6speed or Automatic??????????/
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Vicksburg Michigan
6speed or Automatic??????????/
Ok I am looking to get a 2006-2007 coupe soon, got my eye on a couple. I am a converted Ford man, have had a ton of mustangs, just sold a 600rwhp Cobra. I do like shifting my own gears and can work on my cars myself. I have never owned an automatic, I will for sure be modding the car right away. What do you guys think about the Auto vettes? what needs to be done besides maybe a new converter? What about the paddle shift, is it nice or gimmicky? In the end I am looking to have a 500rwhp C6, it will be a weekend only car. Like I said I have never owned an auto besides my 9 second drag car. I am looking to have fun dont want to be dissapointed
This site is awesome thanks for your input
This site is awesome thanks for your input
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
supposedly the best 1/4 mi. performers for C6 are automatics. I guess that sez something. for me, the six speed manual is more entertaining. most owners like the paddle shift automatic tho. it is not however an instant-shifting manumatic like some of the expensive foreign stuff, so be advised.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Madison MS
Ok I am looking to get a 2006-2007 coupe soon, got my eye on a couple. I am a converted Ford man, have had a ton of mustangs, just sold a 600rwhp Cobra. I do like shifting my own gears and can work on my cars myself. I have never owned an automatic, I will for sure be modding the car right away. What do you guys think about the Auto vettes? what needs to be done besides maybe a new converter? What about the paddle shift, is it nice or gimmicky? In the end I am looking to have a 500rwhp C6, it will be a weekend only car. Like I said I have never owned an auto besides my 9 second drag car. I am looking to have fun dont want to be dissapointed
This site is awesome thanks for your input
This site is awesome thanks for your input
Good luck.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,602
Likes: 3
From: Cincinnati OH
I would agree as I recently test drove both.
The paddle-shift automatics shift FAST. I was surprised at how fast they shift.
I still went with a 6 speed, but that's my preference for "fun driving."
If you're building a 500rwhp vette, you may have transmission issues... lol; but I'm assuming you're also after fast track times and I would say go for the A6. For road courses or "fun car" status, I personally think it's hard to beat a manual - even if it's technically slower because of the human element.
The paddle-shift automatics shift FAST. I was surprised at how fast they shift.
I still went with a 6 speed, but that's my preference for "fun driving."
If you're building a 500rwhp vette, you may have transmission issues... lol; but I'm assuming you're also after fast track times and I would say go for the A6. For road courses or "fun car" status, I personally think it's hard to beat a manual - even if it's technically slower because of the human element.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,017
Likes: 2
Let me tell you that I have had Manual shift cars before I got the new LS3 with the A6 transmission with paddle shifters. The automatic in this car is unbelievable. I heard that you can make it even better with Chuck CoW A6 tune which a lot of people are doing. By the way, if you are going to buy an 07, might as well buy a good used 08 and get LS3. I had LS2 before LS3 and LS3 is worth the extra money.
Good luck.
Good luck.
If you are looking for 500rwhp, then the initial cost of the 08 with LS3 may prove to be cheaper in the long run. There are several 500hp cam only LS3's here. With the LS2 its gonna have to have heads or head work done at a minimum. Not to mention the better steering box and the auto had better programming. I have a manual myself, but I would suggest drive them both.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
You said you enjoyed a manual shift which should answer your question right off. IMO a manual shift is what 'sports driving' is all about...it provides the driver the greatest connection with the car, the road and the entire driving experience. I'm not a drag racer...I enjoy running road courses. I value the precision and control a manual shift affords. I enjoy the skill it takes to upshift, down-shift, rev-match and double clutch. The Corvette automatic transmission is known for delayed shifts and some automatic owners attempt to correct its inherent shortcomings through tuning.
Unless I had some physical reason I couldn't drive a stick or maybe if I drove the hills of San Francisco daily I'd consider an automatic but otherwise, its gotta be a manual shift.
I'll never forget one guy I saw in a parking lot...he saw a new C6 and said 'Oh wow nice' and then he looked inside and noticed it was an automatic. He just walked away shaking his head.
Unless I had some physical reason I couldn't drive a stick or maybe if I drove the hills of San Francisco daily I'd consider an automatic but otherwise, its gotta be a manual shift.
I'll never forget one guy I saw in a parking lot...he saw a new C6 and said 'Oh wow nice' and then he looked inside and noticed it was an automatic. He just walked away shaking his head.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,007
Likes: 1
From: Eastern PA:ECS Paxton Novi 1500(676rwhp,585tq on stock engine),LG headers, 410's, Corsa Sports, ECS Alky Kit
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
You said you enjoyed a manual shift which should answer your question right off. IMO a manual shift is what 'sports driving' is all about...it provides the driver the greatest connection with the car, the road and the entire driving experience. I'm not a drag racer...I enjoy running road courses. I value the precision and control a manual shift affords. I enjoy the skill it takes to upshift, down-shift, rev-match and double clutch. The Corvette automatic transmission is known for delayed shifts and some automatic owners attempt to correct its inherent shortcomings through tuning.
