C7 Manual/Stick in Traffic jams??
10-20-2017, 11:57 AM
#21
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2001
Location: Athens AL
Posts: 59,654
Received 1,401 Likes
on
1,017 Posts
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I'm going with A8 for this reason, Huntsville traffic I have to go through every afternoon.
If i lived further out in the country I'd go stick.
If i lived further out in the country I'd go stick.
10-20-2017, 12:11 PM
#22
Le Mans Master
One advantage about the C7 vs other manuals is the massive amount of torque. You can get the revs down real low to avoid a downshift and the motor has plenty of torque to get you back going.
The following users liked this post:
thrilled (10-20-2017)
10-20-2017, 12:34 PM
#24
I drove a manual for 8 years in long, trafficy commutes. It didn't bother me that much. When I sold that car (a 335i) and bought a PDK Macan, I missed having the manual. Now, I split my duties between a manual GS Vette and the Macan. My commute is now somewhat better - about an hour each way with some periods of heavy traffic. Maybe I'm just getting older, but I wouldn't want the Vette as my only DD. The stick is not ideal in traffic, and the car is relatively loud and difficult to get into. The Macan with a PDK is a far better commuter. But... I love driving the Vette maybe two days a week, and on the weekends. I just wouldn't want it 100% of the time.
10-20-2017, 12:41 PM
#25
Team Owner
My M7 had a horrible off idle bog that you would need to feather the gas starting out to keep the RPM's up. It sucked! I added the MAMO PTB and it cleaned it up and it drives much better. 
10-20-2017, 12:42 PM
#26
Drifting
My answer is always the same whenever someone asks auto/manual; "If you have to ask, go auto."
That may sound contrite, but typically is pretty good advice. Every Corvette I have owned has been a manual. I can't imagine owning a sports car with an automatic transmission. So the question never even comes up. My guess is since you are pondering the question, you may not feel as strongly about a manual, and may be happier with an Auto? Especially if you have a lot of traffic in your daily commute.
That may sound contrite, but typically is pretty good advice. Every Corvette I have owned has been a manual. I can't imagine owning a sports car with an automatic transmission. So the question never even comes up. My guess is since you are pondering the question, you may not feel as strongly about a manual, and may be happier with an Auto? Especially if you have a lot of traffic in your daily commute.
The following 3 users liked this post by drs:
The following users liked this post:
Skid Row Joe (10-22-2017)
10-20-2017, 12:48 PM
#28
My answer is always the same whenever someone asks auto/manual; "If you have to ask, go auto."
That may sound contrite, but typically is pretty good advice. Every Corvette I have owned has been a manual. I can't imagine owning a sports car with an automatic transmission. So the question never even comes up. My guess is since you are pondering the question, you may not feel as strongly about a manual, and may be happier with an Auto? Especially if you have a lot of traffic in your daily commute.
That may sound contrite, but typically is pretty good advice. Every Corvette I have owned has been a manual. I can't imagine owning a sports car with an automatic transmission. So the question never even comes up. My guess is since you are pondering the question, you may not feel as strongly about a manual, and may be happier with an Auto? Especially if you have a lot of traffic in your daily commute.
10-20-2017, 01:19 PM
#29
Melting Slicks
Definitely preference but traffic does not bother me at all in my M7. I would give this one advise though...test drive both the auto and manual C7. Of course you know what an auto feels like and you know what the manual feels like in other cars or maybe a past C6, C5, etc...It took me 10 minutes at a dealership and I INSTANTLY knew I had to remain with a manual. I am so glad I did. I first test drove the auto and was bored but as soon as they pulled out the manual, a few blocks down the street - I knew it. It was like a light bulb come on. Maybe the same light bulb will flicker on for you - whether manual or auto...good luck
10-20-2017, 01:29 PM
#30
Burning Brakes
My answer is always the same whenever someone asks auto/manual; "If you have to ask, go auto."
