First off let me start by saying that i love Manual's, all my cars have had them. Second in Motortrends best drivers car test, they tested both a manual and automatic ats-v, the auto was quicker. But when they tested the z06 at willow springs, the manual was quicker. So whats the deal? Is the manual they put in the ats-v not as quick shifting as the one in the z06? I'm confused. Any thoughts? Which one is faster on a track?

 

The manual in the ATS-V is a six speed, I'm sure the gearing is not the same.

 

Totally depends on how many shifting turns are on the track as well as long straights. They are both ridiculously quick with the M7 taking a true track 'master' to equal the times of a lesser A8 driver. I have an A8 and love it, but wouldn't think twice about getting an M7. It really boils down to the driver, but in most cases (all things being equal), the A8 will usually edge out the M7 on a track. Again, it's so close that you'll see some variances with these results.

 

Either way you go, it's not a wrong choice. Both transmissions provide excellent performance numbers. Just comes down to a personal preference.

 

 

Well I have three petals in my C7 and I Love It..

 

The M7 has shown to be the faster track car and less over heating.
GM uses the M7 when they go for fast track times for a reason.
The A8 has a quicker 60ft.
Yep boils down to the driver on the choice to buy!

 

If the question is "what should I buy" then you answered it yourself in the process of asking it. Get the manual, no question.

For me, and my skill level, chances are I would be "faster" (whatever that means) with the automatic. I just find the manual fun and fun is why I bought a Corvette in the first place. So I don't much care which came out faster in a magazine article or which one is faster for a professional driver. Manuals are fun (for me) so I get a manual.

 

Ratman6161 hit the nail on the head. If you enjoy the feel of controlling the shift then skip the A8 and go with the M7. Although the A8 is quicker, the feel of the M7 is certainly more "sports car".
I thought about the A8, but after my wife drove the new M7 she said "Buy it, I can drive this manual." It really is easy to drive, so much so that I don't mind driving it in rush hour traffic here in Austin. A nice plus is the rev match feature, helps those who are not real skilled with the M7 shift smoother.

 

They are close enough that it really boils down to personal choice. I drove both before I made my purchase and there is no way I would order the A8 after driving both.

 

Depends on how much traffic you drive in, open road shifting is fun, traffic and hills not so much

 

The M7 is so good, shifting is a pleasure even in bumper to bumper traffic. Also you NPP guys, the manual sounds a lot better than the shift slide your hear when the automatic does its thing.

 

Just my 2 cents worth. Yes I can drive a manual. If fact I traded in a 6 speed Hemi for my 2015 Vette. Only wanted the Auto 8 speed. It is a great transmission for both street and track (Drags). Will be going to Spring Mountain using the auto. Using the paddle shift is very precise. Might have bought the manual if it stayed at only 6 gears but 7 is to many for everyday driving on the street. Totally satisfied with the auto. Again just my thoughts

 

completely!

 

So....don't use 7th? Just saying...

One thing I like about the M7 besides the transmission/shifting itself is that the driving modes work a bit differently than the automatics. Mainly, with the manual, you only get 4 cylinder mode if you make a point of switching the driving mode to ECO.

But as everyone keeps its all personal preference anyway.

 

This is just my prospective. I am not "sports car driver" can give a darn if the automatic is slightly faster then the manual or vice versa. It is more a matter of personal preference. I just took delivery 5 weeks ago) of my 2016 base engine with 7-speed manual. I have always driven manuals for 50 years (I am 68 years old now). Upon pickup in Nashua, NH and driving 2,000 miles home, I developed Tennis Elbow from putting luggage in an out. Not a good thing to have driving a manual.

I found the 2016 Corvette manual to be much tighter than my other sporty cars (2 C2 Corvettes, 1 350 ZX, Celica, CR-Z and my current Hyundai Veloster Turbo. Clutch was OK. Shifting was a minor problem at first because I would sometimes miss a gear. It also seems to have a lockout making you go from 1st to 4th to save gas if you try and shift at certain speeds. Like any manual, if you are not up to it to shift several hundred time in a traffic backup, or around town driving, get the automatic. If you love running it through the gears a little (can't do much unless you are on a track), get the manual. I am getting used to the manual and love it. But it also means my wife can't drive the Vette but I don't think she would anyways because she would be scared of all that power and seating position. I would also say that probably the automatic would get better gas mileage because I sometimes find myself in 4th gear going 55 to 60 MPH because it is just so powerful and that is usually only 2,000 RPMs.

 

wouldn't get an auto sports car, until I drove the A8, its a great shifting tranny and very precise in man mode, drive both and get the one you want to live with, there is no bad choice here

 

Need not say more.

 

Simple. If you are planning to track the car, get manual. Automatic might be actually a little faster but manual is less problematic.

 

If you can drive a manual well, don't deal with daily traffic jams and have no physical issues, get the manual. The greater involvement provides longer lasting enjoyment. Autos, while fun at first, can become boring over time (for those who enjoy a manual).

Otherwise, get the auto.