Acceleration Feeling
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 501
Likes: 64
From: Columbia MD
Acceleration Feeling
This is not meant to be an auto vs manual debate. So please, don't take it as such.
To me, part of the reason why it is hard to decide between a manual and auto is the feeling of acceleration in the two cars. I think we can all agree the auto is quicker in a straight line. The A8 is getting numbers in the mid 11s. I don't recall a manual getting those type of numbers completely stock. The numbers I've seen are more in the 12s.
Now, here is the tricky part. Do you feel that .5 seconds or so feels significantly different between the two cars? Part of the fun in a Corvette to me is how you get thrown back in your seat under hard acceleration, the way the car bucks almost like a wild horse.
Do either of our options, A8 or manual, give us this feeling more than the other? I would assume the A8 does because it is quicker but I could be wrong. Does .5 seconds or so feel a lot faster?
I hope this makes sense.
To me, part of the reason why it is hard to decide between a manual and auto is the feeling of acceleration in the two cars. I think we can all agree the auto is quicker in a straight line. The A8 is getting numbers in the mid 11s. I don't recall a manual getting those type of numbers completely stock. The numbers I've seen are more in the 12s.
Now, here is the tricky part. Do you feel that .5 seconds or so feels significantly different between the two cars? Part of the fun in a Corvette to me is how you get thrown back in your seat under hard acceleration, the way the car bucks almost like a wild horse.
Do either of our options, A8 or manual, give us this feeling more than the other? I would assume the A8 does because it is quicker but I could be wrong. Does .5 seconds or so feel a lot faster?
I hope this makes sense.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 16,684
Likes: 1,193
From: La Center WA
As far as I'm concerned the reason to choose one transmission over the other is whether or not you like shifting manually and using a clutch pedal. Yeah, the slight (very slight) differences in acceleration times favor the auto but I can't imagine that those differences can be felt without a stopwatch. How often does one actually put the pedal to the floor?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 263
From: Henderson, Nevada Nevada
Not to be forgotten is that the M7 driver would have to have excellent driving skills to be within that .5 second of the A8. The A8 driver wouldn't require anywhere near the same level of skill to be .5 second faster.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 16,684
Likes: 1,193
From: La Center WA
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 315
From: Cedar Falls Iowa
A8 will be faster in most cases, but I'd guess a manual will actually feel faster assuming the driver can speed shift well. It's just more visceral. The driver is more physically involved and the shifts hit more violently. In between shifts I'd wager both cars pull similar Gs. The launch is where the M7 has its most significant disadvantage (harder to finesse) followed by the 2-3 shift.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 2,535
From: New Jersey
I gotta think that if you want the feeling of getting thrown back in your seat, it is hard to beat being in 2nd gear in a stick at around 4k revs and hitting it. I fell some sensation in my 148 hp Subaru when I do that.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2014
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From: Center of the Universe, Alabama
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: When all is said and done... there is a hell of a lot more said than done. Riverside,Texas
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
A8 will be faster in most cases, but I'd guess a manual will actually feel faster assuming the driver can speed shift well. It's just more visceral. The driver is more physically involved and the shifts hit more violently. In between shifts I'd wager both cars pull similar Gs. The launch is where the M7 has its most significant disadvantage (harder to finesse) followed by the 2-3 shift.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,162
Likes: 114
From: Prosper, TX
The M7 will give you that feeling of push, then release, then push again which gives you that thrill all over again through each gear. The A8 will simply be a linear, constant thrust. I think you'd be hard pressed to ever really feel the true difference in acceleration, but the perceived difference is pretty big. Now, which way you perceive will depend on the way your equilibrium interprets acceleration. Linear, or bursts. Can't go wrong either way.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,941
Likes: 499
From: Northern Virginia
I agree with the poster who said buy the one that suits you best. I have more fun driving a manual. Some people hate dealing with a clutch. I think those considerations far outweigh a performance difference that you'll never notice on public roads.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 49,112
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From: Best Island in the U.S.
