Ordered an Automatic. Having second thoughts...
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 10,084
Likes: 3,055
From: CA
I came out of an 8 Speed Automatic Genesis V6 Track and I will take the Vette A6 over that any day. It was stupid as it downshifted through all 8 gears when slowing to a fast stop. How many of us work a manual tranny that way? We may go from 7 to 5 to 3 to stop but we don't shift each gear on the way down like most autos will try to do.
I think 8 gears in an auto is too much and I don't understand the need for it if geared properly to the rear axel ratio. JMHO.
I guarantee you, YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE YOUR NEW CAR!
Congratulations.
I think 8 gears in an auto is too much and I don't understand the need for it if geared properly to the rear axel ratio. JMHO.
I guarantee you, YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE YOUR NEW CAR!
Congratulations.
I just drove my Mom's BMW 535i with 8 speed auto, and the all that shifting is annoying. I realize that the engineers can tweak the fuel economy better with more gears, but it is starting to get ridiculous with all the gear changes.A lot of people don't realize that a DCT turns into a SCT if you try to skip gears, if it would even allow you to.
I've driven manuals in SF, but I'm a manual trans/shifting enthusiast. I also drive them in heavy LA traffic. If you are not an enthusiast, you might enjoy the auto better.
Michael
Last edited by Michael A; Dec 31, 2013 at 04:54 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
I just drove my Mom's BMW 535i with 8 speed auto, and the all that shifting is annoying. I realize that the engineers can tweak the fuel economy better with more gears, but it is starting to get ridiculous with all the gear changes.A lot of people don't realize that a DCT turns into a SCT if you try to skip gears, if it would even allow you to.
I've driven manuals in SF, but I'm a manual trans/shifting enthusiast. I also drive them in heavy LA traffic. If you are not an enthusiast, you might enjoy the auto better.
Michael
I'm a diehard manual tranny guy but finally after 62 years my knee can't handle the clutch work so I had to turn to an Auto but I have finally learned to enjoy them now (after a few months of trying to push a clutch pedal in that was non existant LOL). The only thing I don't like about padal shifting is that you must shift in consecutive gears. Can't go from 2 to 4 or from 6 to 4.
It is good that it shows what gear you are in when manually shifting but it would be great if it showed the gear you are in when in Auto shifting mode instead of "D". I hate not knowing what gear the car is in.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 642
Likes: 41
From: Between Forest Lake and White Bear Lake in the Land of 10,000+ lakes
Yup I already ordered it and my plan is to trade it in for a z06 maybe two or three years down the line. But I live in San Francisco and its going to suck using a manual on those hills and in traffic everyday. But is the manual that big of a deal breaker for this car? If it is than i'm thinking of canceling the order and picking up a Boxster with PDK and waiting for the z06 with the dual clutch auto.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,813
Likes: 287
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Drive one and decide. I have an A6 in my Z51 and it works great - it shifts as fast as I can pull the paddles, and faster than I could manage with the stick.
If you waiting for a DCT, you will waste a lot of time. You will not see one in a C7. In addition, the torque convertor auto transmission is undergoing a revival. The next generation of torque convertors autos like the ZF 8-speed and others will likely put the DCT back on the shelf for anything but race cars.
If you are still hesitant, wait for the 2015 and the rumored GM 8-speed. It will incorporate newer torque convertor technology and give better gas mileage, but it will not be a DCT. The option will probably cost you $1000+ more than the A6, but it's only money.
If you waiting for a DCT, you will waste a lot of time. You will not see one in a C7. In addition, the torque convertor auto transmission is undergoing a revival. The next generation of torque convertors autos like the ZF 8-speed and others will likely put the DCT back on the shelf for anything but race cars.
If you are still hesitant, wait for the 2015 and the rumored GM 8-speed. It will incorporate newer torque convertor technology and give better gas mileage, but it will not be a DCT. The option will probably cost you $1000+ more than the A6, but it's only money.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 642
Likes: 41
From: Between Forest Lake and White Bear Lake in the Land of 10,000+ lakes
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 342
From: St. Louis MO
This option cost will be overwhelmed by the 2015 price increase for the Z51 which will be $ 2500 to $ 5000 alone. Again my guess, but you can quote me on it.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 11,825
Likes: 2,474
From: Ft Lauderdale
Tech Contributor
Glad to see someone else thinks they shift a lot...they do.....I got one in the X1.....the 8 speed is going in just for better mpg....I'm fine with the 6 when I have 460/460 hp TQ
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 14,611
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From: Retired Suffolk County Police Dept NY South Carolina
Yup I already ordered it and my plan is to trade it in for a z06 maybe two or three years down the line. But I live in San Francisco and its going to suck using a manual on those hills and in traffic everyday. But is the manual that big of a deal breaker for this car? If it is than i'm thinking of canceling the order and picking up a Boxster with PDK and waiting for the z06 with the dual clutch auto.
