Manual vs Auto
07-17-2018, 08:22 AM
#1
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Manual vs Auto
I'm thinking about getting back in the fold. Who has had or driven both? Opinions. I'm sure both are great so I don't want a war of words, just honest opinions.Thanks.
07-17-2018, 08:27 AM
#2
Drove the A8 Z06 at SpeedVegas, recently purchased an M7 Z06. I’m a fan of the manual, I really enjoy driving it. The clutch is lighter than my 2016 WRX, and learning to handle 7 gears takes no time.
I enjoyed driving the A8 for my first time around a track, but I would never want to own one. A manual transmission is the only way to go in my book.
I enjoyed driving the A8 for my first time around a track, but I would never want to own one. A manual transmission is the only way to go in my book.
07-17-2018, 08:53 AM
#4
I test drove an A8 grand sport (not a Z06 but I assume the same transmission). I was disappointing in the slow shift timing with the paddles...I had a 2012 CTS-V and was expecting a significant improvement over that - felt the same. I ended up buying an M7 Z06 and it was absolutely the right choice for me.
07-17-2018, 10:00 AM
#5
Pro
I had a 2017 Z06 M7 and now I have a 2019 Z06 A8.
Truthfully, it depends on you. I've driven exclusively manual sports cars before this year. Even my Gallardo was a 6-speed gated manual in the past. There are days where I miss the rev-match and the engagement of rowing the gears, but I think the pro's outweigh the cons for me.
The Pro's of the A8:
- faster in the 1/4 mile
- faster around a track until it overheats
- faster on the street because of gearing
- easier to drive fast
- feels faster due to torque multiplication
- no missed shifts when driving hard
The Pro's of the M7:
- fun, more engaging
- rev-match makes downshifts sounds much better
- faster at higher speeds due to gearing
People complain about the shift delay and speed. Yes, it is noticeable, even in the 2019's where supposedly there was some form of non-public improvement. Honestly, you learn to drive around it eventually. In track mode, its "acceptable." The speed of the upshifts themselves are good. The downshifts need a lot of help but then again, I haven't driven the A8 aggressively on a track yet since I'm still breaking her in.
I put it in track mode, use manual mode, and the paddles respond faster based on my throttle input.
Truthfully, it depends on you. I've driven exclusively manual sports cars before this year. Even my Gallardo was a 6-speed gated manual in the past. There are days where I miss the rev-match and the engagement of rowing the gears, but I think the pro's outweigh the cons for me.
The Pro's of the A8:
- faster in the 1/4 mile
- faster around a track until it overheats
- faster on the street because of gearing
- easier to drive fast
- feels faster due to torque multiplication
- no missed shifts when driving hard
The Pro's of the M7:
- fun, more engaging
- rev-match makes downshifts sounds much better
- faster at higher speeds due to gearing
People complain about the shift delay and speed. Yes, it is noticeable, even in the 2019's where supposedly there was some form of non-public improvement. Honestly, you learn to drive around it eventually. In track mode, its "acceptable." The speed of the upshifts themselves are good. The downshifts need a lot of help but then again, I haven't driven the A8 aggressively on a track yet since I'm still breaking her in.
I put it in track mode, use manual mode, and the paddles respond faster based on my throttle input.
Last edited by xkilo16x; 07-20-2018 at 03:14 PM.
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lupicon (07-17-2018)
07-17-2018, 10:31 AM
#6
Drifting
I echo this exactly. Love my A8. Every month when I have lunch with my friend and C4 ZR-1 expert Marc Haibeck, who only drives stick shift cars in his day job, he always drives my Z06 to lunch and back because he loves the automatic. Thinks it is the best auto he has come across. Over the last two years the lunch locations have been getting farther and farther away.....Bob
Last edited by ZR1Bob; 07-17-2018 at 10:32 AM.
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DevilDog II (07-17-2018)
07-17-2018, 10:37 AM
#7
I find the M7 enjoyable to drive. The auto is boring to me. The paddles are a joke.
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mjross (07-17-2018)
07-17-2018, 11:45 AM
#9
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
I had a 2017 Z06 M7 and now I have a 2019 Z06 A8.
Truthfully, it depends on you. I've driven exclusively manual sports cars before this year. Even my Gallardo was a 6-speed gated manual in the past. There are days where I miss the rev-match and the engagement of rowing the gears, but I think the pro's outweigh the cons for me.
