Who cares about 1/4 mile.

 

If all you care about is 0-60 times, stick to two wheels. If you are looking for an engaging automotive experience, nothing beats a manual transmission. Every review of all the fancy DSG transmissions in Ferraris, Lamborghinis and BMWs conclude that nothing beats a clutch pedal for the driving enthusiast. I was hesitant to get back into manual transmissions after driving automatics for years but even in New York City traffic, I love shifting for myself.

Alan

 

I agree with you up to a point. If I lived in the city, I wouldn't hesitate to order an automatic. Let's face it, the days of cars with clutches are numbered. Even performance manufacturers like BMW will be eliminating clutches. Your transmission choice in the future will be automatics with torque converters or clutchless manuals like Aud's DSG or BMW's SMG.

 

Errr..., sly1..., the Audi DSG and BMW SMG both have a clutch, don't know about the Audi, but the BMW M3 SMG clutch is identical to that of the manual transmission non-SMG car. On a manual transmission car the clutch is that round thing with the pressure plates, springs, and things that rub together when you shift, so that the engine doesn't die.

What's missing at Audi, BMW, and for that matter Ferrari, is the clutch pedal.

Cars with clutches will be around for a long, long time, because automatics just can't give performance oriented drivers the same features and feedback that a manual transmission car does.

If surfcity "...loves about bikes their razor-sharp handling and INSTANT shift, throttle and brake response," and took the trouble to capitalize INSTANT, then I don't think he'll be happy with the Corvette automatic.

For example, most motorcyclists I know will actually downshift before they get to a tight turn, or even when just going downhill. Folks with automatic transmission cars hardly ever do that, including those with Corvettes, I suspect.

Automatics are great for drag racing, driving in stop and go traffic, but not great for sports cars driven well on the road, or on a road course. That's why cars that road race all have manual transmissions, with clutches, even if the shifting is now handled "automatically.

 

I agree with you 100%! I have raced z06's in my 95 and they ofcourse beat me they were3 the 405hp version but everytime they shifted I would pull on them a good bit....closer race than people thought my best time was 13.2 his best was 12.8.

 

Automatics Rule!!!!!!

 

I am not so sure of that. I have already read articles reporting that many BMW owners are complaining to BMWNA that a real manual transmission will not be available on the M5. BMWNA (America) is apparently asking BMWAG (Germany) to put a 6-speed in the M5. I would sorely miss the clutch pedal. I haven't found an automatic transmission yet that doesn't hesitate when you floor it to downshift. With a clutch, you can pre-select your gear going into a corner and get the power you need instantaneously. I haven't driven an SMG car but from what I have read they aren't as smooth as an automatic nor are they as enjoyable as a transmission with a clutch pedal.

If I were racing for my paycheck I would have an SMG. Since I drive for pleasure, please give me a stick with a clutch pedal. My 10 year old son may drive an SMG, but I grew up with MGs and Triumphs and three pedals and two seats are part of what I consider necessary in a sporting car.

Are you the same Sly1 from the S4 board last year? If so, what did you end up getting?

Alan

 

No way.

 

I had autos in the late model Vettes until the C6.

Man, am I glad I went with the six speed. The trans is smooth, quiet, and the shifter is a short throw and PRECISE while the clutch is very easy to use.

What a car!!!

 

 

Come on guys, a stock Auto will not outrun a properly driven 6-speed. Maybe when the 6-speed auto comes out it could.

 

I'm on both sides of this question. I currently own a 95 with a auto. I bought the car used & got a good deal on it. If I would have bought new it would have been a stick. I put a shift kit in the car & also have a hyper tech computer programmer that allows me to tighten up the shifts even more. On the 1st 2nd shift the rear end will break loose. I also have the 3:08 rear end in it. Downshifts are instant in nature as are the upshifts. I could never equal that speed in a stick. Having said all this I would still opt for the 6 speed. The reason is that I rarely drive the car full throttle (lack of space & to many cops) so the quickness of shift is not that important. Where I miss the stick is driving at highway speeds where the auto does 70 mph @ 2000 rpm. The stick is at around 1200 rpm giving less noise & better economy. Not that I'm trying to have a economy car but its more relaxing in a stick. I just turned a 100,000 miles in it & the auto is going to need a rebuild soon. I feel drag racing is easier in the auto but spirited driving on curvy road is more fun in a stick.

 

I like the short throw on the C6. I must say, however, I still find the clutch a little "snappy"--ie I have stalled it once or twice. But, overall, I would go with 6spd.