C8UR911

I won’t buy a first year car. I won’t buy a stingray. If the Z model only comes with a auto, it better be a spectacular dual clutch, it better be at least somewhat reasonable to service, and it better have a shelf life of at least 100,000 miles before i need to worry about replacing dual clutch parts. I owned a GTR and will not make the mistake of buying another costly DCT to maintain.

if all those variables are not satisfied, I am buying a C2 and calling it a day.

Pisswilly

Scratch my Nut sack............. and think about it.

Michael A

Good point. I can't imagine a DCT lasting anywhere near as long as a well driven manual. A DCT tries to mimic an torque converter automatic with clutches.

Foosh

The 53-54 Corvette was also powered by a straight 6 (Blue Flame) and didn't sell well. It was almost axed then.

Heyitsryan20

Agreed! It is pretty ideal as a daily if you deal with massive amounts of traffic though.

Foosh

I really don't understand the constant comments about manuals being such a pain in heavy traffic. I've been commuting in the 2nd worst traffic in the nation in manuals for a couple of decades now, and it's an unconscious reflex. I guess I also have sound legs and knees. Walking is a bigger pain.

Heyitsryan20

I'm 100% a manual fan and will drive one until I can do so no longer. However, as you mentioned it can be a pain depending on people's physical conditions/abilities. the DC area is definitely bad traffic wise, but I've had some dates in Houston traffic where an automatic would have been nice.

saleen556

I agree with you as traffic doesn’t bother me either. I think the ones that complain are to busy eating,drinking or smoking while driving. They want that free hand.

Walt White Coupe

Obviously you don't know how a DCT works. If it mimics something, it's the clutch in a manual transmission car.

jtryba

Buy it

bgspot

I agree with you, except we can't take what works for us and project that onto others. I'm a manual guy all day long but if it comes DCT only, it will be a long hard decision for me between that and a c7 z06 manual

p3pilot

I've gone back and forth on this several times. I will always want the latest and greatest Corvette but I also prefer the manual way more than the automatic. My plan is to trade my 2017 in on a C8 when my number comes up with Mike Furman. If I absolutely can't live with the DCT I'll just find a used 2019 Z06 and call it a day.

GM5778

My $.02. Years ago I used to sell cars for GM and know that there is a problem with all this data stating the % of auto bought is X so that makes it popular. These number are mostly a misrepresentation because very very few people order a Corvette and wait the 6-8 weeks for it. Most are bought off dealer lots from existing stock, which means a GM Sales Manager selects the cars and options he wants. So with that any Sales Manger worth his salt has to hit his gross sales numbers for the month, quarter and year and one of the easiest ways to get your gross sales up is to pack cars with options, hence the 78% of ZO6s in 2018 sold with autos as an example. Sales Managers know the car as some demand and know when they have a guy in the showroom they can put him in a one w/auto because the purchase is emotional, not rational. Now, no Sales Manager makes his numbers on Corvettes, but you get the idea. I've seen and done this many many times with all different types of cars including CTS-Vs, Corvettes and Camaros. "Well if you take this one right now, we'll give ya an extra $500 off and free car washes for a year." Most people take these deals even if the car isn't exactly what they wanted, especially on the car they've dreamed about. So although the numbers are real, it's not the guy that wants the Corvette that orders the auto for himself, it's just that they are usually so excited that they'll accept a "good deal" on a car they can have right away auto or not.

BillY2KFRC

This is a really interesting discussion. It's kind of a chicken vs. egg conundrum. Are the dealers orderings mostly autos (which they definitely do, go on the website of any major dealer and check their inventory) due to it just being a safer bet and the added cost option providing a bit more profit when they do move one? Or is it based off metrics and experience of manual cars sitting on lots unsold for months? I would be fascinated to look at the percentage of manual cars ordered vs. autos for custom factory orders. I wonder if anyone can get those numbers? I'm sure the manual numbers are higher here. However, can that be explained by two reasons; people are forced to place custom orders to find a manual cars due to dealers not ordering them for stock? Or are the people placing custom orders more likely to be "enthusiasts"? Thus putting them in the camp of those more likely to want a manual? There's lots of interesting angles to look at this one from.

As to my own answer for the OPs question... we've seen the order guide, the first year C8 Stingray will not offer a manual... I've responded by ordering a stick shift ZR1. Now, come 2-3 years from now who knows, maybe there will be a manual, or maybe the C8 "Z06/ZR1" versions will be so compelling I won't mind going back to a DCT car again? (former GT-R owner) Hard to say for sure, but either way, I'll be happy owning the greatest and last of the classic Vette for a few years either way. No wrong choice, just need to buy what makes you happy in the end.

Foosh

Absolutely, but it also works the other way around. The primary point of my post is that auto advocates frequently project on others that manuals are terrible in heavy traffic. That's simply not true for a skilled and physically fit manual driver.

I really expect that I'm going to like the C8, but I won't be purchasing one unless the manual comes back. As I've said many times before, I've owned really fine DCT auto and TC auto sports cars, but ultimately got bored with them and bought a C7 primarily because it can be had with a great manual transmission. Thus, I'm not talking hypotheticals here, I know based upon real life experience and preference.

Supersonic 427

I buy a Corvette for the pure enjoyment of driving and want it to be completely different than my daily driver. A manual transmission for me in a Corvette or any performance car is a must! I have had a few automatic transmission Corvettes and find that a good portion of the fun factor is gone. There is no doubt that today's automatics are quicker than the manuals and the dual clutch will be even better. I don't drag race or track my Grand Sport so the slightly quicker numbers to 60 or the 1/4 mile in an automatic mean nothing to me.
Maybe someday I will change my tune, but for now, I will stick with the manual. Would be nice if the C8 will offer a manual, but it is doubtful!

fumbling

If the C8 is DCT only, I'll save a lot of money by not trading in to buy a C8 because I'll stick with my C7 M7 for the rest of my life.

CaliforniaJack

I've driven several exotics with dual clutch automatics and even though I love my six-speed manual, I have to admit that the automatic easily beats the manual. If you need to play with something, you can try to use the paddles to beat the computer, But I doubt that you will

Bbourne2009

So are you guys/gals corvette enthusiasts or fast manual car enthusiasts? If no Manual trans is an automatic deal breaker what do you really even like about the corvette in the first place. You can go buy a different car now and get started with all the leg pumping you want. I’m genuinely curious.

CorvetteMikeB

If C8 is Auto...What will you do?

Buy It!!!!!