Manual vs Auto
07-17-2018, 09:34 PM
#21
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Aug 2016
Location: MOUNTAIN HOME Arkansas
Posts: 2,687
Received 957 Likes
on
620 Posts
Kinda like the difference between "Riding" a roller coaster, you're just along for the ride OR driving your car by actually being part of the experience. Nothing at all wrong with preferring the auto especially a daily commute thru traffic & wanting to drink something while resting your left foot on the dead pedal. No real right/wrong choice, just what do YOU prefer (only one who matters except wife/girlfriend/partner).
07-17-2018, 09:35 PM
#22
Instructor
Driven manuals for 30 years on my sports car and went with my first auto on the A8. It's a very personal decision only you can make.
At times I'm bored with the auto and I'd be lying if I said otherwise. Other times the A8 is simply fantastic both in performance and overall experience. In my case, for my needs, the A8 was the best overall buy and I'm happy with it.
Looking at a GT350 to supplement the Z06 and fill the stick void.
At times I'm bored with the auto and I'd be lying if I said otherwise. Other times the A8 is simply fantastic both in performance and overall experience. In my case, for my needs, the A8 was the best overall buy and I'm happy with it.
Looking at a GT350 to supplement the Z06 and fill the stick void.
Last edited by lupicon; 07-17-2018 at 09:37 PM.
07-17-2018, 10:09 PM
#23
I’ve had both sort of. My 2014 Stingray was an M6 but I liked it. When I bought my Z07 vert, I loved the look (Black with Kalahari top and interior) and did not even ask about the transmission. Was so excited I got into the car asked for the key and realized that, wait a minute, there’s and extra pedal. Was a little disappointed to discover the Z was a M7 but thought, what the hell. Long story short, I now own the car. This is the best manual transmission I’ve ever driven. The exact opposite of what I thought it would be. Very easy and what a blast to drive. My new Camaro SS is an auto and it is a real pleasure to drive but I’m really diggin the M7 in the Z.
07-18-2018, 05:23 AM
#24
Racer
I rented a 14 stingray A8 for the weekend while in Florida. Then test drove a 16Z A8. I bought a 17Z M7. Just a more enjoyable experience to me. When i take the Vette out i am taking it to enjoy the driving experience and shifting gears with a manual transmission is a big part of that experience. All my other daily drivers are automatic used for getting from point A to point B.
The following users liked this post:
Z0HS1CK (07-18-2018)
07-18-2018, 06:53 PM
#25
I rented a 14 stingray A8 for the weekend while in Florida. Then test drove a 16Z A8. I bought a 17Z M7. Just a more enjoyable experience to me. When i take the Vette out i am taking it to enjoy the driving experience and shifting gears with a manual transmission is a big part of that experience. All my other daily drivers are automatic used for getting from point A to point B.
But even with that advantage, after only a 45 minute drive, it was boring. The auto shifts make your ears bleed. Like it sounds amazing when you're going wot. But all other times besides wot you want to jump off a building lol
The following users liked this post:
salcolkat (07-18-2018)
07-18-2018, 07:04 PM
#26
Instructor
One other point...the manual keeps everyone else in my household from driving my car. This could be good or bad depending on your situation but is probably the best theft prevention out there 
The following users liked this post:
tonysz06 (07-19-2018)
07-18-2018, 07:56 PM
#27
That's another perk to the manual lol
07-18-2018, 08:01 PM
#28
Team Owner
Member Since: Aug 1999
Location: Huntingdon Valley Pa
Posts: 20,228
Received 1,767 Likes
on
969 Posts
All depends on what you want the car for, you want to drag race it get the auto, you have to sit in traffic get the automatic, if you want to auto cross or just fun driving get the manual, all 12 on my corvette's so far have been manuals, my ZR1's on order are manuals, as long as I can get a manual corvette, that's what I am getting.
07-18-2018, 08:01 PM
#29
Auto def feels and is faster overall. I love the auto remote start, it sounds MEAN everytime. I have owned both, I now have a manual and love the rev match downshifts. IMO I feel like they are 50-50. If youre going to drive lots in the city, get an auto. If you want a solid drag car get the auto. If you want to have the hands on raw car feel get the manual.
07-18-2018, 08:21 PM
#31
Racer
07-18-2018, 08:31 PM
#32
Instructor
Totally agree! Have a 19 ZO6 Vert M7 and love it. Can't imagine having this car without a manual.........
Last edited by BDASSZO6; 07-19-2018 at 01:00 AM.
07-18-2018, 10:21 PM
#35
Le Mans Master
I drove an A8 and purchased an M7. No regrets with the purchase... 
The following users liked this post:
Z0HS1CK (07-19-2018)
The following users liked this post:
Z0HS1CK (07-19-2018)
07-19-2018, 06:18 AM
#37
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
My friend's hellcat is a beast, even with minor bolt ons. And for some reason his trans shifts cleaner and faster than the A8's in our cars.
But even with that advantage, after only a 45 minute drive, it was boring. The auto shifts make your ears bleed. Like it sounds amazing when you're going wot. But all other times besides wot you want to jump off a building lol
But even with that advantage, after only a 45 minute drive, it was boring. The auto shifts make your ears bleed. Like it sounds amazing when you're going wot. But all other times besides wot you want to jump off a building lol
The following users liked this post:
Z0HS1CK (07-19-2018)
07-19-2018, 06:26 AM
#38
Thanks for this post. I made this thread basically to find out if the shift feel on your automatic was similar to my Hellcat that I would be giving up for the Z. In track mode my A8 knocks me back in the seat and sounds like a fomular car while doing it. I would have expected the same with a Z. Oh well if I do this I may go manual to keep the driving engagement. Thanks for this info.
I dont have a hellcat my friend does lol. We go cruising and he takes his hellcat to drift events. I told him to get a beater toy for that, dont ruin that good car. His alignment gets messed up after one event lol. He leaves each event with his steering wheel crooked that's how much he does it lol
He told me if he wasnt for his kids he would have traded for the z. He loves my car. His wife likes my car more than the hellcat too lol. Go figure that. Would you think the wife wants something more spacious and comfy but I suppose she still likes the thrill of a small sports car.
I would drive the manual z before making the purchase. Will you be trading the hellcat or it's an addition?
if you're adding then you're good. Since you can def go manual with the z and still have the auto for daily. If you're trading I'd still go manual. Trust me you'll like it better.
there are more times I'm glad I had the manual than the little times I said to myself, "auto would have been good right about now".
if fact I think I said the latter statement like 2 times ever.
07-19-2018, 07:49 AM
#39
Race Director
Member Since: Mar 2003
Location: Northern Illinois
Posts: 10,789
Received 888 Likes
on
553 Posts
Oldtimer
Funny how many people always think their choice is the best. Kind of like asking what the best motor oil or wax is. There is no right or wrong answer. What works for someone else doesn't always work for me. I made the decision to go with the A8 because I've driven manual shift performance cars most of my life and wanted to try something different. Doesn't mean that my choice is the best choice, it just means that it works for me and I have no regrets. I'm sure this debate will continue for years to come, but at the end of the day you have to choose the transmission that makes you happy. 
07-19-2018, 07:54 AM
#40
Funny how many people always think their choice is the best. Kind of like asking what the best motor oil or wax is. There is no right or wrong answer. What works for someone else doesn't always work for me. I made the decision to go with the A8 because I've driven manual shift performance cars most of my life and wanted to try something different. Doesn't mean that my choice is the best choice, it just means that it works for me and I have no regrets. I'm sure this debate will continue for years to come, but at the end of the day you have to choose the transmission that makes you happy.
The following 4 users liked this post by saleen556: