C7 Vette Automatic or Manual
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 239
Likes: 12
From: Rancho Cucamonga California
I've had 2 M7s and one A8. My current one being the A8. I beat both M7s pretty good and they held up very well. Clutch was smooth, grabbed quickly, trans was like butter, overall best manual I've driven. I drove it on a 3 hour drive and it was great. Drove them in 2 hour traffic and wasn't bad at all.
Now that I have the A8, I absolutely love it. Holds power well and puts it down well also. Shifts really quick. Fuel consumption is about the same. Obviously much more comfortable and overall way better imho. Only two things I miss are having more "control" of the car if you will, and being loud and obnoxious with my Corsa Extreme when downshifting, backing up, inching up, etc lol.
At the end of the day it is your decision, drive both and whichever you feel better with is the way to go.
Now that I have the A8, I absolutely love it. Holds power well and puts it down well also. Shifts really quick. Fuel consumption is about the same. Obviously much more comfortable and overall way better imho. Only two things I miss are having more "control" of the car if you will, and being loud and obnoxious with my Corsa Extreme when downshifting, backing up, inching up, etc lol.
At the end of the day it is your decision, drive both and whichever you feel better with is the way to go.
Last edited by IELAC7; Aug 23, 2016 at 11:04 PM. Reason: words
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 169
From: SE VA VA
If not, you may spend a whole lot of time second guessing your purchase, and not as happy with it as you thought you would be....
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2012
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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IMO, just get what you really want. No one but you can make that decision. Either way, the car will be a blast to drive.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 850
Likes: 415
I went with the auto because I felt it better suited my planned long cruises. I have shifted through a lot of gears in my life and figured it was time to give the left leg and right arm a break. The A6 in my 2014 has been flawless.
I never second guessed the choice until I drove a friend's M7. The clutch is effortless and very natural. The shifter is natural and intuitive as well, even with all those extra notches to stick it in, and is smooth enough that my bum shoulder doesn't notice.
If I were to trade up, which is increasingly possible, I will go with the manual. If the A8 did not have such a bad rep I'd have to think about it, but as it is I would get the M7. That being said, if I find myself still wanting an auto when the papers are signed I would not worry much about the A8.
That's a lot of help, huh?
The suggestion to drive them both before you make up your mind is very good advice.
Best of luck! You can't go wrong either way.
I never second guessed the choice until I drove a friend's M7. The clutch is effortless and very natural. The shifter is natural and intuitive as well, even with all those extra notches to stick it in, and is smooth enough that my bum shoulder doesn't notice.
If I were to trade up, which is increasingly possible, I will go with the manual. If the A8 did not have such a bad rep I'd have to think about it, but as it is I would get the M7. That being said, if I find myself still wanting an auto when the papers are signed I would not worry much about the A8.
That's a lot of help, huh?
The suggestion to drive them both before you make up your mind is very good advice.
Best of luck! You can't go wrong either way.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,800
Likes: 2,653
From: Down south in Dixie
Although I went with the A8 because I've had enough of changing gears in my lifetime, I can't disagree that the manuals are more fun.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 35,018
Likes: 12,401
From: NE South Carolina
In my case I have had a manual on every daily driver for over 50 years. However although good at heel-toe at higher rpm's I find the C7 Rev Match is terrific for every day driving. I use it 98% of the time. When cruising in 5th at 50 mph and making a turn, I shift directly to 3rd and Rev Match makes it a perfectly smooth transition. Best thing that happen to a standard trans since syncros IMO!
With a standard shift you don't have the car switching to 4 cylinder mode unless you want that, then put it in ECO. I am in Sport 95% of the time and in 3 years used ECO 2 or 3 times to check mpg! Not worth it. With an automatic you have to shift with the paddles to avoid it going into 4 cylinder mode! Would be a real PIA for me. The wife's SUV trans can be operated manually but not worth the effort except occationally. Would not want to have to use it to keep out of 4 cylinder mode.
Last, not so obvious unlike the lower price is it's more reliable. Lots of posts about the A8, you can search. I would not buy a Vette with an automatic, but that is my personal preference.
FWIW
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,446
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From: Tarpon Springs FL
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Actually, there won't be according to Car & Driver. The Mid Engine will debut as a separate model in 2017 as a 2018 model and sell along with the C7 Stingrays. By 2020 or 21 the Mid Engine will be the ONLY Vette available as a C8 It will be like the current Vette with different trim levels and engines.
no problems with my A8 
Racer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 380
Likes: 10
I will make it simply for you...get the M7. There are more people having issues with the A8 on this forum than I can count, and most people that haven't experienced any issues with the A8 don't have very many miles on their car.
Sure, some have a decent amount of miles on the A8 without any issues, but many have also experienced the common A8 problems, such as hard down shifts, overheating and the list goes on with A8 issues. The M7 will be much more reliable and trouble free. I have always had issues with GM automatic transmissions (i.e. junk 700R4 & the 4L60E), and sadly the A8 is no exception.
Sure, some have a decent amount of miles on the A8 without any issues, but many have also experienced the common A8 problems, such as hard down shifts, overheating and the list goes on with A8 issues. The M7 will be much more reliable and trouble free. I have always had issues with GM automatic transmissions (i.e. junk 700R4 & the 4L60E), and sadly the A8 is no exception.
Last edited by cg02175; Aug 24, 2016 at 05:42 PM.
