8 Speed Auto Fun Factor
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 242
Likes: 4
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 5,887
Likes: 1,555
From: Calgary Alberta
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 31,791
Likes: 2,415
From: DFW/Long Island
I have to factor in my daily drive/commute to the Weehawken/Jersey City area every day unfortunately.
Instructor
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 147
Likes: 14
I'm not a great manual driver either, but my C5 Z06 was a 6 speed and I had fun driving it. I can't even do heel toe shifting (never really practiced) but I do enjoy the connection with the car. A8 might be better all around including better performance, but it just doesn't connect u like the manual does. I think majority of the connection comes from the clutch, not the gearbox.
Just my opinion driving automatic and manual cars.
I'd like to see GM host a video where an experienced driver (or semi experienced) take on a track in a M7, then do the same course in a A8 with the gear left in D. Would love to see the diff in time and feedback of the driver
Just my opinion driving automatic and manual cars.
I'd like to see GM host a video where an experienced driver (or semi experienced) take on a track in a M7, then do the same course in a A8 with the gear left in D. Would love to see the diff in time and feedback of the driver
New Stingray Z06 performance specs will blow your mind
"The 2015 Chevy Corvette Z06 will come out of the box with a sub-3-second 0-60 time and sub-11-second quarter-mile time. That puts the approximately $80,000 Z06 on par with the outgoing $180,000 Lamborghini Gallardo, the $1.5 million Ferrari 599XX, the $1.2 million McLaren P1 and the $103,365 Nissan GT-R. Is it the deal of the century? Signs point to yes.
The 2.95-second sprint time comes courtesy of the company’s new eight-speed automatic transmission, which we tested a few weeks ago. The seven-speed manual can only achieve a slug-like 3.2 seconds."
Autoweek Oct 1, 2014
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,610
Likes: 427
From: USA
New Stingray Z06 performance specs will blow your mind
"The 2015 Chevy Corvette Z06 will come out of the box with a sub-3-second 0-60 time and sub-11-second quarter-mile time. That puts the approximately $80,000 Z06 on par with the outgoing $180,000 Lamborghini Gallardo, the $1.5 million Ferrari 599XX, the $1.2 million McLaren P1 and the $103,365 Nissan GT-R. Is it the deal of the century? Signs point to yes.
The 2.95-second sprint time comes courtesy of the company’s new eight-speed automatic transmission, which we tested a few weeks ago. The seven-speed manual can only achieve a slug-like 3.2 seconds."
Autoweek Oct 1, 2014
"The 2015 Chevy Corvette Z06 will come out of the box with a sub-3-second 0-60 time and sub-11-second quarter-mile time. That puts the approximately $80,000 Z06 on par with the outgoing $180,000 Lamborghini Gallardo, the $1.5 million Ferrari 599XX, the $1.2 million McLaren P1 and the $103,365 Nissan GT-R. Is it the deal of the century? Signs point to yes.
The 2.95-second sprint time comes courtesy of the company’s new eight-speed automatic transmission, which we tested a few weeks ago. The seven-speed manual can only achieve a slug-like 3.2 seconds."
Autoweek Oct 1, 2014
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 162
Likes: 3
That's a significant difference in 0-60 times. Not sure why anyone would get a Z with the M7 if the A8 is that much quicker in 0-60 times. I know some people prefer the manual and I understand that as my C6 was a M6 but with that much difference I couldn't get the manual knowing I could have one in the sub 3 second time frame.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,610
Likes: 427
From: USA
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 222
Likes: 4
From: Daytona Beach Florida
That's a significant difference in 0-60 times. Not sure why anyone would get a Z with the M7 if the A8 is that much quicker in 0-60 times. I know some people prefer the manual and I understand that as my C6 was a M6 but with that much difference I couldn't get the manual knowing I could have one in the sub 3 second time frame.
LMAO I would rather enjoy the 3.2 second ride than get bored in the 2.95 second ride. And you will NEVER noticeably feel the difference in the seat of the pants feel of the little bit the auto is quicker. Shifting all afternoon on a sunny relaxing Sunday afternoon drive as well as shifting on my commute home from work each day is FAR more important than being a bit faster in a very short line of driving.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 2,535
From: New Jersey
LMAO I would rather enjoy the 3.2 second ride than get bored in the 2.95 second ride. And you will NEVER noticeably feel the difference in the seat of the pants feel of the little bit the auto is quicker. Shifting all afternoon on a sunny relaxing Sunday afternoon drive as well as shifting on my commute home from work each day is FAR more important than being a bit faster in a very short line of driving.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 542
Likes: 253
From: Cleveland Ohio
Oh man why did I have to read this post. I just ordered a new Z51 A8 after driving a BMW M3 MT6 for 6 years. I really had a hard time deciding between manual and stick. I drove both M7 and A8 and I liked both. The only thing about the M7 is the shift from 5th to 6th is tough I kept dropping back to 4th. I'm sure after a while this would not be an issue, but it seems tight. In the end I like that the auto is quicker and was impressed by the reviews it got from professional drivers. I also know that there will be times I will miss shifting and the rev matching is really cool. I agree that paddle shifting gives you a degree of direct input into making your car perform, but is nothing like working the clutch. 
Instructor
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: San Diego California
I've owned manuals all my life. I bought a 2015 A8. This tranny is amazing. In track mode the way it holds gear. The lightning fast shifts. In Eco or Touring mode its smooth and seamless. If I had to do it all over again...I'd buy the same thing. Plus the A8 is faster. I ran a 3.6 0-60 stock. I don't think I could do that with the manual.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,610
Likes: 427
From: USA
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 106
From: Salado TX
LMAO I would rather enjoy the 3.2 second ride than get bored in the 2.95 second ride. And you will NEVER noticeably feel the difference in the seat of the pants feel of the little bit the auto is quicker. Shifting all afternoon on a sunny relaxing Sunday afternoon drive as well as shifting on my commute home from work each day is FAR more important than being a bit faster in a very short line of driving.
