Manual vs Automatic?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,345
Likes: 2,399
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 20,933
Likes: 905
From: salem OR
the DSC.
We have an inch of rain today Still wet out so I'm waiting for the nice weather this weekend to check it out more very promising so far.
The MGW has been great I have just 1 missed shift with this car and that was poor clutch work
so not bad! 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 793
Likes: 142
From: Texas
My A6 automatic transmission has been a great transmission, but yes I miss driving with the stick, there's more driving involvement while driving a manual transmission
Last edited by 911Hunter; Jan 12, 2018 at 08:02 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 997
Likes: 210
From: Schaumburg IL
Her she is.
Thanks for all the help on this one, the automatic transmission was a nice ride but the manual was a great drive.
Well her she is, 2014 2lt Z51 - I pick her up next week after she gets detailed and I get to drive her 15 miles into storage for a couple more months.
Jack
Well her she is, 2014 2lt Z51 - I pick her up next week after she gets detailed and I get to drive her 15 miles into storage for a couple more months.
Jack
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,096
Likes: 153
From: "Atlanta" Ga.
I have had 3 manual corvettes in the past, but went with the automatic due to the traffic here where I live. As a matter of fact, being my age, almost every car I have owned have been sticks. I really wanted to try an automatic. As much as I love shifting, it's kind of a been there done that for me.
I'll let you all know whether it was a big mistake once I take delivery and drive an automatic sports car for the first time !!
I'll let you all know whether it was a big mistake once I take delivery and drive an automatic sports car for the first time !!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 32,042
Likes: 4,610
Neither ^^^^ is a mistake.
Since over 70% of them now being mfg. are automatics, they're kind of pushed on you. Unless I cannot negotiate the clutch pedal, I'll be driving a stick.
An auto is like giving up to me.
.
Since over 70% of them now being mfg. are automatics, they're kind of pushed on you. Unless I cannot negotiate the clutch pedal, I'll be driving a stick.
An auto is like giving up to me.
.
Last edited by Skid Row Joe; Jan 15, 2018 at 06:01 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,323
Likes: 420
From: Eastern NC
I was too in the same situation at one time. Being as I hadn't had an auto sports car I decieded on the A8. Glad I did as its worked great for me and the paddles are pretty fun. Plus I don't have to deal with the shifting while I'm in traffic. Now when they make the C8 if they will just go do a dual clutch auto it will be awesome.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,345
Likes: 2,399
I was too in the same situation at one time. Being as I hadn't had an auto sports car I decieded on the A8. Glad I did as its worked great for me and the paddles are pretty fun. Plus I don't have to deal with the shifting while I'm in traffic. Now when they make the C8 if they will just go do a dual clutch auto it will be awesome.
I agree. I may give up my M7 for a DCT. Could be a game changer there.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 725
Likes: 235
I drive in completely frustrating traffic for 2-3 hours a day. I used to live further and drive in it 3-4 hours/day. For most of that time I had a MT 335i and I just got used to it. I sold that car and bought a PDK Macan, which is a great car, but I really missed the MT. Then I added a 7MT '17 GS, which I drive to work maybe 2 days/week.
Where I come out now: maybe I'm getting old, but I don't want a MT as my only DD. At the same time, I love driving a MT and don't want to live without one - especially because they probably won't be around in 10 years on any new car. I'm fortunate I can have both.
Where I come out now: maybe I'm getting old, but I don't want a MT as my only DD. At the same time, I love driving a MT and don't want to live without one - especially because they probably won't be around in 10 years on any new car. I'm fortunate I can have both.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 8,711
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From: here
If you understand the concept in a bike you'll learn easily. It's the easiest manual I've ever had. When learned to drive my parents stick shift many years ago I had trouble. My BF told me it was simple and just like my motorcycle. Next time I got in the car it took about 30 seconds and I was all good. Have always enjoyed a manual in my sports cars.
When was a teen had a few minits to learn my brothers older GTO, well I did not have a clue and my brother was waiting to see his girlfriend. Was not a thing learned that day, and a manual trans kind of went off the radar....until now and still a toss up.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,890
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From: Ft. Myers FL
Had a 6 spd C5. Loved the car. It was a rocket! But I blew the clutch and after that my wife kept saying, "You should'a got an automatic." Well, I blew the clutch running in the Corvette Challenge and lost more than 2 out of 3 races to auto's so when I ordered my C6, you got it...I got an A6. My wife said, "That's good because I may have to drive home sometimes." 
