Automatic vs Manual
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,941
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From: Northern Virginia
Traffic depends a lot on the clutch. The pedal in the C7 is very light, so I don't find traffic to be an issue at all. I've commuted in DC area rush hour traffic for my entire life, and never really found using a manual to be a big deal. I wouldn't want to commute in my neighbor's C2 -- that clutch is a bear, but the clutch in the C7 is nicely light and easy to engage.
Miller Time Wisconsin 🍺
Joined: Oct 2012
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St. Jude Donor '13 thru '22
If the M7 was a $1,700 option and the A8 was free, I'd still pay to get the M7.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2015
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From: Buffalo Minnesota
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,161
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From: SUFFIELD CONNECTICUT
If everything else is equal, with the 8 speed automatic in the base stingray and the Z06, the cars are consistently .3 quicker in a 1/4 mile drag race compared to the same cars with the manual transmissions.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2012
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From: Hagerstown MD
St. Jude Donor '15-'16,'18
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 861
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From: California
2017 C7 of Year Finalist
To each their own. I've driven a manual and automatic Corvette and in my case, I purchased the A8 because I have household 6 to think about. Thankfully the A8 is a very nice transmission so it makes everybody happy overall while allowing me to keep my man card since it's a Vette... LOL
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 114
Likes: 7
Manual- while at Spring Mountain the automatics consistently caused cool down laps while the manuals performed flawless. The manual is over built for the base stingray and fine for the Z06. The auto is underbuilt for both. The auto will be revamped to handle overheating problems shortly and the early years will be known for their issues. The auto is fine as long as you don't use much of the available hp.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 861
Likes: 156
From: California
2017 C7 of Year Finalist
Manual- while at Spring Mountain the automatics consistently caused cool down laps while the manuals performed flawless. The manual is over built for the base stingray and fine for the Z06. The auto is underbuilt for both. The auto will be revamped to handle overheating problems shortly and the early years will be known for their issues. The auto is fine as long as you don't use much of the available hp.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,161
Likes: 686
From: SUFFIELD CONNECTICUT
If the trans will shift each gear at redline by letting it shift by itself, that is the way you would want to race on the 1/4 mile strip or on the street. Forget the paddles . If you are going to street race from a roll, now that is entirely different.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 264
Likes: 31
From: Bugtussle
St. Jude Donor '17-'18-'19
I was like "only a pucey would order a Corvette with an automatic". Maybe yeah, maybe naw.
I do have physical issues with my clutch ankle. It's been five or six years since I drove manuals as DD and I'm actually a bit concerned that with the progression of my gimpiness if I screwed the pooch going with the M7.
Ok, I've found that the 40mm clutch pedal extension helps me a LOT. I wish it was only 20mm but if I adjust the seat right it's OK.
I think that seven speeds is Bolshevik. With this much torque, five is plenty and six is gravy.
I do have physical issues with my clutch ankle. It's been five or six years since I drove manuals as DD and I'm actually a bit concerned that with the progression of my gimpiness if I screwed the pooch going with the M7.
Ok, I've found that the 40mm clutch pedal extension helps me a LOT. I wish it was only 20mm but if I adjust the seat right it's OK.
I think that seven speeds is Bolshevik. With this much torque, five is plenty and six is gravy.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,941
Likes: 499
From: Northern Virginia
Yes.
There are certainly valid reasons to get the A8, including just personal preference. I have more fun with the M7, but to each his (or her) own.
The 7 speeds are for mileage, not performance. Five, six and seven are all overdrive ratios.
I was like "only a pucey would order a Corvette with an automatic". Maybe yeah, maybe naw.
I do have physical issues with my clutch ankle. It's been five or six years since I drove manuals as DD and I'm actually a bit concerned that with the progression of my gimpiness if I screwed the pooch going with the M7.
I do have physical issues with my clutch ankle. It's been five or six years since I drove manuals as DD and I'm actually a bit concerned that with the progression of my gimpiness if I screwed the pooch going with the M7.
I think that seven speeds is Bolshevik. With this much torque, five is plenty and six is gravy.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
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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