Unless I had some physical reason I couldn't drive a stick or maybe if I drove the hills of San Francisco daily I'd consider an automatic but otherwise, its gotta be a manual shift.
I'll never forget one guy I saw in a parking lot...he saw a new C6 and said 'Oh wow nice' and then he looked inside and noticed it was an automatic. He just walked away shaking his head.
Unless I had some physical reason I couldn't drive a stick or maybe if I drove the hills of San Francisco daily I'd consider an automatic but otherwise, its gotta be a manual shift.
I'll never forget one guy I saw in a parking lot...he saw a new C6 and said 'Oh wow nice' and then he looked inside and noticed it was an automatic. He just walked away shaking his head.
I've driven the slushbox and the down shifts were painfully slow. An auto on a vette to me just doesnt do it. For me a large part of the fun of driving the car is the shifting, I love down shifting, upshifting etc any time I want. You cant duplicate that feeling on the auto that Chevy gives you.
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: ID
I've had three vettes now - one with stick and two with auto. The one with stick was fun when I was in the mood, but kinda a pain otherwise. Then I moved back to the bay area and developed a huge left leg pumping that clutch up and down through rush-hour traffic. Since then I've always bought autos. The Vette autos aren't your granny's auto. They shift smoothly and quickly and switching to sport mode in my 2007 is very satisfying. The paddle shift, however, is way too slow for my tastes. To me it's basically a gimmic. I've heard that in 08 they improved the performance. In bracket races on the local track I would say, however, that I always beat the stick Vetts of the same year. You have to be really good on that stick to beat the auto - even with the loss in HP.
NOW FOR YOU - you mentioned this would be a weekend car for you. As such it's a toy so go for the stick. You get the exact control you want when you want it.
NOW FOR YOU - you mentioned this would be a weekend car for you. As such it's a toy so go for the stick. You get the exact control you want when you want it.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 20,933
Likes: 905
From: salem OR
supposedly the best 1/4 mi. performers for C6 are automatics. I guess that sez something. for me, the six speed manual is more entertaining. most owners like the paddle shift automatic tho. it is not however an instant-shifting manumatic like some of the expensive foreign stuff, so be advised.
Wouldn't own one!
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
From: Poughquag NY
You said you enjoyed a manual shift which should answer your question right off. IMO a manual shift is what 'sports driving' is all about...it provides the driver the greatest connection with the car, the road and the entire driving experience. I'm not a drag racer...I enjoy running road courses. I value the precision and control a manual shift affords. I enjoy the skill it takes to upshift, down-shift, rev-match and double clutch. The Corvette automatic transmission is known for delayed shifts and some automatic owners attempt to correct its inherent shortcomings through tuning.
Unless I had some physical reason I couldn't drive a stick or maybe if I drove the hills of San Francisco daily I'd consider an automatic but otherwise, its gotta be a manual shift.
I'll never forget one guy I saw in a parking lot...he saw a new C6 and said 'Oh wow nice' and then he looked inside and noticed it was an automatic. He just walked away shaking his head.
Unless I had some physical reason I couldn't drive a stick or maybe if I drove the hills of San Francisco daily I'd consider an automatic but otherwise, its gotta be a manual shift.
I'll never forget one guy I saw in a parking lot...he saw a new C6 and said 'Oh wow nice' and then he looked inside and noticed it was an automatic. He just walked away shaking his head.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,940
Likes: 42
From: shavertown Pa.
I don't know I don't think a manual that entertaining after you drive it all day, I tought about that all the time I was looking for a c-6, the day I bought my car I looked at a 6spd manual and after driving the automatic I was sold on the auto.
I still have my miata if I want to shift all day long as well as my solstice, and if those cars are too slow I have my 02Z, but after driving the c-6 I think the Z needs to belong to someone else.
I still have my miata if I want to shift all day long as well as my solstice, and if those cars are too slow I have my 02Z, but after driving the c-6 I think the Z needs to belong to someone else.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 815
Likes: 0
From: Virginia beach va
I say Manual all though I have never driven the auto vette but I've had autos before and would never buy a sportscar that is an auto unless I couldn't drive a stick for whatever reason.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 11
From: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
Try renting a Hertz Z-HZ some time... Its only $250.
I rented one and hated the automatic so much I brought it back a day early. The shifts are UNBELIEVABLY slow. Never again.
I rented one and hated the automatic so much I brought it back a day early. The shifts are UNBELIEVABLY slow. Never again.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,017
Likes: 2
I came out of an auto C5, so I had to test an 07 auto before I bought. It did shift better than the A4, but the car felt "lazy" compared to the manual..I since have read on here that the shift management actually closes the blade on the TB just a bit when WOT shifts occur. I think that is what I was feeling..I would drive them both, preferably on the same day, before buying.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,246
Likes: 130
From: Short Hills, NJ
