Manual vs Automatic
 

I'm hung up on my search for an '80-'81 w/manual.. not sure why. I know with today's technology you can build, or in my case, buy a built automatic that will perform great and shift hard. BUT, I just have this thing about a Vette needs to be shifted .... comments?

your age makes a difference, 4 speed for the youngsters, Automatic for near retirement age.
nothing worse than a older guy that must sell his Vett, ...because he can no longer comfortable drive a 4-speed.

OUCH.. The harsh reality of the truth... LOL
I'm 55 and can completely understand .. Although I feel I can enjoy the clutch for many more years.. of course I do.. LOL

OUCH X2! I'm 73 and like the 4 Speed in my 79. It's more fun to drive, but the auto box is preferred in a daily driver. "Sticking" it gets old in rush hour traffic.

Automatics are for girls. A Corvette is a sports car, and should have a manual transmission. I wouldn't own an automatic, don't care how well it shifts, even if it shift better than a manual. Don't care if I had to drive in "rush hour" traffic or not. You asked.....that's my opinion and my standard.

I would not have bought mine if it only had two pedals under the dash. My daily driver is a pickup with an automatic, but for fun it needs to have a clutch! Everyone is entitled to their opinion and preference, but to me a sports car is just more fun when you can row the gears.

OUCH X3!!!

I am 71 and it has to be a manual shift for me - IT"S A SPORTS CAR!!! We purchased a automatic 78 Silver Anniversary for my wife years ago. She never got behind the wheel after owning it for a couple years. So I converted it to a 4 speed!! Shifting and listening to it purr is what it is all about!!!

60. If I get too old to shift, I guess I will just sit in it and pretend I am driving.

Well, I don't think I qualify as one of the old guys, but I wouldn't call myself young either at 47, but my 79 HAD to be a 4 speed when I was looking 13 years ago. I didn't have too much trouble finding mine, but as I'm sure you've found 80% of the late C3's are autos. Keep in mind, you can convert an auto to a manual, and there are complete kits to do it, with overdrive, however they are expensive, as in around $4000 or more.

I wouldn't own an automatic Corvette... your mileage may vary.

Funny but both my daughters got jobs at local car dealership while going to college. Their job was to move cars around on the dealer lots and they both got the job because they could drive a stick. Who would have guessed a good paying part time job was available to a college student that could shift gears...

Buy the manual.
 

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Unless you are building a very high horsepower car, '80-'81s are much more fun to drive if a manual. They're not fast, but satisfying to drive if you shift yourself.

And quite a few older folks as well, surprisingly.

Sounds like you already know what you want, so you won't be satisfied with an automatic. You can always sell the manual car later if you decide to change your mind. :cheers:

I'm about to be 65 and would not own a Corvette that was not stick. I know it's not for everyone and I totally understand,
My everyday driver (stuck in traffic car) is an automatic. My Corvette is for pleasure and part of that pleasure is shifting gears.

I'm 65, have owned at least 100 cars and motorcycles, have converted 5 from autos to sticks, converted 2 from 3 speeds to 4 speeds, converted 3 from 4 speeds to 5 speeds, and only had one automatic I left alone, a '64 Sting Ray with a powerglide. I would have changed it over, but I was only 19, poor, and didn't have a clue. However, as a bracket racer, it could not be beat. Also, my wife of 45 years won't drive an automatic either.

80 and 81 manuals are quite rare. I was fortunate to find on, and wouldn't have it any other way. My car needs a lot of work, though.

If you think you might want more than 4 speeds eventually, a really nice auto plus a TKO-600 conversion might be a way to go. in mine, with the 3.08 rear end, highways are fine, and I'm in second gear before I clear the intersection, so the car is plenty quick as-is.

I'm 57 and I have no plans to change to an automatic. I did find the clutch pretty stiff when I first bought the car and my leg would start to shake a bit when I was holding the clutch in but I either got used to it or got stronger and it doesn't seem to bother me now. If it gets to be a problem as I get older I can go to a dual disc clutch that will take less pressure to depress.