Manual vs Automatic
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Grand Rapids Michigan
Manual vs Automatic
I'm sure this common sense to most of you but I'm looking to go from a life of Automatic SUVs to my first sports car (Corvette C6).
I have only driven a manual 1 time (learning on a Mazda Miata). So I would suck for a while, but know i could get it down.
My friends say whats the point of an automatic sports car?
What would the real differences be? Is it worth the learning curve to go Manual? I'm leaning towards going Manual although this Skip Shift thing has me a little weary. I thought I would see what some educated opinions had to say. Hopefully this doesn't lead to any fights.
Thanks!
I have only driven a manual 1 time (learning on a Mazda Miata). So I would suck for a while, but know i could get it down.
My friends say whats the point of an automatic sports car?
What would the real differences be? Is it worth the learning curve to go Manual? I'm leaning towards going Manual although this Skip Shift thing has me a little weary. I thought I would see what some educated opinions had to say. Hopefully this doesn't lead to any fights.
Thanks!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
Likes: 1,319
From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
Probably most vette owners would tell you that if it's your first one and if you're not going to be in a lot of stop-n-go traffic, get a manual tranny. My first one was and I really liked it.
Unfortunately, mine will be an every day driver AND there's a lot of stop-n-go traffic where I live, so I've got the auto. ordered this time.
Just go for whatever you think you'd really like to have. I wouldn't let the skip shift bother me too much. There are kits you can get to bypass it. It doesn't bother some folks.
Unfortunately, mine will be an every day driver AND there's a lot of stop-n-go traffic where I live, so I've got the auto. ordered this time.
Just go for whatever you think you'd really like to have. I wouldn't let the skip shift bother me too much. There are kits you can get to bypass it. It doesn't bother some folks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 7
From: n/a SC
My bet is if you get a manual you will tire of it in 1-2 years and want to trade it....been there/done that. I have a 72 454 vert with a 4sp manual and in a old car like that I kinda like it. However, I wouldn't trade the auto with 3.07 gears in my 95 vert for nothing! What's really cool is the auto is actually a quicker car ine a straight line if you go to the track you need a auto. Not that this is a big deal but say you have a auto and the same car pulls up beside you except it's a 6sp your auto would wax it.
Both have their up's and downs but if you're getting a convertible I would get an auto and never think about the manual it's awesome to drop the top and have a nice cruiser that you can mess with the radio and stuff in traffic etc.
GL on your decision
Both have their up's and downs but if you're getting a convertible I would get an auto and never think about the manual it's awesome to drop the top and have a nice cruiser that you can mess with the radio and stuff in traffic etc.
GL on your decision
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,984
Likes: 0
From: Central Coast CA
If you really don't have much experience with a manual trans then it doesn't make sense to get a C6 in a manual. What do you like to drive?, is the real question. The CAGS isn't a problem for most as they know how to drive around it. Others just install a CAGS defeat.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 7,135
Likes: 168
From: banana republic
A modern corvette with A4 is a great ride. My daily driver C5 is a lot of fun. You just floor it, chirp the tires and hang on for a nice launch. They are especially good in hills and traffic. The Corvette Quarterly mag said the C6 auto is good in corners and hills. You should seriously consider the auto. Do some test drives.
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Grand Rapids Michigan
Originally Posted by Lazerwolfe
I highly recommend you search the thread (if it works), this topic has been picked apart alot.
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
I'll get flamed for this for sure, but anyone that says it's cumbersome to be driving a manual car in traffic is just plain lazy.(and I'm the laziest person on the planet, just ask my boss)
I do it all day long in a truck, then I hop in my 6 speed and drive home. It isn't that bad.
The manual trans gives you more control over the car, you pick what gear you want to be in. Don't worry about the CAGS(skip shift) that can be overcome.
Nothing sounds sweeter than a car rowing through the gears at wide open throttle.
I do it all day long in a truck, then I hop in my 6 speed and drive home. It isn't that bad.
The manual trans gives you more control over the car, you pick what gear you want to be in. Don't worry about the CAGS(skip shift) that can be overcome.
