MN6 and age factor
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,942
Likes: 1,328
From: Houston Tx
The MN6 fun factor is probably the biggest thing for most of us who favor it, but now that others have mentioned it, there may be a point in the age issue. When those of us in our 60’s were in our formative years, automatics were inefficient “slush boxes”, and we probably all cut our teeth on “4-on-the-floors”, which at that time had both the fun factor and could also beat an automatic by a mile. But with modern race cars having gone the crunch box paddle shifter route, and with modern automatics now very close to sticks in performance, some younger people may never try a stick, so may never have a chance to see the fun factor. Would be interesting to see if there was a bias in A6/MN6 Vette ownership by age. Wouldn’t surprise me if percentage of owners with MN6 got higher with age. On the other hand, there is the aging left knee problem, so you never know.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,472
Likes: 75
From: Cleveland, OH
Well, in that case, 81 year-old Fred V still drives his Z at Nelson Ledges track outside of Cleveland and to quote my favorite "Transporter" line--"The SOB can drive."
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 53
Likes: 30
Age 63 and still rowin' the gears!
Last Wednesday nite at Thompson Raceway Park in northeast Ohio, my '08 Z51 convertible did 12.45 @114.2 with my 63 year old right arm "movin the lever" on the MZ6. All the Mustangs and more than a few new generation Challengers got excellent views of my rear bumper all nite pulling away from them! I lost in the fifth round to a modified '99 Mustang-- I gave him a 1.35 second spot, and still beat him by .12 seconds, but I went .11 under my dial-in! At any rate he now has a healthy respect for an LS3!! My best in the car is 12.27 @116 (under perfect conditions.) The track is at 1140 feet elevation.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
Likes: 344
From: Houston, TX
The MN6 fun factor is probably the biggest thing for most of us who favor it, but now that others have mentioned it, there may be a point in the age issue. When those of us in our 60’s were in our formative years, automatics were inefficient “slush boxes”, and we probably all cut our teeth on “4-on-the-floors”, which at that time had both the fun factor and could also beat an automatic by a mile. But with modern race cars having gone the crunch box paddle shifter route, and with modern automatics now very close to sticks in performance, some younger people may never try a stick, so may never have a chance to see the fun factor. Would be interesting to see if there was a bias in A6/MN6 Vette ownership by age. Wouldn’t surprise me if percentage of owners with MN6 got higher with age. On the other hand, there is the aging left knee problem, so you never know.
) wondered the same thing a while back....http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...reference.html
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
I'm in my late 50s. For what I want in (and do with) a high performance Corvette its gotta be a manual transmission. Well, at least until Corvette offers an automatic approaching the seemless shifter of an F1 car. 
Really? I can only speak for myself but trying to revive my youth doesn't enter into the equation....for choosing an automatic or for buying a Corvette. I'm not very age conscious and I don't subscribe to the mid-life crisis theory.
Really? I can only speak for myself but trying to revive my youth doesn't enter into the equation....for choosing an automatic or for buying a Corvette. I'm not very age conscious and I don't subscribe to the mid-life crisis theory.
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Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,942
Likes: 1,328
From: Houston Tx
Some really smart guy on the forum () wondered the same thing a while back....
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...reference.html
) wondered the same thing a while back....http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...reference.html
Pro
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 531
Likes: 0
From: Griffin GA
Well I am on the other end of the spectrum. I am 22 and ended up with an auto. Mainly because of the deal I got on virtually a brand new car. Seriously 3 hours before I found the car I bought I looked at a manual but it had more miles and was just a little cheaper. It is nice having an auto when I sit in traffic which is an everyday ordeal when I go to school.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix AZ
55 and I am still driving manuals. I seriously considered an auto when I was looking for a Vette. After several test drives in both MN6 and A6 equipped cars , I chose a manual (08 MZ6 Vert).
I am really glad I went with the manual, much more entertaining for me.
I am really glad I went with the manual, much more entertaining for me.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Wheaton Illinois
What? Revive? Listen lame-leg! Have had manuals since my first '55 MGTF daily driver. Next was a '64 GTO and many Ferraris and muscles since. Now 68 and C6 MN6 shares the garage with a 455 Trans Am stick. Left leg and other appendages still working as designed. Defense might be my personal problem or perhaps your impression is yours. Just sayin'.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29,113
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From: Big Bend Country, TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
Finally made the switch to an A6 for two reasons. Health and my s/o can't drive stick.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
This type thread always brings out the hardcore M6 crowd even though about 2/3 of all Vettes are automatics. 
Manuals are the best for road course tracks and as fun weekend toys.
Automatics rule the 1/4 mile and as DD/road warriors.
We all have fun, we just do it different.
Manuals are the best for road course tracks and as fun weekend toys.
Automatics rule the 1/4 mile and as DD/road warriors.
We all have fun, we just do it different.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29,113
Likes: 2,194
From: Big Bend Country, TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
This type thread always brings out the hardcore M6 crowd even though about 2/3 of all Vettes are automatics.
Manuals are the best for road course tracks and as fun weekend toys.
Automatics rule the 1/4 mile and as DD/road warriors.
We all have fun, we just do it different.
Manuals are the best for road course tracks and as fun weekend toys.
Automatics rule the 1/4 mile and as DD/road warriors.
We all have fun, we just do it different.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I actually think you have it backwards. In the case of enthusiasts - which most people on forums are, it seems the older guys are the ones who prefer manuals if their health allows it. The younger generation are asking for the "dual-clutch" cars (with is an automatic for Christ sakes).
I'm 58 and unless something changes in my physical ability to drive one, my sports car and motorcycles will always be manuals. I still love shifting.
I'm 58 and unless something changes in my physical ability to drive one, my sports car and motorcycles will always be manuals. I still love shifting.
So far, Larry Myers is the oldest and still kickin' a manual down the road! Me, I'm still rowin' thru the gears, too.
Last edited by AORoads; Jul 19, 2011 at 07:38 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
Likes: 344
From: Houston, TX
Exactly Bill. In fact, I had a letter published in Car & Driver last month (not the current issue but the one before) regarding the definition of automatics vs manuals.