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '17
As far as I'm concerned the reason to choose one transmission over the other is whether or not you like shifting manually and using a clutch pedal. Yeah, the slight (very slight) differences in acceleration times favor the auto but I can't imagine that those differences can be felt without a stopwatch. How often does one actually put the pedal to the floor?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,048
Likes: 28
From: Palm Beach County FL
well .5 is going to be half a car length at the end of a 1/4 mile track... so think about that. that's very small.
that being said, M7 can be more enjoyable and gives more connection to the road. to be able to drive a manual like a pro, you need to be pretty damn good. I can honestly say that I'm probably not the best manual driver, and that's why I love the active rev match. It does something for me so precisely that I can never do (hell to toe) unless I was very experienced.
the A8 is great, but the driving feels linear. you can't go from 4th into 1st gear, have the car match the revs and take that sharp turn. you'll have to ride through each gear which just isn't as fun.
the A8 will perform great, but I think this car is to be driven in manual when spirited.
plus the A8 cost couple grand extra which I could put towards other things. but that's just me.
I gave it some consideration (getting an A8) but I'm glad I went with a manual. It's just more enjoyable. if you're looking for very little gain in performance, get the A8 I guess, but you will miss out onthe fun
that being said, M7 can be more enjoyable and gives more connection to the road. to be able to drive a manual like a pro, you need to be pretty damn good. I can honestly say that I'm probably not the best manual driver, and that's why I love the active rev match. It does something for me so precisely that I can never do (hell to toe) unless I was very experienced.
the A8 is great, but the driving feels linear. you can't go from 4th into 1st gear, have the car match the revs and take that sharp turn. you'll have to ride through each gear which just isn't as fun.
the A8 will perform great, but I think this car is to be driven in manual when spirited.
plus the A8 cost couple grand extra which I could put towards other things. but that's just me.
I gave it some consideration (getting an A8) but I'm glad I went with a manual. It's just more enjoyable. if you're looking for very little gain in performance, get the A8 I guess, but you will miss out onthe fun
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,905
Likes: 569
From: Bucks County PA
well .5 is going to be half a car length at the end of a 1/4 mile track... so think about that. that's very small.
that being said, M7 can be more enjoyable and gives more connection to the road. to be able to drive a manual like a pro, you need to be pretty damn good. I can honestly say that I'm probably not the best manual driver, and that's why I love the active rev match. It does something for me so precisely that I can never do (hell to toe) unless I was very experienced.
the A8 is great, but the driving feels linear. you can't go from 4th into 1st gear, have the car match the revs and take that sharp turn. you'll have to ride through each gear which just isn't as fun.
the A8 will perform great, but I think this car is to be driven in manual when spirited.
plus the A8 cost couple grand extra which I could put towards other things. but that's just me.
I gave it some consideration (getting an A8) but I'm glad I went with a manual. It's just more enjoyable. if you're looking for very little gain in performance, get the A8 I guess, but you will miss out onthe fun
that being said, M7 can be more enjoyable and gives more connection to the road. to be able to drive a manual like a pro, you need to be pretty damn good. I can honestly say that I'm probably not the best manual driver, and that's why I love the active rev match. It does something for me so precisely that I can never do (hell to toe) unless I was very experienced.
the A8 is great, but the driving feels linear. you can't go from 4th into 1st gear, have the car match the revs and take that sharp turn. you'll have to ride through each gear which just isn't as fun.
the A8 will perform great, but I think this car is to be driven in manual when spirited.
plus the A8 cost couple grand extra which I could put towards other things. but that's just me.
I gave it some consideration (getting an A8) but I'm glad I went with a manual. It's just more enjoyable. if you're looking for very little gain in performance, get the A8 I guess, but you will miss out onthe fun
Just pointing out a fact.
I actually have the automatic, but I much prefer the on and off feel of the manual during driving and acceleration.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 762
Likes: 125
From: Houston TX
I get the OP's point.
