A8 vs 7M
Pro
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 742
Likes: 54
From: Yonkers New York
I have yet to order my Z06, and this is on my mind a lot. I keep landing on the M7, but second guessing constantly.
A8:
-Quicker in a straight line (but both are around 3 seconds 0-60, so this is not relevant unless you are truly racing)
-Easier and faster to hit the right gear, especially if you are asleep or lazy
-Can pop into a different gear mid turn (manual mode should resolve this with practice)
-More people can drive it (valet)
-Much better in traffic
-Can still drive it if you damage your left knee
M7:
-Manuals are more rare as time goes by. This could place the M7 as a more valuable car in the future
-Fewer people can drive it (my daughters, for instance)
-Costs ~$3k less with the gas guzzler tax included
-Gets better gas mileage (but who is buying this car for MPG?)
-Better control in corners, downshifting, overall control of the car; more involvement.
-I love the feeling and sound of pulling away from a stop with a manual... and downshifting...
-Has a reputation for popping out of gear if the linkage isn't adjusted perfectly. This can be resolved by installing an MGW short-throw shifter, though, and mods are fun.
-Properly driving a stick takes experience. When you really get it down, it is like perfectly hitting the apex in a corner. I don't think I would get the same thrill with an automatic.
-My wife can drive a manual, and I think that is rather sexy.
-I am not getting any younger, and a stick in Seattle traffic could become a real pain in the years to come
...still on the fence.
A8:
-Quicker in a straight line (but both are around 3 seconds 0-60, so this is not relevant unless you are truly racing)
-Easier and faster to hit the right gear, especially if you are asleep or lazy
-Can pop into a different gear mid turn (manual mode should resolve this with practice)
-More people can drive it (valet)
-Much better in traffic
-Can still drive it if you damage your left knee
M7:
-Manuals are more rare as time goes by. This could place the M7 as a more valuable car in the future
-Fewer people can drive it (my daughters, for instance)
-Costs ~$3k less with the gas guzzler tax included
-Gets better gas mileage (but who is buying this car for MPG?)
-Better control in corners, downshifting, overall control of the car; more involvement.
-I love the feeling and sound of pulling away from a stop with a manual... and downshifting...
-Has a reputation for popping out of gear if the linkage isn't adjusted perfectly. This can be resolved by installing an MGW short-throw shifter, though, and mods are fun.
-Properly driving a stick takes experience. When you really get it down, it is like perfectly hitting the apex in a corner. I don't think I would get the same thrill with an automatic.
-My wife can drive a manual, and I think that is rather sexy.
-I am not getting any younger, and a stick in Seattle traffic could become a real pain in the years to come
...still on the fence.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 72
Likes: 3
Just got my manual and love it! Very, very smooth shifter and rev matching is super cool. I would consider this car very boring with an auto (loping around at low RPM unless accelerating hard) and not sure paddle shifting would cure it.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,066
Likes: 9,829
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I've had stick corvettes for the past 12 years but I switched to the A8 Z06 this year because it is my daily driver and was fed up doing stick shift in start/stop traffic. But 6000 miles later I've also noticed it is way easier to deal with the horsepower with the auto compared to my old stick shift cars, it is much easier to apply a small amount of throttle from a standing start (particularly valuable on rainy slick roads when you have 650 horsepower on tap)
Bill
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 110
Likes: 71
I have never seen that with an automatic in low grip situations. It is far easier to slip the clutch and start in 2nd or 3rd gear with a manual to get the car moving under those kinds of conditions. If a manual car is moving and you break the rear tires loose on slippery roads by adding a small amount of throttle you are driving in the wrong gear. With an automatic and a high torque engine just putting the car into Drive, Low or Reverse without even touching the throttle can cause the rear wheels to break loose.
Bill
Bill
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,746
Likes: 916
A8 all the way. I've been a life long manual guy and still have a 1969 Z/28 with its factory manual. It's fun rowing the gears in the Z/28, but the A8 in my Z51 is super fun in a different way. I love the A8's rev matching ability, super close gear ratios for a short RPM drop between shifts, its burble in between shifts, and its super clean and quick up shifts when at WOT. I honestly thought I would end up being disappointed/bored with the A8, but that's not the case. The more I drive it, the more I love it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 8,729
Likes: 1,508
From: Redmond WA
I would bet that most of us with the A8 previously had an M6 car.
I would bet that most of us with the M7 previously had an M6 car.
Thus, the people with the A8s have the context to compare, whereas people that have only had M6/M7 cars really don't have a leg to stand on (because they're both busy!).
For the most part, then, the statements are:
"Having had a stick car in the past, I chose the A8 now that it's available and love it"
vs
"I ain't not never changing nuthin 'eceptin for a lot of gears"
(Well, the grammar might be a little biased, but I try to keep these dry and dull points entertaining)
I would bet that most of us with the M7 previously had an M6 car.
Thus, the people with the A8s have the context to compare, whereas people that have only had M6/M7 cars really don't have a leg to stand on (because they're both busy!).
