I have to agree. The DCT has been the biggest disappointment with my C8. It shifts fast but so does the transmission in my Blazer and my Sierra pickup. The paddles don't even come close to the same experience of a true manual. Thank goodness I have an M6 Camaro ZL1 as my other play car. I find myself driving the ZL1 more and more these days and I think it's because I'm getting bored driving the C8.

 

The other issue with wanting or missing a manual transmission is I think the type of car most of us miss does not really exist as a brand new car anymore. The Cadillac stuff from what I heard anything with a Tremac is about 2 years out and probably going for way over msrp. The cool dodge stuff you know is gonna be way marked up…the final Camero is a pretty old platform that is harder to see out than the c8…All of this stuff is coming to an end. It’s fun to talk about Porsche and lotus but neither are gonna be available for a long time if ever at msrp. The Shelby gt 350 gets 10 mpg and the motor gets on your nerves. So we should enjoy the DCT before there is no transmission at all…

 

There are posts where folks complain the C8 is "too civilized" BUT they haven't driven in Z Mode Power set to Track. In that mode no way does it feel "civilized" IF you use your right foot. First until you reach ~72 mph it will not go into 6th. Yep some will say I paid for 8 gears I want to use them! BUT consider 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th are all Overdrive Ratios. In fact 8th is a crazy 0.33:1. Some early OD automatic ratios were only 0.80:1. Yep GM uses all those OD ratio's to get the best EPA TEST mpg. That test is only using 50 to 75 hp max (same test has to be effective for low hp "Grocery Getters.") Yep on a highway 7th, 8th and V4 are useful IF you're not varying the throttle or accelerating. But in my rural and in-town driving not that useful OR effective in increasing mpg. Now if you want the max mpg should buy a Prius and drive as you can with one. But you bought a sports car for a reason.

This video may help understand why this fellow ONLY drives in Z Mode Power set to Track. (BTW if you have MRC you can set "Ride" wherever you would like (Touring for example) and don't have to live with the harsh ride as if driving in Track!


SIDEBAR
I'm an old dude and was concerned having only had standard shifts from my 1st car, a '41 Ford coupe I stuffed in a modified Olds engine etc in 1959. Every DD after that was a standard shift from that 3 on the floor, to 3 on the three, 1st 4 speed I could not wait to buy and my 1st Vette a 1988 that was a 7 speed in a unique way! Most modified for performance. Heck I didn't even have hp robbing AC until I bought my 1st Vette when I moved South in 1985! But then thought, progressed from a slip stick in college to a Ti-59 programable calculator to the 1st PC in OH (what the Radio Shack Manager told me as I continually called as we needed it for a project in the R&D Lab I managed.) Bought an IBM XT (~$3500) for my home office when we formed a leveraged buyout and moved the business South. Didn't have PC's in the office for 10 more years! Thought heck this old dog progressed for a slide rule I can learn new tricks. Yep when I 1st got the C8 took a little time to stop pushing the left foot rest when I used the downshift paddle! BUT after 2 years would never go back. Understand some can't get past "stirring a stick." If a light weight, lower hp car like my modified Datsun 260Z might understand BUT with the big, heavy, high hp C8 if feeing board, just press the Z Mode button and use your right foot to accelerate out of a turn or when on a highway onramp! Can just brake aggressively for a turn and listen to the DCT downshift 3 gears and rev match each in the blink of an eye! Or if like where I live there are farm fields on each side of a number of roads with no homes or other cars!
Posted this pic on the "Standard Shift Forever Thread" just before I placed my hold-a-spot order.

 

Buy it and drive it, if YOU don’t like it sell it instantly for what you paid plus tax and move on. This doesn't have to be your forever car…….. If you could get a manual trans in one I would’ve ordered it that way but ya can’t so I didn’t not much else to discuss.

 

im on the I4 Emira list at MSRP (automatic)

 

After having a true clutch actuated manual transmission for 25+ years, I do NOT miss it one little bit.

If I want to reminisce a little, slap it into a PTM mode, and let it rip in MANUAL. Slip and slide around, act all cool, feel a little out of control, etc etc etc.
Once I get that out of my system, slip her into a more subdued MODE and continue on my way.

 

Just depends on the individual. I’ve only had my C8 for 3 weeks and I love the HTC. Still not sure about the DCT. I had one in an M3 and got bored with it in about 6 months and got rid of it. I may be going back to a C7 Z myself. I will say there is something missing in the driving experience for myself.

 

You will love the C8 transmission. It snaps from gear to gear and is a pleasure to drive. We humans cannot shift as quickly as the computer.

These dual clutch trannys dominate the sportscar world. There is good reason for it...............

 

I really disagree with this transmission being called an "automatic". That word has a stigma with it of the old "slushbox", slow shifts and horsepower loss. Since this transmission is really 2 manual gearboxes with syncro rings, forks and everything you'd typically see, with dual clutches to manage power to either transmission as needed, the only thing automated is the operation of the old-school shift forks. So, I'd like to rename it "Automated Shifting Dual Clutch Transmission" or maybe just "Automated Transmission".

Coming from my last 2 manual Corvettes, I do not miss shifting them at all. Such a feat of engineering to behold every time you drive it. OP? not to worry, you'll love the Automated Transmission

 

^^^
I used to make that augment but the standard shift forever folks don't want to hear it's really two 4 speed standard shifts. Some don't understand triple synchro cones, shift forks etc.

Even posted this pic and mention in Manual Mode you're doing the shifting. Actually a bit of an issue with a 5.17; 1 dif/intermediate gear and 495 hp. Dam thing hits Rev Limiter in the blink of an eye when I am turning 90 degrees to merge into ~70 mph traffic every time I leave the house!

