To each his own
Automatic.....Terrible?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 13,559
Likes: 1,349
From: Home of the VOLS ! Knoxville, TN. Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '15, '16-'17-'18-'19
I was going for the MN7, had to settle for a 1LT for what's out there although it was nicely optioned otherwise. ZF1, red calipers, black wheels..... etc.
If I had to redo it now that the MN7 itch is out of the way, I would have gone for a 2 or 3LT even in an Auto.
I have owned many Corvettes in manual and in auto, they are equally as fun to drive.
This time I was going for a MN7 since I have not driven a manual in several years....
If I had to redo it now that the MN7 itch is out of the way, I would have gone for a 2 or 3LT even in an Auto.
I have owned many Corvettes in manual and in auto, they are equally as fun to drive.
This time I was going for a MN7 since I have not driven a manual in several years....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,068
Likes: 560
From: Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada
I'll preface this by stating what is probably already obvious, I'm a die hard manual guy. With that out of the way, I've been shopping for a fairly particular Corvette for a while. One of the stipulations being an M7. Fed up with how difficult it is to find manuals, let alone in the spec I want, I broke down and test drove an A8, hoping the manual mode would be enough to keep me entertained. I absolutely hated it. The delay in shifting is profound. Trying to upshift through the gears and there feels like damn near 2 seconds worth of delay between pulling the paddle and getting the gear I want. The downshifting? Equally bad. It's as if the car is programmed by someone that has never heel-toed a downshift ever, they've only been told what it's like. going down through the gears, the car revs far too high and then engages the driveline, causing huge lurches on each downshift, again, with horrible delay between the paddle click and the actual gear getting selected.
I complain about all this in hopes that others feel similarly and have potentially addressed these things? Can anything be done via tuning or something? I've looked but haven't come across much.....maybe I'm searching the wrong things. I really wanted to be okay with the auto, but if these downfalls can't be mitigated, I fear I'm doomed to search for quite a while longer for the right manual car.
I complain about all this in hopes that others feel similarly and have potentially addressed these things? Can anything be done via tuning or something? I've looked but haven't come across much.....maybe I'm searching the wrong things. I really wanted to be okay with the auto, but if these downfalls can't be mitigated, I fear I'm doomed to search for quite a while longer for the right manual car.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
Racer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 489
Likes: 199
From: Vancouver BC
The lag time between shifting takes all the pleasure out of the paddle driving experience, I leave it in auto and let the transmission work its magic - if I feel the need to change my own gears I take one of my other cars.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 69
Likes: 106
Thank you for acknowledging the lag. Feels like I'm taking crazy pills with all the people claiming "lighting fast"
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,349
Likes: 552
From: MN
There's a slight learning curve but it's not tremendous to make the switch from MN to A8 - for one thing you keep the accelerated planted when shifting up... I've been rowing gears since 1957 - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 on tree, on floor - don't miss my MN7 at all. If I feel that I just HAVE to push a clutch I've got a 32-year-old Ferrari in the garage... for 99.99999999% of my driving I don't miss the MN at all.....
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,348
Likes: 463
I went from a manual to an auto. Do I miss the manual yes, do I regret the automatic, no. I'll get another manual car to add to the collection that I can row through the gears again one day, looking for more of an exotic for the next manual.
The corvette shifts, yes they lag, but when you get on it, and I mean pedal down to floor, it goes into performance shift mode, and the shifts are quick and crisp. Everyday booting around though, yeah it lags, its definitely not even close to DCT.
The corvette shifts, yes they lag, but when you get on it, and I mean pedal down to floor, it goes into performance shift mode, and the shifts are quick and crisp. Everyday booting around though, yeah it lags, its definitely not even close to DCT.
Last edited by WPGZ06; May 18, 2021 at 12:14 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 630
If used as an automatic it shifts faster and more efficiently than a manual. Thats why manuals will be pretty much extinct soon. As far as paddle shifting it is below average vs the competition. I think the dual clutch paddle shifting has been reported as much improved. If you need a manual the you should buy one or youll just end up regretting an auto purchase.
Roadster Madness. 😠
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Ventura Co Ca
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St. Jude Donor '13, '20-'21
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 25
Likes: 14
From: Franklin, TN
Expand your search. It’s just one trip.
I have a M7 and totally understand the way you feel. But my disdain is only for torque converter automatics. I came out of a DCT Audi, and it was great. So I know I wouldn’t have a problem with a C8.
Back on topic, try to get at least a Z51. And test drive M7 cars only from here on out. Don’t even bother with the auto, as you already know it’s not going to work for you. Good luck in your search, sir!
