Auto or Manual?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,088
Likes: 0
From: St. Petersburg Florida
Auto or Manual?
My last two cars have had a manual, '06 Civic SI and an '06 Mustang GT. I always say that I like driving a manual 60% of the time, hate it 20% of the time, and don't care 20% of the time. I was thinking that the paddle shifters may be the best of both worlds.
Anyway... my questions are these. Do people like the new A6 transmission? Do you still get that visceral experience with the A6? What are the pluses and minuses?
How does the A6 compare in the quarter mile? I'm sure that the pros can drive a tenth or two faster with a manual, but how 'bout us regular folks? My guess is that a perfect run would give the manual the slight edge, but that 4/5 times, the A6 will win just because there should be less variables. Just mash the gas and go.
I'll be in the market in a couple of months and for a while now, I've been pretty set on getting another manual. But on my way home the other day, I hit some traffic from h e l l. Then I started thinking, why on earth do I want to have to deal with a clutch.
Anyway... my questions are these. Do people like the new A6 transmission? Do you still get that visceral experience with the A6? What are the pluses and minuses?
How does the A6 compare in the quarter mile? I'm sure that the pros can drive a tenth or two faster with a manual, but how 'bout us regular folks? My guess is that a perfect run would give the manual the slight edge, but that 4/5 times, the A6 will win just because there should be less variables. Just mash the gas and go.
I'll be in the market in a couple of months and for a while now, I've been pretty set on getting another manual. But on my way home the other day, I hit some traffic from h e l l. Then I started thinking, why on earth do I want to have to deal with a clutch.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 193
From: By The Hook NJ
Then I started thinking, why on earth do I want to have to deal with a clutch.....................
A true sports car should be a manual transmission.
But that's just my opinion.
It makes the driving experience more personal.
A true sports car should be a manual transmission.
But that's just my opinion.
It makes the driving experience more personal.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,762
Likes: 4
From: Chandler Arizona
All my personal cars have been manuals until now. Last two were 6 speed Camaros. The 01 Z28 tranny was much worse than my 94 Z28. Plus I had clutch issues. The Centerforce threw a weight through the bell housing, that was fun.
I got the A6 partly because my wife wanted to drive the car. It's great at the drag strip, it's so easy to launch compared to the manual. I also love it around town, the auto has spoiled me rotten. The only time I miss the manual is during a Solo 2 event. The 1st to 2nd shift is a pain because of the delay.
I got the A6 partly because my wife wanted to drive the car. It's great at the drag strip, it's so easy to launch compared to the manual. I also love it around town, the auto has spoiled me rotten. The only time I miss the manual is during a Solo 2 event. The 1st to 2nd shift is a pain because of the delay.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
If you have a lot of stop and go traffic, the auto is what you need. The paddle shifter is not the best of both worlds...you either have an auto or manual. I have auto's in all other cars and trucks. When it comes to my vette I will have nothing but the mn6.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 0
From: Cranford NJ
If you have dealt with the traffic for all this time with a stick, I would just continue. I would enjoy the auto in traffic only and regret it every other second.
You could also get 4.10 gears and just use the clutch in traffic for the inch up moments. I didn't mind traffic as much once I got gears in my vette.
You could also get 4.10 gears and just use the clutch in traffic for the inch up moments. I didn't mind traffic as much once I got gears in my vette.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,216
Likes: 4
From: ---Phoenix, AZ --- Boiler Up, Hammer Down!
I have a C6 A6 and love it! You will hear many say SPORTS cars should only come with a manual and REAL men only drive sticks etc......The reality is 68.8% of the 2006 C6's were purchased with an automatic. This percentage does not include the Z06 since they do not offer an auto in it. So I would recommend driving both and making a decision before being swayed by 31.2% of those REAL men who only drive a manual.
In 2006 there were 19094 C6's built with an A6 while 8655 came with a M6.
In 2006 there were 19094 C6's built with an A6 while 8655 came with a M6.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,006
Likes: 26
From: JawJa
That was me about 2 1/2 weeks ago. I received alot of opinions but some really good advice, from a couple of members who really know their stuff.
I chose the MZ6 and hadn't looked back. I went back and forth between the two and actually was leaning toward the A6, due to a timid test drive, on my part. However, my own Z51, does, almost shift like an automatic, for the most part.
I liked the A6 because it was auto and had power. But in the end, I got the stick, for the total control and power of the Corvette.
IMHO, of course!
I chose the MZ6 and hadn't looked back. I went back and forth between the two and actually was leaning toward the A6, due to a timid test drive, on my part. However, my own Z51, does, almost shift like an automatic, for the most part.
I liked the A6 because it was auto and had power. But in the end, I got the stick, for the total control and power of the Corvette.
IMHO, of course!
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 5
From: Tampa FL
Drive both and then decide. I have a manual and to me it's a lot more fun. I've had automatic vettes before but I don't think I will get another. It is a hassle in traffic with the manual. Drag racing is more consistant with auto. Also I like controlling when the car shifts which is nice with my Bullet exhaust.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Kuwait
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: Spring Lake MI
I was in your situation almost one year ago to the date. I drove both, and thought about it a lot. What I found after driving the A6 is that it is pretty much like an automatic.
My vette is a second car (toy), not sure if this will be your second car or a daily driver, but for me it's a lot more fun to drive the manual than the paddle shift. The A6 was too much like an auto for me..IMO, since you like the manual 60-80% of the time..there's your answer. You won't regret getting a manual!!
