Ok, to start off, the "lazy" auto driver comments drive me nuts... Now, with that out of the way....

I opted for the M7 this time around. My C6 was an automatic and I have not actually driven a modern manual transmission - the newest manual I've driven is a 1996. Before my order went in I was very torn between the two options. I was not going to have the opportunity to drive either transmission so the best I could do was talk with people about the options, read, research and then try and make the best decision for me.

Although I found the forum here helpful, there were too many that are just biased because of their opinions of an AT being for "old men and ladies". I wanted real experience and plus/minus evaluations, not biased foolishness that seems to take over many of these threads. Then came the A8 bashers with their thoughts on what the transmission isn't (DCT) - guess what, DCT isn't available, that horse is dead and beating it will not make it poop a DCT. So in the end, I had to delete out those opinions because they were not helpful in my decision.

Next, I did research on current resale value of 2011 Grand Sports in AT and M. I realize they are apples and oranges, but I couldn't compare the C6 Z because they didn't offer an AT in that car. There was no difference between the two options in KBB, so couldn't really use those figures to help me make a decision.

So next I spoke with personal friends, some that have driven the M7 both in a C6 Z and a C7 Stingray and some that had driven an A8 in both a Stingray and Z06. These were people that I know are good drivers with real track time under their belts. I discussed my list of pros and cons with each and asked a ton of questions. Each who enjoyed the alternative transmission counselled me that theirs was the best :-) However, I asked enough questions that I could then take their answers and apply them to how I would drive and enjoy the car. This was probably the most helpful time I spent.

So the ball was back in my court. I came up with a full list of pros and cons of what each transmission would give me. I then weighed which of those pros outweighed the cons for how I will use the car. Here are some of the thoughts that I used to make my decision. Some of these reasons and thoughts are very specific to how I use my car, but it will give you a feel for the kind of list I laid out to make this decision.

1. The A8 is faster on the track - I don't track my cars and will never drag race, nor do the majority of people that will buy this car in the convertible. This gets a neutral A8/M7 from me for this factor.

2. The A8 is better in traffic. I live in a highly populated area of the country, and traffic is a daily scenario here. I originally thought this would weigh in favor of the A8, but after thoughts and contemplation on my driving habits, it's rare that I'm on the highway in traffic with my Corvette. Another neutral A8/M7

3. I like to do parades, the M7 will be more difficult for when I do parades - but that's like 3-4x a year max and it will actually make revving my motor easier :-) At first I thought this would put a check in the A8 box, but the fun factor moved my check to the M7 box.

4. A8 is easier to drive - or so I thought at first. But after research, with active rev match and down-hill assist along with getting feedback from M7 users about the easy of operation, this went to a neutral A8/M7

5. Resale - the A8 will appeal to a broader market down the road, but the M7 will appeal to more sports-car enthusiasts. This one goes to the A8

6. I autocross. I know my A6 tranny got quite lost on reaction on the AX course, I believe the car will be a much better car on the AX course as an M7. This one goes to the M7

7. Fun factor. M7 is the clear winner in this category.

8. I take dogs in my car - I had a concern about them hitting the gear shift and knocking the car out of gear. This would have put a big check box in the A8 until I looked more closely at the configuration of the center console. The gear shift is tucked safely behind the grab handle in the C7 - problem solved and neutral check box A8/M7.

9. I wear flip-flops all summer, I can't drive a stick in flip-flops. Believe it or not, this was a fairly major factor that I had to consider for MY driving style and enjoyment of the car. But I solved that problem in my brain, I'll simply have a pair of slip-on driving shoes for going to and from events - so I could take this to an A8/M7 neutral issue

10. A8 overheating issues. I don't track the car and I trust that GM will fix this issue, but it could hurt resale down the road if the issue doesn't get corrected, it's also a new transmission, some may feel buying a first year transmission before the "bugs" are worked out could devalue resale - but then again, the entire car is a first year - so that becomes a moot point. However, this puts a check box in the M7 for me.

11. Availability & Price. So, ok, I'm buying a nearly $100,000 car, but if all things are considered equal, why not save $1800! I work hard for my money and I can do a lot of other things with $1800. Plus, the A8 isn't available yet. Since a convertible was the only option for me, waiting until the A8 convertible was available was risking not getting a car until 2016 model year since I'm sure the coupes are going to put a serious hurting on all of the dealer's allocations once the A8 is released. And THIS was the final deciding factor for me - M7 it is.

So as I went through this process, almost every reason I had for the A8 became minor considerations for me, and the considerations for the M7 ended up outweighing the A8 considerations.

For price, fun factor, proven reliability and availability, the M7 won in my book. If both transmissions had been available, the choice would have been more difficult. But now that the choice is made, I'm very excited to drive the M7, it's going to be a LOT of fun!

 

One of the reasons I continue to buy Corvettes is because of the manual transmissions. I will keep buying them until they stop making them, or switch to a DCT.

I've got two '14 Range Rovers and a '15 on order, when I want to ride comfortably numb.

 

Nice post. Very thoughtful process.

It will be interesting to see how the A8 does for resale, if it turns out to be a great transmission you're probably spot on with your analysis. If it turns out to be not so hot, or is replaced by a DCT or A10 in a couple of years, it probably will take a little hit on the resale (like the 2014 A6). Personally, I don't think there will be a big difference one way or the other, certainly not enough to be a major consideration. Get what you enjoy.

