8 speed
01-03-2018, 04:25 PM
#21
Pro
Sounds like you are in my situation. Had a 50th Anniv with manual trans but due to leg/knee problems could not depress clutch. Both a C7 Z with auto and love it. Knees feel great after long drive now.
01-03-2018, 05:02 PM
#22
Burning Brakes
My base 2LT is a M7. I was actually looking to get the A8 but couldn’t find one in the color/package I wanted so I went with the M7 that I got at an amazing price. All my prior sports cars were manuals (S2000, NSX, MX-5, Mustang GT) but I decided I wanted an auto in the C7 since I knew I wouldn’t be able to skillfully handle so much power consistently and I just wanted to be a bit lazier and enjoy driving instead of being focused on shifting, which is fun in its own right but it does get tiring. I wouldn’t say I regret the M7 but I do sometimes miss the convenience and ease of just flooring it whenever. If I ever do get a Z06 it definitely be an A8.
01-03-2018, 05:32 PM
#23
I am 120 miles downstate from you but as cold as it is now it seems like it could be a long time until it warms up. But then again we may get a nice heatwave in late January
Rodger WQ9E
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01-03-2018, 06:43 PM
#24
My thoughts, The computer controlled A8 is FASTER than a human.
It is easy , on Hills when some *** is 2" behind you going UPHILL at a light.
It is easy when you have your AM cup of Joe or a PM beverage, no more SPILLS.
It will have a better Re-sale value due to the aging population 3-15 years from now.
So what if the EPA gas mileage is less by 1-2 miles with a M7, we bought a VETTE didn't we!
But. yeah I do Miss the reving it up when ever I wanted, moving or mot.
It is easy , on Hills when some *** is 2" behind you going UPHILL at a light.
It is easy when you have your AM cup of Joe or a PM beverage, no more SPILLS.
It will have a better Re-sale value due to the aging population 3-15 years from now.
So what if the EPA gas mileage is less by 1-2 miles with a M7, we bought a VETTE didn't we!
But. yeah I do Miss the reving it up when ever I wanted, moving or mot.
01-03-2018, 08:33 PM
#25
BTW - I've always been pro manual as well, but absolutely love the flexibility of the A8. Also love the way it bangs the gears at WOT with it in D.
01-03-2018, 10:01 PM
#26
Melting Slicks
Mine is a 2015... Pretty much no major issues with the car from the PO. I had the Vin checked by my local dealer.
A week after buying the car I noticed the mild shake(minimal shutter). The PO probably traded for a Lexus because the full warranty had just expired days before I bought the car.
I went with the tech while he diagnosed the car. He hooked up to the OBD2 port with a laptop and a sensor hooked to the seat and off we went. We drove about forty miles on a smooth mountainous four lane.
He could tell what was the torque converter and what was tires. The graph was impressive.
Needless to say after the TC was flushed I went to Discount Tire and had them road force all four tires.
The car is very smooth now.
I used to do the AFT in my C6 every 30K it was easy. I am pretty sure the C7 A8 is like my last Cadillac. So it won't be as easy as the C6 but less painful than going back to the dealer in another 30K.
Reading the Tech notes on the newest/current service bulletin, I think it is key to make sure the filter is replaced and the pan and magnet are well cleaned.
They no longer do the triple flush and it is very difficult to get the TC replaced like they did just a year ago.
They drop the pan, replace the filter, clean up the pan and magnet, put everything back together, fill the AT. Then drive with a laptop connected.
Everything should be fine after 200+ miles are on the car.
I was told Shell made the original ATF and it was missing something. They reformulated and now Mobil makes it. I don't know how true that is, but I do know the tech who worked on my car has replaced six TC's prior to GMs new solution. He has not had a car come back since they started just changing fluids.
I live in a town with a lot of old guys who own Corvettes.
A week after buying the car I noticed the mild shake(minimal shutter). The PO probably traded for a Lexus because the full warranty had just expired days before I bought the car.
I went with the tech while he diagnosed the car. He hooked up to the OBD2 port with a laptop and a sensor hooked to the seat and off we went. We drove about forty miles on a smooth mountainous four lane.
He could tell what was the torque converter and what was tires. The graph was impressive.
Needless to say after the TC was flushed I went to Discount Tire and had them road force all four tires.
The car is very smooth now.
I used to do the AFT in my C6 every 30K it was easy. I am pretty sure the C7 A8 is like my last Cadillac. So it won't be as easy as the C6 but less painful than going back to the dealer in another 30K.
Reading the Tech notes on the newest/current service bulletin, I think it is key to make sure the filter is replaced and the pan and magnet are well cleaned.
They no longer do the triple flush and it is very difficult to get the TC replaced like they did just a year ago.
They drop the pan, replace the filter, clean up the pan and magnet, put everything back together, fill the AT. Then drive with a laptop connected.
Everything should be fine after 200+ miles are on the car.
I was told Shell made the original ATF and it was missing something. They reformulated and now Mobil makes it. I don't know how true that is, but I do know the tech who worked on my car has replaced six TC's prior to GMs new solution. He has not had a car come back since they started just changing fluids.
I live in a town with a lot of old guys who own Corvettes.
Last edited by MikeERWNC; 01-04-2018 at 07:10 AM.
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01-04-2018, 02:56 AM
#27
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Apr 2001
Location: Ex-SF Bay Area; now happily Denver area
Posts: 8,133
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My friend has a manual C7 Z51 and after driving mine from Idaho to California is now looking at getting a Z06 auto.
