Decisions, Decisions!
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Decisions, Decisions!
I'm going to order my C7 in the spring. I know exactly what I want with the exception of the transmission.
I can't decide! Paddle shift or manual!
I will probably get the paddle shift since most of the driving will be around town but I want the straight shift.
What do you think?
I can't decide! Paddle shift or manual!
I will probably get the paddle shift since most of the driving will be around town but I want the straight shift.
What do you think?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,850
Likes: 38
From: Cleveland (Ohio City) OH
Depends where you live.
For me, I live in the city but generally take the Vette out for rides in places where it can run, so the C6 is a stick and when I order a 2015 it will also be a stick.
If I were thinking of retiring to FLA soon (home of the flat, straight roads with lots of traffic lights and stop signs) I'd get the automatic. If I lived in the heart of a major city where open roads are far away, I'd also go automatic.
For me, I live in the city but generally take the Vette out for rides in places where it can run, so the C6 is a stick and when I order a 2015 it will also be a stick.
If I were thinking of retiring to FLA soon (home of the flat, straight roads with lots of traffic lights and stop signs) I'd get the automatic. If I lived in the heart of a major city where open roads are far away, I'd also go automatic.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,406
Likes: 3
From: Austin Texas
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Can tell you what I bought. Paddle no doubt. All of the high end brands are getting rid of manual, as it's not needed anymore with auto's and paddles being able to shift even faster. Go auto, who needs to shift all day.
My .02.
At the end of the day you'll get a mix split of opinions, YOU need to figure it out and get with ordering ASAP.
My .02.
At the end of the day you'll get a mix split of opinions, YOU need to figure it out and get with ordering ASAP.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 437
Likes: 40
From: Vero Beach FL
The new 8-speed auto in the 2015 sounds awesome. Ron Fellows in NV has only 3 or 4 autos for their performance driving school but will be ordering 50/50 auto to standard for the 2015's...tells me they should be great for the track and daily driver.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 200
Likes: 1
From: Winterville NC
I think it depends on what you want out of the car.
If you want something to record good lap times, the auto might be your best bet.
Me, I wanted a street car. No plans to track. I want an after market exhaust, and love the sound of a manual rolling off of an intersection or stop light. As bad as I hate to admit it, this is one thing I do like about mustangs. They just sound mean leaving a light with the manual. Not to mention, I just love driving me car instead of it driving itself.
Just my 2 cents.
~BC
If you want something to record good lap times, the auto might be your best bet.
Me, I wanted a street car. No plans to track. I want an after market exhaust, and love the sound of a manual rolling off of an intersection or stop light. As bad as I hate to admit it, this is one thing I do like about mustangs. They just sound mean leaving a light with the manual. Not to mention, I just love driving me car instead of it driving itself.
Just my 2 cents.
~BC
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,231
Likes: 958
From: Missouri
I agree. I went back and forth between the manual and 8 Spd auto and decided on the manual. At the end of the day it is still an automatic. I have had DTS transmissions before but rarely used the paddles. I think paddles are a poor substitute for shifting on your own and are not as fun or engaging.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 16,684
Likes: 1,193
From: La Center WA
There are those who choose one transmission over another on the basis of which one gets from 0-60 or completes the quarter mile a tenth or two of a second quicker than the other; I'm not one of them. Of much more importance to me is the overall driving experience. After driving Corvettes with both transmissions, it quickly became obvious that I much prefer driving with the manual. I don't care one iota that an automatic transmission can shift faster than me; I just prefer using a clutch pedal and doing it myself. I also prefer the way the car feels and sounds with the manual. YMMV.
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
it's not a matter of which is better, it's which brings more driving pleasure to you. Who cares if all the manufacturers are getting rid of manuals, hell if they all started painting their tires pink would that make it right. In terms of performance the A8 will be quicker but nothing beats being able to row your own gears. In the end only you can decide what you want, not us. Good luck. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,299
Likes: 466
From: Long Island New York
There are those who choose one transmission over another on the basis of which one gets from 0-60 or completes the quarter mile a tenth or two of a second quicker than the other; I'm not one of them. Of much more importance to me is the overall driving experience. After driving Corvettes with both transmissions, it quickly became obvious that I much prefer driving with the manual. I don't care one iota that an automatic transmission can shift faster than me; I just prefer using a clutch pedal and doing it myself. I also prefer the way the car feels and sounds with the manual. YMMV.
I will say, that for raw performance (0-60, 1/4 mile and even road course work) the A8, will beat the M7. I don't track my car, and use it only on weekends - so I enjoy rowing the gears.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
Likes: 44
From: Swansea IL
but I will add this, my last 4 Vette's were manuals, so going into my C7 purchased my heart and mind said manual but the body and daily driving routine said automatic. Reality won out and I ordered the automatic. And I must say I love the the A6 in the Stingray, assume the new A8 will be nicer.Good luck.
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
If you want a sports car experience you will purchase a manual transmission. Most here on the forum are into the sound of the exhaust; when you hear an automatic shift, sure leaves something to be desired, NPP amplifies the rpm reduction sound. With the hydraulic clutch, in town shifting isn't the chore it once was. In addition the new manual 7 has hill hold assist (I'm still experimenting on achieving max capability with this system) that takes the excitement out of starting out on a hill. Acceleration times are slightly quicker with the automatic - have to agree on that. Your choice?
Last edited by Larry/car; Aug 3, 2014 at 08:49 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,195
Likes: 479
From: Bonita Springs Florida
I'm going to order my C7 in the spring. I know exactly what I want with the exception of the transmission.
I can't decide! Paddle shift or manual!
I will probably get the paddle shift since most of the driving will be around town but I want the straight shift.
What do you think?
I can't decide! Paddle shift or manual!
I will probably get the paddle shift since most of the driving will be around town but I want the straight shift.
What do you think?
If you have fairly open highways and roads and like to take the car out to drive as a sports car, then a stick may be to your liking.
If you like to cruise, enjoy the sights, sip a coffee and enjoy tunes around town, the the auto will suit you better.
Traffic can be more than a little annoying with a stick. Metro or suburban living with an automatic makes driving a joy rather than a chore IMO.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,231
Likes: 958
From: Missouri
but I will add this, my last 4 Vette's were manuals, so going into my C7 purchased my heart and mind said manual but the body and daily driving routine said automatic. Reality won out and I ordered the automatic. And I must say I love the the A6 in the Stingray, assume the new A8 will be nicer.Good luck.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 469
Likes: 23
From: Schaumburg IL
When I was younger, I would not drive a car unless it had a 4spd. Then I got a job and the trucks I had to drive all had stick shifts. I've pumped more clutches than I care to remember. I would never own a stick again. Give me the ease of an auto, especially when stuck in stop and go traffic.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 9,217
Likes: 153
From: Ft Mill, SC
Have you ever driven a BMW with DCT or a Porsche with PDK ( both are dual clutch trannys) ? If not, you might want to go try them out in the new M3 and the Boxter/Cayman or 911. While driving them, try both the automatic modes and using the paddles in manual. If that doesn't ring your bell, then the manual might be the answer for you( those dual clutch trannys are on a completely different level than the A6. Maybe the reason the Ron Fellows school is ordering 50/50 manuals to autos on the 2015, is cause they've already driven the A8 and think that it is dual clutch comparable and on the same level as the DCT/PDK). We'll know soon enough if the A8 lives up to the hype.