Manual vs Automatic?
Account disabled by request 1 Mar 2018
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 325
Likes: 79
From: Fredericksburg VA
Last year I got stuck in a world class traffic jam on my way down to the state of Florida to visit my daughter. It was a few days prior to the Fourth of July weekend and the entire length of Route 95 going through the State of South Carolina was a parking lot with LEOs everywhere. I can’t begin to tell you how many 1-2-1 gear and clutch shifts I had made driving over 180 miles of stop-and-go road but it is a number higher than I can count. After the trip I felt like a cripple when I got out of my car and swore I would never make this trip again. I have driven manuals my entire life but I am finally going to purchase my very first automatic this year. Traffic jams are no fun driving a manual and too many roads now-a-days are clogged with miles of traffic.
Another case for buying an automatic trans is that is has to be easier to sell the car with an auto. Chevy’s own sales stats say that now Corvette automatics out sell manual transmissions by 3 to 1. If you think you may possibly sell your car in the future then this is something you may want to take into consideration.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 264
From: Near Charlotte NC
I've never owned an auto ( wife does) and for me part of the fun of driving is shifting.
Sure,the A8 is quicker because no one can shift that fast.
To make the auto more fun,try the manual mode & learn to be a "left foot braker".Many of us who came up thru kart racing do this naturally when driving an auto.
\db2
Sure,the A8 is quicker because no one can shift that fast.
To make the auto more fun,try the manual mode & learn to be a "left foot braker".Many of us who came up thru kart racing do this naturally when driving an auto.
\db2
Racer
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 274
Likes: 86
From: Calgary
No offense, but rush hour in Calgary is nothing like rush hour in NYC, LA or Chicago. At least in the urban NYC area, it can take an hour to go 3-4 miles (except cross-town in Manhattan, where it take 90 minutes to go 1.5 miles) - it is literally a crawl - so you are constantly riding the clutch and shifting in an out of first gear. There are some trips where you might see 2nd gear a half a dozen times in an hour (never 3-7)
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 36,838
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From: Manassas Park VA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08,-'13-'14, '16-'17
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45,265
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From: Rochester, NY
I test drove both before placing my order. It was not even close got the M7. Bought my Vette for the times I am not in traffic and that is when the M7 puts a smile on your face with rev match and no lift shift wow.
But if you want your Wife to drive it and you like playing with the paddles get the auto.
But if you want your Wife to drive it and you like playing with the paddles get the auto.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 955
From: Central Commiefornia
It's a personal choice, and mine is manual without question, as it requires more skill to drive the car well.
I have had 11 cars, only 2 were A/T, and those were decades ago...
The A/T on paper is faster in a drag race, but there's real satisfaction in beating an opponent by making flawless power shifts..
For the C7 -
Rev matching is a real plus in stop 'n' go traffic - I was agnostic about it till I used it in traffic and became a fan. The default position is OFF, so I can keep my rev matching skills sharp by not activating it.
The clutch forces in the C7 are very tolerable, but the engagement location/feedback is a bit mushy and has a learning curve
Finally, consider the MT as an additional security feature, as many car thieves can't drive a manual transmission
I have had 11 cars, only 2 were A/T, and those were decades ago...
The A/T on paper is faster in a drag race, but there's real satisfaction in beating an opponent by making flawless power shifts..
For the C7 -
Rev matching is a real plus in stop 'n' go traffic - I was agnostic about it till I used it in traffic and became a fan. The default position is OFF, so I can keep my rev matching skills sharp by not activating it.
The clutch forces in the C7 are very tolerable, but the engagement location/feedback is a bit mushy and has a learning curve
Finally, consider the MT as an additional security feature, as many car thieves can't drive a manual transmission
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 4,980
Likes: 3,826
From: Bainbridge Island WA
One thing not mentioned in these discussions is that manuals are a dying breed. Tadge has said, "Enjoy them while you can." He suggests that at a certain point the factories will close. IIRC Corvette manual sales are less than 20%. If you count cars sold in the US, it's a whopping 4%. Pickup drivers have already discovered it is almost impossible to buy a manual pickup. Some stripped down "work trucks" still have them, but you won't easily find them on dealer lots. Now that autos get better mpg (it used to be the opposite) it's just a matter of time. Rumor has it that the C8 ME will be a DCT exclusively, so you won't have a choice. So the point is if you think you want a manual, you'd better do it now.
