Paddle shift vs. manual
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 148
From: 1000 Islands Ontario
Okay - so here is my 03 cents worth:
I drove manuals from '65 to '08 and loved them - mostly Vettes and GTO's.
When I started doing research on buying my '08 in September '07, my younger brother was developing some bad knee issues, and had to sell his 350 72 Chevy II with the Muncie M22 Box, and ended up with an automatic TransAm that he loved. That got me thinking.
At that time GM had just introduced rev matching to their paddle shift option. I went for it, and no regrets over the past 17 years.
Do I miss rowing the gears - yes sometimes. But I'm hooked on the A6 paddles, and use them ALL the time. I don't race anymore, just cruise around town (nice in traffic), or on the back roads. I don't really mind the up/down millisecond lag. I never bothered to get a tranny tune. I'm 77, so yes it is partly an 'age thing'. I use the paddles on my CTS as well.
I did test drive an A6 '08 when I was vacationing in Florida. I would recommend you do the same before you decide. Just make sure to test an'08 and up (rev matching).
It's all good.
M....
I drove manuals from '65 to '08 and loved them - mostly Vettes and GTO's.
When I started doing research on buying my '08 in September '07, my younger brother was developing some bad knee issues, and had to sell his 350 72 Chevy II with the Muncie M22 Box, and ended up with an automatic TransAm that he loved. That got me thinking.
At that time GM had just introduced rev matching to their paddle shift option. I went for it, and no regrets over the past 17 years.
Do I miss rowing the gears - yes sometimes. But I'm hooked on the A6 paddles, and use them ALL the time. I don't race anymore, just cruise around town (nice in traffic), or on the back roads. I don't really mind the up/down millisecond lag. I never bothered to get a tranny tune. I'm 77, so yes it is partly an 'age thing'. I use the paddles on my CTS as well.
I did test drive an A6 '08 when I was vacationing in Florida. I would recommend you do the same before you decide. Just make sure to test an'08 and up (rev matching).
It's all good.
M....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 3,340
Likes: 1,934
From: Ulta Vista, AZ
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 220
Likes: 119
Exactly so you don’t need to deal with Horrendous cheese-ball dealerships where the service department groups you in with the guys who bought a 2 year old Chevy Cruise and you have to listen to FM radio and drink horrid drip coffee in a stingy waiting area while your cars getting worked on. Oh yeah and they give you another Porsche to drive when you have an issue - Does GM give you another Z06 to drive? Or some dog **** base model 2.0T Cadillac that’s filthy and beaten to hell while your cars getting serviced.
High end German Dealerships are worlds above the Americans in all ways .
Porsche is an outstanding company and everyone of their products is competitive or class leading . GM has ONE product that does well- and its Corvette - all of their other products have fallen way behind . Cadillac , Chevrolet and even their truck lineup is falling behind the standard .
I’m all for supporting the Americans but let’s not be blinded by bias and keep our feet on the ground .
High end German Dealerships are worlds above the Americans in all ways .
Porsche is an outstanding company and everyone of their products is competitive or class leading . GM has ONE product that does well- and its Corvette - all of their other products have fallen way behind . Cadillac , Chevrolet and even their truck lineup is falling behind the standard .
I’m all for supporting the Americans but let’s not be blinded by bias and keep our feet on the ground .
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 220
Likes: 119
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 224
Likes: 41
From: Catawba, N.C. USA
After looking at many, many cars; driving a few; (getting typical dealer BS on a car I was intreested in) I ultimately found an 08 Atomic Orange 3LT convertible with MANUAL. The car rides nicely and the clutch is smooth and easy. It was a close call and easily would have gone with the paddle shift if the car checked the other boxes. There is no wrong answer in this debate. I'm happy to be part of the C6club!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,341
Likes: 723
From: Chicago N/W Suburbs
I feel other categories of choice could be equally debated, coming down to "there is no wrong answer if you are happy, and you can afford what you own."
- Base, versus GS, versus ZO6, versus 427, versus ZR1
- 1LT, 2LT, 3LT, 4LT
- coupe versus convertible
- model year improvements
Going deep into debt over a choice could be strongly debated.
7th Gear
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 7
Likes: 2
From: San Luis Obispo, CA
I recently sold my 2012 Porsche 997 4 GTS that had the PDK and bought a 2007 C6Z06 - so of course its a manual. They are very different cars to drive and the C6 has taken a bit of getting used to, however I am much happier with it overall. Its just a 'weekend car' for me and the stick shift of the C6Z is just so much engaging to drive. The PDK gear change is amazingly fast and always had the car in the right gear at the right time- it had paddle shifters - but there just didnt seem any point in using them. The 911 was fast and refined, the C6Z is faster, less refined and at least for me, a lot more fun.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 3,340
Likes: 1,934
From: Ulta Vista, AZ
I recently sold my 2012 Porsche 997 4 GTS that had the PDK and bought a 2007 C6Z06 - so of course its a manual. They are very different cars to drive and the C6 has taken a bit of getting used to, however I am much happier with it overall. Its just a 'weekend car' for me and the stick shift of the C6Z is just so much engaging to drive. The PDK gear change is amazingly fast and always had the car in the right gear at the right time- it had paddle shifters - but there just didnt seem any point in using them. The 911 was fast and refined, the C6Z is faster, less refined and at least for me, a lot more fun.
I am still dead set on getting a 991.2 or a C8, but I will likely keep my C6 as well for that reason.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,413
Likes: 502
From: Rio Rancho NM
After looking at many, many cars; driving a few; (getting typical dealer BS on a car I was intreested in) I ultimately found an 08 Atomic Orange 3LT convertible with MANUAL. The car rides nicely and the clutch is smooth and easy. It was a close call and easily would have gone with the paddle shift if the car checked the other boxes. There is no wrong answer in this debate. I'm happy to be part of the C6club!
congrats. I think AO is awesome looking. I bought my 08 AO last month and I get nothing but compliments on the color.
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Burbs
09 C6 Auto...
My favorite cars have all been manuals and I've never been grumbly about driving in heavy traffic... Wife does not drive stick, so, auto this had to be.
My experience with manuals though leaves me confused with paddle mode - should I try to modulate engine speed when shifting, or just punch the paddles and let it do all the work? It seems happiest doing it this way.
My favorite cars have all been manuals and I've never been grumbly about driving in heavy traffic... Wife does not drive stick, so, auto this had to be.
My experience with manuals though leaves me confused with paddle mode - should I try to modulate engine speed when shifting, or just punch the paddles and let it do all the work? It seems happiest doing it this way.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 498
Likes: 211
From: Wisconsin
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
It is important to remember you can have different trans tunes for drive and sport modes. Leaving the Drive tune close to stock and being more aggressive with the Sport tune is a good option.