Automatic vs Manual
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 180
Likes: 2
From: Montana
For me an auto does not belong in a sports car. As many have stated this is as forgiving and easy to shift manual there is. The clutch is very forgiving and you can run this car into the red or cruise and shift at 2500 it is all up to you and your situation. Nothing better than dumping the clutch to put a grin on your face. It is getting harder and harder to find a manual sports car and luckily Chevy has kept it around for us. Oh and be sure to spend the $30 to get a CAGS eliminator so the computer nannies don't eliminate some of your shifting options.
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
Manual! The power train in the Corvette lends itself to any task imposed. From a trip to the store to roaring around on the track. Just this morning I drove to the bank in moderate traffic, it was really fun even though traffic was only flowing at 35/45 miles per hour, lots of shifting and selecting proper gears. Love it, you will too!
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,937
Likes: 12,350
From: NE South Carolina
Greetings,
I would like to talk about the manual transmission vs the automatic. In the past, I always felt like I could drive a manual very well, but had never driven a sports car with one. Prior to my last purchase, I test drove a Nissan 370Z with a manual transmission and it was like I had never shifted gears before. I ended up buying an Infiniti G37 with an automatic because of my deficiency.
I have not driven a Corvette yet, and while I like the idea of a manual, I am concerned about my ability to drive one. For those of you who have used one, is it possible to drive it conservatively, or do you need to have a race mentality all of the time? I ask this because I think that my problem was that I was going too easy on the car.
Thanks
I would like to talk about the manual transmission vs the automatic. In the past, I always felt like I could drive a manual very well, but had never driven a sports car with one. Prior to my last purchase, I test drove a Nissan 370Z with a manual transmission and it was like I had never shifted gears before. I ended up buying an Infiniti G37 with an automatic because of my deficiency.
I have not driven a Corvette yet, and while I like the idea of a manual, I am concerned about my ability to drive one. For those of you who have used one, is it possible to drive it conservatively, or do you need to have a race mentality all of the time? I ask this because I think that my problem was that I was going too easy on the car.
Thanks
Sounds like the way you drive and with the advances in automatics that is what you should probably get.
Although I can and do occasionally drive mine in a leisurely way, i.e. shifting from 3rd directly to 5th or 6th etc., the fun is downshifting after hitting the brakes hard going into a turn. The C7 rev match makes everyone and expert. If you’re not going to do that, at least occasionally, you can use the paddles in the A8 and have fun from time to time. Just my opinion.
Last edited by JerryU; Apr 4, 2015 at 07:16 PM.
AIR FORCE VETERAN
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,223
Likes: 441
From: Pennsylvania
If you are uncomfortable driving a manual it would be an expensive mistake. I have driven both and the manual is like no brainer muscle memory. If you don't have that it will take time to develop. I suggest you go to a forum dealer like Chriswell and ask for Mike Furman. Better make your mind up the 2016 looks like the last year for manual.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,937
Likes: 12,350
From: NE South Carolina
Sure hope that no std shift 2017 Vette was a joke! Have at least one more new Vette to get!After being between Vettes having small GM trucks, which I liked very much and added wheels, HD suspension, bed covers, and a lot of extras, I went to look at the new replacement for the S10, the Colorado. They did not have one yet in their showroom but they were advertising the 5 cylinder Isuzu at 247 hp, more than my V6. However could not find a standard trans option on the Chevy website.
The salesman said, “I’m sure that you can get one, I’ll check.” I waited in his office for 10 minutes, irritated by then. He came back in and said “afraid you’ll have to upgrade to an automatic!” That was not smart! I got up, walked out and said you don’t understand that would not only be a downgrade it’s a non-issue! Called Kerbeck and ordered my ’08 Vette!
Turned out to be a great decision, besides loving the Vette, that Isuzu engine was not very good and after seeing the Colorado it did not come close to the appearance my Silver Step Side S-10!