Nothing sounds sweeter than a car rowing through the gears at wide open throttle.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 55,394
Likes: 1
You wont have the fun in an A4 like you will in a MN6. There is no comaprison. The MN6 also, IMO, makes you a better driver. I'm much more aware when in my C5. When I'm in my LS430, I find myself getting lazy. Very few people go back to an A4 Vette when they have an MN6, unless they are going to the 1/4 mi track. As far as traffic, well the benefits in an MN6 far outweigh the annoyances within the small amount of time (relatively spaking) that you are actually in traffic.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Grand Rapids Michigan
Wow, some good arguments for an automatic!
I'm getting a convertible...
It will be my summer daily driver (still need SUV for Michigan Winters).
40min straight drive to work going 45-60 with lots of stop lights.
I think i was secretly hoping to be talked into a manual. but this maybe pushing me the other way.
hmmm...
I'm getting a convertible...
It will be my summer daily driver (still need SUV for Michigan Winters).
40min straight drive to work going 45-60 with lots of stop lights.
I think i was secretly hoping to be talked into a manual. but this maybe pushing me the other way.
hmmm...
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,115
Likes: 0
From: I am Jack's out-dated Fight Club reference. MD
Originally Posted by monitorpop
Sorry I did a bad job geing a good newbe... Did a quick search in the C6 forums before i posted this and didn't see much. I'll take a better look in all the forums.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,110
Likes: 44
From: Folsom Ca
Let me throw some stuff into this,
Next year, 2006, there is supposed to be a six speed automatic transmission offered for the first time. It is going to have a manual shift feature. Beat of both worlds??
In any case, all my late model Vette's have been autos to date and have been very happy. I am going with a manual now because I miss it.
Good luck on your new car. You enjoy it no matter what you decide.
Next year, 2006, there is supposed to be a six speed automatic transmission offered for the first time. It is going to have a manual shift feature. Beat of both worlds??
In any case, all my late model Vette's have been autos to date and have been very happy. I am going with a manual now because I miss it.
Good luck on your new car. You enjoy it no matter what you decide.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 7
From: n/a SC
Originally Posted by monitorpop
Wow, some good arguments for an automatic!
I'm getting a convertible...
It will be my summer daily driver (still need SUV for Michigan Winters).
40min straight drive to work going 45-60 with lots of stop lights.
I think i was secretly hoping to be talked into a manual. but this maybe pushing me the other way.
hmmm...
I'm getting a convertible...
It will be my summer daily driver (still need SUV for Michigan Winters).
40min straight drive to work going 45-60 with lots of stop lights.
I think i was secretly hoping to be talked into a manual. but this maybe pushing me the other way.
hmmm...
Great choice in getting a convertible! U'll love it...with that said since it will be a convertible most people go with a auto in a vert. Just makes an awesome cruiser! A lot of people that get coupes like to auto cross and things like that and get the manual to go with the coupe.
All depends on what you're looking for but for what your car will be used for I vote automatic and make sure you get the lower gear option......the rpo for that is G92 and that gets you the 3.15 gears instead of the 2.73, this will give you better acceleration/more dig off the line! My 95 has this option it has 3.07 gears over the standard 2.59 gears and it does make a big difference.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 656
Likes: 0
From: Beverly Hills No Job is Too Small, No Fee is Too Big!!!
Originally Posted by Mr Mojo
I'll get flamed for this for sure, but anyone that says it's cumbersome to be driving a manual car in traffic is just plain lazy.(and I'm the laziest person on the planet, just ask my boss).
Well, here comes the flame. I don't know what it's like in Lakewood, but Los Angeles is the epitome of the word gridlock. Although I love a manual tranny, I wouldn't want it here, especially if the Vette is a daily driver. In most cases and during anytime of the day, not just rush hour, it can take upwards of 2 hrs to go 20 miles. P*ss around with that traffic, seven days a week and even on Christmas, and then you can call people "lazy".
In L.A., when people ask how far away something is, you tell them how long it will take to get there rather than how many miles it is.
In regards to the original question, go with what you really want, each can be enjoyed fully.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Grand Rapids Michigan
Originally Posted by David Lasic
Let me throw some stuff into this,
Next year, 2006, there is supposed to be a six speed automatic transmission offered for the first time. It is going to have a manual shift feature.
Next year, 2006, there is supposed to be a six speed automatic transmission offered for the first time. It is going to have a manual shift feature.
Is that the same as the BMW M3 SMG?