...Paddle shifting is kinda new and fun to me
A8 Auto
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,471
Likes: 11
From: Morehead Ky
A8 Auto
Thinking of getting a C7Z with a A8. Last time I had a auto was a 97C5. I have done a short test drive with the A8. I liked it but kinda concerned about how they hold up over time. I see some members posting about issues from time to time. This would be a daily driver, no track time. Anyone regret getting the A8?
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 149
Likes: 27
I have A8's in both 2017 and 2018 Z06's (so my wife can drive them). The only thing I hated on the automatics was the stupid v4 mode, but that finally has been resolved with the latest Diablosport Sprint/Range ODBII plug in.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 83
Likes: 41
The A 8 auto is the first automatic I have ever owned in my lifetime of owning and loving Corvettes. I’m an old timer so I don’t track my Z06 and my wife can now enjoy driving too. (Although the last time she drove was the test ride at the dealership), it’s nice to know if I want her to drive it she can. I drive my Vette mostly in the spring and summer, it has never overheated, gone into limp mode and using the paddle shifters is a breeze. I highly recommend the A8 for anyone who is on the fence about buying a Corvette with an automatic transmission.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,643
Likes: 633
From: Lake Bluff IL
I can absolutely recommend the A8. I have had manual trans sports cars all my life starting with my '57 Chevy, '65 Corvair Corsa and '68 Hemi Road Runner, through lots of British cars, up to and including two C4 ZR-1s over 20 years. All but the Corsa were used cars. Sold the last ZR-1 to get a new C7. I read lots of reviews that the A8 was fine, and I figured at this point in my life I am old enough to deserve both an automatic and a warranty. So I went with the A8 Z06 and after 11,000 miles I can say is has been a great trouble free car. As an aside, I regularly have lunch with my long time friend and ZR-1 worldwide expert Marc Haibeck. His job is only to work on and build high performance LT5 engines for C4 ZR-1s. He also has a 2010 ZR1. Whenever I go down with the Z06 he insists on driving and says he wants to because he loves the automatic so much. Says it is amazing. Pretty good endorsement I would say. Go for the A8--Bob
Last edited by ZR1Bob; Feb 24, 2018 at 11:17 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 8,729
Likes: 1,508
From: Redmond WA
There's really only one downside to the A8 that bugs me.
This car is so powerful (torque) that it'd be nice to just "roll into third" sometime. But because you have kickdown, there's no "rolling" into anything. If you do you get kickdown, the Earth sounds like it coming to an end, and you're at maximum acceleration.
I used to have a BMW 750V12 once that you could force the "tiptronic" into any gear at any speed and keep it there. Driving the queen? Start out in fifth. That
Very minor complaint, but it's something I miss about my C6Z M6.
This car is so powerful (torque) that it'd be nice to just "roll into third" sometime. But because you have kickdown, there's no "rolling" into anything. If you do you get kickdown, the Earth sounds like it coming to an end, and you're at maximum acceleration.
I used to have a BMW 750V12 once that you could force the "tiptronic" into any gear at any speed and keep it there. Driving the queen? Start out in fifth. That
Very minor complaint, but it's something I miss about my C6Z M6.
Last edited by davepl; Feb 24, 2018 at 12:32 PM.
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 422
Likes: 135
There's really only one downside to the A8 that bugs me.
This car is so powerful (torque) that it'd be nice to just "roll into third" sometime. But because you have kickdown, there's no "rolling" into anything. If you do you get kickdown, the Earth sounds like it coming to an end, and you're at maximum acceleration.
I used to have a BMW 750V12 once that you could force the "tiptronic" into any gear at any speed and keep it there. Driving the queen? Start out in fifth. That
Very minor complaint, but it's something I miss about my C6Z M6.
This car is so powerful (torque) that it'd be nice to just "roll into third" sometime. But because you have kickdown, there's no "rolling" into anything. If you do you get kickdown, the Earth sounds like it coming to an end, and you're at maximum acceleration.
I used to have a BMW 750V12 once that you could force the "tiptronic" into any gear at any speed and keep it there. Driving the queen? Start out in fifth. That
Very minor complaint, but it's something I miss about my C6Z M6.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 354
Likes: 83
From: FREELAND MARYLAND
I just purchased 2019 Z06 A8 from Mike Furman at Criswell. Never driven a Vette, but I had a 2010 SS Camaro Stick Shift and after 7 years of switching gears, I said it is time for an automatic.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,088
Likes: 1,829
From: Metro Detroit Michigan
There's really only one downside to the A8 that bugs me.
This car is so powerful (torque) that it'd be nice to just "roll into third" sometime. But because you have kickdown, there's no "rolling" into anything. If you do you get kickdown, the Earth sounds like it coming to an end, and you're at maximum acceleration.
I used to have a BMW 750V12 once that you could force the "tiptronic" into any gear at any speed and keep it there. Driving the queen? Start out in fifth. That
Very minor complaint, but it's something I miss about my C6Z M6.
This car is so powerful (torque) that it'd be nice to just "roll into third" sometime. But because you have kickdown, there's no "rolling" into anything. If you do you get kickdown, the Earth sounds like it coming to an end, and you're at maximum acceleration.
I used to have a BMW 750V12 once that you could force the "tiptronic" into any gear at any speed and keep it there. Driving the queen? Start out in fifth. That
Very minor complaint, but it's something I miss about my C6Z M6.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 8,729
Likes: 1,508
From: Redmond WA
In the old BMW you could literally start in 5th and do a 0-60 that way. No idea if that's good for it though! Or why you'd want to... but you had that control.
