A8 VS A6 automatic transmission
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 793
Likes: 142
From: Texas
A8 VS A6 automatic transmission
Hi Guys,
I'm undecided between going for a '14 A6 or after a '16 A8 Corvette Z51. I know that many would suggest the M7 transmission but it's out of the equation since my wife wants an automatic one. Apparently the A6 is a more trusted transmission but from what I read it overheats at the track but the A8 has many issues and is like playing a roulette to see if you got the right one. I also don't want to expend down time with the car at the shop. Which one is also better performance whise with faster and more accurate shifting, better times, etc?
I'm undecided between going for a '14 A6 or after a '16 A8 Corvette Z51. I know that many would suggest the M7 transmission but it's out of the equation since my wife wants an automatic one. Apparently the A6 is a more trusted transmission but from what I read it overheats at the track but the A8 has many issues and is like playing a roulette to see if you got the right one. I also don't want to expend down time with the car at the shop. Which one is also better performance whise with faster and more accurate shifting, better times, etc?
Last edited by 911Hunter; Jul 31, 2017 at 07:56 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 15,061
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From: Holly Springs NC
St. Jude Donor '16-'17,'22,'24
The A8 is the superior performance transmission. The A6 has had fewer issues that require shop time.
If you buy an A8, I'd get an extended warranty from GM that includes the Torque Convertor.
If you buy an A8, I'd get an extended warranty from GM that includes the Torque Convertor.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 204
Likes: 61
From: Clinton Twp Mich
Hi Guys,
I'm undecided between going for a '14 A6 or after a '16 A8 Corvette Z51. I know that many would suggest the M7 transmission but it's out of the equation since my wife wants an automatic one. Apparently the A6 is a more trusted transmission but from what I read it overheats at the track but the A8 has many issues and is like playing a roulette to see if you got the right one. I also don't want to expend down time with the car at the shop. Which one is also better performance whise with faster and more accurate shifting, better times, etc?
I'm undecided between going for a '14 A6 or after a '16 A8 Corvette Z51. I know that many would suggest the M7 transmission but it's out of the equation since my wife wants an automatic one. Apparently the A6 is a more trusted transmission but from what I read it overheats at the track but the A8 has many issues and is like playing a roulette to see if you got the right one. I also don't want to expend down time with the car at the shop. Which one is also better performance whise with faster and more accurate shifting, better times, etc?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 5,363
Likes: 4,108
From: New England
I think you have answered your own question. You need to decide between reliability and performance. The 16 is also a newer car with additional features like Apple Carplay/Android Audio, flat steering wheel, etc.
As others said I think getting the extended warranty through GM is also a must if you get the A8 as the problems seem to happen randomly.
As others said I think getting the extended warranty through GM is also a must if you get the A8 as the problems seem to happen randomly.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,195
Likes: 479
From: Bonita Springs Florida
If I were shopping for a C7, I'd look at a 2014. Less expensive to purchase and the A6 is a better operating transmission than the A8. You are unlikely to have any issues with the A6 and the car will still be plenty fast.
W/ a used 2015 or later, you may be buying a car w/ a transmission issue that the original owner dumped (or not). The A8 has has issues across the GM line (not every A8 transmission, but certainly enough to make me leery of buying one). Knowing that going in, I'd be shopping for a 2014.
While the A8 may be marginally faster in a race (will you be primarily be racing this car?), the difference will hardly be noticeable unless you are measuring two identical cars w/ the different transmissions against a clock, and then human error or reaction will likely have more of an impact than the actual transmissions.
Just my perspective as a 2015 A8 owner
W/ a used 2015 or later, you may be buying a car w/ a transmission issue that the original owner dumped (or not). The A8 has has issues across the GM line (not every A8 transmission, but certainly enough to make me leery of buying one). Knowing that going in, I'd be shopping for a 2014.
While the A8 may be marginally faster in a race (will you be primarily be racing this car?), the difference will hardly be noticeable unless you are measuring two identical cars w/ the different transmissions against a clock, and then human error or reaction will likely have more of an impact than the actual transmissions.
Just my perspective as a 2015 A8 owner
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 5,363
Likes: 4,108
From: New England
If I were shopping for a C7, I'd look at a 2014. Less expensive to purchase and the A6 is a better operating transmission than the A8. You are unlikely to have any issues with the A6 and the car will still be plenty fast.
