Drove 8 speed auto
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 482
Likes: 13
From: Wildwood MO
Drove 8 speed auto
okay - my arctic white M7 2014 c7 was wrecked - I removed the post earlier until the insurance company settles.
I wanted to check out the A8 and I'm impressed. I like it better than the stick for a couple of reasons: off the line it will smoke the M7, paddle shifting where I live is easier than shifting gears (hills and bends combined) - taking a hand off the wheel can get hairy in certain spots.
I was expecting to not be impressed - I love the M7, but it has always been a little clunky and notchy since I got the car. I added a shifter, etc, but the smoothness of the auto when you want it, and the quick shifting when you want it without having to think about it is nice.
Now the question is do I order or look for one?
I wanted to check out the A8 and I'm impressed. I like it better than the stick for a couple of reasons: off the line it will smoke the M7, paddle shifting where I live is easier than shifting gears (hills and bends combined) - taking a hand off the wheel can get hairy in certain spots.
I was expecting to not be impressed - I love the M7, but it has always been a little clunky and notchy since I got the car. I added a shifter, etc, but the smoothness of the auto when you want it, and the quick shifting when you want it without having to think about it is nice.
Now the question is do I order or look for one?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 36,112
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From: Hotlanta GA
Cruise-In 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08, '15
I think you'll find inventories to be low, but if you can find a car equipped exactly the way you want it, I don't know why you wouldn't buy it off the lot.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Austin Texas
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,615
Likes: 60
From: Haymarket Virginia
I still like rowing my own gears, makes me feel like I'm actually driving the car...
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 482
Likes: 13
From: Wildwood MO
I'm impressed to say the least. Coming from the M7 its hard for me to disagree with the fun factor of a manual, but this is not a boring auto, and I can see having just as much fin with this.
on the test drive I went through some turns and hills and wrong gear in my M7 meant switching with one hand off the wheel, left foot, and finding my gear - with the A8 - 2 clicks - right gear right rpm - this thing will blow away the M7 on the track
I did also notice the car I tested ran MUCH cooler than mine - 195 degrees and oil never got over 200 - on mine I would routinely see 220 degrees and over 200 for oil.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,582
Likes: 496
From: Hudson, NH
A8
My input is simple. A manual offers the driver the nuances associated with
driver initiated controls. The automatic thinks for you and is indeed faster
when left in drive eliminating driver input. The auto does not replace the manual and is a completely different experience. Decide which experience you want and make a choice. I own a new 8 speed and from my limited experience the paddle shifters are fine to use when you are driving in a a spirited run. Use the D when on the track. Wish I could own a 7 speed and an automatic.
driver initiated controls. The automatic thinks for you and is indeed faster
when left in drive eliminating driver input. The auto does not replace the manual and is a completely different experience. Decide which experience you want and make a choice. I own a new 8 speed and from my limited experience the paddle shifters are fine to use when you are driving in a a spirited run. Use the D when on the track. Wish I could own a 7 speed and an automatic.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 97,155
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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
I haven't driven an A8, nor probably ever will but I can say this, M7 with Rev Match on, I love it, always in the upper torque curve when up shifting so it's always pulling and when downshifting, even when not "racing", with the NPP the sound is great.
Get what you like, enjoy it and be happy.
Get what you like, enjoy it and be happy.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 16,062
Likes: 4,148
From: Bergen county NJ
I have to tell you I didn't notice that at all, but I did insist on driving a z51. The downshifts were instant, the upshifts were as well. If you are casually driving, yes it does not respond quickly, but that can easily be adjusted with putting the car in track mode and then it's pdk quick.
I'm impressed to say the least. Coming from the M7 its hard for me to disagree with the fun factor of a manual, but this is not a boring auto, and I can see having just as much fin with this.
on the test drive I went through some turns and hills and wrong gear in my M7 meant switching with one hand off the wheel, left foot, and finding my gear - with the A8 - 2 clicks - right gear right rpm - this thing will blow away the M7 on the track
I did also notice the car I tested ran MUCH cooler than mine - 195 degrees and oil never got over 200 - on mine I would routinely see 220 degrees and over 200 for oil.