Last edited by JerryU; Apr 4, 2015 at 07:40 PM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
From: IL
My last 2 Vettes were autos. I hadn't driven a manual trany in sometime, but when we got the C7 with the 7 speed trany it all came back quickly. It's a breeze to drive, not to mention loads of fun!
As far as drive ability, no problem there. Just pick a gear for the speed and RPM's you want to be at and go for it!
As far as drive ability, no problem there. Just pick a gear for the speed and RPM's you want to be at and go for it!
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 206
Likes: 2
From: PA
As others have said - the torque band in this car makes it. Dry flexible and easy to drive IMHO compared to other less powerful cars. I have driven a stick all of my driving life, and this one is really pretty easy. If you get used to it, even the hill hold is a great feature making the car easier to drive. If you are very conservative in first gear you might want to consider a CAGS eliminator that keeps the car from forcing you into a 1-4 shift which I have hit (only a couple of times) but it can be annoying. I think the manual really gives you a much better connection to the car, but that, obviously, is a personal opinion. Go drive one of each and see how you feel about it. My feeling have little to do with how you will feel in the car!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 85
From: Winfield, IL
Think of all the extra calories you'll burn with a manual transmission (I have one and my BMI is perfect)
For me an auto does not belong in a sports car. As many have stated this is as forgiving and easy to shift manual there is. The clutch is very forgiving and you can run this car into the red or cruise and shift at 2500 it is all up to you and your situation. Nothing better than dumping the clutch to put a grin on your face. It is getting harder and harder to find a manual sports car and luckily Chevy has kept it around for us. Oh and be sure to spend the $30 to get a CAGS eliminator so the computer nannies don't eliminate some of your shifting options.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 753
Likes: 241
From: New Hampshire
All I ever had were manuals, my 3 Vetts and my 67 GTO, plus all the rest in between except fpr the "Family Sedan". I am 65 and my C7 being made next week will have an auto8 Tired of shifting and to hard to hold the wheel, a beer and shiftier !!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,903
Likes: 315
From: Cedar Falls Iowa
I'm a life long manual enthusiast, so perhaps biased. While I think the A8 is actually pretty cool, I just didn't think it was $1800 extra cool. I had only driven automatic C7s until I got my car, and after 3 days and 225 miles I'd say I made the right decision. The rev match works really good in the 15, so anyone can look and feel like a pro driving it. I wanted a fun car, and my new vert M7 is exactly that.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
From: Apex NC
I am doing the same thing. I have a 2013 370z AT and I just ordered a 2015 C7 Z51 A8. I have owned (2) 6-Spd Corvette's in the past and just got tired of shifting in traffic. Loved it on the track, but just got tired of it everywhere else.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 20,933
Likes: 905
From: salem OR
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 164
Likes: 2
I'm a life long manual enthusiast, so perhaps biased. While I think the A8 is actually pretty cool, I just didn't think it was $1800 extra cool. I had only driven automatic C7s until I got my car, and after 3 days and 225 miles I'd say I made the right decision. The rev match works really good in the 15, so anyone can look and feel like a pro driving it. I wanted a fun car, and my new vert M7 is exactly that.
The $1800 would probably be better spent on other things.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 850
Likes: 26
Over all manual is more fun . I have a auto now so the wife can drive once in while .
Like coming home from a party . I got tired of being the designated driver all the time .
Lol
At the strip you will miss a gear on a m6 buts that's the fun of it .
And harder to find sweet spot to launch.
Also driving down the road not paying much attention and a ? What ever pulls up next to you and does not give you time to figure out what your gear your in that's a problem .
Drop one ore two ? And you don't know if your in 4th or 5th 6th
Auto no problem floor it.
Like coming home from a party . I got tired of being the designated driver all the time .
Lol
At the strip you will miss a gear on a m6 buts that's the fun of it .
And harder to find sweet spot to launch.
Also driving down the road not paying much attention and a ? What ever pulls up next to you and does not give you time to figure out what your gear your in that's a problem .
Drop one ore two ? And you don't know if your in 4th or 5th 6th
Auto no problem floor it.
Last edited by skar; Aug 23, 2015 at 06:00 PM.