Even with the manual shifter in my less powered C5, it feels more fun to row thru the gears & feels the G forces better, since I'm controlling when to shift. But those fun times are in the very few in between the constant city traffic jams.
My C7 auto trans works great now most of the time, but I still miss rowing the gears myself once in while. Oh well, the paddle shifter is fine also...
Even with the manual shifter in my less powered C5, it feels more fun to row thru the gears & feels the G forces better, since I'm controlling when to shift. But those fun times are in the very few in between the constant city traffic jams.
My C7 auto trans works great now most of the time, but I still miss rowing the gears myself once in while. Oh well, the paddle shifter is fine also...
Pro
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 618
Likes: 3
From: South East Texas
11B520, you have a lot of great posts on the forum. I always appreciate them. That being said, you are way off on the .5 is 1/2 a car length. It's much closer to the 5 car lengths. I'm not sure it's 5 but its definitely between 3 1/2 and 5. Don't take this the wrong way bud.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,905
Likes: 569
From: Bucks County PA
11B520, you have a lot of great posts on the forum. I always appreciate them. That being said, you are way off on the .5 is 1/2 a car length. It's much closer to the 5 car lengths. I'm not sure it's 5 but its definitely between 3 1/2 and 5. Don't take this the wrong way bud.
I have always went by 0.1 in the 1/4 = 1 car length in the 1/4
Pretty standard rule of thumb in drag racing.
0.05 would be 1/2 car length.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 618
Likes: 3
From: South East Texas
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,195
Likes: 479
From: Bonita Springs Florida
The M7 will give you that feeling of push, then release, then push again which gives you that thrill all over again through each gear. The A8 will simply be a linear, constant thrust. I think you'd be hard pressed to ever really feel the true difference in acceleration, but the perceived difference is pretty big. Now, which way you perceive will depend on the way your equilibrium interprets acceleration. Linear, or bursts. Can't go wrong either way.
I still recall my buddy back in the day with a 70 Chevelle 396 w/ 4 speed. Hitting gas in first, release hit it again in first, release, and so on, the power seemed to be so connected, it threw everyone around like a "BB" in a boxcar.
Maybe wasn't the fastest car on the street, but it sure felt like itW/ 460 HP w/ tenths of second either way isn't going to be perceivable by the driver or passenger. Only way you'll know is if you are racing someone else or being timed.
Greatest joy I have with my car is merging into traffic from a dead stop or swapping lanes to get around a slower driver. Puts an "ear to ear" grin on my face every time.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 568
Likes: 109
From: South Carolina
This is not meant to be an auto vs manual debate. So please, don't take it as such.
To me, part of the reason why it is hard to decide between a manual and auto is the feeling of acceleration in the two cars. I think we can all agree the auto is quicker in a straight line. The A8 is getting numbers in the mid 11s. I don't recall a manual getting those type of numbers completely stock. The numbers I've seen are more in the 12s.
Now, here is the tricky part. Do you feel that .5 seconds or so feels significantly different between the two cars? Part of the fun in a Corvette to me is how you get thrown back in your seat under hard acceleration, the way the car bucks almost like a wild horse.
Do either of our options, A8 or manual, give us this feeling more than the other? I would assume the A8 does because it is quicker but I could be wrong. Does .5 seconds or so feel a lot faster?
I hope this makes sense.
To me, part of the reason why it is hard to decide between a manual and auto is the feeling of acceleration in the two cars. I think we can all agree the auto is quicker in a straight line. The A8 is getting numbers in the mid 11s. I don't recall a manual getting those type of numbers completely stock. The numbers I've seen are more in the 12s.
Now, here is the tricky part. Do you feel that .5 seconds or so feels significantly different between the two cars? Part of the fun in a Corvette to me is how you get thrown back in your seat under hard acceleration, the way the car bucks almost like a wild horse.
Do either of our options, A8 or manual, give us this feeling more than the other? I would assume the A8 does because it is quicker but I could be wrong. Does .5 seconds or so feel a lot faster?
I hope this makes sense.