A Simple C6 Request...
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Indianapolis Indiana
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Cruise-In IV Veteran
A Simple C6 Request...
Make the manual tranny standard, not an option. I've always felt like the abundance of automatic tranny cars "water-down" the sporting image of the coupe and vert somewhat. Making a manual standard (or at least not an $800 option) would put a lot more performance-oriented C6's out there.
What do you think? I know most of us wouldn't just buy what's on the lot regardless of transmission, but I've seen it done many times.
I think I'll make this a poll as well, but on another post since might skew the poll results.
What do you think? I know most of us wouldn't just buy what's on the lot regardless of transmission, but I've seen it done many times.
I think I'll make this a poll as well, but on another post since might skew the poll results.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 8,099
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From: Oakland, CA
Semantics
Whether standard or option, the manual transmission will cost more. And what's on the lot has little to do with standard vs option and much to do with what sells profitably.
.Jinx
.Jinx
Race Director
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Re: A Simple C6 Request... (BQuicksilver)
Not likely to happen on the coupe and vert. About 75 percent of the market WANTS an automatic, so the low volume of manuals actually makes them more expensive to manufacture, and dealers don't like to order them for invetory because most buyers want automatics.
I expect that a manual will remain base equipment on the performance model unless they come up with a "manumatic" type system, which they will ultimately have to do to keep up with competitors.
Duke
I expect that a manual will remain base equipment on the performance model unless they come up with a "manumatic" type system, which they will ultimately have to do to keep up with competitors.
Duke
Le Mans Master
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Re: A Simple C6 Request... (SWCDuke)
Not likely to happen on the coupe and vert. About 75 percent of the market WANTS an automatic, so the low volume of manuals actually makes them more expensive to manufacture, and dealers don't like to order them for invetory because most buyers want automatics.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,914
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From: Westford MA
Re: A Simple C6 Request... (Weasel)
I believe the issue is just one of cost. GM sells very few manual cars, and certainly not many six speed rear drivers. As a result, the tranny is not made by GM. It's the same one found in the viper and the mustang cobra and a bunch of other cars. And it's an expensive tranny. The automatic however is just a plain old GM four speed rear drive tranny. Not a big deal. They make it, and they've been making it for a while, and they make a fair number of them. So it's cheaper. Obviously they are going to make the cheaper tranny the default. Either way you cut it, the six speed will wind up costing more. It's not like they are making one the default to encourage you to buy it. They are just doing that to show the lowest possible base price. They know that people will pick whichever one they like best, or can afford, and that's the way it's going to stay.
Scott
Scott
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From: Virginia
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St. Jude's Donor '06
Re: A Simple C6 Request... (logansowner)
Are you serious? 75% of the Coupes and Verts are A4? I know I've seen a few auto Vettes but I had no idea that many were :eek: Ya learn something new everyday :cheers:
1997: 71%
1998: 78%
1999: 69%
2000: 66%
2001: 66%
2002: 69%
I believe the issue is just one of cost. GM sells very few manual cars, and certainly not many six speed rear drivers. As a result, the tranny is not made by GM. It's the same one found in the viper and the mustang cobra and a bunch of other cars. And it's an expensive tranny. The automatic however is just a plain old GM four speed rear drive tranny. Not a big deal. They make it, and they've been making it for a while, and they make a fair number of them. So it's cheaper. Obviously they are going to make the cheaper tranny the default. Either way you cut it, the six speed will wind up costing more.
[Modified by Scissors, 7:59 PM 3/15/2003]
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Brett Foote
Team Owner
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Re: A Simple C6 Request... (BQuicksilver)
I'd assume that it's standard because that's what more people want. Provide what more people want, and you make more money. More money is all a company like GM is about. :steering:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 840
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From: North Wales PA
Re: A Simple C6 Request... (Scissors)
Percentage of automatics in total production (includes all HTs/Z06es)
1997: 71%
1998: 78%
1999: 69%
2000: 66%
2001: 66%
2002: 69%
1997: 71%
1998: 78%
1999: 69%
2000: 66%
2001: 66%
2002: 69%
If cost were no object, for the "sporting image" I'd have to make the manual standard. After having both there's no way I'd go back to an auto from :steering:
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: I dont wear any stinkin badges CA
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Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: A Simple C6 Request... (BQuicksilver)
Some people just can't drive a manual, as in they have a disabilities that forces them to have/drive automatics.
:cheers:
:cheers:
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,525
Likes: 1
From: Santa Cruz Mountains CA
Re: A Simple C6 Request... (DanielW)
I'm not here to slam the expensive manual Borg Warner T56 tranny, but compared to the manuals in most Japanese and German autos, it feels clunky!
Perhaps it's a cycle, crude manual = fewer sales of manual option, fewer sales = less perceived interest, less interest = less urgency to produce a higher quality manual, crude manual = fewer sales ... and so it goes.
I actually checked on the web to see what else was available. All I came up with were racing transmissions that started at around $10,000. Now that's an expensive option!
It seems a shame that GM will be forced to offer a 'Tiptronic' like feature for the auto. I like the feature and would like to see it for the vette, it's just that I'd rather see the Corvette as the platform that's leading technology rather than lagging technology.
I like to imagine the C6 with a 'sequential manual gearbox' and paddle shifters (ala M3, MR2, MB55, etc).
:rofl:
Perhaps it's a cycle, crude manual = fewer sales of manual option, fewer sales = less perceived interest, less interest = less urgency to produce a higher quality manual, crude manual = fewer sales ... and so it goes.
I actually checked on the web to see what else was available. All I came up with were racing transmissions that started at around $10,000. Now that's an expensive option!
It seems a shame that GM will be forced to offer a 'Tiptronic' like feature for the auto. I like the feature and would like to see it for the vette, it's just that I'd rather see the Corvette as the platform that's leading technology rather than lagging technology.
I like to imagine the C6 with a 'sequential manual gearbox' and paddle shifters (ala M3, MR2, MB55, etc).
:rofl:
☠☣☢ Semper Ebrius ☢☣☠
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From: Virginia
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St. Jude's Donor '06
Re: A Simple C6 Request... (Saving Pennies)
the t56 is an $800 option? i thought on camaros you could pick auto or manual for the same price...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2003
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Re: A Simple C6 Request... (BQuicksilver)
i think GM should work on the manual tranny, a drive in my 00' 911 after driving the Z almost makes the Z feel like an 18 wheeler....i personally think it could use some improvements....
