A8 v 7 speed manual
05-07-2018, 10:45 AM
#21
Le Mans Master
I special ordered my 2014 with a manual transmission, but also because I did not want chrome or black wheels...but did want Z51 spoiler...
It seems now, you also have to special order if you want something besides black wheels. I looked at Kerbeck inventory and every car with manual transmission also had black wheels...
It seems now, you also have to special order if you want something besides black wheels. I looked at Kerbeck inventory and every car with manual transmission also had black wheels...
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ptran00 (05-20-2018)
05-07-2018, 11:30 AM
#24
Instructor
M7
I bought a new 2018 stingray last month we live in Oregon. We had to drive 280 mi. One way, to get the vette we wanted, in the color and options with the m7 Trans. Two states! Oregon and Washington, only one dealer evergreen Chevrolet in Washington had what we were looking for. Unless we bought used, they were all autos.
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CRUSIN1 (06-24-2018)
05-07-2018, 11:38 AM
#25
Pro
My theory is this and no one shoot me:
1. Majority of Corvette owners are an older population. Older people have more health problems such as bad knees, etc etc. And I feel they are just too lazy to shift (not in a bad lazy way, it's just more work and they just want to get in and go and not have to do anything besides steer).
2. As a daily driver, manuals suck unless you drive 5 min to work which is unlikely for most people.
3. Drag racing, automatic is faster
4. Millennials and newer generation of younger people have no clue how to drive stick because everything is automatic and paddle shifters.
5. No maintenance really
Personally I searched high and low for an M7. I am 33, shifting is just 110% more fun. I had a 2008 G8, lots of mods, but shifting was always missing. Sure the automatic shifts faster, but on track days I enjoy shifting and when I am cruising through the mountains, it's just more fun. To me, it's a sports car. Sports cars should be manual. That's why I always loved the Viper, manual only. But if you go to a car search site and filter by manuals, it eliminates about 75% of available Corvettes. And the C8 is only coming in automatic. I don't daily drive mine, it's more of a car show/track/fun cruising car. If I had to daily it, might be a different story.
1. Majority of Corvette owners are an older population. Older people have more health problems such as bad knees, etc etc. And I feel they are just too lazy to shift (not in a bad lazy way, it's just more work and they just want to get in and go and not have to do anything besides steer).
2. As a daily driver, manuals suck unless you drive 5 min to work which is unlikely for most people.
3. Drag racing, automatic is faster
4. Millennials and newer generation of younger people have no clue how to drive stick because everything is automatic and paddle shifters.
5. No maintenance really
Personally I searched high and low for an M7. I am 33, shifting is just 110% more fun. I had a 2008 G8, lots of mods, but shifting was always missing. Sure the automatic shifts faster, but on track days I enjoy shifting and when I am cruising through the mountains, it's just more fun. To me, it's a sports car. Sports cars should be manual. That's why I always loved the Viper, manual only. But if you go to a car search site and filter by manuals, it eliminates about 75% of available Corvettes. And the C8 is only coming in automatic. I don't daily drive mine, it's more of a car show/track/fun cruising car. If I had to daily it, might be a different story.
One day, the government will tell us that they won't be able to build brand new manual cars and robots will be taking over. Until then, I'll drive a manual.
1. The majority of sales will be automatic that appeals to the masses. The Corvette is an expensive car, so mostly older people have that kind of money. A lot of older people just like to cruise or have medical issues. I rarely see young drivers.
2. Mine is a daily driver. I drive on the freeway mostly, 40 miles each way to work with some bumper to bumper traffic. I had my last car for 10 years which was also manual. I drove that one 25 miles each way to work with bumper to bumper traffic as well. The bumper to bumper wasn't fun, but the rest makes up for it.
3. I don't drag race, but you're definitely right here.
4. As a millennial, I can tell you that most of them are complete idiots when it comes to driving. I often catch people watching videos on their phone while driving at highway speeds. Don't give those people a manual or they'll kill someone.
5. Definitely none of those automatic issues I always hear about! My maintenance consists of oil changes and new tires so far.
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ptran00 (05-20-2018)
05-07-2018, 11:46 AM
#26
I bought a new 2018 stingray last month we live in Oregon. We had to drive 280 mi. One way, to get the vette we wanted, in the color and options with the m7 Trans. Two states! Oregon and Washington, only one dealer evergreen Chevrolet in Washington had what we were looking for. Unless we bought used, they were all autos.
