A8 v 7 speed manual
05-19-2018, 07:52 PM
#201
I am. M7 is awesome with the rev match. Lots of noise on the downshifts. I agree with you and traded in my A6 GS for this one in a M7. Love it!
05-20-2018, 04:55 AM
#202
Automatics shift super fast today and with very little lag. Eight speeds allows the engine to be in the right RPM range compared to an older three or four speed automatic transmission back in the day which can lug the engine. Today's automatic transmissions are modern technology, manual shifting is antiquated. It's like fuel injection compared to a carburetor. They both do the same thing but one is way more advanced, more efficient and reliable than the other.
Last edited by ptran00; 05-20-2018 at 04:57 AM.
05-20-2018, 05:04 AM
#203
https://www.corvettemuseum.org/2018-...stats-release/
That's way higher than the general car population in the U.S. at 5% manuals.
Anyway, I'll be going to France this Friday and when the travel agent asked if I can drive a manual for my rental car, lol, pas de problem monsieur!
Last edited by ptran00; 05-20-2018 at 05:07 AM.
05-20-2018, 05:09 AM
#204
Glad you like the M7. 
A lot of people get modern torque-converter automatics with paddle switches for requesting up/down shifts with dual-clutch transmissions. DCTs are truly more advanced than either the A8 or M7, but they don't come for free: they're more expensive, complex, larger, and probably heavier for a given torque rating. But I imagine the driving experience is fantastic.
Have a good one,
Mike
A lot of people get modern torque-converter automatics with paddle switches for requesting up/down shifts with dual-clutch transmissions. DCTs are truly more advanced than either the A8 or M7, but they don't come for free: they're more expensive, complex, larger, and probably heavier for a given torque rating. But I imagine the driving experience is fantastic.
Have a good one,
Mike
05-20-2018, 05:13 AM
#205
The older generation remembers manual shift from their youth so still wants it in their "fun" cars even though it's no more relevant today than it would be to adjust your own spark or fuel mixture. Drivers used to have to do that too! I bet great-grandpappy Dave thought letting the car do that on it's own killed driver involvement.
Manuals are like stripped down, low-weight, no-option cars. They're what everything thinks everyone -else- should buy to prove they're hardcore. But no one does.
The proof is in the pudding, they sell about 20% what the A8 does.
And suffice to say the M7 crowd isn't exactly the "young" branch of the Corvette family tree.
All that said, however, and even though my Z is an A8, if I only had one "fun" car, it'd be a Z and it'd be a stick. Since I am not that limited, the Z is an auto and the M-21s and M-20s are in the old cars.
Manuals are like stripped down, low-weight, no-option cars. They're what everything thinks everyone -else- should buy to prove they're hardcore. But no one does.
The proof is in the pudding, they sell about 20% what the A8 does.
And suffice to say the M7 crowd isn't exactly the "young" branch of the Corvette family tree.
All that said, however, and even though my Z is an A8, if I only had one "fun" car, it'd be a Z and it'd be a stick. Since I am not that limited, the Z is an auto and the M-21s and M-20s are in the old cars.
05-20-2018, 05:18 AM
#206
is this a legit reason for AUTO, when I ordered my 2104 Z51 A6 I wanted M7 but the wife cannot drive a manual so I ordered A6, she drove it 2 times and it scares her she cannot see with those big fenders? she enjoys looking down from above driving her Toyota Sienna. What was I supposed to do, return my car for a M7 when it took me 6 months to get mine from time of order?
Am I validated????
Am I validated????
I said to my wife either you learn or u don't drive the Corvette and she can keep driving her Toyota Highlander. When kids were born, for 16 years, I sold my Honda Prelude manual transmission for boring cars (sedan, minivan, suv, 4 door hatchback). Now it's back to fun in a manual Corvette C7.
Last edited by ptran00; 05-20-2018 at 06:17 AM.
05-20-2018, 05:30 AM
#207
I test drove a 2017 Porsche 911S and a Porsche Cayman with DCT last year but they were boring just like an automatic Corvette, when compared to a manual transmission Corvette C7.
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BenCasey (06-02-2018)
05-20-2018, 05:36 AM
#208
After a difficult day at work, I rush to the parking lot and look forward to
jumping into my C7 with a manual transmission... it's therapeutic!
05-20-2018, 05:40 AM
#209
I can't tell that the automatic at 0-60mph in 3.7 seconds is faster than a manual at 3.8 seconds, but I can tell that the manual is 10 times more fun.
Last edited by ptran00; 05-20-2018 at 03:36 PM.
05-20-2018, 05:49 AM
#210
Nothing else does matter. I drive an auto when it suits me, I drive a stick when I chose. Each has their purpose.
Any participation in the mechanical operation of the vehicle serves either to make the vehicle faster or more enjoyable to drive. Since neither transmission offers a demonstrably faster lap time in the Z, enjoyment should be the only factor.
