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Here is a quick cell phone snap of the old and the new. In early April, I contacted Mike Furman about replacing my 2017 Z06 2LZ A8 Vert with PDR/NAV, which I thoroughly enjoyed, with a 2019 optioned exactly the same except for an M7 trans. It may be a while before we see a C8 with a manual, if at all. So even though it had been 20 plus years since I last owned a car with a manual trans, I figured I'd go for it. Mike offered me a very fair trade value for the 2017, sight unseen. 5 weeks later it was delivered to Criswell Chevrolet, and two weeks ago today, I made the trade. Both cars are arctic white, the 2017 on the left in the photo picked up a few bugs, pollen, and road dust on the drive to Maryland, so it looks as if the colors don't match. Mike was great to work with, he kept me informed from order to delivery, and the transaction went smooth. Mike is very professional and made sure I was happy with the vehicle and got me in and out pretty quickly.
So, after two weeks, what do I think? First off, the paint job is noticeably better than the 2017. There is less orange peel and it just looks smoother side-by-side. I was happy with the 2017 A8, the A8 shifts much faster than I'll ever be able to shift the M7. Where the M7 shines for me is that I found the experience using the paddle shifters at anything less than WOT was not much fun. There was a noticeable lag in shifting and for me it really didn't come close to the experience of driving a manual. It soon became a car that I just put in D and let it do its thing. In D, it delivered nice crisp shifts even not going WOT.
The M7 has been a different experience. It took a few days to get used to driving a stick again, and I am starting to feel very comfortable driving it. At first I was having a bit of trouble engaging the throttle, but I found taking the car out of Tour mode and into sport mode made it easier to find that point to give it throttle while releasing the clutch. Going into 6th gear has given me an issue a time or two, but I am getting used it. Same with coming out of 7th. I love the active rev matching and I am probably downshifting more than I need to because it's just fun to drive.
Both cars are fun to drive, and the A8 is faster just due to the speed of the computerized shifts at peak RPM. The M7 on the other hand, leaves me feeling more like I am in control of the car. That may be purely an illusion or it may be because I always liked driving manuals when I was younger. I would have ordered manuals in my F-150s, but a manual has not been available in an F-150 in years. Plus I was always concerned that if I got cars and trucks with a manual, my wife couldn't drive them. Since she never drove any of my Corvettes, I finally decided to get what I want one more time. I'm afraid I can't answer the "A8 M7 which is better?" question. They are both fun and very capable. They both have their strong points. I am finding I want to drive the M7 more than when I had the A8. YMMV. They are both Corvettes, and either one would be a great car to own. You can't go wrong with either.
Both of my C7's at Criswell Chevrolet
Last edited by Null Pointer; 06-07-2019 at 11:15 AM.
Reason: Added RPO KHO for paragraph spacing
Congratulations on the new Z06. Don’t hesitate installing an MGW shifter if you continue having trouble finding gears. Mine made it much easier to hit the OD gears.
Thanks folks. I generally keep stuff stock although I did add the ACS extended mud flaps to the front and the GM ones to the rear. I will probably wait on the MGW shifter to see how I am doing with the stock shifter after stuff wears in and loosens up a little bit. To say I really enjoy this car is an understatement.
Last edited by Null Pointer; 06-07-2019 at 07:46 AM.
Nice... I saw Mike post about your transaction on Facebook. I have a MGW in my C7 and for a pure street car I wouldn't bother. It increases shift effort. For a weekend toy only, sure. But, if you're driving it a lot the stock shifter is "just right".
Nice... I saw Mike post about your transaction on Facebook. I have a MGW in my C7 and for a pure street car I wouldn't bother. It increases shift effort. For a weekend toy only, sure. But, if you're driving it a lot the stock shifter is "just right".
I’ve heard people say it takes more effort to shift with the MGW. I have never noticed this with mine. It’s as easy as stock for me. Just more precise and shorter.
Just saw your post, and it really struck a chord with me. I agree with you! My sports car history went M5, M6, M6, DCT, then A8. I did not experience any problems with the A8, and, when I had my one experience on a track at WOT, it was really nice. But the M7, for me, brings it back to a learning experience that helps me take my mind of other things and focus on driving--perhaps the closest analogy that comes to mind is fly fishing with dry flies--you just have to focus.
Anyway, your photo gave me an idea, so when I traded my 2016 A8 Stingray for a 2019 M7 GS, I thought I would add a photo . . .
06-06-2019, 09:09 PM
Out with the old, in with the new
Oh and your avatar is one of the best I've seen.
