Automatic vs Manual
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Automatic vs Manual
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
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 287
Likes: 87
From: Murrysville PA
I purchased a 2004 and that had a 6 speed. I installed a close throw shifter to replace the stock one. That was my first manual transmission since my college days when I had a 3 speed on the column. Don't laugh please,that was a Ford Maverick. I started out pretty rusty with my shifts. I became more proficient over a short time so that I could have fun with the car and be as agressive as I wanted to be. Now that doesn't mean going 100 in a 55mph zone. There is something to be said about shifting and reacting to the road.
I don't think that I ever had a 'race mentality',whatever that is, when I drove my 2004 which had mods to over 400hp. Go for it. By the way,my C7 is an 8 speed automatic. I think that they are a little more efficient.
Have fun
Norm
I don't think that I ever had a 'race mentality',whatever that is, when I drove my 2004 which had mods to over 400hp. Go for it. By the way,my C7 is an 8 speed automatic. I think that they are a little more efficient.
Have fun
Norm
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 203
From: MI
this car is made for the masses, its made to be driven everyday (maybe not in a snow storm). you will be able to drive the car and relax.
I can understand if someone wants a auto over a manual. But not getting a manual because you dont have the ability to drive one, but you want one. then thats kind of sad, driving a stick is easy. been driving sports car with manuals since i was 16.
I can understand if someone wants a auto over a manual. But not getting a manual because you dont have the ability to drive one, but you want one. then thats kind of sad, driving a stick is easy. been driving sports car with manuals since i was 16.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 121
Likes: 12
From: Cave Creek AZ
I find that I can drive mine very aggressively, or very moderately. It all depends on the mood I am in. Prior to the Vette, I had a 2005 GTO. In that car I found that trying to drive mellow was a challenge. It just did not seem like the gearing liked mellow. I do not have that same issue in the C7.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 408
From: Greer, SC
That was an April fool's joke. Nothing wrong with having the auto but for me, it's manual or I buy something else. If GM ever stops making a 3 pedal Corvette, they will lose me as a customer.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 761
Likes: 49
From: Ringwood New Jersey
Started driving a stick in the early 70's, Karmin Ghia, MGB, etc. With that said, I got my vette with the 7 speed in December and it took a few weeks to get used to it. If you can drive a stick, and really want one, Go For It, you won't be disappointed. Although, you can't go wrong with either [stick or auto]. Good Luck with your purchase...
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,689
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From: Brookfield IL
I had never driven a manual till I got my C6.
I can tell you hands down:
The corvette is one of the easiest cars to learn how to drive stick. I've driven Acura's that have harder clutches.
The C7 is super smooth to me and just as others have stated. This car is made for the masses. It's different if you have a crazy cam in there and other mods, but I find the manual on Corvettes fairly easy to get used to.
I can tell you hands down:
The corvette is one of the easiest cars to learn how to drive stick. I've driven Acura's that have harder clutches.
The C7 is super smooth to me and just as others have stated. This car is made for the masses. It's different if you have a crazy cam in there and other mods, but I find the manual on Corvettes fairly easy to get used to.
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From: The Sunshine State
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When I think of driving my current Corvette and driving my planned new C7Z, my thoughts often turn to daydreaming about carving up the twisters and open roads while manually shifting through the gears of these incredible machines.
I am then brought back to reality as I drive in heavy, high season, SW Florida traffic the majority of the time. An automatic tranny saves my left leg.
I am then brought back to reality as I drive in heavy, high season, SW Florida traffic the majority of the time. An automatic tranny saves my left leg.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2013
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 6,442
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From: New Jersey
Do not judge a transmission by just a test drive. I have been driving sticks exclusively for over 30 yrs and each time I got a new car, the stick felt odd. However, within a few days it became second nature. I bet the 370 you drove would have felt like any other stick if you had driven it for several days rather than a test drive of 15 minutes or so.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 104
From: Des Moines Iowa
Do not judge a transmission by just a test drive. I have been driving sticks exclusively for over 30 yrs and each time I got a new car, the stick felt odd. However, within a few days it became second nature. I bet the 370 you drove would have felt like any other stick if you had driven it for several days rather than a test drive of 15 minutes or so.
My first Corvette manual was my 2010 GS, and on the drive with salesman to fill fuel tank, I started car out in third gear twice, and I'd driven lots of manuals in other cars / trucks in the past.....For me, a big consideration in manual versus automatic, is how and where will I be driving the vehicle? If in a lot of heavy city stop and go traffic, or a city with lots of hills, I'd consider an automatic, but for me, and how I use the car, I still like the fun factor of rowing those gears.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 10,548
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From: Upstate NY
My answer to the OP's question.... Yes, you can drive the M7 smoothly, and conservatively. You can drive conservatively, even in the sport modes but when I want to take it easy I usually go to Tour mode. Just take it easy on the throttle and a deliberate and more gradual release of the clutch while shifting and you will get the result you want. It comes with practice but, as always, the choice is yours.
I have been driving manual cars and trucks, off and on, for the past 45 years. When I ordered my car last year I struggled a bit with the idea of manual vs auto. But every time I though about driving the car and having fun with it, the manual shift was always part of my vision. To me the control feels more complete and hooked up. It was not hard to decide to trade my C6 M6 on my C7 M7.
I have been driving manual cars and trucks, off and on, for the past 45 years. When I ordered my car last year I struggled a bit with the idea of manual vs auto. But every time I though about driving the car and having fun with it, the manual shift was always part of my vision. To me the control feels more complete and hooked up. It was not hard to decide to trade my C6 M6 on my C7 M7.
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Do not judge a transmission by just a test drive. I have been driving sticks exclusively for over 30 yrs and each time I got a new car, the stick felt odd. However, within a few days it became second nature. I bet the 370 you drove would have felt like any other stick if you had driven it for several days rather than a test drive of 15 minutes or so.
It does take a little time to get used to a manual tranny in any car, but at least in a Corvette the learning curve is pretty easy.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 408
From: Greer, SC
The same sloppy shifter used in the C5 and C6 is exactly the same shifter used in the C7. The transmission is different and better but the "every part on the C7 is new" is BS. I compared my C7 stock shifter with the original shifter in my C6 and they are identical.
The stock shifter is probably fine for 75% of the Corvette buying public. The other 25% want something more precise with a firmer action and more positive gear engagement. If so, you want the MGW, for sure. Nothing else compares IMHO.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Cedar Falls Iowa
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 841
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From: NC
Bertgamble2001 - Yes, it's a piece of cake to drive a manual shift C7 mildly. You can even accelerate at Prius speeds if you wish. It's all about throttle management.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,099
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From: Houston TX
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I've been driving manuals daily for most of forty years, and a vette with a manual has been my daily driver for the past 15 years. They are very easy to drive both fast and modestly. Don't let that bother you one bit.