 

i get m7 due to the connection of the driver and the car. just do not like sports cars with autos in them, did it 1 time but didnt car for it.

 

Resale will probably go to the M7. If you look at high performance cars that had low production numbers for their manual version cars, the manual cars always have better resale. Two that quickly come to mind are the previous gen GT3's and the Ferrari F430. Both are highly sought after.

 

I have either owned or driven extensively the Ferrari 458, Porsche GT3 with PDK, BMW M5 with DCT and the Audi RS5 with S-Tronic. I have driven a manual for 20 years, and while I still enjoy a manual, the manual is dying. The Dual Clutch transmissions are significantly quicker, don't make mistakes and getting increasingly telepathic in what needs to be done. The shift times are getting brutal on these transmissions. The cars sound great with them (blipping, rev matching). When I drive up in my RS5 and flick the paddle to downshift from 2nd to 1st and the car downshifts instantaneously revving at 8,000 rpm, it sounds like a Formula One car.

With that said, I doubt that the Corvette A8 will drive quite like these as it is still an automatic shifter, not an automated manual. But most high performance cars are just no longer being offered with a manual option. To me one of the biggest death blows has been with the Porsche GT3. It really comes down to what you enjoy. Chevy I am sure went with an A8 for the following reasons: 1) most corvette owners are older individuals who don't want to shift (a demographic that was the key reason why the seats have lagged), 2) most high performance car companies are moving from manual to dual-clutch. It is a shame that Chevy was not able to develop a dual-clutch transmission for this car.

 

I've been driving manuals over 35 years... My next vette will be the technically superior A8 z06 because it's superior. I prefer to keep an open mind.

No wrong choices....so go test drive both and decide for yourself...

I dig my m6 c6 but next one I'm going to try the A8 z06...

Motor trend video with Prost in the white Z06 looked pretty bad ***...

 

Exactly.

 

Except when spewing BS about the auto being technically superior. What a completely asinine thing to say.

 

Sorry if I hurt your feelings..it wasn't my intent to get someone so upset...

Technically superior in the fact that the A8 z06 is considered by gm to be the faster track vehicle than the m7

I hope that better explains my statement so it doesn't insult you or any other m6 drivers...(myself included)

 

Instead of posting a personal attack against JerriVette, how about posting an accurate, well thought out rebuttal to his comment to prove he is spewing BS.

These A8 vs M7 threads always degenerate into a name calling fest by the M7 crowd. There is also a substantial amount of ignorance displayed by them. I understand being passionate about something but if somebody else prefers a different transmission than you, it would be nice if the personal attacks were left unsaid. I also understand it's hard to not display your ignorance when you don't know what you don't know...but then again, there is the internet and those wonderful search engines.

 

The bolded is the ignorance I'm speaking about. First, DCTs are not automated manuals. Second, the A8 and DCTs shift exactly the same way with the same exact mechanisms. They both have multi-plate wet clutches hydraulically actuated through proportional solenoid valves in a clutch to clutch architecture, obviously they both have hydraulic pumps and coolers too. The difference is the A8 doesn't have two clutches, it has five. No matter what gear you're in with a DCT, the computer only has the option of selecting the next higher or next lower gear and hope it's the right one. If it selects the next higher one but then you brake and need the next lower one or maybe even two or three lower, well you'll just have to wait. With the A8, if you press the downshift paddle for longer than a tap, it goes to the lowest gear possible without exceeding redline.

If you prefer the M7, state the reasons it's better for you without saying anything negative about the A8. Same goes for the A8 crowd but I don't really see the bashing of the M7 by them.

 

Hello, someone that know & understands!

 

I'll be happy to do that as soon as he (or you) can provide links to corvette engineers specifying that the A8 is "technically superior" to the M7. If speed is the only criteria, then my ZR1 is technically superior to my M7 Z07 due in this week. Would you agree?

I've got no hate toward anyone with an auto...as I have many myself. However, like others here who prefer hi po cars with manuals, I'm tired of a few here who boast that their auto is somehow superior.

 

Bull ****. It goes both ways.

 

Did you happen to read the Car and Driver review of the Z, and their preference for the M7? Is this any more meaningful or persuasive than other reviews lauding the A8?

Oddly enough, I haven't seen a single word from anyone complaining about how ridiculously harsh the ride of the Z07 is when compared to the Z...strange indeed.

 

Not really...

Many drivers who prefer manuals really think they are more skilled just because of their transmission choice. It's a dumb assumption and not true in many cases

 

I think the true reason most people get the a8 is because either because they cant drive manual ( like a real enthusiast) or they are tired of driving manual. I honestly will never get an auto sports car. If the point was to just go fast, i would get a a gtr. If the point was to get a fast daily driver, i woukd get a cls63 or e63 amg. It just gives me a different feeling with manual. Downshifting, rev matching, rowing through gears, dumping clutch, heel to toe shifting, double clutching. This is what driving manual is about. People say auto/dct is the future. Well that just will make manual rare and more sort after. I will personally never buy an auto/dct sports coupe. Maybe a sedan but never a coupe

 

Most people buy autos. Every car I own is a manual, even my SUV. I don't go with what the crowd says. I go for what is fun for me to drive. I enjoy what most people are missing out on.

Also I might add, that the few times I have driven cars with 8 speed autos, they have driven me crazy with all the gear changes. It's just too much, and too busy. The RPM is constantly cycling up and down. I can't even imagine what a 10 speed auto would be like.

Michael

 

Wow great video! I prefer a manual transmission myself