A8 v 7 speed manual
05-21-2018, 06:56 PM
#221
Just imagine how bored those Ferrari, Lambo, McLaren, Aston Martin, Pagani drivers must be without a manual transmission. Probably sleeping at the wheel, thinking "what the the hell have I done with this automatic". I bet F1 drivers feel like that too. They should all buy a Corvette's with an M7, 'cuz that's what a makes a sportscar". This thread is awesome.
I love both autos and manuals--can't we all just get along? DOH!
I love both autos and manuals--can't we all just get along? DOH!
05-21-2018, 09:14 PM
#222
Burning Brakes
Yup, that's what I'm saying at least amongst Corvettes. When I see C7s at the track (road course OR drag strip) I see mostly A8s.
That's completely opposite from the C6, where every track car I ever saw (including my own) was a stick.
I don't claim to have a large enough sample size to make any grandiose claims, so I'll just say "looks like both transmissions got to the track I guess".
I live in Seattle. I go to a lot of "club" HPDE days, like the Ferarri club, the Porsche club (oddly, never for the Corvette club, they may never run I don't know) because I can stay in front of noobs. If I were in the advanced classes I'd be too busy waving people by! I'm really intermediate. Which means I'm faster than the traditionally "fast" cars and slower than the Miatas
Speaking of clubs, the BEST is the "Corvette Night at the Drags" the Corvette club has. Not to be mean, but 100 waxers show up and run once or not at all and they get a dedicate lane, so by 7:30PM you can run hot laps all night if you're in a Vette. Maybe the road course days are like that too for all I know!
BTW, at the end of the day, I figure for the vast majority of amateur drivers the A8 would be a bit faster on a road course (it'd be in the right gear more often) but the M7 would be more fun. A pro driver would likely make them equal. And I think the Big Willow times are within 1 second, so I've got some evidence!
If they put a DCT in the ZR1 then I've really got a conundrum (in three years).
That's completely opposite from the C6, where every track car I ever saw (including my own) was a stick.
I don't claim to have a large enough sample size to make any grandiose claims, so I'll just say "looks like both transmissions got to the track I guess".
I live in Seattle. I go to a lot of "club" HPDE days, like the Ferarri club, the Porsche club (oddly, never for the Corvette club, they may never run I don't know) because I can stay in front of noobs. If I were in the advanced classes I'd be too busy waving people by! I'm really intermediate. Which means I'm faster than the traditionally "fast" cars and slower than the Miatas
Speaking of clubs, the BEST is the "Corvette Night at the Drags" the Corvette club has. Not to be mean, but 100 waxers show up and run once or not at all and they get a dedicate lane, so by 7:30PM you can run hot laps all night if you're in a Vette. Maybe the road course days are like that too for all I know!
BTW, at the end of the day, I figure for the vast majority of amateur drivers the A8 would be a bit faster on a road course (it'd be in the right gear more often) but the M7 would be more fun. A pro driver would likely make them equal. And I think the Big Willow times are within 1 second, so I've got some evidence!
If they put a DCT in the ZR1 then I've really got a conundrum (in three years).
speaking of evidence...
05-21-2018, 09:22 PM
#223
Burning Brakes
I drove an m2 and alpha 4c that were auto this weekend at Inde. 100+ ambient. No problems.
I have driven a gt3 and ferrari 458 on track, so I am aware automatics can be good on track. It's just not ideal for a zo6 (especially convertible) or the Corvette in general yet on track.
the Camaro zl1 and Corvette I drove this weekend both had the correct number of pedals.
the zl1 1le is manual only... so is the gt350 and viper.
I have driven a gt3 and ferrari 458 on track, so I am aware automatics can be good on track. It's just not ideal for a zo6 (especially convertible) or the Corvette in general yet on track.
the Camaro zl1 and Corvette I drove this weekend both had the correct number of pedals.
the zl1 1le is manual only... so is the gt350 and viper.
Last edited by theplatinumog; 05-21-2018 at 09:39 PM.
