Thoughts on the new 8 speed automatic
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 834
Likes: 253
From: Blountville Tn.
2022 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Thoughts on the new 8 speed automatic
Looking at purchasing a used C7. Was told by one individual that he preferred the 6 speed auto in the 14 model much better than the 8 speed in the 15/16 models. What have you guys seen? Any issues with either of them? I haven't driven a 15/16 with the 8 speed so not sure. Found a 14 that we really like but didn't want to jump yet because we can get in a 15 for not much more...
tks, dan
tks, dan
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 834
Likes: 253
From: Blountville Tn.
2022 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 116
From: No Longer in CA! NV
The A8 is awesome. I now have over 5400 miles on mine, picked up on 9/8 at the Museum and driven across country, and just got back from a 800 mile round trip to So Cal.
I have had no issues, and it shifts quickly, smoothly and does always seem to put me in the right gear. Performance mode is a blast too.
My wife's '14, also picked up at the Museum last year and driven across country, now has well over 20k miles on it. The A6 is also fun, shifts quick, but I have to give the nod to the A8 having driven both extensively.
Sorry so many seem to be having issues, and glad I'm not as my Z51 is a blast to drive!
I have had no issues, and it shifts quickly, smoothly and does always seem to put me in the right gear. Performance mode is a blast too.
My wife's '14, also picked up at the Museum last year and driven across country, now has well over 20k miles on it. The A6 is also fun, shifts quick, but I have to give the nod to the A8 having driven both extensively.
Sorry so many seem to be having issues, and glad I'm not as my Z51 is a blast to drive!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,162
Likes: 114
From: Prosper, TX
You owe it to yourself to drive both. One item to note though. The A8 behaves just like any other auto when driving lightly. You've got to get aggressive with it to see the difference - and the difference is big. Shift speed is lightning quick, and the A8's ability to recognize that you're driving hard, and adjust accordingly (hold higher RPMs longer, react quicker, etc.) is incredible. The A6 is a fantastic transmission, but you definitely need to drive both so you can make the decision for yourself - whatever that is.
For the record, I have an A8 and did have a very hard shift into drive on the first drive each morning (only on the first gear change into D). Simple software update when I got my oil changed solved it. Transmission is fantastic! Read some of the magazine reviews and you'll see it's one of the first auto transmissions to win such high praise from the pros.
For the record, I have an A8 and did have a very hard shift into drive on the first drive each morning (only on the first gear change into D). Simple software update when I got my oil changed solved it. Transmission is fantastic! Read some of the magazine reviews and you'll see it's one of the first auto transmissions to win such high praise from the pros.
CF Senior Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 686
Likes: 119
From: Chicago IL
Unless you are going to be tracking the car in 100+ degree weather you shouldn't have any problems with the A8. It's a great piece of technical engineering and I love it in my 2015 Callaway.
But, as always, there are opposing views on everything on this forum. So do a search regarding the A8 and then make up your own mind.
But, as always, there are opposing views on everything on this forum. So do a search regarding the A8 and then make up your own mind.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,020
Likes: 3,427
From: Plymouth Massachusetts
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C7 of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified
I have a A6 2014 Z51 Vert and love it but I always say go for the newest vette you can afford .If you can afford the 2015 with the A8 then get it!
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 493
Likes: 8
From: Santa clarita Ca
St. Jude Donor '13
I have the A8 and my only complaint is shifting hard from park to drive at start up. And I have been told I can have that fixed with a software update. Outside of that I am having a ball driving it. I have had four previous Vettes but all were manual. No regrets moving to an automatic at all. In fact after taking a three day course at Ron Fellow's school of driving I now always use the Paddles.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 954
Likes: 269
From: San Jose
10mm, a user around here, pulls a regular 11.8 second quarter mile with the A8. It's stock except for an intake.
Someone else complained bitterly about the overheating problem on the track and fixed it with a few upgrades (in the tech section)
In other words, it's awesome, and if you do have any problems, it's nothing some money can't fix..
Someone else complained bitterly about the overheating problem on the track and fixed it with a few upgrades (in the tech section)
In other words, it's awesome, and if you do have any problems, it's nothing some money can't fix..
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 90
From: Hillsdale NJ
But the original poster is not going to be tracking the car, so it will be fine.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 263
From: Henderson, Nevada Nevada
I love my A8 but I have a surge into 1st gear when slowing down to a stop. It's hard to describe but a surge is the best I could. Other than that it's been outstanding. Does anyone else have the 2-1 surge? Is it fixable via software update?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 834
Likes: 253
From: Blountville Tn.
2022 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Is the A8 tranny on the 15 worth losing 3LT & FE4?
Mileage hopefully about the same under 5k