W/ a used 2015 or later, you may be buying a car w/ a transmission issue that the original owner dumped (or not). The A8 has has issues across the GM line (not every A8 transmission, but certainly enough to make me leery of buying one). Knowing that going in, I'd be shopping for a 2014.
While the A8 may be marginally faster in a race (will you be primarily be racing this car?), the difference will hardly be noticeable unless you are measuring two identical cars w/ the different transmissions against a clock, and then human error or reaction will likely have more of an impact than the actual transmissions.
Just my perspective as a 2015 A8 owner
W/ a used 2015 or later, you may be buying a car w/ a transmission issue that the original owner dumped (or not). The A8 has has issues across the GM line (not every A8 transmission, but certainly enough to make me leery of buying one). Knowing that going in, I'd be shopping for a 2014.
While the A8 may be marginally faster in a race (will you be primarily be racing this car?), the difference will hardly be noticeable unless you are measuring two identical cars w/ the different transmissions against a clock, and then human error or reaction will likely have more of an impact than the actual transmissions.
Just my perspective as a 2015 A8 owner
Last edited by thill444; Jul 31, 2017 at 11:31 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Plymouth Massachusetts
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C7 of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified
Go for the 2014 A6 unless you go at least a 2017 A8 JMHO! Good luck!
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 793
Likes: 142
From: Texas
If I were shopping for a C7, I'd look at a 2014. Less expensive to purchase and the A6 is a better operating transmission than the A8. You are unlikely to have any issues with the A6 and the car will still be plenty fast.
W/ a used 2015 or later, you may be buying a car w/ a transmission issue that the original owner dumped (or not). The A8 has has issues across the GM line (not every A8 transmission, but certainly enough to make me leery of buying one). Knowing that going in, I'd be shopping for a 2014.
While the A8 may be marginally faster in a race (will you be primarily be racing this car?), the difference will hardly be noticeable unless you are measuring two identical cars w/ the different transmissions against a clock, and then human error or reaction will likely have more of an impact than the actual transmissions.
Just my perspective as a 2015 A8 owner
W/ a used 2015 or later, you may be buying a car w/ a transmission issue that the original owner dumped (or not). The A8 has has issues across the GM line (not every A8 transmission, but certainly enough to make me leery of buying one). Knowing that going in, I'd be shopping for a 2014.
While the A8 may be marginally faster in a race (will you be primarily be racing this car?), the difference will hardly be noticeable unless you are measuring two identical cars w/ the different transmissions against a clock, and then human error or reaction will likely have more of an impact than the actual transmissions.
Just my perspective as a 2015 A8 owner
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 793
Likes: 142
From: Texas
Yes I have read about the A10, almost perfect transmission, luckily GM extends it to Corvette as well of the rest of the Camaro fleet, not just the ZL1. Ford announced that already is steeping forward with the A10 for the new '18 Mustang.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 793
Likes: 142
From: Texas
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,195
Likes: 479
From: Bonita Springs Florida
Just because a used A8 is on the market does not mean the owner dumped it due to transmission issues. You can pull the service history on the car to check, but there are lots of people on this forum that constantly update their perfectly functioning Corvette every 1-3 years just because. Many of them very low mileage and the owner simply has the money to constantly buy and sell to get into a newer model.
I'd further wager a fair number wouldn't even try for a fix (knowing the varied success rates). Some because the fix doesn't always work or didn't want the hassle of a new TC, triple flush, or a whatever GM recommends at the time.
Additionally there were those owners that were un-informed about the fixes and were told by their dealer that it was normal......so rather than live with it, they traded for something else.
Just saying a clean service record doesn't always mean a issue free car....or as you mentioned, a low miles trade, perhaps the issue has occurred yet.
Being an owner of a 2015 A8, just suggesting to the OP what I'd do if I were shopping for a used C7.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,854
Likes: 535
I have an A6 and love it, but I'd never buy an A8. The way I look at it, why take the risk.
Last edited by RedC7AZ; Aug 1, 2017 at 01:39 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 8,729
Likes: 1,508
From: Redmond WA
Get a Z, then you don't have to worry about the transmission (they only seem to have issues in the Stingray).
I'm not sure why others have excluded the 2016 - I have a 2015 A8Z and that's the only year I'd skip because it doesn't have Carplay or front cameras... but I think they had them for 2016.
I'm not sure why others have excluded the 2016 - I have a 2015 A8Z and that's the only year I'd skip because it doesn't have Carplay or front cameras... but I think they had them for 2016.