Congratulations! I'm in Oregon as well. I had to get mine from Illinois. Suburban Chevy had one close to what I wanted except it was auto.
05-07-2018, 11:50 AM
#27
I love driving manuals - my last one was a VW Golf R with a 6-speed and close ratios, it was a dream to shift and drive. Have had a Porsche 944 Turbo, 944, SVT Focus, and a Mustang GT all with stick.
Then, I got old, bad knees, and a 150 mile round trip commute in Washington D.C. area traffic 3 days a week. I drive an automatic now. =)
Cannot deny, the automatic shifts faster, no issue with knees, wife can drive it without grinding the gears, and if I want to run around in 3rd gear all day, all I have to do is pull it back and click the left paddle 3 times. Works for me.
Greg
Then, I got old, bad knees, and a 150 mile round trip commute in Washington D.C. area traffic 3 days a week. I drive an automatic now. =)
Cannot deny, the automatic shifts faster, no issue with knees, wife can drive it without grinding the gears, and if I want to run around in 3rd gear all day, all I have to do is pull it back and click the left paddle 3 times. Works for me.
Greg
Last edited by hammong; 05-07-2018 at 11:52 AM.
05-07-2018, 11:55 AM
#28
Pro
I expect to get flamed for this, but here goes.
Whenever I hear or see "My wife can't drive a manual" the 'can't' automatically translates to 'won't'. My girlfriend had never driven a manual until we started dating but I taught her and she went on to autocross manuals for eight years and loved it. Plus she still married me. As long as I have a working left leg and right arm it's manuals for me (and yes, I'm 72 so i fit the geezer demographic).
Whenever I hear or see "My wife can't drive a manual" the 'can't' automatically translates to 'won't'. My girlfriend had never driven a manual until we started dating but I taught her and she went on to autocross manuals for eight years and loved it. Plus she still married me. As long as I have a working left leg and right arm it's manuals for me (and yes, I'm 72 so i fit the geezer demographic).
05-07-2018, 12:40 PM
#29
Burning Brakes
My theory is this and no one shoot me:
1. Majority of Corvette owners are an older population. Older people have more health problems such as bad knees, etc etc. And I feel they are just too lazy to shift (not in a bad lazy way, it's just more work and they just want to get in and go and not have to do anything besides steer).
2. As a daily driver, manuals suck unless you drive 5 min to work which is unlikely for most people.
3. Drag racing, automatic is faster
4. Millennials and newer generation of younger people have no clue how to drive stick because everything is automatic and paddle shifters.
5. No maintenance really
Personally I searched high and low for an M7. I am 33, shifting is just 110% more fun. I had a 2008 G8, lots of mods, but shifting was always missing. Sure the automatic shifts faster, but on track days I enjoy shifting and when I am cruising through the mountains, it's just more fun. To me, it's a sports car. Sports cars should be manual. That's why I always loved the Viper, manual only. But if you go to a car search site and filter by manuals, it eliminates about 75% of available Corvettes. And the C8 is only coming in automatic. I don't daily drive mine, it's more of a car show/track/fun cruising car. If I had to daily it, might be a different story.
1. Majority of Corvette owners are an older population. Older people have more health problems such as bad knees, etc etc. And I feel they are just too lazy to shift (not in a bad lazy way, it's just more work and they just want to get in and go and not have to do anything besides steer).
2. As a daily driver, manuals suck unless you drive 5 min to work which is unlikely for most people.
3. Drag racing, automatic is faster
4. Millennials and newer generation of younger people have no clue how to drive stick because everything is automatic and paddle shifters.
5. No maintenance really
Personally I searched high and low for an M7. I am 33, shifting is just 110% more fun. I had a 2008 G8, lots of mods, but shifting was always missing. Sure the automatic shifts faster, but on track days I enjoy shifting and when I am cruising through the mountains, it's just more fun. To me, it's a sports car. Sports cars should be manual. That's why I always loved the Viper, manual only. But if you go to a car search site and filter by manuals, it eliminates about 75% of available Corvettes. And the C8 is only coming in automatic. I don't daily drive mine, it's more of a car show/track/fun cruising car. If I had to daily it, might be a different story.
Drag racing? is that what your car is about?
M7 is definitely a millennial deterrent and perhaps in that vein an anti-theft device
05-07-2018, 03:47 PM
#30
I expect to get flamed for this, but here goes.
