these cars are A6s, but they are autos.
Personally I feel a manual is a far superior choice for track work. I have had several streetable road race cars and more recently two race cars - I raced with NASA in the CMC series for a few years then gave it up do to lack of time and budget. Anyway - that's my take - you are in complete control of the car with a manual, but less so with an auto. The other factor is longevity, and I can't see an A6 lasting very long if you subject it to regular road racing activity - that is so hard on everything, builds heat everywhere - heat is bad on auto trans, Mkay.
But that is for a track situation, not sure if the OP even cared about that - I don't think that was even a factor, so not sure why we are talking about it.
Again - personal preference thing - get what you want, but I will say it again - don't settle for the AT just because you found a car if you really want a manual. Eventually you will regret that decision.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Both Coasts
The think that "irks" me is that some people have this hard a** attitude because they drive a "manual". They rip on people who drive autos.
Case-in-point, there was a guy who ripped on anyone who drove auto. There was a 30-year old war vet who suffered a leg injury and could not drive manual even if he wanted to. Suffice it to say, that MANUAL DRIVING Vette owner got clocked in the jaw when he acted the a** and made fun of people driving autos.
You can see and read that here. Most people find it to be a personal preference. Others mock and ridicule those who drive autos and make it a macho thing to drive a manual. Those guys are the jerks who need to get their clocks cleaned....
Case-in-point:
There are war vets who drive autos, as there are people who suffer from physical disabilities who drive autos, yet jerks who lack self-confidence and act the bully like to attack those who drive autos. The real cowards are the manual driving Vette owners who mock those who drive autos.
Case-in-point, there was a guy who ripped on anyone who drove auto. There was a 30-year old war vet who suffered a leg injury and could not drive manual even if he wanted to. Suffice it to say, that MANUAL DRIVING Vette owner got clocked in the jaw when he acted the a** and made fun of people driving autos.
You can see and read that here. Most people find it to be a personal preference. Others mock and ridicule those who drive autos and make it a macho thing to drive a manual. Those guys are the jerks who need to get their clocks cleaned....
Case-in-point:
There are war vets who drive autos, as there are people who suffer from physical disabilities who drive autos, yet jerks who lack self-confidence and act the bully like to attack those who drive autos. The real cowards are the manual driving Vette owners who mock those who drive autos.
I broke my back last year in a bad spill at the racetrack while exercising racehorses - *this* race riding takes more ***** than driving a push-button machine, my friends.
I'm lucky to still be walking - I suffered a smashed vertebra and a lumbar disc herniation and spent two months in a hospital bed in the living room, and three months in a full neck to waist brace. Bone's healed I'm still in loads of pain from the disc herniation - and so until it's fully healed (*if* it ever fully heals), it's an auto for me - otherwise the leg lifting would aggravate the disc and put more pressure on the nerve.
That being said, given all of the "leg lifting" that some of the manual guys are doing here on this forum, they clearly have no lumbar spine issues.... but they sure do seem to have some other kind of spine issues going on.