Standard vs Automatic - Launch Control
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 497
Likes: 15
From: Niagara Falls NY
Standard vs Automatic - Launch Control
I'm debating between standard and automatic transmission. I live in the suburbs and will see a modest amount of "stop & go" traffice, but it's signficantly less than "DC Beltway" type driving. I think I could get used to the inconvience of not having standard...and of course driving stick is more fun (most of the time)!! I really like the "Launch Control" feature that to my understanding is only on standard transmission. Is there an "automatic equavilent" to Launch Control? If I floor it from a dead stop with an automatic, will the computer shift the gears in a similar fashion to the manual transmission Launch Control? Is there a "Launch Control" switch on the automatics?
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 510
Likes: 5
From: Pipe Creek TX
No computor launch control on automatics. I believe the automatics are more forgiving in launching from a dead stop. The sticks take more practice for faster 60 ft times over the autos.
I have had both ; auto more consistent ,but the stick is more fun.
I have had both ; auto more consistent ,but the stick is more fun.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 497
Likes: 15
From: Niagara Falls NY
If you had a race between two grandsport corvettes....one with auto...one with standard (using launch control). Would the standard easily beat the auto...or just beat it by a nose?
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Olathe KS
St. Jude Donor '10-'11
OK - I'll bite. I suspect this will end up in a big flame war, but I believe your question is a valid one, so I'll add my feedback. First, welcome to the Forum!
When I went looking for my car, I had a list of "Must Haves". 3lt, convertible, victory red, cashmere top, 6 speed were all on the list. Closest I could come was automatic. The car was a former Florida car, and I couldn't resist all the others being in place. That said, there have been very few times I have regretted not having a manual, and many, many times I've been glad to have the auto. I use the car as a weekend cruiser. It has all the performance I need and then some, so 60 foot times or quarter mile times are N/A to me.
You seem very interested in performance. Will you be dragging the car? Interested in beating a buddy between stoplights (forum frowns on this talk)? HPDE or autocross?
There are people who would tell you any worthy sports car will include a manual tranny. If you subscribe to that thinking, buy the manual. But if you don't have a preconception, the auto is very good, and with tuning, can be outstanding!
Good luck in your decision. I believe there is no wrong answer to your inquiry!
When I went looking for my car, I had a list of "Must Haves". 3lt, convertible, victory red, cashmere top, 6 speed were all on the list. Closest I could come was automatic. The car was a former Florida car, and I couldn't resist all the others being in place. That said, there have been very few times I have regretted not having a manual, and many, many times I've been glad to have the auto. I use the car as a weekend cruiser. It has all the performance I need and then some, so 60 foot times or quarter mile times are N/A to me.
You seem very interested in performance. Will you be dragging the car? Interested in beating a buddy between stoplights (forum frowns on this talk)? HPDE or autocross?
There are people who would tell you any worthy sports car will include a manual tranny. If you subscribe to that thinking, buy the manual. But if you don't have a preconception, the auto is very good, and with tuning, can be outstanding!
Good luck in your decision. I believe there is no wrong answer to your inquiry!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 497
Likes: 15
From: Niagara Falls NY
No, not interested in dragging. Just want to show off once in a while for a passenger. If I'm on a road that is cop free...I want to see what it can do. If the automatic can come close to the performance of the Launch Control, that would be fine. Sounds like it would be close.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Mobile Alabama
My 2011 GS Verte is my first Corvette. Drove my son-in-law's 08 M6 Coupe for a few months will he was away in the Navy. I enjoyed the manual trans but do not miss shifting with the clutch since my GS is a DD. I have a background of sports cars and muscle cars (last two were modded Mustang Cobras) I enjoy the A6 with a good tune and have not looked back. Great car to have fun with or DD as the need be.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,359
Likes: 163
From: Concord NC
Our 2010 GS has the LC & I've tried it twice. Once on the OEM Goodyears & once after I had PS2's put on.
Both times it spun like mad for ~100 feet before gaining traction. I'm sure it looked cool from a distance,but as far racing goes,it's garbage & it would take a pretty sorry driver not to be able to best it on your own.
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
St. Jude Donor '08
No, not interested in dragging. Just want to show off once in a while for a passenger. If I'm on a road that is cop free...I want to see what it can do. If the automatic can come close to the performance of the Launch Control, that would be fine. Sounds like it would be close.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 25
From: Austin Texas
A VERY experienced manual shift operator might beat a rookie in an Automatic in a drag race but any situation like a roll on downshift the Auto will win. Want to impress your friends? Floor your A6 from a 35 MPH roll.