Solved by letting the DCT shift in Z-Mode Power set to Track (Ride set to Sport.) It shifts the way I was my M7 2017 Grand Sport in my rural area. Seldom had my standard shift past 5th as don't use the Intestate and never found a use for 6th so why bother. The DCT stays in 5th and only goes to 6th when my foot is not on the throttle when it just stays in 5th.

Nope, no slushbox automatic! Dif w/Intermediate gear = 5.17:1; With 1st gear 14:1 where my C7 GS was only 10:1 and the C7 Z06 9:1. Yep hits the Rev Limiter in the blink of an eye at 34 mph in 1st! Why I now use Z Mode and let it shift by itself at the rev limit!

 

I call it an automated manual. It does shift for you like an auto so it’s definitely nothing like a manual transmission.

 

So I am not sure if I like the DCT. Then at the same time this wonderful hi-tech trans has reliability issues. I have Been lucky so far but CEL stuff is awful. That code stuff and onstar and going back and forth to dealers and waiting is something I am not going to do. The car is pretty cool but it’s not like an old Ferrari or something I am in love with and willing to put up with finicky stuff….I find myself checking under the car for trans fluid leaks and feeling relieved after screen fires up and that CEL. Light goes out.

 

Was it a 991 or a 992? Because i can tell you, the MT in the 992 is fantastic.

 

Depends who is shifting,..and it requires more skill and attention, not to mention more funner. I bought my C8 for it's looks/styling, although DCT is a nice novelty. Kudo's to GM for this awesome creation!

 

With all this talk about the DCT shifting faster I have to say, who cares? I see where if you are racing the car it matters. I get that. I've had the C8 out on the track and would agree that the DCT is superior and improves times. But 99% of us drive on the street. I want an engaging car even when driving slow and the DCT doesn't do it. So the argument that the DCT is superior doesn't matter to people like me who are looking for engagement. I drive in track mode, z mode and all crap set to the highest degree and it's still nothing compared to a manual. True manual enthusiasts get it, and if you don't that's fine too. But not everything about a car is about having the best numbers. It's an emotional connection to the car.

To the OP, you'll only know if you buy one and live with it for a while. I tried talking myself into it for the 1.5 years it took for my car to be delivered during the pandemic. Even after taking delivery thr newness of the car was enough to keep me happy. But now 1.5 years later is when I've realized it's just missing something.

 

This whole thread sounds like personal opinions....
However, this C8 is my first automatic of my past 9 corvettes, ALL of which have been small block coupes with stick-shift transmissions. I Loved the simplicity and engagement of using a stick tranny.

But this new DCT is a world of difference, and WAAAY superior to the sticks; they are very quick and efficient, and that's why Chevy doesn't even offer a stick shift trans on the new C8. The paddle shift works GREAT and gives a feel of a stick, once you're used to it.
I'll NEVER go back to a stick, and that is the case now with most car makers. Sticks are becoming obsolete, in spite of how fun they used to be to "row" through the gears.
So that's my personal opinion, along with all the others.

 

Saw your pic and thought, yep that car would be fun with a stick, can't expect today's performance. Then looked at your profile and saw a '67 427 Vette mentioned. I go back to 1959 when I built my 1st car, see pic below. Been a gearhead since ~13. A friend in our east coast R&D Lab went into sales as a sales engineer. He had a '67 435 hp, 427 black Vette with side pipes. I was in his SF region supporting one of their customers with a welding process I had developed. Recall he said why don't you drive the Vette to dinner, knowing I had driven many fast cars. After driving conservatively, he said get on it!

What sticks in my mine is what you said, we're thinking of past fun cars. I recall slamming 2nd and the car tried to change lanes (as I expected.) Did the same going to 3rd! Back-in-the day with its skinny tires you had to slip the clutch to get traction off the line. It was a delicate balance and a seat of the pants "g" meter that was required!

Recall the Beach Boy's Song "Shut Down:"
"Superstock dodge is windin' out in low
But my fuel injected Stingray's really startin' to go
To get the traction I'm ridin' the clutch
My pressure plate's burnin, ' that machine's too much"

BTW the 0 to 60 states for his car were around 5 seconds. Just felt a lot faster!

Yep, my modified 1974 260Z was light weight, limited power and stirring a stick needed and fun!


Built my first car while in the High School. Pic is from school paper. With the tires we had back then slipping the clutch was the only way to launch!

 

I look at it this way. I learned to drive in Mom’s ‘55 Bel Air with the manual shifter on the tree. After years of shifters on the floor, the DCT and paddles put the shifter(s) back on the tree. . . where it belongs.

 

You decide, or I guess you already have when you ordered... you want a C8 you don't have any choice. Such is life.

 

I learned on a manual in the early 80's and drove one every day until 2013 when I got my first automatic with paddle shifters. Since I didn't know anything different from driving a manual, it wasn't exciting or engaging - it was the norm. My old 280Z had a pretty stiff clutch, so I don't miss driving in stop and go traffic in that. In the canyons, there's always something to engage my attention, so I really don't miss not having a clutch paddle. I rode sport bikes for about 25 years, and riding one requires full body engagement, so whether my car is a manual or has paddle shifters isn't a big difference to me.

My daily driver is a Subaru BRZ (my first auto) and I enjoy driving it or the C8 in the canyons more than I did in my manual 280Z. For me, the paddle shifters were the novelty. Using the paddle shifters; my left leg doesn't miss the clutch pedal at all - whether it's for daily driving in traffic or having fun in the canyons.