05-22-2018, 10:30 AM
#225
IF it's printed after your model's year, then either it doesn't apply to yours as you've said, or GM revised the owner's manual because it needed it. I would error on the side of caution or you could push your luck.
Last edited by ptran00; 05-22-2018 at 10:32 AM.
05-23-2018, 08:20 AM
#227
Melting Slicks
Just like they had no clue how bad the Z06 would overheat.
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ptran00 (05-23-2018)
05-23-2018, 11:09 PM
#228
Team Owner
05-23-2018, 11:15 PM
#229
Burning Brakes
05-24-2018, 04:39 AM
#231
Pro
I made the mistake of getting the A8, after 8 years in my C6 M6. Wife asked me to get the A8, and she's not driven it once, just as she never drove the C6 M6, even though she can drive a stick! Now I'm stuck with a fantastic car, ... that can best be described as like having very enjoyable sex, ... but never ever being quite able to ... climax! 
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ptran00 (06-10-2018)
05-24-2018, 10:38 AM
#232
Le Mans Master
I made the mistake of getting the A8, after 8 years in my C6 M6. Wife asked me to get the A8, and she's not driven it once, just as she never drove the C6 M6, even though she can drive a stick! Now I'm stuck with a fantastic car, ... that can best be described as like having very enjoyable sex, ... but never ever being quite able to ... climax!
Now I guess I have to figure out what I'm doing wrong with my M-21 :-(
I am with the guy that said they weren't in customers hands being tracked yet.
Last edited by davepl; 05-24-2018 at 10:39 AM.
05-24-2018, 10:44 AM
#233
Le Mans Master
These posts are ridiculous.
Glad you like your stick but its obsolete technology.
Just like the rotary phone.
C8 wont have a stick nor any other super-car on the planet.
Enjoy it while it lasts.
Glad you like your stick but its obsolete technology.
Just like the rotary phone.
C8 wont have a stick nor any other super-car on the planet.
Enjoy it while it lasts.
05-24-2018, 10:54 AM
#234
You are most likely correct. However hopefully GM comes out with a good replacement as the current auto doesn't make the cut 😄
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dvilin (05-24-2018)
05-24-2018, 12:04 PM
#236
Le Mans Master
Sometimes California guys say "Pacific Northwest" to still mean within California!
But if anyone is going to do a track day or HPDE at the Seattle track, send out a heads-up, I'll try to join.
You could even post it in Regional but nobody reads regional so no one would show up! :-)
But if anyone is going to do a track day or HPDE at the Seattle track, send out a heads-up, I'll try to join.
You could even post it in Regional but nobody reads regional so no one would show up! :-)
05-24-2018, 01:35 PM
#237
Team Owner
Sometimes California guys say "Pacific Northwest" to still mean within California!
But if anyone is going to do a track day or HPDE at the Seattle track, send out a heads-up, I'll try to join.
You could even post it in Regional but nobody reads regional so no one would show up! :-)
But if anyone is going to do a track day or HPDE at the Seattle track, send out a heads-up, I'll try to join.
You could even post it in Regional but nobody reads regional so no one would show up! :-)
Every track should have a Red A8 Convertible with chrome wheels running in the mix! 
05-24-2018, 02:39 PM
#238
Team Owner
Member Since: Aug 2004
Location: The Beautiful Pacific Northwest
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09, '14-'15-'16-'17-'18
Sometimes California guys say "Pacific Northwest" to still mean within California!
But if anyone is going to do a track day or HPDE at the Seattle track, send out a heads-up, I'll try to join.
You could even post it in Regional but nobody reads regional so no one would show up! :-)
But if anyone is going to do a track day or HPDE at the Seattle track, send out a heads-up, I'll try to join.
You could even post it in Regional but nobody reads regional so no one would show up! :-)
05-24-2018, 02:57 PM
#239
You're guilty as sin then, since you stated you sold your company to Bill Gates' Microsoft.
05-24-2018, 03:44 PM
#240
