Vette_DD

Just for the record, 56.57% of all C6s built were automatics.

goldendog

montman

Too bad nobody figured out a way to have both fully manual and automatic in one tranny. I prefer manual, but when cruising along at say 50, and you want to really blast off, trying to get the right gear and not miss a shift can be challenging - for me anyway.

Bruze

Yes, 6 cylinder autos! Attachment 48332405

CJ Willys

My first was a stick, always loved sticks. Then got an auto so wife would stop complaining, even though she can drive a stick. Big mistake. A stick is just more fun.

ruxvette

And YOUR point is?

Corvette_Ed

Porsche has nothing to do with why many of us Corvette owners prefer manuals. Another fail on your part.

Vette_DD

Somebody's buying them instead of bashing them.

Vette_DD

Then why did you ask 2 of us what our point is? What's your point in asking us that?

cmonkey713

Automatics are becoming so high tech with nano speed shifting the manual transmission will be a collector item before long.

Welker1

Have driven manuals for years and, IMO, are a lot of fun unless you spend a lot of time in heavy traffic (I know some feel differently). However, these days due to some physical limitations with my right arm, it is no longer comfortable or fun to drive a manual. Fortunately, I find the newer autos with the paddle shifters a lot of fun to drive.

As far as putting anyone down for preferring an auto, regardless of their reason, never have; figure to each their own as long as they enjoy what they're driving.

kevinkar

Only 2 of 7 cars in my life have been automatics. One because I bought the car late in the model year and all the manuals had been sold. I couldn't special order that late in the year either so the auto was it. That was a 2006 Volvo V70R which was a phenomenal car for what it was. Second is my new 2018 Golf R which has the amazing 7-speed DSG in it. Shifts are lightning fast. A very engaging car to drive.

I changed from the '05 base coupe 6-speed for two reasons - the '05 and its garbage 1st gear lockout issue I was so tired of and ready to shoot the car and because I'm going to be doing a lot more commuting on the L.A freeways and I did not want to sit in traffic day after day going clutch in.... clutch out.... for hours.

So I prefer a manual but autos are so good these days there's no reason to shy away from them, especially one as good as what's in the Golf R.

marinablu67

And in late 1955, if they didn't introduce an optional V8 and 3sp manual trans, it may have never survived!

Adam Cifonelli

Manuals sure are fun. But for me who dailys their C6, Auto was the way to go. If was just driving my car on the weekends I woulda got a manual. But auto is still very fun in sport mode with the paddles. Best of both worlds.

45gunner

A friend and fellow Vette owner says a sports car should be a hard top coupe and he prefers an automatic transmission.

I say a sports car should be a convertible and have a manual transmission.

This is what makes the world go 'round.

cohoskip

I learned how to drive in a brand new 1937 DeSoto. (manual ) I've shifted a lot of gears since then. At this point I am an auto trans guy...

Kingtal0n

Oh I love these threads.

Why I went auto after 15-years of manuals:
1. no more ~50k clutch changes, now can go 100,000miles+ without maint. dry material
2. much faster in a straight line (big grin) is useful
3. never need to touch the lever / easier to drive the car (I can hold a camera, a sammich, and a woman in my lap, and still drive pretty good)
4. high speed shifts always spin the tire as much as program in the computer consistently, and it has a momentary switch for different transmission maps so can do "normal" and "performance" modes for alternative weather/conditions
5. Traffic here eats clutches, even good ones get half life because of all the stop and go garbage.
6. 4l80e is much cheaper/easier to find than a 6-speed and will hold more power with no expensive parts (4l80e)


Downsides to auto:
1. overdrive ratio typically around .75 instead of .50 means fewer rear gearing options for long-distance daily drivers (you typically need far more power to make sense of an auto than you would a manual).
2. increased rotating mass means less fuel economy and more drivetrain losses (again, need big power or doesn't make sense)


increased complexity- isn't really a downside when you consider both transmission types are extremely complex these days and best left to professional rebuilders.

1rusty1

When I was first driving, I bought manuals because they were less expensive. Now the only manual vehicle I own is a motorcycle. That's enough for me.

Jaime-Corvette

When I finally found my car listed online, I honestly could care less if it was auto or mt. It was the perfect dream car to me.
I'm glad i have an auto though, I can still Perform Extra Curricular Activities with my right hand

HOXXOH

Even though about half of my 61 cars were manuals, I far prefer automatics.
If I wanted the true sports car feeling, I'd also have manual steering and brakes. No AC and maybe no radio and heater either. That'd be the ONLY way to feel connected and in full control of the car.

In reality, a C6 is a grand touring car, A6 or M6, since it fits that description far better.