L8ter

I understand the better performance and economy of the new transmissions, but sometimes I miss my 4, 5, and 6 speed cars.

I had 5 speed manuals up until my purchase of a 05 M3, then went to a 6 speed, and that seemed somewhat monotonous while driving around town. Even though my primary gears were 1-4, I'd instinctively use 5 and 6 for economic reasons.
When time came to purchase the new C7 I drove and enjoy the manual, but thought that's just too many gears and went with A-8.

I've use the paddle shifters in manual mode, but I feel that I'm almost having to force myself to enjoy the experience. Again just too small of a window in between having to make another shift. l almost feel like I'm in a high stakes video game. Hitting the rev-limiter accidentally a couple of times was the inspiration for this thread.

So I leave it an automatic and have learned how to throat the gas pedal to get the car to drop into the gear I'm looking for. A little gas can get you a one gear drop, a little more gas get you a 2 gear drop, and so on, until you go full WOT, which can get you an instantaneous five speed drop and activate Performance shifts. At that point hold on and put your head back against the rest!
This experience has made the car an absolute joy to drive.

But back to the question at hand, is it just me or does anybody else find so many gears to be a bit monotonous sometimes?

Fcal

The M7 is basically a 5spd with 2 OD's.
I rarely use 7th gear. Unless I'm way above the speed limit, which never ever happens
The A8 seems to me like it would be forever shifting between gears.

dvilin

Fine with my M7. I use 6th gear on the expressways, never have used 7th gear. Probably would use 7th on a long trip.
But for my driving 1- 5 is fine.
Can not judge the A8 as I only test drove one prior to my purchase.

Patches

I'm like Fcal - it's a 5-speed with 2 extra OD's.

I have to say that the 8-speed auto in my Audi 3.0 Q5 is magnificent. It is the best performing, most intelligent auto I have ever driven by far.

JoesC5

The M6 in the C5 and C6 are basically 4 speeds with 2 overdrive gears and the C7's M7 is basically a 4 speed with 3 overdrive gears.

The C5/C6/C7 all have 1:1 4th gears in their manual transmissions. Any additional gears above 4th are overdrive gears(ie: .82:1 or .68:1 or .50:1 etc).

Just because you have 6 or 7 gears doesn't mean to have to row through everyone of them. I have a C6 Z06 and I sometimes go from 1st to 3rd and then 3rd to 5th when driving in town. Just depends on how the traffic and the speeds are at that particular time. As long as I don't lug the engine it's no big deal to skip gears. Sometimes when merging into fast traffic from an on ramp, I'll use 3rd or 4th gear to 70-75 and then shift directly into 6th gear once I'm on the Interstate, as I have a M6, and since I'm up to cruising speed, there is no need to use 5th gear.

Normally, when I'm on a highway and I'm above 55 MPH. I'm in 6th gear. My 6th gear(.50:1) is almost identical to the C7 Z51's 7th gear(.48:1).

Woodson

Isn't 5th overdrive as well? I'm rarely very rarely in 6th and I'm never in 7th.

AKKutz

M7 is taking some to used to. My brain thinks 4 spd in an American performance car. Last manual was a 6sp Acura.


I do use 7 on the highways, why not you got the gear! But
I have to rethink shifting, train the brain so to speak. Use third like second, fourth for third and fifth for fourth around town.

UsernameProtected

I usually shift 1 3 5, unless I'm having (more) fun. On my daily interstate commute, I'll shift into 7th above 60 m.p.h. unless traffic makes iy likely I'll be unable to maintain a steady speed.

BIG Dave

From what I understand, there are only three automobiles available in the USA with a 7 speed manual; Aston Martin Vantage S, Porsche 911 and Corvette C7. Not sure what that means...

OnPoint

Unfortunately it means they are not long for the world. And like the day the NA V8s, V10s and V12s from around the world are snuffed out and replaced by something more efficient, it'll be a sad day for me when the manual trans is no longer available in the Corvette.

So I just decide to have fun in the meantime.

SRQStingray

Over 77mph, I shift into 7th gear on the interstate. OtherwiseI use 6th gear on the interstate.

GOLD72

I don't have an M7 yet but I suspect that I will have been just as happy if GM would have kept the max forward gears at 6 for the manual C7. GM no doubt did it to game the EPA gas mileage protocol test.

JimNeedsC7

Seven available gears are just there to give you more options - there is no requirement that you us all of them, all of the time. The two OD's let GM take credit for good government economy ratings and great ad copy.

I agree with the people that skip the even gears - I just shift according to how aggressively I am driving and the road conditions in all kinds of combinations.

With all of that power and torque it could be a four speed and still be a wonderful car to drive.

vettman96

Yep. At least it's not a CVT.

sTz

I never use the 7th gear in my M7, and seldom use 5th or 6th... As far as I'm concern, I have a 4 speed.

Gonzo

On my 96 Vette back in the day, I changed the ring and pinion to a 4.11 and that really made 6th gear usable on the highway.......it also made the car allot more fun to drive

jrizzuto

I agree with the OP. Had a C5 with 4speed auto. Shifted first time- every time. No hunting of gears, no banging in gear - perfect.
Then I got a C6 with an A6. Sloppy. Hated it
And as if I shouldn't have learned a lesson - now I got a C7 with A8. Another abomination. Needs a new stator.
Yep - I agree.

roadbike56

I had an A4 in the 04 coupe. Thought it was boring. Originally I was going to buy a 2014, A6. After demo driving an M7, I had to have another manual (my 69 was an M4). Have to say, I'm really glad I went with the manual. Yes it's a PITA when stuck in bumper to bumper traffic, but that's the only time I don't completely enjoy the experience.

rcooper

Yes, it is. And to the OP, 7 is to many so you buy one with 8?
Go figure.

L8ter

I needed to move to a different style of driving.
My Doctors (windsurfing buddies of mine) told me about two weeks before I bought the C7, I will be needing a total left hip replacement, but due to a very active life style I should wait as long as possible.
I like to windsurf the North shore of Maui, whenever I get a chance. Once the hip is replaced the extreme sailing is done.
I do miss rowing the gears.
But hey, it's nice to have options.