Like the previous post..drive them both, then decide what you like better. That's what I did.
pkstr
My vette is a second car (toy), not sure if this will be your second car or a daily driver, but for me it's a lot more fun to drive the manual than the paddle shift. The A6 was too much like an auto for me..IMO, since you like the manual 60-80% of the time..there's your answer. You won't regret getting a manual!!
Like the previous post..drive them both, then decide what you like better. That's what I did.
pkstr
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,905
Likes: 1
Frickin' paddle haters......lol.......the A6 is the future, might as well get used to it..
...that reduced percentage of M6 cars should tell you guys that the manual is the caveman shifter of the past.....why have over laborous, boring tranny when you can have the option of auto or indy car feel tranny?? test drive an A6 before you make a desicion, have fun with it for a few miles, USE the paddles, don't be scared, it's the dealerships, not yours, and then make up your mind. If you plan on taking it to the dragstrip, the "s" mode out performs even the best manual shifter and on road courses, the paddles are excellent and won't induce the massive fatigue from constantly up/down shifting....it FUN!!!
...that reduced percentage of M6 cars should tell you guys that the manual is the caveman shifter of the past.....why have over laborous, boring tranny when you can have the option of auto or indy car feel tranny?? test drive an A6 before you make a desicion, have fun with it for a few miles, USE the paddles, don't be scared, it's the dealerships, not yours, and then make up your mind. If you plan on taking it to the dragstrip, the "s" mode out performs even the best manual shifter and on road courses, the paddles are excellent and won't induce the massive fatigue from constantly up/down shifting....it FUN!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,040
Likes: 0
From: North Liberty IA
St. Jude Donor '07
Frickin' paddle haters......lol.......the A6 is the future, might as well get used to it.. ...that reduced percentage of M6 cars should tell you guys that the manual is the caveman shifter of the past.....why have over laborous, boring tranny when you can have the option of auto or indy car feel tranny?? test drive an A6 before you make a desicion, have fun with it for a few miles, USE the paddles, don't be scared, it's the dealerships, not yours, and then make up your mind. If you plan on taking it to the dragstrip, the "s" mode out performs even the best manual shifter and on road courses, the paddles are excellent and won't induce the massive fatigue from constantly up/down shifting....it FUN!!!
...that reduced percentage of M6 cars should tell you guys that the manual is the caveman shifter of the past.....why have over laborous, boring tranny when you can have the option of auto or indy car feel tranny?? test drive an A6 before you make a desicion, have fun with it for a few miles, USE the paddles, don't be scared, it's the dealerships, not yours, and then make up your mind. If you plan on taking it to the dragstrip, the "s" mode out performs even the best manual shifter and on road courses, the paddles are excellent and won't induce the massive fatigue from constantly up/down shifting....it FUN!!!Where's my REAL paddleshifter?
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 36,473
Likes: 8
From: FLA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Frickin' paddle haters......lol.......the A6 is the future, might as well get used to it.. ...that reduced percentage of M6 cars should tell you guys that the manual is the caveman shifter of the past.....why have over laborous, boring tranny when you can have the option of auto or indy car feel tranny?? test drive an A6 before you make a desicion, have fun with it for a few miles, USE the paddles, don't be scared, it's the dealerships, not yours, and then make up your mind. If you plan on taking it to the dragstrip, the "s" mode out performs even the best manual shifter and on road courses, the paddles are excellent and won't induce the massive fatigue from constantly up/down shifting....it FUN!!!
...that reduced percentage of M6 cars should tell you guys that the manual is the caveman shifter of the past.....why have over laborous, boring tranny when you can have the option of auto or indy car feel tranny?? test drive an A6 before you make a desicion, have fun with it for a few miles, USE the paddles, don't be scared, it's the dealerships, not yours, and then make up your mind. If you plan on taking it to the dragstrip, the "s" mode out performs even the best manual shifter and on road courses, the paddles are excellent and won't induce the massive fatigue from constantly up/down shifting....it FUN!!!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 328
Likes: 2
From: Spicewood Texas
Drive a manual corvette before deciding
After I drove the manual corvette, it was an easy choice. I was driving a Mustang Cobra with a real stiff clutch before this car. The corvette clutch is much more like a honda than a mustang as far a pedal effort. My cobra had a tremac 3650 5 speed in it and the corvette trans shifts much better as well.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 774
Likes: 0
From: San Jose CA
It really depends what you're using the car for. Most people love the A6 on the drag strip. From my (short) experience, the A6 has no idea what it's doing on an autox course. That being its only downfall, most everyone loves an A6. Personally, paddle shifting is fun but nowhere near the control of a stick.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,252
Likes: 133
From: Short Hills, NJ
In the quarter mile with otherwise equal cars/conditions it will take a truly skilled manual driver to beat the skilled (obviously less skill needed) automatic driver, especially in a best out of 10 races type situation but ultimately the manual should still be quicker and faster in the quarter.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,905
Likes: 1
Let me provide a visual to all the A6 doubters...here's a clip from Rockingham Dragway with my car, an A6 in "s" mode, on stock runflats and mods are a mild cam, headers and tune against an 03 M6 Z06 with a procharger, meth injection and MT slicks(he stated he was over 700HP)....it should not have been this close.....he has owned other vettes and manuals in the past and was not a track noob......
He passed me, finally at around 3/4ths down the 1/4 mile.
He passed me, finally at around 3/4ths down the 1/4 mile.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,905
Likes: 1
It really depends what you're using the car for. Most people love the A6 on the drag strip. From my (short) experience, the A6 has no idea what it's doing on an autox course. That being its only downfall, most everyone loves an A6. Personally, paddle shifting is fun but nowhere near the control of a stick.