PS: You and I see eye to eye on everything, until you said it has to be a vert. I have my targa out way more than I expected, but I’d never have a ragtop Corvette.
I have a M7 and totally understand the way you feel. But my disdain is only for torque converter automatics. I came out of a DCT Audi, and it was great. So I know I wouldn’t have a problem with a C8.
Back on topic, try to get at least a Z51. And test drive M7 cars only from here on out. Don’t even bother with the auto, as you already know it’s not going to work for you. Good luck in your search, sir!
PS: You and I see eye to eye on everything, until you said it has to be a vert. I have my targa out way more than I expected, but I’d never have a ragtop Corvette.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
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C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I believe you can have the shifts tuned in the A8.
I had my C6 A6 tuned and it is a very different shifting experience now.
My 16 A8 shift is pretty good overall. Perfect? No but I don't fill the need for a tune. As others have said the shifts change when your getting on it.
I suggest you test a few more A8s. If they all don't meet your expectations then you will be better off to get a manual.
Get the one that makes YOU happiest. Why settle for less? Have had 4 manual Corvettes and 3 Automatic ones. Like the Auto best for how I use them now.
I had my C6 A6 tuned and it is a very different shifting experience now.
My 16 A8 shift is pretty good overall. Perfect? No but I don't fill the need for a tune. As others have said the shifts change when your getting on it.
I suggest you test a few more A8s. If they all don't meet your expectations then you will be better off to get a manual.
Get the one that makes YOU happiest. Why settle for less? Have had 4 manual Corvettes and 3 Automatic ones. Like the Auto best for how I use them now.
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Joined: Apr 2016
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From: Pittsburgh
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OP, It sure sounds like you won't be happy with an auto tranny, take your time & buy what you want...don't settle for almost as good
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 13,599
Likes: 12,854
From: Virginia
My advice to anyone who has to have a manual is to grab one while there's still some out there.
Going to be very difficult to find a C7 with every feature you want. Going to be particularly difficult finding a manual convertible. I couldn't find a manual convertible configured the way I wanted (4) years ago even after
searching nationwide for several months. Finally 'settled' for an A8, and as it turns out I love it, not a single regret.
Last edited by Kevin A Jones; May 17, 2021 at 09:05 AM.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 2
From: Gold Canyon Arizona
Did the Controller installation have an impact on fuel economy? I understand if the throttle is more responsive and you drive it like you stole there would be an impact, but wonder if it is possible to still get around 30 mpg when you want.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,402
Likes: 3,584
From: Commerce Texas
I was going for the MN7, had to settle for a 1LT for what's out there although it was nicely optioned otherwise. ZF1, red calipers, black wheels..... etc.
If I had to redo it now that the MN7 itch is out of the way, I would have gone for a 2 or 3LT even in an Auto.
I have owned many Corvettes in manual and in auto, they are equally as fun to drive.
This time I was going for a MN7 since I have not driven a manual in several years....
If I had to redo it now that the MN7 itch is out of the way, I would have gone for a 2 or 3LT even in an Auto.
I have owned many Corvettes in manual and in auto, they are equally as fun to drive.
This time I was going for a MN7 since I have not driven a manual in several years....
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 60
Likes: 42
From: Clinton Tennessee
It's all fun and games until, your in a car crash and you get a messed up left leg and extreme lower back pain. You'll love the Automatic. Anyway, the automatic is faster in the quarter mile. So you young guys can say, I'll never have anything but a manual. Life changes 
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 69
Likes: 106
Expand your search. It’s just one trip.
I have a M7 and totally understand the way you feel. But my disdain is only for torque converter automatics. I came out of a DCT Audi, and it was great. So I know I wouldn’t have a problem with a C8.
Back on topic, try to get at least a Z51. And test drive M7 cars only from here on out. Don’t even bother with the auto, as you already know it’s not going to work for you. Good luck in your search, sir!
PS: You and I see eye to eye on everything, until you said it has to be a vert. I have my targa out way more than I expected, but I’d never have a ragtop Corvette.
I have a M7 and totally understand the way you feel. But my disdain is only for torque converter automatics. I came out of a DCT Audi, and it was great. So I know I wouldn’t have a problem with a C8.
Back on topic, try to get at least a Z51. And test drive M7 cars only from here on out. Don’t even bother with the auto, as you already know it’s not going to work for you. Good luck in your search, sir!
PS: You and I see eye to eye on everything, until you said it has to be a vert. I have my targa out way more than I expected, but I’d never have a ragtop Corvette.
You aren't wrong. I currently own a hardtop convertible, so best of both worlds. Convertible is a must, simply because it's a fun way for the lady and I to spend time together. It certainly looks significantly worse than the coupe, unfortunately.