01-04-2018, 01:40 PM
#28
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
I pulled the trigger today on 17 Z51 A8. Race yellow and will post pics later. I like to shift but I have a 8sp in a Grand Cherokee SRT and it is a flawless gear bagging tranny. Hope its the same and was thinking as my 61 year body is changing the auto would be better long term.
01-04-2018, 02:05 PM
#29
Drifting
I have had both autos and manuals. had an 88 with auto, 96 manual, 08 with auto, and now a 15 with a manual. I love manuals and even though I am a little older its not to hard on me yet. My 15 was the color combination we wanted. The clutch effort in the 15 seems much easier than the 96. 
01-06-2018, 12:50 PM
#30
Burning Brakes
I pulled the trigger today on 17 Z51 A8. Race yellow and will post pics later. I like to shift but I have a 8sp in a Grand Cherokee SRT and it is a flawless gear bagging tranny. Hope its the same and was thinking as my 61 year body is changing the auto would be better long term.
Recently debated the same and traded my C6 M6 for a C7 A8 (Z06) and love it. Not many miles yet but wanted the auto due to very heavy traffic on parts of my commute. The M6 was great but got old quick in stop and go. The A8 just goes!
Allen
01-06-2018, 02:45 PM
#31
Melting Slicks
I just did 100 miles of twisties in the mountains today with the paddles and another 100 of straight slab... I love the A8.
I put my wife behind the wheel, I saw her smile!
I put my wife behind the wheel, I saw her smile!
01-06-2018, 08:57 PM
#33
Instructor
[QUOTE=Skippydoo;1596325826]All my past vettes, camaros, 350z have all been manual. My new GS is coming with an A8. Looking forward to the change.[/QUOTE
Ditto. Mazda, VW, Alfa Romeos (2), Mustangs (2) all manual over past 30 years. Looking forward to the A8 as traffic as outweighed the few minutes of fun I have when the road is open.
Ditto. Mazda, VW, Alfa Romeos (2), Mustangs (2) all manual over past 30 years. Looking forward to the A8 as traffic as outweighed the few minutes of fun I have when the road is open.
01-07-2018, 02:45 PM
#34
Safety Car
After owning 12 Corvettes with manual transmissions and driving a '16 Camaro SS w/8spd during a dealer trade (I drove for the dealership) I knew I wanted the A8 and that is what I bought. Never drove the 7 spd. and don't regret my decision at all. The A8 is a great transmission for all types of driving. You need to test drive one to see if it's for you.
01-07-2018, 03:57 PM
#35
Team Owner
I have been buying the manuals for years. All the previous Z06's and ZR1's were manuals.
Both are great and it is a hard choice. So hard I went ahead and bought a second Z06 this time an A8. My M7 and A8 are two different cars.
The A8 is better for dead start runs. The M7 is better for rolling runs.
My M7 has 2 inch AR jethot coated headers, Halltech intake and PTB and tune and comp sets and a DSC controller.
More sports car than my A8. But the A8 is the more luxury feel dinner date car.
The 8 speed is very sweet and not grampa's old automatic.
Both are great and it is a hard choice. So hard I went ahead and bought a second Z06 this time an A8. My M7 and A8 are two different cars.
The A8 is better for dead start runs. The M7 is better for rolling runs.
My M7 has 2 inch AR jethot coated headers, Halltech intake and PTB and tune and comp sets and a DSC controller.
More sports car than my A8. But the A8 is the more luxury feel dinner date car.
The 8 speed is very sweet and not grampa's old automatic.
01-07-2018, 05:36 PM
#36
My thoughts, The computer controlled A8 is FASTER than a human.
It is easy , on Hills when some *** is 2" behind you going UPHILL at a light.
It is easy when you have your AM cup of Joe or a PM beverage, no more SPILLS.
It will have a better Re-sale value due to the aging population 3-15 years from now.
So what if the EPA gas mileage is less by 1-2 miles with a M7, we bought a VETTE didn't we!
But. yeah I do Miss the reving it up when ever I wanted, moving or mot.
It is easy , on Hills when some *** is 2" behind you going UPHILL at a light.
It is easy when you have your AM cup of Joe or a PM beverage, no more SPILLS.
It will have a better Re-sale value due to the aging population 3-15 years from now.
So what if the EPA gas mileage is less by 1-2 miles with a M7, we bought a VETTE didn't we!
But. yeah I do Miss the reving it up when ever I wanted, moving or mot.
M7 is the easiest manual I've ever had. The hill assist will keep the worst drivers from rolling back. It's also great to keep you alert and from dosing off behind the wheel ;-)
01-07-2018, 06:52 PM
#38
Melting Slicks
I had an A8 and now have M7. I like both. It is a hard choice because the A8 is still fun and more convenient for everyday driving.
01-07-2018, 09:54 PM
#39
01-07-2018, 10:22 PM
#40
Le Mans Master
For those of you who had a 7m tranny and went to the new 8sp auto in C7, do you wish that you still had the manual. Im looking at a new C7 and have had the 7sp but looking at the auto. As I age looking at whether the auto would be better long term choice. Does the 8 speed still give that grin when driving and bang off the gears in paddle mode.
1965 4spd - really fun
2006 automatic- was really good
2007 Z06 - Manual was really fun
2013 Z06 Manual was really fun
2016 Z51- Automatic- I really like an automatic, but had dreaded TC problem at 900miles
Overall I like the concept of the A8( auto/manual) I have not convinced myself the transmission is shifting right? still some hard shifts and down shifts? Will test another A8 to see if its me or the transmission