v8torque

Several years since I have posted. My favorite driving is a twisty road at moderate speed with a manual tranny shifting as precise and consistent as possible. A smooth shifting gearbox is a top priority when comparing cars. I have owned several manual transmission cars including a C6, 2 separate Honda s2000, and currently a Porsche boxster s. I am considering purchasing a convertible 2lt grandsport with a seven speed manual. The Porsche and Honda shift very smooth and precise. It is difficult to find a seven speed corvette to test drive especially in real world driving conditions. I do not want to be disappointed with the grandsport if I buy one. I would appreciate any insight and comparison concerning the seven speed manual if possible. Thanks

sTz

Every sports car that I've owned had a manual transmission. I think the C7 M7 is the best without question. Some complain that it can be notchy until it warms up, but I've never found that to be an issue.

Edit: I also find the clutch to be very user friendly; even in traffic where you typically experience some fatigue... and rev matching is one of my favorite features. I find that I shift a lot more just to hear the blip

red62vette

I had a Porsche Boxster S, a BMW 335i, and other sticks before my M7 GS. I also have some racing experience. I think the GS is equal to the best (Porsche) and better than the 335i. Also, I can do it manually pretty well, but I think the automatic rev matching is slick and I use it most of the time. The one other thing to keep in mind is that the Vette has far more torque than the Porsche or BMW (and >>>>> more than any Honda) so once you get used to it you don't *need* to shift as much.

VictorBarron

I use rev match with my M7 every time I drive.

Foosh

I also agree it's the smoothest, best manual I've ever owned, and I've owned several dozen. Auto rev match takes manual driving to a much higher level of smoothness.

thill444

I have owned a ton of manuals across different brands and the Tremec in the C7 is very good. Precise, short shifts, clutch is easy to engage.

mschuyler

Unbelievably smooth. Like many people here, I started with a three speed on the column, graduated to four on the floor, then five became standard. Then the "auto" gene kicked in and I drove a number of autos, mostly Acuras, for 20 years--very smooth shifting transmissions. So I was a tiny bit nervous getting into the M7, wondering if I still "had it." But it took me about two blocks to realize this M7 was the best manual I have ever driven. Short throws, easy clutch, very forgiving, the thing is an absolute joy to drive. Seven speeds, now that's a lot of slots to keep track of, but once you relax and get the hang of it the shifter goes where it's supposed to and it quickly becomes a no-brainer. You don't have to think about it.

It's kind of a pisser on hills. I miss the between-the-seats pull up emergency brake that helps you there (and allows you to squeal into sharp turns like a Boss!), but it's got a hill holder, and you can use the e-brake if you're careful and need to drive in Seattle or San Fran. All in all I'm so happy with this thing I grin every time I shift through the gears. I am so glad I did not succumb to the "You really should get an auto" mantra because, frankly, that just puts a bit of a barrier between me and the grand kids (snicker!) I'll tell ya. There's only one thing better in life than the M7, and that's being with my wife (cough.)

VetteDrmr

I have a '00 C5 w/T56 transmission, and the feel of my C7 is a bit more precise in upshifts and single-gear downshifts (e.g. 6-5, 5-4, 4-3, etc.). However, the M7 has four gates as opposed to the M6's 3, so I keep having problems downshifting multiple gears and not getting into the proper gate. I think this is mainly a muscle-memory problem with me and will get better with time, but it is something to have in the back of your brain.

HTH, and have a good one,
Mike

Steve Garrett

Love mine-glad I have it over the automatic.

BEZ06

As everybody says - it's GREAT!!!

Butt....as good as it is out of the box (factory!!), I have an MGW shifter that makes it even better!!!

And as others have said, and I think I'm an excellent heel-n-toer also, rev matching is an outstanding feature!!

Go fer it!!!!!!

And post up some pictures of your car when you get it!!

pickleseimer

Mine is coming up on 10,000 miles, and it is getting even better in terms of smoothness. I can tell when the gearbox is cold, but even that is getting to be less of a factor as time goes on. I did drain and replace the transmission fluid at 8k miles. Totally happy with it.

01VETTECOP

I like it, but the 7th gear is not necessary. The 6 spd in my my C6 was equally as good, without the gay 7th gear.

Kracka

After replacing the factory fluid with Redline D4 and replacing the squishy rubber bushings with Zip's polyurethane bushings, this is the 2nd best manual transmission I've owned (bested only by the Honda S2000).

dbaker

IMO...the C7 M7 is much like the C5 M6.A tad notchy on the 1-2 shift.Most Tremec's I've driven were like that

I changed the trans fluid to Amsoil at 500 miles.Smoother.

Also,I am happy with the OE shifter.It's fine on the street.

I agree with Kracka.I had an 03 S2K.It was a great trans in that car.

\db2

Supersonic 427

I am very satisfied with the M7 in my '18 Z. I use 7th only on interstates at or above 65. Love the rev match feature and use it most of the time. Easy clutch pedal, short throws, hill assist, makes it a very easy and fun manual transmission. I wouldn't have this car any other way!

JB08

Every car I've owned has been a manual and as others have said, it's a very good one. My only complaint is that the gates for 5,6 and 7 are not as smooth as 1-4. That said, I think I've used 7th exactly 3 time in the last 3 years and you only use 5 and 6 cruising on the highway.

Foosh

I don't use 7th gear very often either, but it IS necessary for GM's CAFE rating to comply with federal fuel economy regulations. When highway cruising, it does yield significantly better MPG.

The regs were a lot less restrictive in the C6 era. That's why you're seeing 7,8,9 and 10 gear transmissions in almost everything except for econoboxes these days.

2016_Z06

Its without a doubt the best transmission I have ever used

Bvvet

We currently have the 3 cars you mentioned, 2018 GS with 980 miles. A 2014 Boxster S, with 26,000 miles and a 06 Honda S 2000 with 33,000 miles.
I would rate the Honda with the shortest throw, nice tight action. Synchros are not the best especially when cold.
The Porsche I would rate second, throws about same as the vet.
The Corvette just as good as the Porsche, a little stiff going into second when cold. I have the 1 to 4 shift harness unplugged, but still find it not easy to always do a smooth shift to second. I short shift to 3rd which seems to work fine.
Drove a C6 and found much more play in the linkage.
Overall I'm not disappointed with the 7 speed tranny in the C7, I would whole heartedly recommend the Corvette M7

Foosh

A little trick I discovered is to hold firm left pressure when shifting 1st to 2nd, and it's smoother even when cold. All of the 3 dozen or so manuals I've owned have had little idiosyncrasies, and even though an experienced manual driver can do a decent job right away with any manual transmission, you do get smoother and smoother over time. Even after 18 months in the C7, I find myself continually getting smoother all the time.

The 1-2 shift in most manuals is usually a little stiffer than others, and the Tremec 1-2 has always been a little stiffer than most other manuals. 1st and 2nd gears are the largest w/ the most mass in all manuals, so it makes perfect sense that's going to be the shift requiring most effort. Moreover, I don't think there's another production car manual currently on the market that can handle the torque it does.