Only if any demand for sticks exists in the future. This is far from certain.

As we all know, less than 20% of current drivers can even drive a stick and even many of those who can do not care to do so. This number will continue to quickly fall.

The vast majority of C7s were built with automatics for this reason - and this is an enthusiast car when demand for a stick is greater than for a family sedan.

My prediction is very few will want a stick in the future and there will be more than enough manual C7s to meet this declining interest, especially as the rapidly aging C7 owners who are noisily adamant about sticks die out.

 

first, i am 75 years young. sometimes. i have a targa blue 1972 lt-1 with air; a quasar blue 1991 lingenfelter zr-1; and a lemans blue 2007 z06. all manuals. so when i started looking for a blue c7 grand sport last december-january i wanted an automatic. reason is: i have had multiple surgery's on both of my knees with one being a replacement to remove the pins that have been there since 1969. another surgery on my right shoulder to remove a piece of shrapnel which almost took my arm is the killer right now. lately i find that if i drive one of the stick cars that shifting puts undue stress and pain on that arm while in the shifting motion, hence the automatic now.

 

I wanted a manual but ended up with an auto due to the scarcity of manuals in my area, a few weeks later I saw a manual car that I really liked and bought it with the intention of selling the auto. They are both 2019 2lt Grand sports and this was 2 years ago and both were brand new. Well, I still have them both because I do enjoy the auto and the manual. As far as resale I don't know or care as I am 68 and will drive these cars until I die or they get banned from the road. Not worried about saving for my retirement anymore. lol. The C7 with the power, looks and technology is an amazing car that still has the old school bloodlines that brings me back to my youth every time I go for a drive. That is the future value for me.

 

Pictures?

 

Good for you! Well played.

 

Amen!

 

Interesting discussion. Here's my story:
I bought my first Corvette at 69. A new 2016 Z51 M7.

My senior year in High School and while in College, I drove my Dad's '65 Mustang 289 4 speed.
After the Service, I bought my very first car just for me; A new 1971 Datsun 240Z 4 speed.

Then came marriage, a family, a mortgage, long daily commutes and a 30 year succession of subcompact, 4 cylinder, automatic, 'transportation specials'.
After paying off my daughters college loans, I was finally able to afford my own 'toy' so, I bought a car, just for me, for only the second time in my life; A new 2003 Supercharged Mustang Cobra, 6 speed; Fast and obnoxiously loud, and i loved it for 11 years and 100k miles.

Finally, after retiring, I bought my current Corvette. After many miles and smiles with two Mustangs, i decided to go for a slightly different life experience, while i could still enjoy it as god and the GM engineers intended. Three track events annually and one two week cross country road trip every year. Still, just the 3rd car I've ever purchased, just for me, and i think the "reversion to the mean" is evident.

I'm 76 now; I've no idea if this will be my last, but as long as it makes the 17 year old kid that's still a part of me happy, there will always be a thumping V8 in front of me and a shift **** in my right hand.
Future value be damned!

 

I agree with the OP that a manual will always be worth more than an automatic. All past generations of corvettes, a manual is always worth more than an automatic. Even the lower priced C4s that the younger generation can afford , a manual trans is worth substantially more. I know I would never buy a corvette with an automatic.