A6 advantages;
No missed shifts.
No clutch fluid changes.
No "heel /toe worries, your left foot is just for braking
No problems moving from a stop on a steep grade
No worries about overrevving the engine from a missed downshift
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 53
From: Largo Florida
Here is my opinion. I had an 07 coupe m6 that I loved, but wanted a vert. I figured I would get the automatic in the vert and the paddles would give me my fix for manual shifting. Well, the auto was nice, but I missed the hell out of the manual and rowing through the gears. I just purchased a 2011 GS and did not think twice about going with the manual. Bottom line for me, no substitute for the true manual tranny.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 27
From: West Des Moines Ia
I am an automatic person just because I am tired of the clutches. I would love to have a ZR1 with an automatic. I just dont understand the CTS V that has the automatic yet no Z06 or ZR1 with automatics.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,813
Likes: 287
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
An automatic in the Z06 or ZR1 would probably not get enough sales to make it worthwhile. The Z06 and ZR1 are low volume vehicles.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 336
Likes: 1
From: Knoxville TN
I am not an expert, still waiting for the 2012 GS i just ordered with manual. this is my first corvette. this will be my fun weekend car, and i will love shifting through the gears, etc. i got what i wanted, for me it was an easy decision.
I would agree for most drivers, a auto would usually beat a manual transmission car in a drag. I would also agree that either version of a C6 would accelerate so fast your passenger would be impressed.
I would just say, think about what you want to do while driving this car in the normal way you intend to use it, and get that. launching it will be a very infrequent thing, and as said by others, either version will result in the wow factor you want.
I don't know....if you can envision yourself really loving driving around in an automatic, then maybe that's the best option for you.
I would agree for most drivers, a auto would usually beat a manual transmission car in a drag. I would also agree that either version of a C6 would accelerate so fast your passenger would be impressed.
I would just say, think about what you want to do while driving this car in the normal way you intend to use it, and get that. launching it will be a very infrequent thing, and as said by others, either version will result in the wow factor you want.
I don't know....if you can envision yourself really loving driving around in an automatic, then maybe that's the best option for you.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,681
Likes: 2
From: Mooresville (Race City USA) NC
If you want to show off driving skills for a passenger then this would eliminate an automatic transmission; if you want to show off how quick your car is you should probably get the automatic so you won't be embarrased by blowing a launch or shift.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,780
Likes: 314
From: Morris Co. NJ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18,'21
I'm debating between standard and automatic transmission. I live in the suburbs and will see a modest amount of "stop & go" traffice, but it's signficantly less than "DC Beltway" type driving. I think I could get used to the inconvience of not having standard...and of course driving stick is more fun (most of the time)!! I really like the "Launch Control" feature that to my understanding is only on standard transmission. Is there an "automatic equavilent" to Launch Control? If I floor it from a dead stop with an automatic, will the computer shift the gears in a similar fashion to the manual transmission Launch Control? Is there a "Launch Control" switch on the automatics?
Not as in LEO ticket.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 142
From: wolfeboro nh
Why are we talking opinion here? Isn't there some subjective test that has run a 2011 GS M6 vs an A6? If not let's do it. Then we can know if the hand built Wixom engine with the dry sump oil system is designed to be faster in the M6. Or we can discover if the power robbing necessary (what is it - 5% loss to run the automatic - that would be 436 hp vs 415 hp?) to run the automatic can overcome the "lack of efficient manual shifting". No opinions here based on emotion but as Sgt. Friday used to say "Just the facts maam, just the facts." Come on, where are all you archival searchers? 
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 25
From: Austin Texas
Why are we talking opinion here? Isn't there some subjective test that has run a 2011 GS M6 vs an A6? If not let's do it. Then we can know if the hand built Wixom engine with the dry sump oil system is designed to be faster in the M6. Or we can discover if the power robbing necessary (what is it - 5% loss to run the automatic - that would be 436 hp vs 415 hp?) to run the automatic can overcome the "lack of efficient manual shifting". No opinions here based on emotion but as Sgt. Friday used to say "Just the facts maam, just the facts." Come on, where are all you archival searchers?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 6
From: Redmond WA