Just added up my own count. If you count the six bikes, it's 17-6 Manual vs auto.
Just added up my own count. If you count the six bikes, it's 17-6 Manual vs auto.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,449
Likes: 770
This makes total sense. I have owned 11 Vettes, all manuals. I live in L.A., the US capital of traffic. The Corvette is a true sports car, and, FOR ME, a sports car needs to have, what Jeremy Clarkson calls, "a proper manual gearbox." I never tire of using 3 pedals and my right hand.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,345
Likes: 2,399
One thing not mentioned in these discussions is that manuals are a dying breed. Tadge has said, "Enjoy them while you can." He suggests that at a certain point the factories will close. IIRC Corvette manual sales are less than 20%. If you count cars sold in the US, it's a whopping 4%. Pickup drivers have already discovered it is almost impossible to buy a manual pickup. Some stripped down "work trucks" still have them, but you won't easily find them on dealer lots. Now that autos get better mpg (it used to be the opposite) it's just a matter of time. Rumor has it that the C8 ME will be a DCT exclusively, so you won't have a choice. So the point is if you think you want a manual, you'd better do it now.
Just added up my own count. If you count the six bikes, it's 17-6 Manual vs auto.
Just added up my own count. If you count the six bikes, it's 17-6 Manual vs auto.
Big difference between the auto and a DCT. Had it been offered in the C7 I'd have gotten one. However the M7 was the best option for me. The OP needs to drive both to make a decision. Just depends on driving style and traffic. I deal with traffic but as long as I keep my distance I have no problem going 7mph in slow traffic.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 4,980
Likes: 3,826
From: Bainbridge Island WA
Big difference between the auto and a DCT. Had it been offered in the C7 I'd have gotten one. However the M7 was the best option for me. The OP needs to drive both to make a decision. Just depends on driving style and traffic. I deal with traffic but as long as I keep my distance I have no problem going 7mph in slow traffic.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,345
Likes: 2,399
The POINT of my post was that manuals are GOING AWAY and if you want one, you'd better do it now or forever hold your peace. OF COURSE you have to assess your own needs. That's patently obvious. But if you wait too long, you will not need to assess anything because you won't have a choice.
Gotcha. Yes unfortunately I believe you are correct :-(
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,617
Likes: 149
From: Anaheim California
I test drove both before placing my order. It was not even close got the M7. Bought my Vette for the times I am not in traffic and that is when the M7 puts a smile on your face with rev match and no lift shift wow.
But if you want your Wife to drive it and you like playing with the paddles get the auto.
But if you want your Wife to drive it and you like playing with the paddles get the auto.
Last edited by jtranger; Jan 11, 2018 at 03:07 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 997
Likes: 210
From: Schaumburg IL
Just drove a 14 2lt Z51 manual, very nice. I went to our local high end car dealership and he just got this in and is looking to sell it to me for $47,500.00. I can buy a 17 2lt for $55,100.00 so I have some thinking to do the 14 only has 2,000.00 miles.
I like the rev match it is a very easy manual to drive.
Jack
Enough slacking off I have work to do.
I like the rev match it is a very easy manual to drive.
Jack
Enough slacking off I have work to do.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 997
Likes: 210
From: Schaumburg IL
Pro
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 636
Likes: 134
Avoid the dreaded "my transmission is shuddering" problem and having to schedule dealership visits to have the transmission "flushed" to supposedly stop the problem and get a manual transmission. Nothing is guaranteed or bullet proof, but this forum is rich with threads about the auto failing, fewer about the manual failing. I wished it wasn't the case, I wanted a auto for drag racing. Not after reading all of the transmission/convertor issues though, I got the manual. It's alotta fun and it may be a bit slower in the 1/8 or 1/4 mile but, less stress about possible issues showing up.