That may sound contrite, but typically is pretty good advice. Every Corvette I have owned has been a manual. I can't imagine owning a sports car with an automatic transmission. So the question never even comes up. My guess is since you are pondering the question, you may not feel as strongly about a manual, and may be happier with an Auto? Especially if you have a lot of traffic in your daily commute.
That may sound contrite, but typically is pretty good advice. Every Corvette I have owned has been a manual. I can't imagine owning a sports car with an automatic transmission. So the question never even comes up. My guess is since you are pondering the question, you may not feel as strongly about a manual, and may be happier with an Auto? Especially if you have a lot of traffic in your daily commute.
Bottom line, I did second guess myself, and considered an auto. I've driven my 2016 7M for 14000 miles now, and I cannot imagine a better car to spend those 2 hrs a day in.
10-20-2017, 01:31 PM
#31
Go Canes!
I'd say like all manuals in traffic.....PITA. It just comes down to your tolerance for it and how frequently you have to deal with it. For me it's a rare occurrence so the M7 was a no brainer and zero regrets. If I was in stop and go traffic regularly I'd have either done the auto or make sure I had a daily driver for that.
It is a pain in traffic jams. I was going from Miami to Boca Raton yesterday and there was an overturned tractor/trailer on the highway. It took me an hour an a half to pass.
I was in my truck but I would be pissed if I was in the Vette.
10-20-2017, 03:18 PM
#32
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Jan 2017
Location: Saint Clair Shores Michigan
Posts: 767
Received 218 Likes
on
153 Posts
The small benefit in my situation is that my M7/C7 isn't a daily driver, so I have less "risk"...but we all know it's unavoidable. When it happens, I just deal with it, which I did the very day I drove home from the lot. Dealing with traffic comes with a certain level of patience, and I think we can all attest to that. Kudos to those who can deal with places like San Francisco, where you have traffic and angled terrain.
10-20-2017, 03:24 PM
#33
Team Owner
Get the one that is going to give you the most enjoyment driving your Vette when not in traffic. Stuck in traffic is a PITA no matter what transmission you have. Why compromise your choice for 1 small part of the day.
10-20-2017, 03:43 PM
#34
Drifting
Been driving a stick in traffic for years. Jeeps, Vettes, etc.
I'm 63 and lived in NYC until 2 years ago. When I traded in my 2016 (M7) last week, in NH, I was stuck in bumper to bumper traffic for 2 hours. Didn't bother me. Still rather drive a stick than an auto.
I'm 63 and lived in NYC until 2 years ago. When I traded in my 2016 (M7) last week, in NH, I was stuck in bumper to bumper traffic for 2 hours. Didn't bother me. Still rather drive a stick than an auto.
10-20-2017, 03:47 PM
#35
Pro
This is an individual tolerance thing. I drove manuals in Washington DC traffic for 8 years (which is either the worst in the country or top 3 every year) and it never bothered me. In fact at one point I bought an automatic and drove it 6 months and traded the car in quickly for another manual.
But that is me. It's comes down to what you can tolerate.
But that is me. It's comes down to what you can tolerate.
10-20-2017, 03:49 PM
#36
Drifting
10-20-2017, 03:57 PM
#37
There are advantages to the manual, besides being more fun and engaging: (1) it's very easy to drive it in a way to avoid the 1-4 shift. Just move your 1-2 shift RFM a bit higher, (2) driving in T or S (or Tr), it won't engage the V4 cylinder deactivation. I'm not sure that's so easy to do with an auto, and (3), it's a good stick, and more reliable than an auto.
10-22-2017, 08:13 PM
#38
Race Director
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: Bonneville Salt Flats, 223mph Aug. '04
Posts: 17,427
Received 5,216 Likes
on
3,459 Posts
What do you think some of us did before automatics? Deal with it... and, enjoy!!!
The following users liked this post:
dvilin (10-22-2017)
10-22-2017, 09:15 PM
#40
The manual will drive you crazy in traffic jams. You're much better off with an automatic trans. in DFW.