Transmission thoughts....
 

The problem with the true rear engine w/ a manual is that it has to be cable driven; people will inevitably complain about the lack of feel in the shifter. So while it would be a nice option to have, I wouldn't hold my breath.

I wonder what percentage of that 23% wanted a C7 with an auto but selected a manual transmission because they didn't want to end up with a troublesome A8 on a car they planned to keep after the warranty expired. They just selected the lessor of the two evils.

My mid engine Toyota MR2 Spyder's stick shift felt fine even though it was through a cable. It was perfect after I installed a short shifter kit.

Stupid question: The transmission for the C7 is already in the rear - so isn't it already connected to the shifter via a cable or long linkage?

Linkage.

Right now, the linkage runs fright into the trans; can't do that with an engine in the way.

There may or may not be a manual (eventually) but please remember the 23% figure occurs without a DCT option available. That means the statistic does not account for two classes of customers:
(1) Those current C7 buyers who like manuals, hate slushboxes, but would have opted for a DCT if it were available (and thus would not be "lost" customers in a "no-manual-Vette world.")
(2) Those who like DCTs but not slushboxes, who might have been poached away from DCT-equipped competitors such as Cayman/Boxster and lower-end 911 variants.

My bet is the real number of lost "die-hard" manual customers would be in the 10% range, and that, in addition, some competitive sports/sporty car buyers would be poached from DCT-offering competitors. But, that is just my guess at an over/under if forced to set such odds. You have to believe GM knows way more about these numbers than we do. That is not to say their analysis of the data will be correct or foolproof.

Yeah for sure GM will do the market research to try to determine what fraction of the 23% they will lose if they don't offer a manual. They won't lose all of these 23% for the reasons Atomic Fred listed above. On the other hand, they may lose a few people who are scared of GM building a car with a DCT. Yes, a 3rd party is building it (Tremic) but GM has to get the calibration right. It's not unreasonable to be wary of them doing this right the first time and going with a manual for safety.

If you are in the "I still want a manual" camp our best hope lies in the the fact that Porsche is offering a manual on the next gen 911 and their NA lead called the manual demand in the U.S. "significant". I don't know what that means in terms of numbers but it was high enough that Porsche is sticking with a manual option in the 911. If that is what Porsche's market research showed then GM would have found the same thing. I would think Porsche would drop the manual before GM but I have zero inside knowledge.

Err, no.
Fiat x1/8, Lotus Europa, and Ferrari 308, 328, 355 (but not 348) use a rod that goes back and forth and rotates side to side to effect gear changes.
I am sure others do, too.

So what are the 3 pedal; guys going to buy if all new Corvettes are DCT's???? Besides the advanced technology and performance of the DCT's, I'm pretty sure that the manuals disappeared because lack of interest.... ie: more specifically, lack of orders.

You hit the nail on the head.

No Manual, not worth buying a C8. I would move to the Porsche. What you guys fail to understand is that the Manual is for the feel of driving the car. Any monkey can push a gas pedal. Might as well buy an electric Corvette then.

None of the videos showing test cars on the track or the road have had manuals to my ears.

GM will be making a big mistake if they think every buyer is a track rat who is trying shave tenths of second off his/her "non-timed" HPDE laps with faster shifts. Corvette buyers are not just enthusiasts of the car, but they are enthusiasts of driving. A manual transmission is a key component of that experience for many people.

Porsche may see their sales go up if the C8 doesn't offer a manual.

Yes, and any monkey can push a clutch pedal. Anyone who has driven a manual for a length of time shifts by reflex. The thinking involved in shifting is knowing when to downshift (up shift) and what gear to shift to. This is still necessary with a DCT in manual mode.