I'm impressed to say the least. Coming from the M7 its hard for me to disagree with the fun factor of a manual, but this is not a boring auto, and I can see having just as much fin with this.
on the test drive I went through some turns and hills and wrong gear in my M7 meant switching with one hand off the wheel, left foot, and finding my gear - with the A8 - 2 clicks - right gear right rpm - this thing will blow away the M7 on the track
I did also notice the car I tested ran MUCH cooler than mine - 195 degrees and oil never got over 200 - on mine I would routinely see 220 degrees and over 200 for oil.
I rather like your insights of your driving experience and believe the A8 is impressive. Thanks for taking the time to communicate your impression.
I've been driving manuals for over 35 years including my present corvette.
Still the reports of the jaguar f type A8 and how well it compares to Porsches PDK leads me to believe the 8L90 is as good or better.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,854
Likes: 535
You mean we're all experiencing this terrible delay while the all the Manual owners, who made such a great decision, are experiencing all the spoils that accompany no delay when shifting?
Wow, I feel so awful now about my $57,000 decision. I'm going to sell the car tomorrow and shoot myself.
Thank you for enlightening all 20,000+ of us.
Maybe you should organize a meeting somewhere where you can tell hundreds of A6/A8 owners right to their face.
Last edited by RedC7AZ; Oct 11, 2014 at 08:37 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,778
Likes: 425
From: FEMA Region 4
Thanks for your review of the 8 speed. Its a must have for me and I look forward to driving one. As far as ordering vs buying from dealer stock, unless you can buy from one of the larger forum dealers it may be hard to find a car with the exact options you want. Most dealers in my area will load up dealer orders with options to make more money. The C7 is too expensive to not get one the way you want it and since you have one you know it's worth the wait.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,854
Likes: 535
Not necessary. They already accept a transmission that is lethargic shifting when self shifting and have lower standards than manual Corvette owners.
My warnings are only for the manual transmission owners that have been led to believe by GM that the A8 will offer a manual/PDK experience.
It does NOT. The A8 is terrible when manually shifting.
My warnings are only for the manual transmission owners that have been led to believe by GM that the A8 will offer a manual/PDK experience.
It does NOT. The A8 is terrible when manually shifting.
Last edited by RedC7AZ; Oct 11, 2014 at 09:04 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
Just came back from another fun filled drive. When the drive is more fun than the function attending, that really says something about the C7. I like the M7 because it is fun to shift and select the best gear for the task at hand. Yes the A6/8 are faster, the manual is more fun.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
For what it's worth I don't see how someone's opinion on a cars transmission can be taken personally. Imo as long as everyone's cars are running well automatic or not great. It's not a competition.
Last edited by F7addict; Oct 11, 2014 at 09:44 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 90
From: Hillsdale NJ
Not necessary. They already accept a transmission that is lethargic when self shifting and have lower standards than manual Corvette owners.
My warnings are only for the manual transmission owners that have been led by GM to believe by that the A8 will offer a manual/PDK experience.
It does NOT. The A8 is terrible when manually shifting.
My warnings are only for the manual transmission owners that have been led by GM to believe by that the A8 will offer a manual/PDK experience.
It does NOT. The A8 is terrible when manually shifting.
1. You drove a malfunctioning A8
2. You are intentionally repeating false information
3. You are clueless
Tell me which one. Could be a combination or all of the above.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 54
From: Granbury, Pecan Plantation TX
Not necessary. They already accept a transmission that is lethargic when self shifting and have lower standards than manual Corvette owners.
My warnings are only for the manual transmission owners that have been led by GM to believe by that the A8 will offer a manual/PDK experience.
It does NOT. The A8 is terrible when manually shifting.
My warnings are only for the manual transmission owners that have been led by GM to believe by that the A8 will offer a manual/PDK experience.
It does NOT. The A8 is terrible when manually shifting.
Or is Jay Davis's statement under his third item correct.
Last edited by BRCC; Oct 11, 2014 at 09:54 PM.