Ordered an Automatic. Having second thoughts...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 203
Likes: 25
Ordered an Automatic. Having second thoughts...
So i ordered my 1LT AW z51 Mag Ride Automatic about two weeks ago and I am having second thoughts on the automatic transmission. I have been reading some articles online about how the Automatic transmission is very slow and even GM is replacing it next year. However all those articles were about non z51 cars. Everyone that I have talked to has said that the z51 car is like a completely different car from the non-z51. So can someone with a z51 automatic please share your experiences with the Automatic transmission and the shift speed? I currently own a 2010 Camaro RS Automatic and the paddle shifters are horrible, is the experience similar? Would love to hear from someone that owns one rather than auto journalists.
BTW here are the links to the two articles that talked about the bad auto transmission.
http://www.thesmokingtire.com/2013/t...ven-this-year/
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/defa...?storyId=28875
BTW here are the links to the two articles that talked about the bad auto transmission.
http://www.thesmokingtire.com/2013/t...ven-this-year/
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/defa...?storyId=28875
Last edited by ronvenna; Dec 26, 2013 at 11:10 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 127
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles California
So i ordered my 1LT AW z51 Mag Ride Automatic about two weeks ago and I am having second thoughts on the automatic transmission. I have been reading some articles online about how the Automatic transmission is very slow and even GM is replacing it next year. However all those articles were about non z51 cars. Everyone that I have talked to has said that the z51 car is like a completely different car from the non-z51. So can someone with a z51 automatic please share your experiences with the Automatic transmission and the shift speed? I currently own a 2010 Camaro RS Automatic and the paddle shifters are horrible, is the experience similar? Would love to hear from someone that owns one rather than auto journalists.
BTW here are the links to the two articles that talked about the bad auto transmission.
http://www.thesmokingtire.com/2013/t...ven-this-year/
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/defa...?storyId=28875
BTW here are the links to the two articles that talked about the bad auto transmission.
http://www.thesmokingtire.com/2013/t...ven-this-year/
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/defa...?storyId=28875
I would recommend waiting for the newer dual clutch 7 or 8 speed auto gearbox coming soon or stick with the 7 speed manual with rev matching.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Calgary, AB. There's a reason why white was the only color offered on every year Corvette. Proud Canadian German Jamaican!
St. Jude Donor '09, '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 203
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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.
Last edited by ronvenna; Dec 27, 2013 at 12:10 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 97,155
Likes: 1,471
From: Calgary, AB. There's a reason why white was the only color offered on every year Corvette. Proud Canadian German Jamaican!
St. Jude Donor '09, '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
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.
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 127
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles California
Ignorant is bliss. I use to drive a Mitsubishi Evo X with the dual clutch transmission and I can say that car's dual clutch transmission is world's better and faster than any slush box.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 342
From: St. Louis MO
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.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,683
Likes: 1,245
From: NYC
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
I have a C7 with the A6. I use the paddle to hold gears on country back roads and on hwys sometimes. For straight mash the pedal acceleration like 1/4 mile runs, the A6 does better in D mode.
1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Bremerton Washington
Sir
Just got my Z51, auto, torch red when I saw you mention SIR. Can you give me some info on it..as in when can you use the track, how much is it, and do they have classes on how to drive The Beast (gave my grandson a ride, he names my cars...) I'd appreciate any info
Racer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: Snohomish WA
Here is the link to Pacific Raceways: http://pacificraceways.com/Index.aspx
Proformance Racing School: http://www.proformanceracingschool.com/
regularly hold High Performance Driving Sessions on Saturdays through out the Winter season. Their instructors really know their stuff. Talk to Don Kitch, the owner. He is an awesome guy and can give you great advice. They will also be holding a racing class in March 2014. If you take and finish this class, you will earn a Racing Driver's license. It is a two day school and I am attending this.
Hope to see you there.
-Francis
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 203
Likes: 25
I have the V6 RS. Its a fun car to drive but those manual shifts in M mode are painfully slow. I just hope the C7 shifts are much faster.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,661
Likes: 67
From: Ocean Springs MS
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 9,217
Likes: 153
From: Ft Mill, SC
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.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,875
Likes: 1,174
I bought a 7MT but would have bought a DCT if GM offered it. If they put a true DCT in the Z06, I will upgrade. I don't expect they will.