That's it. That's all I claim.
I have a '69 Camaro RS/SS 396 M20. It's probably my slowest car. And yet there's not much more fun than sidestepping the rear end just the right amount on a fast 1->2 shift. But I don't make any claim about that other than its fun for me.
When I go to the road course I derive enjoyment from trying to find the right line and carrying as much speed into the corners as I can manage. To me it would not add enjoyment to shift my own gears. If it did, I would.
And that's where I part with most of you. I will simply say "to me it would not add enjoyment" but others will make grand, sweeping conclusions about which is the better car, and therefore, the more manly driver.
And my analogy of timing and mixture remains the default because it's apt. You can be as much or as little involved in the operation and function of the vehicles as you want, whereas I only want to pilot it. Just don't try to pass it off as somehow objectively "better" for all.
I also own a P100D which can drive itself, so if you want to reduce it to absurdity, you could ride in a Tesla around Big Willow on Autopilot. I don't know what that would prove though.
Any participation in the mechanical operation of the vehicle serves either to make the vehicle faster or more enjoyable to drive. Since neither transmission offers a demonstrably faster lap time in the Z, enjoyment should be the only factor.
That's it. That's all I claim.
I have a '69 Camaro RS/SS 396 M20. It's probably my slowest car. And yet there's not much more fun than sidestepping the rear end just the right amount on a fast 1->2 shift. But I don't make any claim about that other than its fun for me.
When I go to the road course I derive enjoyment from trying to find the right line and carrying as much speed into the corners as I can manage. To me it would not add enjoyment to shift my own gears. If it did, I would.
And that's where I part with most of you. I will simply say "to me it would not add enjoyment" but others will make grand, sweeping conclusions about which is the better car, and therefore, the more manly driver.
And my analogy of timing and mixture remains the default because it's apt. You can be as much or as little involved in the operation and function of the vehicles as you want, whereas I only want to pilot it. Just don't try to pass it off as somehow objectively "better" for all.
I also own a P100D which can drive itself, so if you want to reduce it to absurdity, you could ride in a Tesla around Big Willow on Autopilot. I don't know what that would prove though.
Last edited by ptran00; 05-20-2018 at 05:49 AM.
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BenCasey (06-02-2018)
05-20-2018, 06:02 AM
#211
Why would anyone get an automatic so other family members can drive it, and scratch your rims, dent your fender, dirty your car, etc? This is a CORVETTE, not a Toyota Camry.
Last edited by ptran00; 05-20-2018 at 06:18 AM.
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BenCasey (06-02-2018)
05-20-2018, 01:01 PM
#212
Instructor
...because perhaps we love our family members and care for their enjoyment as much or more than we care for a car...?
05-20-2018, 03:46 PM
#213
05-20-2018, 04:01 PM
#214
Instructor
05-20-2018, 04:56 PM
#215
Would you call a person with a point-and-shoot camera an enthusiast? I doubt it.
Last edited by ptran00; 05-21-2018 at 04:09 AM.
05-20-2018, 07:09 PM
#216
Burning Brakes
I am running 4 track events in the PNW later this year.
Lets walk around the paddock counting c7's in the FASTEST run groups. They will be dramatically outnumbered by m7's.
Unless its different up there than COTA the other month. Inde that I am at now, and sonoma/laguna/Thunderhill that I am at 30+ a year.
Lets walk around the paddock counting c7's in the FASTEST run groups. They will be dramatically outnumbered by m7's.
Unless its different up there than COTA the other month. Inde that I am at now, and sonoma/laguna/Thunderhill that I am at 30+ a year.
Last edited by theplatinumog; 05-20-2018 at 07:09 PM.
05-21-2018, 09:17 AM
#217
Le Mans Master
Having owned several manuals over the years and they are really more fun overall.
But faster? Maybe at the track but the exact opposite is true at the Strip. I just got tired of losing races and also rowing thru heavy stop and go traffic jams. Plus, the newer autos have improved so much and I would expect that as time goes on more and more cars will just no longer offer manuals. That's actually a sad thing. 
But faster? Maybe at the track but the exact opposite is true at the Strip. I just got tired of losing races and also rowing thru heavy stop and go traffic jams. Plus, the newer autos have improved so much and I would expect that as time goes on more and more cars will just no longer offer manuals. That's actually a sad thing.
05-21-2018, 10:02 AM
#218
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ptran00 (05-22-2018)
05-21-2018, 04:15 PM
#219
Instructor
For all the owners who can't find a dealer with plenty of M7's in stock, check out Macmulkin Corvette. I just bought a 2019 GS M7 long beach red 10 days ago. They had over 50 manuals in stock and probably 200 autos in stock and on order. Also, I saved over $9500 . My local dealers are finally offering this type of discount on 2017 left overs.
05-21-2018, 05:23 PM
#220
Instructor
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!
Last edited by lupicon; 05-21-2018 at 05:55 PM.