Most of my Vettes have been autos because I lived near NY City. Now that I live in S.C. and don't have to deal with traffic jams I ordered a manual because it is more fun to drive.
My big dilemma was ordering a vert. After I placed the order I was worried about my dogs safety and comfort so I switched to a coupe. I really would love a vert but the coupe is more practical, has more room and looks nice. The vert looks nicer with the top down and is much nicer to drive. Taking the top off the coupe isn't the same feeling as a drop top.
PS with the traffic on San Fran shifting may be a pain in the butt, but once you are out of Frisco and on the PCH you will love shifting the 7 speed
Last edited by 2 Ag R8Cs; Dec 31, 2013 at 10:22 PM. Reason: changed breaks to brakes
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 51
From: Georgetown TX
Anybody who thinks they want a 7 or 8 spd auto needs to get out and drive one...
a complete and total PITA! Might be OK in a Prius but not in a performance car. What the hell is GM thinking?? With the A6 already rated @ 29mpg why introduce a new can of worms to the new model rollout problems that already exist?
a complete and total PITA! Might be OK in a Prius but not in a performance car. What the hell is GM thinking?? With the A6 already rated @ 29mpg why introduce a new can of worms to the new model rollout problems that already exist?
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
I had a manual Mazda Miada MX5 and the year I bought that on the Auto MX5 in the showroom it had about 4 paddles on each side of the steering wheel. I asked the rep about that and he said it was for paddle shifting the tranny. Not sure if you could skip gears but it looked like there may have been a paddle for each gear.
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Anybody who thinks they want a 7 or 8 spd auto needs to get out and drive one... a complete and total PITA! Might be OK in a Prius but not in a performance car. What the hell is GM thinking?? With the A6 already rated @ 29mpg why introduce a new can of worms to the new model rollout problems that already exist?
a complete and total PITA! Might be OK in a Prius but not in a performance car. What the hell is GM thinking?? With the A6 already rated @ 29mpg why introduce a new can of worms to the new model rollout problems that already exist?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 9,217
Likes: 153
From: Ft Mill, SC
I submit the C7 A8 is intended to produce a PDK/DCT like experience. As described in great detail in that SAE letter floating around, better low end performance and better fuel economy with 8 spds are additional benefits. GM is well aware how important it is to get this tranny right, after the years of dealing with the first year POS that "lurched" when downshifting manually with the A6. I expect great things in the A8( hopefully right away in the 2015 C7
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 802
Likes: 1
I suspect that skip shifting to any gear would be a nightmare for the clutches and solenoides. They probably couldn't keep up.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 10,084
Likes: 3,055
From: CA
I agree Michael. An an 8 gear Auto upshifting is just plain silly as it goes from gears 1 to 5 just to get you to 40 mph. Why have the gear if your only going to hold it for less than a second. Ridiculous!
I'm a diehard manual tranny guy but finally after 62 years my knee can't handle the clutch work so I had to turn to an Auto but I have finally learned to enjoy them now (after a few months of trying to push a clutch pedal in that was non existant LOL). The only thing I don't like about padal shifting is that you must shift in consecutive gears. Can't go from 2 to 4 or from 6 to 4.
It is good that it shows what gear you are in when manually shifting but it would be great if it showed the gear you are in when in Auto shifting mode instead of "D". I hate not knowing what gear the car is in.
I'm a diehard manual tranny guy but finally after 62 years my knee can't handle the clutch work so I had to turn to an Auto but I have finally learned to enjoy them now (after a few months of trying to push a clutch pedal in that was non existant LOL). The only thing I don't like about padal shifting is that you must shift in consecutive gears. Can't go from 2 to 4 or from 6 to 4.
It is good that it shows what gear you are in when manually shifting but it would be great if it showed the gear you are in when in Auto shifting mode instead of "D". I hate not knowing what gear the car is in.
At least the autos are quite a bit nicer these days for those who have to give up manuals due to an injury.Michael
8th Gear
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
If I understand it correctly, the A6 can only be manual shifted with the paddles....it cannot be manual shifted at the console gear shift lever? Am I the only one disappointed with this set-up? It is almost a deal breaker for me. I have cars that work both ways, and I can say I do not like paddles, and they are a "different" driving experience, and a problem on turns. To me a manual mode via a console shifter is a much more similar driving position and feel of controling the car as with a true manual trans, just without a clutch pedal. I wonder how the DCT will be set-up in this regard?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,813
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From: Toronto Ontario Canada