The Pro's of the A8:
- faster in the 1/4 mile
- faster around a track until it overheats
- faster on the street because of gearing
- easier to drive fast
- feels faster due to torque multiplication
- no missed shifts when driving hard
The Pro's of the M7:
- fun, more engaging
- rev-match sounds much better
- faster at higher speeds due to gearing
People complain about the shift delay and speed. Yes, it is noticeable, even in the 2019's where supposedly there was some form of non-public improvement. Honestly, you learn to drive around it eventually. In track mode, its "acceptable." The speed of the upshifts themselves are good. The downshifts need a lot of help but then again, I haven't driven the A8 aggressively on a track yet since I'm still breaking her in.
I put it in track mode, use manual mode, and the paddles respond faster based on my throttle input.
Truthfully, it depends on you. I've driven exclusively manual sports cars before this year. Even my Gallardo was a 6-speed gated manual in the past. There are days where I miss the rev-match and the engagement of rowing the gears, but I think the pro's outweigh the cons for me.
The Pro's of the A8:
- faster in the 1/4 mile
- faster around a track until it overheats
- faster on the street because of gearing
- easier to drive fast
- feels faster due to torque multiplication
- no missed shifts when driving hard
The Pro's of the M7:
- fun, more engaging
- rev-match sounds much better
- faster at higher speeds due to gearing
People complain about the shift delay and speed. Yes, it is noticeable, even in the 2019's where supposedly there was some form of non-public improvement. Honestly, you learn to drive around it eventually. In track mode, its "acceptable." The speed of the upshifts themselves are good. The downshifts need a lot of help but then again, I haven't driven the A8 aggressively on a track yet since I'm still breaking her in.
I put it in track mode, use manual mode, and the paddles respond faster based on my throttle input.
07-17-2018, 12:15 PM
#10
Team Owner
I do both the Auto is better is some ways and the M7 is better in others! Both with 800 hp is way to go!
07-17-2018, 12:30 PM
#11
Instructor
I had a 2017 Z06 M7 and now I have a 2019 Z06 A8.
Truthfully, it depends on you. I've driven exclusively manual sports cars before this year. Even my Gallardo was a 6-speed gated manual in the past. There are days where I miss the rev-match and the engagement of rowing the gears, but I think the pro's outweigh the cons for me.
The Pro's of the A8:
- faster in the 1/4 mile
- faster around a track until it overheats
- faster on the street because of gearing
- easier to drive fast
- feels faster due to torque multiplication
- no missed shifts when driving hard
The Pro's of the M7:
- fun, more engaging
- rev-match sounds much better
- faster at higher speeds due to gearing
People complain about the shift delay and speed. Yes, it is noticeable, even in the 2019's where supposedly there was some form of non-public improvement. Honestly, you learn to drive around it eventually. In track mode, its "acceptable." The speed of the upshifts themselves are good. The downshifts need a lot of help but then again, I haven't driven the A8 aggressively on a track yet since I'm still breaking her in.
I put it in track mode, use manual mode, and the paddles respond faster based on my throttle input.
Truthfully, it depends on you. I've driven exclusively manual sports cars before this year. Even my Gallardo was a 6-speed gated manual in the past. There are days where I miss the rev-match and the engagement of rowing the gears, but I think the pro's outweigh the cons for me.
The Pro's of the A8:
- faster in the 1/4 mile
- faster around a track until it overheats
- faster on the street because of gearing
- easier to drive fast
- feels faster due to torque multiplication
- no missed shifts when driving hard
The Pro's of the M7:
- fun, more engaging
- rev-match sounds much better
- faster at higher speeds due to gearing
People complain about the shift delay and speed. Yes, it is noticeable, even in the 2019's where supposedly there was some form of non-public improvement. Honestly, you learn to drive around it eventually. In track mode, its "acceptable." The speed of the upshifts themselves are good. The downshifts need a lot of help but then again, I haven't driven the A8 aggressively on a track yet since I'm still breaking her in.
I put it in track mode, use manual mode, and the paddles respond faster based on my throttle input.
