Automatic or manual transmission
07-22-2017, 04:43 PM
#121
Le Mans Master
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With all due respect, gentlemen. I have never met long time manual drivers that suddenly switch to Autos WITHOUT another underlining reason for doing so. For example, getting older, bad knees, wife must also drive, etc. I would bet my next paycheck that, if you both were in fact manual enthusiasts, you now fall into one of these 3 reasons for now going with an auto.
07-22-2017, 05:10 PM
#122
Melting Slicks
Did you miss the part about getting older.
When you start to have trouble being able to walk and chew gum at the same time and/or have little hand/eye/foot coordination left an A8 is a perfect fit.
Chevy recognized this in their ever aging Corvette demographic, ergo an automatic. Other so called performance, high priced vehicles recognized this long ago. As the price goes up so does the median age of potential purchasers.
Next up will be a self driving controller so almost non existent vision and near infinite reaction time can be accommodated.
When you start to have trouble being able to walk and chew gum at the same time and/or have little hand/eye/foot coordination left an A8 is a perfect fit.
Chevy recognized this in their ever aging Corvette demographic, ergo an automatic. Other so called performance, high priced vehicles recognized this long ago. As the price goes up so does the median age of potential purchasers.
Next up will be a self driving controller so almost non existent vision and near infinite reaction time can be accommodated.
07-22-2017, 05:39 PM
#123
Racer
It is not just an aging issue about the manual trans not being as popular anymore. Unfortunately many of the younger generation can't drive a stick. To them there is no choice but to get an automatic.
07-22-2017, 05:40 PM
#124
Le Mans Master
When you start to have trouble being able to walk and chew gum at the same time and/or have little hand/eye/foot coordination left an A8 is a perfect fit.
Chevy recognized this in their ever aging Corvette demographic, ergo an automatic. Other so called performance, high priced vehicles recognized this long ago. As the price goes up so does the median age of potential purchasers.
Next up will be a self driving controller so almost non existent vision and near infinite reaction time can be accommodated.
Chevy recognized this in their ever aging Corvette demographic, ergo an automatic. Other so called performance, high priced vehicles recognized this long ago. As the price goes up so does the median age of potential purchasers.
Next up will be a self driving controller so almost non existent vision and near infinite reaction time can be accommodated.
People are arguing both - old people buy A8s because they're old, young people buy A8s because they can't drive a stick. Which is it?If you actually take the time to look it up and do the math, since it's introduction in the Z, the adoption rate of the A8 has increased (obviously) while the average buyer's age has decreased.
Thus, the younger the Corvette demographic is, the more buyers select the A8. That's a fact, spin it however you'd like.
I suspect it's geezers with retro hero dreams of the M-21 that buy the M7. I wouldn't know, because I actually have a M-21, so don't need an M7 in a modern vehicle. Which beats being a punk that can't row a stick. Wait, which side am I on again? I keep forgetting...
(All in fun, they're a fine car with either transmission, but I'll defend the A8 as long as people want to complain about it)
Last edited by davepl; 07-22-2017 at 05:43 PM.
07-22-2017, 05:51 PM
#125
Drifting
With all due respect, gentlemen. I have never met long time manual drivers that suddenly switch to Autos WITHOUT another underlining reason for doing so. For example, getting older, bad knees, wife must also drive, etc. I would bet my next paycheck that, if you both were in fact manual enthusiasts, you now fall into one of these 3 reasons for now going with an auto.
No age or knee issues here, the A8 is just more fun for me. I've had many sports cars, have spent a ton of time on the track heel-toeing manuals, and all of my Vettes since 1996 have been manuals. Honestly, I really thought I'd miss the heel-toe especially given the time and effort required to make it second-nature, but I dont.
Last edited by RedLS6; 07-22-2017 at 05:56 PM.
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Bad Dad (07-22-2017)
07-22-2017, 06:09 PM
#126
Le Mans Master
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Did you miss the part about getting older.
When you start to have trouble being able to walk and chew gum at the same time and/or have little hand/eye/foot coordination left an A8 is a perfect fit.
Chevy recognized this in their ever aging Corvette demographic, ergo an automatic. Other so called performance, high priced vehicles recognized this long ago. As the price goes up so does the median age of potential purchasers.
When you start to have trouble being able to walk and chew gum at the same time and/or have little hand/eye/foot coordination left an A8 is a perfect fit.