For the most part, then, the statements are:
"Having had a stick car in the past, I chose the A8 now that it's available and love it"
vs
"I ain't not never changing nuthin 'eceptin for a lot of gears"
(Well, the grammar might be a little biased, but I try to keep these dry and dull points entertaining)
Last edited by davepl; Nov 28, 2015 at 07:05 PM.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 278
Likes: 27
From: Charleston SC
I would bet that most of us with the A8 previously had an M6 car.
I would bet that most of us with the M7 previously had an M6 car.
Thus, the people with the A8s have the context to compare, whereas people that have only had M6/M7 cars really don't have a leg to stand on (because they're both busy!).
For the most part, then, the statements are:
"Having had a stick car in the past, I chose the A8 now that it's available and love it"
vs
"I ain't not never changing nuthin 'eceptin for a lot of gears"
(Well, the grammar might be a little biased, but I try to keep these dry and dull points entertaining)
I would bet that most of us with the M7 previously had an M6 car.
Thus, the people with the A8s have the context to compare, whereas people that have only had M6/M7 cars really don't have a leg to stand on (because they're both busy!).
For the most part, then, the statements are:
"Having had a stick car in the past, I chose the A8 now that it's available and love it"
vs
"I ain't not never changing nuthin 'eceptin for a lot of gears"
(Well, the grammar might be a little biased, but I try to keep these dry and dull points entertaining)
Racer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 381
Likes: 50
I would bet that most of us with the A8 previously had an M6 car.
I would bet that most of us with the M7 previously had an M6 car.
Thus, the people with the A8s have the context to compare, whereas people that have only had M6/M7 cars really don't have a leg to stand on (because they're both busy!).
For the most part, then, the statements are:
"Having had a stick car in the past, I chose the A8 now that it's available and love it"
vs
"I ain't not never changing nuthin 'eceptin for a lot of gears"
(Well, the grammar might be a little biased, but I try to keep these dry and dull points entertaining)
I would bet that most of us with the M7 previously had an M6 car.
Thus, the people with the A8s have the context to compare, whereas people that have only had M6/M7 cars really don't have a leg to stand on (because they're both busy!).
For the most part, then, the statements are:
"Having had a stick car in the past, I chose the A8 now that it's available and love it"
vs
"I ain't not never changing nuthin 'eceptin for a lot of gears"
(Well, the grammar might be a little biased, but I try to keep these dry and dull points entertaining)
What does your theory say I should be driving?
Racer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 474
Likes: 18
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 10,084
Likes: 3,056
From: CA
Michael
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 10,084
Likes: 3,056
From: CA
Totally agree that's hot! If I ever get married, if she wants, I'm going to teach her how to drive a manual.
BTW, all my cars are manuals, and I drive LA traffic. In many respects, I think the manuals are nicer. I get more engine braking, so I'm not constantly on the brakes or riding the brakes. It also gives me something to do. Clutches are light on today's manuals.
Michael
BTW, all my cars are manuals, and I drive LA traffic. In many respects, I think the manuals are nicer. I get more engine braking, so I'm not constantly on the brakes or riding the brakes. It also gives me something to do. Clutches are light on today's manuals.
Michael
Last edited by Michael A; Nov 29, 2015 at 12:25 AM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 474
Likes: 18
If all you did was race the car down the quarter mile and you had to win, then I would agree. Otherwise, the car is meant to be driven and enjoyed. You'll never know it's slower by a tenth or two with an M7, but you'll know you miss shifting if you have the A8.
Michael
Michael
I guarantee it.
So I can't miss what I am doing more of than I was before.
The only difference is that my left leg is always braced on the dead pedal.
I do a lot more downshifting, too.
3rd to 2nd always gives a nice satisfying grow at just the right time.
Last edited by DaveN007; Nov 29, 2015 at 01:07 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 219
Likes: 68
From: MI
I have an M7 - I came from a A6 2009 CTSV.
Loved the A6 at the drag strip for the 2x a year I would go - mostly disliked it on the street, was always doing stuff that I didn't like and was rarely in the gear that I would have chose.
Love the M7 on the street, very fun to drive - even in traffic as I live in SoCal. Miss having an A8 every time I'm at the drag strip, but with that being 2-3 times a year with this car it's really not a big deal.
Both transmissions are really good, you can't really go wrong with either.
Loved the A6 at the drag strip for the 2x a year I would go - mostly disliked it on the street, was always doing stuff that I didn't like and was rarely in the gear that I would have chose.
Love the M7 on the street, very fun to drive - even in traffic as I live in SoCal. Miss having an A8 every time I'm at the drag strip, but with that being 2-3 times a year with this car it's really not a big deal.
Both transmissions are really good, you can't really go wrong with either.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 203
From: MI
I was in Italy for a week recently. I only saw 2 automatics both were tour buses. Even Mercedes and BMW station wagons were stick shifts. The Italians love to shift gears.
Personally I find stick shifts more fun on the street unless the drive consists of an hour of stop and go traffic
Personally I find stick shifts more fun on the street unless the drive consists of an hour of stop and go traffic