07-17-2018, 02:01 PM
#14
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Apr 2005
Location: West Burbs of Chicago IL
Posts: 6,677
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I've always driven Manual, but had an A8 for three years...until I traded back into a M7 Z06 this Spring. Soooo glad I did. I love the M7 on this car. What a daily blast to drive. The A8 was a great (and REALLY fast) tranny, but if you are used to Manual, or remotely enjoy it, then get a manual without hestitation. What pushed me, other than a really great deal on a '17, was the publicised discontinuation of a manual gearbox in the upcoming C8.
07-17-2018, 05:47 PM
#16
Team Owner
Drove them both quick easy decision to go with manual. If you drive them both it will be an easy decision.
07-17-2018, 05:55 PM
#17
Race Director
M7 Pros:
1) Keeps you engaged
2) Keeps you a baller
3) Keeps the wifey out of the driver's seat
4) You black rims only need cleaning every other month
5) Enhances calf muscles
A8 Pros:
1) Faster in the 1,320
2) You kid can borrow it
3) You can buy color match paddles
4) Ideal for chrome rims
5) Lets you sip your java in traffic jams
1) Keeps you engaged
2) Keeps you a baller
3) Keeps the wifey out of the driver's seat
4) You black rims only need cleaning every other month
5) Enhances calf muscles
A8 Pros:
1) Faster in the 1,320
2) You kid can borrow it
3) You can buy color match paddles
4) Ideal for chrome rims
5) Lets you sip your java in traffic jams
07-17-2018, 08:50 PM
#18
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Aug 2016
Location: MOUNTAIN HOME Arkansas
Posts: 2,687
Received 957 Likes
on
620 Posts
M7 Pros:
1) Keeps you engaged
2) Keeps you a baller
3) Keeps the wifey out of the driver's seat
4) You black rims only need cleaning every other month
5) Enhances calf muscles
A8 Pros:
1) Faster in the 1,320
2) You kid can borrow it
3) You can buy color match paddles
4) Ideal for chrome rims
5) Lets you sip your java in traffic jams
1) Keeps you engaged
2) Keeps you a baller
3) Keeps the wifey out of the driver's seat
4) You black rims only need cleaning every other month
5) Enhances calf muscles
A8 Pros:
1) Faster in the 1,320
2) You kid can borrow it
3) You can buy color match paddles
4) Ideal for chrome rims
5) Lets you sip your java in traffic jams
07-17-2018, 09:08 PM
#19
Fixed.
If you're going to track the car, meaning a real track with turns and laps, go for the M7. The A8 will overheat in no time. Doesn't matter what year you get, 16, 17, 19 etc. They all overheat.
It's all on what you want.
It's hard to tell us no war but your thread title is M7 vs A8. That in itself is asking for war between both parties lol
Before i got my Z, i wanted a GS. Which i was fine with having, knowing it's slower. But at the time when i went they only had automatic GS's. 2 or 3 hours later i drove out of the dealer in a manual Z. Which was more money btw.
It was a better decision for me. I don't track the car, nor do i go 1/4. So i can't be slower in either scenario.
It's absolutely exciting whenever i get in the car and i hit the clutch to put it in 1st when leaving my house, instant gratification.
Rowing the gears merging on the highway, and my face hurts from smiling soo much.
The auto's are good too, but boring.
If you're going to track the car, meaning a real track with turns and laps, go for the M7. The A8 will overheat in no time. Doesn't matter what year you get, 16, 17, 19 etc. They all overheat.
It's all on what you want.
It's hard to tell us no war but your thread title is M7 vs A8. That in itself is asking for war between both parties lol
Before i got my Z, i wanted a GS. Which i was fine with having, knowing it's slower. But at the time when i went they only had automatic GS's. 2 or 3 hours later i drove out of the dealer in a manual Z. Which was more money btw.
It was a better decision for me. I don't track the car, nor do i go 1/4. So i can't be slower in either scenario.
It's absolutely exciting whenever i get in the car and i hit the clutch to put it in 1st when leaving my house, instant gratification.
Rowing the gears merging on the highway, and my face hurts from smiling soo much.
The auto's are good too, but boring.
Last edited by Z0HS1CK; 07-17-2018 at 09:08 PM.
07-17-2018, 09:23 PM
#20
track car,manual,street car auto.simple.auto is faster and more comfortable on the street.shifting is old fashion and outdated for the street,but good on the track.