Paddle shift vs. manual
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 224
Likes: 41
From: Catawba, N.C. USA
Paddle shift vs. manual
I'm a long time C2 and C3 owner but I'm looking at several C6's to enjoy the technology advances (owned a 2006 GTO for many years and loved the LS2 in it). I've always been a manual guy but age and health have me considering automatics with the paddle shift and wondering if it gives the best of both worlds. Can you guys weigh in and give you input? Thanks.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 4,669
Likes: 1,849
From: Erlanger, Kentucky
I'm a long time C2 and C3 owner but I'm looking at several C6's to enjoy the technology advances (owned a 2006 GTO for many years and loved the LS2 in it). I've always been a manual guy but age and health have me considering automatics with the paddle shift and wondering if it gives the best of both worlds. Can you guys weigh in and give you input? Thanks.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,592
Likes: 1,671
From: Pearland / Houston Tx
Agree. Don't believe you will think paddle shifting is a close replcement for a stick.
I have owned an A6 with paddles for 18 years / 115k miles and have probably used it a total of 10 minutes.
I have owned an A6 with paddles for 18 years / 115k miles and have probably used it a total of 10 minutes.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,386
Likes: 6,527
From: Melbourne, FL
The later year C6 paddles are OK. They're not Porsche PDK fast, but they're pretty responsive. That said, they do not provide the same feeling as a manual at all. If you can't drive a manual anymore, they're going to be better than nothing, but they're just not the same as actually rowing the gears.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 1,186
Likes: 660
From: Iowa
I use paddle shifters all the time. I enjoy it, but in no way does it compare to a manual trans. Youll also want to have the car tuned to quicken the shifts. There is definitely excessive lag present in stock form on early year cars.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 1,976
Likes: 879
From: Richardson Texas
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Yes to what several of the members with automatics have said. I had a manual in my FRC and while my wife could drive it, it made her a bit too nervous. When I got my C6, I purposefully got an auto, not only for her but also —realistically — I was hardly ever anywhere that it would have made a difference. Sometimes I miss rowing the gears, but most times, I’m not even thinking about it. To note: I drive mine 80% of the time in the city and about 20% of the time on trips as a GT car, where for me, it really shines.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12,502
Likes: 3,631
A6 will shift up faster than can manual shift a M6, but no grunting the motor out so its not shifting out of the apex to hold the gear/keep the back end from coming out until you get to the straight where it safe to shift. Also you can down shift the M6 a lot faster, including skipping from 5th to 2th while braking (heal/tow)/not letting the clutch out until it's time to drive hard out of the apex.
So A6 great for strip uses, ,but for road course work, spend too much time either in the wrong gear, or coasting/gliding waiting for the trans to downshift instead. Also, torque converter in the A6, is costing you power in the first place.
So A6 great for strip uses, ,but for road course work, spend too much time either in the wrong gear, or coasting/gliding waiting for the trans to downshift instead. Also, torque converter in the A6, is costing you power in the first place.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,392
Likes: 378
From: Cincinnati Ohio
Its really comes down to what you prefer. I have had a few manual cars (79TA, 78TA 80Z28 and 95 Cobra Mustang) most of those cars were DD as well as weekend cars. For me I really only enjoyed the manual cars when I was running the twisties. (traffic jams really stink in a manual) My 2008 Corvette is an A6 and I really like the paddle shift which I mostly use in the twisties. For me getting up in age some, I did not want to give up my car due to physical issues that I might encounter latter in life.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,775
Likes: 669
Its really comes down to what you prefer. I have had a few manual cars (79TA, 78TA 80Z28 and 95 Cobra Mustang) most of those cars were DD as well as weekend cars. For me I really only enjoyed the manual cars when I was running the twisties. (traffic jams really stink in a manual) My 2008 Corvette is an A6 and I really like the paddle shift which I mostly use in the twisties. For me getting up in age some, I did not want to give up my car due to physical issues that I might encounter latter in life.
As you being to age and get older. Driving a manual car can become physically challenging if you have bad knees/leg issues. Something to think about
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,737
Likes: 1,942
From: Missouri Ozark's
2012 C6 Paddleshift Software Upgrade
I’ve enjoyed several manual sports cars, but with age and having experienced some lengthy traffic jams the joy of driving a manual vanished.
My 2012’s paddleshift is fun to play with and pretty responsive when desired.
If possible test drive a few and see what you think.
https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/ve...lickety-shift/
My 2012’s paddleshift is fun to play with and pretty responsive when desired.
If possible test drive a few and see what you think.
https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/ve...lickety-shift/
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,413
Likes: 502
From: Rio Rancho NM
Just depends on your driving style I guess. Sure autos maybe faster but I don't drag race and I'm 48 so the health concern isn't there yet. For me I like being 1 with the car. I love rowing gears. Mine isn't a daily either so there is that. If I had health issues and drove in traffic all the time I can see how one would want a auto. Again I don't deal with that. And until I have no legs or arms or I'm dead manual for me all day long. I think that's why I would never own a C8 or anything with paddle shifters no matter if the DCT in newer cars will give mine the business. Whatever you decide good luck my guy
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,775
Likes: 669
I’ve enjoyed several manual sports cars, but with age and having experienced some lengthy traffic jams the joy of driving a manual vanished.
My 2012’s paddleshift is fun to play with and pretty responsive when desired.
If possible test drive a few and see what you think.
https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/ve...lickety-shift/
My 2012’s paddleshift is fun to play with and pretty responsive when desired.
If possible test drive a few and see what you think.
https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/ve...lickety-shift/
So it's sport mode the best mode when doing spirited driving?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,338
Likes: 5,115
From: Charles Town WV
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
as the owner of an auto car who loves it for what it is... buy the manual. Always been my biggest regret with this car. Manual is always the right answer.
Instructor
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 209
Likes: 90
From: Middle Georgia
Bought my '11 GS A6 at 59 and after 8 knee surgeries. Would have loved a manual but my knees would hate me.
I have extended paddles, the F1 conversion and tuned to shift faster but I do wish it was faster on the gear change.
I drive with my paddles about 95% of the time.
I have extended paddles, the F1 conversion and tuned to shift faster but I do wish it was faster on the gear change.
I drive with my paddles about 95% of the time.
Last edited by rainmaker gs; Feb 20, 2025 at 05:25 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 161
Likes: 57
From: Washington, IL
I’ve enjoyed several manual sports cars, but with age and having experienced some lengthy traffic jams the joy of driving a manual vanished.
My 2012’s paddleshift is fun to play with and pretty responsive when desired.
If possible test drive a few and see what you think.
https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/ve...lickety-shift/
My 2012’s paddleshift is fun to play with and pretty responsive when desired.
If possible test drive a few and see what you think.
https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/ve...lickety-shift/