Chevy recognized this in their ever aging Corvette demographic, ergo an automatic. Other so called performance, high priced vehicles recognized this long ago. As the price goes up so does the median age of potential purchasers.
An auto is also much more consistent than a manual, which is pretty important if one bracket races.
Last edited by Warp Factor; 07-22-2017 at 06:22 PM.
07-22-2017, 06:18 PM
#127
Pro
Actually, the A8 us by far the most popular transmission with with the younger guys who are out to set good ETs at the dragstrip. Why? It's simply faster. If you look at the "fast list" sticky, and go to post #255, you'll notice that the "fast list" is almost devoid of M7s.
I love a stick, but I race the 1320. And when did age ever come into play.
07-22-2017, 06:29 PM
#128
07-22-2017, 06:32 PM
#129
Race Director
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Location: Northern Illinois
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Oldtimer
I've survived being wounded in Vietnam and Agent Orange related cancer. I look at life a little differently. I figure if I stay with the status-quo and never try anything new or different, I'm going to miss out on some pretty cool experiences. As I said, I've had manual transmission performance/sports cars most of my life and wanted nothing more than to experience the A8. I haven't been disappointed in the least. 
07-22-2017, 06:41 PM
#130
Pro
07-22-2017, 07:05 PM
#132
Apparently, I owe a few people a check. 
I call BS, meet me at the precinct and we can hook you up to a polygraph.
You all are getting old and don't feel like shifting! Say the truth.
I call BS, meet me at the precinct and we can hook you up to a polygraph. You all are getting old and don't feel like shifting! Say the truth.
07-22-2017, 07:06 PM
#133
Le Mans Master
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One-trick pony. The Corvette does everything quite well.
But it's also worth mentioning that the Demon, aimed at being a drag car, is only available with an automatic. Ever wondered why?
Better yet, let's meet at the gym, and see who is more physically capable. I'll be happy to pick you up at the Detroit airport.
Even better, drive your M7 out here, and lets see which of us can get a better time at the dragstrip in your gear-rower.
But it's also worth mentioning that the Demon, aimed at being a drag car, is only available with an automatic. Ever wondered why?
Even better, drive your M7 out here, and lets see which of us can get a better time at the dragstrip in your gear-rower.
Last edited by Warp Factor; 07-22-2017 at 07:29 PM.
07-22-2017, 07:34 PM
#134
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Plus, the Demon is well...damn ugly! 
I know it's fast and i know there are going to be a lot of street racers buying it, but the slap on fenders and the Mopar parts isn't enough to make me convert. Throw some road course curves into the mix, and it's over for the Demon. However, I'm sure a few home town heroes are going to win some red light street drag runs and go home and tell their friends how they smoked a Vette.
Last edited by MSG C5; 07-22-2017 at 07:35 PM.
07-22-2017, 07:40 PM
#135
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Oldtimer
07-22-2017, 07:48 PM
#136
whoa, whoa whoa, wait...People still live in Detroit? I take it all back, you must be a bad ***.
07-22-2017, 07:52 PM
#137
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DevilDog II (07-22-2017)
07-22-2017, 08:12 PM
#138
One-trick pony. The Corvette does everything quite well.
But it's also worth mentioning that the Demon, aimed at being a drag car, is only available with an automatic. Ever wondered why?
Better yet, let's meet at the gym, and see who is more physically capable. I'll be happy to pick you up at the Detroit airport.
Even better, drive your M7 out here, and lets see which of us can get a better time at the dragstrip in your gear-rower.
But it's also worth mentioning that the Demon, aimed at being a drag car, is only available with an automatic. Ever wondered why?
Better yet, let's meet at the gym, and see who is more physically capable. I'll be happy to pick you up at the Detroit airport.
Even better, drive your M7 out here, and lets see which of us can get a better time at the dragstrip in your gear-rower.
By physically capable the combination of power/speed/strength/endurance/Mobility
or who can bench the most?
07-22-2017, 08:32 PM
#139
07-22-2017, 09:10 PM
#140
Pro
Plus, the Demon is well...damn ugly! I know it's fast and i know there are going to be a lot of street racers buying it, but the slap on fenders and the Mopar parts isn't enough to make me convert. Throw some road course curves into the mix, and it's over for the Demon. However, I'm sure a few home town heroes are going to win some red light street drag runs and go home and tell their friends how they smoked a Vette. 
If I ever see one
