Automatic.....Terrible?
Le Mans Master
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From: Commerce Texas
I may be old but old is not synonymous with stodgy and stuck...
Race Director
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From: Virginia
Racer
Joined: Aug 2019
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Get what you want
Get the tranny that makes you comfortable. All the performance cars I have owned including my C7 have been manuals. Yes an automatic is faster on a 0-60 but I enjoy feeling part of the car with a M7. I did the Spring Mountain trip and had a M7 for the class. Fun going around the turns, using the rev match on the down shift. They had one class doing figure 8 exercises with an instructor in the car. Unfortunately it was not the M7 car assigned to me. They were using an A8 and I did not enjoy driving the car. I was thankful I purchased a M7.
Team Owner
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I'd like to add that from everything I've been reading here on C8 Forum, the DCT transmission that the C8 utilizes is the bomb. If I were buying a Corvette with the automated transmission, it would have to be the C8.
Last edited by Skid Row Joe; May 17, 2021 at 01:28 PM.
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This auto vs. manual debate is old as the hills is all I know, especially here in the forums. It looks like for some the C7 is the last one.. they don't look to be ever bringing the manual back and that's it. The A8 for example, most know is, much quicker than manual, but some prefer the satisfaction of rowing through gears. Personal preference.. at the end of the day Corvette is done with manuals for the immediate future.
Last edited by Gixxerman; May 17, 2021 at 01:37 PM.
Team Owner
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I'm not so sure that the AT is faster 0-60 than the M7. That seems to be the line. But is it? Anyone actually done it here?
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Le Mans Master
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lol
Safety Car
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Your post makes no sense. How/who am I bashing? In fact, I'm a long time manual fan. I just realize that no matter how many threads are created bashing the A8, it's not going to change the fact that manuals are gone.
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.
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.
Race Director
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From: Virginia
It makes perfect sense Kevin. You called out someone that has a different opinion than yours. In doing so, you mock him for not understanding that "manuals are gone". As if his opinion on the A8 only holds value if a manual is available. Nonsense. He is allowed his option regardless.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Az
I went From a 2013 Gs manual to a 2017 GS A8 2 months ago. Don’t miss the manual at all. I found myself many times not wanting to drive me c6 manual, cause I didn’t want to shift.
The 17 GS A8 is awsome. Shifts are great. I also have a ported n polished TB and Range device. But I love the crisp shifts of the A8.
The 17 GS A8 is awsome. Shifts are great. I also have a ported n polished TB and Range device. But I love the crisp shifts of the A8.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2021
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I think the problem isn't the automatic but the paddle shifters on a torque converter and people hoping to replicate the directness of shifting with the paddles. That tech simply isn't there. Most paddle shifters have a bit of a delay, especially on downshifts and especially when not driven in the highest performance setting and at wide open throttle. If you put it in track and are flooring it, the quickness of the shifts would probably be a bit more pronounced, which is the way it is in other paddle shifting performance vehicles I've owned. The quickest will always be dual clutch autos...but if you're trying to replicate the feel of a manual with paddles, you're going to come up short.
I have driven an automatic C7 and it was fun. However, for me, the manual is what I wanted in my sports car, not for performance reasons, but simply because I find driving manual transmissions an enjoyable part of the experience and this is not a daily driver for me...so I waited til I could find what I wanted.
I have driven an automatic C7 and it was fun. However, for me, the manual is what I wanted in my sports car, not for performance reasons, but simply because I find driving manual transmissions an enjoyable part of the experience and this is not a daily driver for me...so I waited til I could find what I wanted.
Last edited by vbb; May 18, 2021 at 07:23 AM.
Le Mans Master
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From: Commerce Texas
But the VAST majority of A8 owners have ZERO problems! Have friends that have A8s with, in excess of 80K miles each... zero problems. I traded my '15 MN7 with 97K+ miles for a '19 A8 - zero regrets.- have 14K on the '19.
Last edited by 4thC4at60; May 18, 2021 at 12:18 PM. Reason: spelling/additional info
Race Director
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From: Virginia
True, as everything I've heard and read states that the C7 A8 issue rate is only about 5% . Seems A LOT MORE on forums as is where everyone with faulty A8s come to inform and complain.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
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I think the problem isn't the automatic but the paddle shifters on a torque converter and people hoping to replicate the directness of shifting with the paddles. That tech simply isn't there. Most paddle shifters have a bit of a delay, especially on downshifts and especially when not driven in the highest performance setting and at wide open throttle. If you put it in track and are flooring it, the quickness of the shifts would probably be a bit more pronounced, which is the way it is in other paddle shifting performance vehicles I've owned. The quickest will always be dual clutch autos...but if you're trying to replicate the feel of a manual with paddles, you're going to come up short.
I have driven an automatic C7 and it was fun. However, for me, the manual is what I wanted in my sports car, not for performance reasons, but simply because I find driving manual transmissions an enjoyable part of the experience and this is not a daily driver for me...so I waited til I could find what I wanted.
I have driven an automatic C7 and it was fun. However, for me, the manual is what I wanted in my sports car, not for performance reasons, but simply because I find driving manual transmissions an enjoyable part of the experience and this is not a daily driver for me...so I waited til I could find what I wanted.
Last edited by dashotgun; May 18, 2021 at 05:54 PM.
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The demonstrated, tremendous superiority and performance of the DCT automatic transmission, is absolutely worthy of a Corvette buyer's consideration.
Last edited by Skid Row Joe; May 18, 2021 at 06:18 PM.
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I have 2 2019 Grand sports, both 2 lt. One manual, one auto. In the past I have always preferred manual cars but now I can't honestly say I like the manual more than the a8. They are both great to drive and you can't go wrong with either in my opinion. it just comes down to personal preference.