Stick or auto?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Roseville CA
Stick or auto?
I've ridden motorcycles for 38 years, and I'm now planning to get my first Corvette (a C6). What I love about bikes is their razor-sharp handling and INSTANT shift, throttle and brake response. In contrast, a car feels sluggish, kind of like pushing a boat around.
Okay, so I know the Corvette is NOT sluggish. But my question is, HOW not sluggish? You guys with automatics, talk to me. Does the shift respond instantly and crisply -- like, say, when changing speed and elevation through mountain roads -- or is there a delay, even a small one? Or should I look to the 6-speed for the sharpness I want (and of course, does the stick get old in daily driving)?
PS: My wife would prefer the auto, but she'll drive the stick.
Your opinions?
Okay, so I know the Corvette is NOT sluggish. But my question is, HOW not sluggish? You guys with automatics, talk to me. Does the shift respond instantly and crisply -- like, say, when changing speed and elevation through mountain roads -- or is there a delay, even a small one? Or should I look to the 6-speed for the sharpness I want (and of course, does the stick get old in daily driving)?
PS: My wife would prefer the auto, but she'll drive the stick.
Your opinions?
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 4,977
Likes: 10
From: Reno NV
I too have been riding bikes for 37 years and currently have a ZX12 that makes everything feel sluggish. I have an auto and they did it just right, the shift algorithm will pin you in your seat to pass a car, but if you are in the middle of a turn, it won't downshift 3 gears and send you sideways. It tries to put you in the right gear to get the max out of the car. Perfect. Also I have the 3.15 performance axle.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,407
Likes: 1
From: HONOLULU HAWAII
If I was to get an auto, I would install a higher stall converter, shift kit, and then adjust the torque management with a good tune. I am speaking in general terms here since I have not had the pleasure of driving a C6 yet.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,590
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From: Parkland Florida
I prefer the auto because of day to day driving and I feel it is quick response. If you don't you can add a torque converter that adds saves 1/2 in quarter and agree the preformance axle from factory.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 945
Likes: 0
From: Bloomingdale IL
I had the Auto in my 02' C5 but got my C6 with a stick. I am loving it much much more than my auto. As a matter of fact until they come up with a 5 or 6 speed auto I will not return to one.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 7
From: n/a SC
Originally Posted by Sully C5
With less HP & TQ and a 3.15 rear vs a 3.42 the auto is faster?
having the 3.15 in the auto is like having 3.73 in your manual
autos will be QUICKER in teh 1/4 bc the electronic controlled tranny will go through the gears a lot faster than a human and at the PERFECT shift point.
the manual will TRAP higher in the 1/4 if driven right though.
but stop light to stop light ya the auto will getcha.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,984
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From: Central Coast CA
Originally Posted by wildman378
autos will be QUICKER in teh 1/4 bc the electronic controlled tranny will go through the gears a lot faster than a human and at the PERFECT shift point.
Then why is every 0 to 60 mph time done with manuals?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,287
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From: n/a SC
Originally Posted by Shylor
Then why is every 0 to 60 mph time done with manuals?
thats my guess
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,230
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From: baton rouge la
Originally Posted by wildman378
My guess is because the first 30ft or so is better with a manual IF you drive it like the tester do......what I mean by that is if you're willing to rev it to 6 grand and drop the clutch you probably will beat teh auto at first..after the other gears come into play tho after 60 I guess the auto is just quicker from then on.
thats my guess
thats my guess
if he revs it to 6 grand and dumps a clutch the car is going to sit there and spin.
The a4 will then leave him on a sunday afternoon drive in the park.
The quickness is in the gears.......the mn6 splits its ratio twice more than an a4, making for a higher top side gear, and a lower low side gearing. I would think in the 1/4 mile the mn6 driver will shift one more time than the a4 driver.....
No matter how good the driver is, he will never shift an mn6 as fast as the computer will shift an a4.
You can watch it during the race..........when the mn6 driver shifts the a4 driver jumps him a car length .......add 3.42 gears to an a4 and it'll stomp the mn6 everytime.
An a4 with 3.42's is brutal on the mn6
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Drive a stick and a auto before you make the call.
If you deceide on the auto go for the 3:15, which you get for free with the z51 option.
I bought a 97 c5 that was a auto and it had the 3:15. My next vette was a 00 6 speed conv. and I found that the stick was a lot more fun to drive and my next two vettes where z06s (sticks).
With the stick, down shifting is a blast! Just imagine flying down the open road in 4th gear comeing towards a left hand turn, you grab the brakes hard just brushing against the ABS, you through the car into the corner as you ease up on the brakes while shifting down to 2nd.
As you let the clutch out the cars rear end slightly drifts as you press the gas to match the rpm and when done right the drift turns into a power slide and you feel like a champ as you press the pedal to the floor and eat up the corners. And if you mess up the car will give a slight wiggle. The new vettes are so forgiveing and build confidence.
If you deceide on the auto go for the 3:15, which you get for free with the z51 option.
I bought a 97 c5 that was a auto and it had the 3:15. My next vette was a 00 6 speed conv. and I found that the stick was a lot more fun to drive and my next two vettes where z06s (sticks).
With the stick, down shifting is a blast! Just imagine flying down the open road in 4th gear comeing towards a left hand turn, you grab the brakes hard just brushing against the ABS, you through the car into the corner as you ease up on the brakes while shifting down to 2nd.
As you let the clutch out the cars rear end slightly drifts as you press the gas to match the rpm and when done right the drift turns into a power slide and you feel like a champ as you press the pedal to the floor and eat up the corners. And if you mess up the car will give a slight wiggle. The new vettes are so forgiveing and build confidence.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 12,952
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From: Greer SC
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by wildman378
Yes! 3.42 is a manual is bascially like the 2.73 in the auto the manual version of any car will always be geard lower (higher number) to make up for shift time etcetc...
having the 3.15 in the auto is like having 3.73 in your manual
autos will be QUICKER in teh 1/4 bc the electronic controlled tranny will go through the gears a lot faster than a human and at the PERFECT shift point.
the manual will TRAP higher in the 1/4 if driven right though.
but stop light to stop light ya the auto will getcha.
having the 3.15 in the auto is like having 3.73 in your manual
autos will be QUICKER in teh 1/4 bc the electronic controlled tranny will go through the gears a lot faster than a human and at the PERFECT shift point.
the manual will TRAP higher in the 1/4 if driven right though.
but stop light to stop light ya the auto will getcha.
A4 2.73 ... 13.65 Sec
A4 3.15 ... 13.50 Sec
M6 3.42 ... 13.25 Sec
When I was stock, I could not out run an MN6.