Automatic transmission?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 341
Likes: 4
Automatic transmission?
I had shoulder surgery a month and a half ago and when I took my C6 out a couple days ago I needed to assist the 1-2 shift with my left hand because of the pain. Not knowing for 100% sure whether I'll be able to shift a manual in a few months has me in a quandary. I really want a C7 Z51 for the upcoming driving season. If I order a manual now there is the risk of not being able to drive it. If I order an automatic now I run the risk of wishing I had a manual, especially if I'm able to shift the manual. If I wait until the shoulder issue has become clear I'll be getting the C7 towards the end of the driving season here and I might as well get a 2015 for the 2015 driving season. I know the sensible thing to do would be to wait for 2015 but dammit, I want a C7 this year!
Any thoughts on this?
Any thoughts on this?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,406
Likes: 3
From: Austin Texas
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Then quit all of those what if games in your mind, order a 2014, and be done with it!
Get what you think is best--get the auto who cares.
Better to be auto than have NO car.
Get what you think is best--get the auto who cares.
Better to be auto than have NO car.
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
Got to work that shoulder or it will never be right. There will be pain, go to rehab. I guess an automatic might be in order. Save on options and trade when your shoulder is better or pain be dammed, I'm going to shift into another gear. Feel for you.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,644
Likes: 13
From: South of Boston MA
If it helps, I've owned a C5 and a C6 with 6-speed manuals. I ordered my C7 with the A6 automatic. I went with the A6 because I had three people who wanted my Corvette until they learned it was a 6-speed.
I won't go down that road again. Due to the weather here in New England I only have 125 miles on the car. Just waiting for nice weather to put some miles on it. I'm sure I'll enjoy the A6.
I won't go down that road again. Due to the weather here in New England I only have 125 miles on the car. Just waiting for nice weather to put some miles on it. I'm sure I'll enjoy the A6.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 515
Likes: 34
From: Hackensack new jersey
automatic
This is 2014 not 1966. my Grand Sport has auto and love it. car is an "animal". in north jersey the traffic is unbearable and stick is not practical. out of my 7 vettes 3 were stick. tired of clutch, shifting, and having left leg hurt. only my opinion. i used to shoot film in my 35mm cameras now it's only digital. film is not better, either is stick.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Lansing Michigan
Five of my six prior vettes have been sticks. Four of my last DD's have been sticks. Last Sept. I bought an auto BMW. I don't miss shifting. My C-7 came in last month and it's an auto. Different strokes for different folks, but I personally have no regrets. If you have to own a 2014 C-7, then the safe bet is an auto. You KNOW you can drive an auto with your shoulder. The unknown is how your shoulder recovers. If there's still doubt in your mind about an auto, then be PATIENT and see if the shoulder comes back by late summer and then pickup an inventory C-7 or order a 2015.
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
I sold my C6 six speed manual. Boy do I miss shifting. The art of selecting gears specific to the current conditions, love it. Can't wait to acquire the seven speed, (rev match, hill hold) should be fun fun!!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Pro
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 579
Likes: 2
From: Concord NH
Spend a few days commuting in bumper to bumper stop and go traffic and you will not miss a stick. My 2013 GS was a stick but I ordered an auto for my C7. Plus my wife can drive it when I have too many margaritas!
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,070
Likes: 162
From: Coralville Iowa
The post about the need to work the shoulder, use PT, and rehab is spot on. This kind of stuff hurts but you have to work through that if you ever want to be "normal" again. How old are you? As you age it does take much longer to heal. I've broken collarbones badly twice secondary to bicycle crashes - 6-9 months to heal if you're in your mid-50's plus but it does eventually heal if you do the work. Your situation is temporary - the car is more "permanent". Get the car you really want - even if it takes some patience or pain to accomplish that goal.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Lake Orion Michigan
Can You Still Drive a Stick Shift
I think your doctor and physical therapists can give you a much better answer than anyone on this forum. Many doctors I have met are also car enthusiasts [I suspect income has something to do with that].
Good Luck.......................Art
Good Luck.......................Art
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 145
Likes: 2
From: Manahawkin NJ
Actually traded in my beloved 427 Vert for an auto C7 vert, the major reason being I was tired of the manual, and even though only had a small amount of time with the C7, loved every second of it and the automatic!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 51
From: Georgetown TX
Contrary to many opinions, there is no disgrace in owning an auto. The majority of new vettes are sold w/ them. Like it or not, the paddle shifters are the wave of the future. I drove my MN6 C6 Callaway for almost 6 wonderful yrs but vowed that my new C7 would be an auto.
Having said all that, the bottom line is get what YOU want...even if it means waiting a bit. Better than having regrets later. Good luck!
Having said all that, the bottom line is get what YOU want...even if it means waiting a bit. Better than having regrets later. Good luck!
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 97
Likes: 6
From: New Albany Ohio
Daily driver or toy?
My 2 cents. If it is your daily driver then an auto may make sense. If it is your weekend toy you may miss the manual. I just picked my C7 up 2 days ago and it will be my weekend toy. The manual is a blast and really enjoyed flipping through the gears on a beautiful day with the top off. If I was sitting in traffic on the way to work every day I would probably think differently.
Bob
Bob
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 2,535
From: New Jersey
You sound like you are a manual trans guy. If that is the case, rehab the shoulder and get a stick-best people to ask are the PTs in rehab about long range ability with the shoulder. If you get the auto and your should turns out OK, you will have a huge case of buyer's remorse. If you get the stick you have a shot at the whole ball of wax. If you can afford to eat a couple of grand and you can't drive it, sell it and then get the auto.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 32,301
Likes: 4,625
I had shoulder surgery a month and a half ago and when I took my C6 out a couple days ago I needed to assist the 1-2 shift with my left hand because of the pain. Not knowing for 100% sure whether I'll be able to shift a manual in a few months has me in a quandary. I really want a C7 Z51 for the upcoming driving season. If I order a manual now there is the risk of not being able to drive it. If I order an automatic now I run the risk of wishing I had a manual, especially if I'm able to shift the manual. If I wait until the shoulder issue has become clear I'll be getting the C7 towards the end of the driving season here and I might as well get a 2015 for the 2015 driving season. I know the sensible thing to do would be to wait for 2015 but dammit, I want a C7 this year! Any thoughts on this?
Any thoughts on this?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 7,244
Likes: 3
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe;1586396357..... What I didn't realize was that it would [B
take the time and the continued rehab to get it better[/B]. Depending on which type of shoulder surgery you had, will be different in it's residual pain from rehab. .... As far as which model of C7 to buy? Shoot, only you can make that call. But I wouldn't make that call under the duress and pain of post-surgery healing and rehab time. Good luck to you in both decisions!
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 195
Likes: 43
This is 2014 not 1966. my Grand Sport has auto and love it. car is an "animal". in north jersey the traffic is unbearable and stick is not practical. out of my 7 vettes 3 were stick. tired of clutch, shifting, and having left leg hurt. only my opinion. i used to shoot film in my 35mm cameras now it's only digital. film is not better, either is stick.
My left leg doesn't hurt when driving a stick, even in heavy traffic. If your leg really does hurt, then it sounds like an automatic makes sense.
If the OP likes driving manuals and his doctor says he will heal, he should buy a manual.
Last edited by kdepew; Mar 13, 2014 at 03:40 PM.