She never drove it, not once. But I still ran it over 240 times and my winning percentage went up by at least 50%. Then when I ordered my C7 I realized, the auto's today are maybe not quite as much fun as shifting but are 2 or 3 light years ahead in every other measure. So to use the same excuse people on a horse and buggy used against a "motor car" today is just as lame as it was 100 years ago. Just saying the obvious.
She never drove it, not once. But I still ran it over 240 times and my winning percentage went up by at least 50%. Then when I ordered my C7 I realized, the auto's today are maybe not quite as much fun as shifting but are 2 or 3 light years ahead in every other measure. So to use the same excuse people on a horse and buggy used against a "motor car" today is just as lame as it was 100 years ago. Just saying the obvious.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Jul 2015
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Manual vs Automatic?
I have been looking at 2lt Stingray's and was really thinking Manual transmission, I have a manual in my C3 and I love the feel of it but it is a pain in the *** around Chicago with the stop and go on the highway coming home from work. The idea of getting a C7 is being able to drive more, I drove an automatic yesterday and it was very nice great pickup I was not able to really get on the gas due to very wet roads up here.
Manual - just great fun hammering the gears
Auto - easier to handle with traffic, lots of stop and go around Chicago. Wife might actually drive the car if it is auto.
Still thinking about it looking for opinions.
Jack
I have been looking at 2lt Stingray's and was really thinking Manual transmission, I have a manual in my C3 and I love the feel of it but it is a pain in the *** around Chicago with the stop and go on the highway coming home from work. The idea of getting a C7 is being able to drive more, I drove an automatic yesterday and it was very nice great pickup I was not able to really get on the gas due to very wet roads up here.
Manual - just great fun hammering the gears
Auto - easier to handle with traffic, lots of stop and go around Chicago. Wife might actually drive the car if it is auto.
Still thinking about it looking for opinions.
Jack
With that said, there's nothing like a manual sports car, especially with rev match like the other member mentioned.....Stick with manual ......Car just has a better look and feel......Save the automatic for the mid engine paddle shifters on the C-8,than will have no choice......
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 32,042
Likes: 4,610
Had a 6 spd C5. Loved the car. It was a rocket! But I blew the clutch and after that my wife kept saying, "You should'a got an automatic." Well, I blew the clutch running in the Corvette Challenge and lost more than 2 out of 3 races to auto's so when I ordered my C6, you got it...I got an A6. My wife said, "That's good because I may have to drive home sometimes." She never drove it, not once. But I still ran it over 240 times and my winning percentage went up by at least 50%. Then when I ordered my C7 I realized, the auto's today are maybe not quite as much fun as shifting but are 2 or 3 light years ahead in every other measure. So to use the same excuse people on a horse and buggy used against a "motor car" today is just as lame as it was 100 years ago. Just saying the obvious.
She never drove it, not once. But I still ran it over 240 times and my winning percentage went up by at least 50%. Then when I ordered my C7 I realized, the auto's today are maybe not quite as much fun as shifting but are 2 or 3 light years ahead in every other measure. So to use the same excuse people on a horse and buggy used against a "motor car" today is just as lame as it was 100 years ago. Just saying the obvious.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,482
Likes: 668
From: Kilmarnock Va
I’m ok with the M7 in traffic.You don’t have to shift.Just leave it in 1st til you get up speed.
When i’m Drifting to A stop I don’t need the clutch.If the rpm’s are just right it will slip out of gear into neutral.No need for use of the clutch again til you start back moving again.
When i’m Drifting to A stop I don’t need the clutch.If the rpm’s are just right it will slip out of gear into neutral.No need for use of the clutch again til you start back moving again.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 16
Likes: 4
I have a 2017 GS A8(automatic). This week I attended the Corvette Owners School at Spring Mountain Motorsports in Nevada for two days. I chose M7 for this school. It was raining on both days. The rev matching feature was really great on the track especially on the wet pavement. I really enjoyed the manual transmission. However, in the heavy traffic that we have in Los Angeles, automatic transmission is a must; I am 65 years old and I am not getting any younger!!!
Navigator
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Do not pick automatic
Dont make the same mistake i did with my 2016 corvette. I bought an automatic and i regret it everytime i drive it. I love stick shifts, but the only reasons why i got an auto because my wife doesnt like driving manuals, even though she knows how to drive em. Now im stuck with an auto till i buy a manual. Autos are faster than manual, but there is not fun driving auto,