Whenever I hear or see "My wife can't drive a manual" the 'can't' automatically translates to 'won't'. My girlfriend had never driven a manual until we started dating but I taught her and she went on to autocross manuals for eight years and loved it. Plus she still married me. As long as I have a working left leg and right arm it's manuals for me (and yes, I'm 72 so i fit the geezer demographic).
Whenever I hear or see "My wife can't drive a manual" the 'can't' automatically translates to 'won't'. My girlfriend had never driven a manual until we started dating but I taught her and she went on to autocross manuals for eight years and loved it. Plus she still married me. As long as I have a working left leg and right arm it's manuals for me (and yes, I'm 72 so i fit the geezer demographic).
I never have to tell her "No, you can't drive my car" because she won't ask!
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ptran00 (05-20-2018)
05-07-2018, 03:58 PM
#31
Melting Slicks
I expect to get flamed for this, but here goes.
Whenever I hear or see "My wife can't drive a manual" the 'can't' automatically translates to 'won't'. My girlfriend had never driven a manual until we started dating but I taught her and she went on to autocross manuals for eight years and loved it. Plus she still married me. As long as I have a working left leg and right arm it's manuals for me (and yes, I'm 72 so i fit the geezer demographic).
Whenever I hear or see "My wife can't drive a manual" the 'can't' automatically translates to 'won't'. My girlfriend had never driven a manual until we started dating but I taught her and she went on to autocross manuals for eight years and loved it. Plus she still married me. As long as I have a working left leg and right arm it's manuals for me (and yes, I'm 72 so i fit the geezer demographic).
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ptran00 (05-20-2018)
05-07-2018, 03:59 PM
#32
Melting Slicks
05-07-2018, 04:09 PM
#33
Instructor
When I ordered my 14 Stingray there were no cars on dealer lots. I had no doubt I was getting an M-7. I feel a sports car on mountain roads needs a manual, more fun for me.
Dealers only seem to stock Auto's.
Was getting an oil change in March on my 14 Stingray. Dealer had a Carbon 65 on the floor. I just loved the color. Was not worried as I was sure it was an auto. Didn't even look at the car.
Saw one in FL a week later. In the sun it really grabbed me. Super sharp.
Looked on my local dealers web site. His Carbon 65 was a M-7. We worked a deal and its mine now.
Dealers only seem to stock Auto's.
Was getting an oil change in March on my 14 Stingray. Dealer had a Carbon 65 on the floor. I just loved the color. Was not worried as I was sure it was an auto. Didn't even look at the car.
Saw one in FL a week later. In the sun it really grabbed me. Super sharp.
Looked on my local dealers web site. His Carbon 65 was a M-7. We worked a deal and its mine now.
05-07-2018, 05:10 PM
#34
Race Director
Member Since: Oct 2011
Location: Holly Springs NC
Posts: 14,376
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St. Jude Donor '16-'17,'22,'24
When I purchased my C7 with a manual transmission, I did it for me, not for the next owner and I'll probably take a financial hit for it, but it's what I wanted. Younger buyers are not into the manual transmission at all. Truth is, if it wasn't for Rev. Match, I wouldn't have bought this manual either.
05-07-2018, 05:12 PM
#35
Drifting
I have a manual wife can drive a manual but hasnt driven the vette yet. Neither of our kids can drive manual. When I was looking for my C7 most that I saw that I was considering were manuals. Im old my knees suck but when I get in the car and start shifting thru the gears I am one happy old man. I like to go fast but the tenths of second difference between autos and manuals doesnt matter 
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ptran00 (05-20-2018)
05-07-2018, 05:16 PM
#36
Safety Car
Member Since: Feb 2016
Location: Bainbridge Island WA
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We have this discussion every few days. The answers are always the same. Buy what you want however you have to. Don't worry about anyone else or what they think.
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Hopper12 (05-07-2018)
05-07-2018, 05:23 PM
#37
Race Director
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: Bonneville Salt Flats, 223mph Aug. '04
Posts: 17,423
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Big dealers order 7-speeds on spec.
05-07-2018, 05:28 PM
#38
Burning Brakes
05-07-2018, 05:59 PM
#39
Race Director
First of all, only about 18% of America drivers can drive a manual, secondly most dealers don't order manuals for inventory because they sit on their lots far too long. I initially wanted a M7 but got a A8, however now very pleased with the A8 especially after adding the range device.
Last edited by Kevin A Jones; 05-10-2018 at 11:12 AM.
