manual or auto c5
Discussion
iaiin said:
I spoke to a bloke selling his & he said 3 speed auto? i thought that was strange??
Perhaps it was broken and that's why he was selling!!!! There are 4 positions on my auto stick (I've just checked).
Very much personal choice. I had no choice with my current car as it was the last new one in Europe with warranty. Given the choice I would have tried a manual this time, but when I'm stuck in traffic I'm glad I didn't. Also there are no false neutrals or missed gears when you are caning it.
If you're worried about performance, I've taken to holding mine in 2nd and flooring it until the shift light comes on - it goes like absolute stink.
The only important option, in my opinion, is the heads up display which is superb.
You really need to drive auto and manual and form your own opinion.
c5ragtop said:Have a go with both transmissions and see what you prefer. The auto is well suited to the car and c5ragtop is right about the HUD, particularly in Euro cars with the 300 mph speedo dial.
If you're worried about performance, I've taken to holding mine in 2nd and flooring it until the shift light comes on - it goes like absolute stink. The only important option, in my opinion, is the heads up display which is superb.
If you're pressing on in an auto 2nd and 3rd gears cover just about everything. Manual shifting can be useful for,
Changing down ready to overtake
Preventing the transmission shifting mid-corner
Making sure you don't get to the bottom of a slip-road with the car already in 4th.
The engine/transmission computer tends to go in search of good economy and emissions so manual shifting stops that interfering with how you want to drive. Kickdown into 2nd is very fierce and can destabilise the car under some conditions. By the way, I can't remember where the redline is supposed to be in 2nd gear but I think it's somewhere around 90 mph!
Having just purchased mine, for all round performance I opted for the Auto,
but if I was using it soley for work, I'd have had the manual.
It really will be personal taste, but the auto really was an eye opener.
Stomp and storm!
Far better performance than I had expected and
testing auto / manual back to back really helped and really is the only
way to find out.
Personally, I'd love to spec a new Corvette and that would be a manual set
up to my requirments, although the ZO6 sounds damn fine in off the shelf mode!
but if I was using it soley for work, I'd have had the manual.
It really will be personal taste, but the auto really was an eye opener.
Stomp and storm!
Far better performance than I had expected and testing auto / manual back to back really helped and really is the only
way to find out.
Personally, I'd love to spec a new Corvette and that would be a manual set
up to my requirments, although the ZO6 sounds damn fine in off the shelf mode!
5 USA said:
The engine/transmission computer tends to go in search of good economy and emissions so manual shifting stops that interfering with how you want to drive. Kickdown into 2nd is very fierce and can destabilise the car under some conditions. By the way, I can't remember where the redline is supposed to be in 2nd gear but I think it's somewhere around 90 mph!
Totally agree with that. Kickdown is quite dangerous on corners whereby a manual you can control the throttle if you do drop it down. Think autos are excellent for normal driving in normal cars, but for a V8???!!! I'd never get an auto again with an engine this big.
For me, it had to be manual. Tried both but only fell in love with the car when I drove a manual.
Too true about the sports exhaust = symphony. I'm not a fan of that SHLUURRR noise that autos make when they change gear (more noticeable on one with Sp. Exhaust) and love the fact that I can hold mine in gear through corners, or just use the revs to decide on whether I want rumble, roar or wail
Trying not to be biased because i've got a 6 speed - WHEN I get my next Vette it will be another manual. Actually it'll be a C6 Z06 but anyway...
BLATANT PLUG TIME:
If you're after a manual C5 for less than £16k - you'd do a lot worse than have a look at mine. It's the black 98 with some nice bits on it in the classifieds. Other end of the country from you at the moment though...
Too true about the sports exhaust = symphony. I'm not a fan of that SHLUURRR noise that autos make when they change gear (more noticeable on one with Sp. Exhaust) and love the fact that I can hold mine in gear through corners, or just use the revs to decide on whether I want rumble, roar or wail
Trying not to be biased because i've got a 6 speed - WHEN I get my next Vette it will be another manual. Actually it'll be a C6 Z06 but anyway...
BLATANT PLUG TIME:
If you're after a manual C5 for less than £16k - you'd do a lot worse than have a look at mine. It's the black 98 with some nice bits on it in the classifieds. Other end of the country from you at the moment though...
jellison said:
get a manual - unless OAP
The Biggest problem with getting a manual is...actually being able to get a manual!.
'IF' the exact spec 99 C5 had been available in manual and auto, I'd have had the manual,
but bottom line was it wasn't and often, is unlikely to be.
The car I bought, while an auto is almost the perfect spec ( just doesn't have any suspension
upgrades..yet!) and to add those things to other available manuals, was not cost effective.
That 'may' be a deciding factor in your decision also.
That will also always be the catch 22 when deciding to buy new or nearly new.
A) Do you buy new and spec the car to perfection - but take a BIG hit if you sell down line?
B) Do you have to hope someone shares your vision on colours, mods and dare I say, style of
driving and miss out on the depreciation?
It's a tough one.
This is where I get controversial and say that I only had a manual because the Z06 only comes with a manual. Had I gone for a stock C5/convertible, I think I would have gone for the auto. The reason for this is that I had a 1998 Camaro Z28 at the same time I had the Z06. I actually got fed up with the manual gearbox which is pretty poor as a cog-swapping implement. Even replacing the shifter for an aftermarket shifter was not the answer even though it was vastly better than stock.
Yes it has advantages in being able to shift down (if you find the gear) but it was never truly what you might call a fingertip experience or a pleasure. The 'box in the Mustang is much much better. The auto is a slight impediment when you're giving it the beans as it likes changing up and using it like a manual is only good at about 7/10ths if you're to avoid the inevitable lurch you get with only 4 ratios where 4th is an overdrive ratio anyway.
However, for most of the time, I enjoyed the Z28 as a daily driver, not least in traffic when the auto is totally effortless and you don't have to dance with the throttle and the gears.
The best thing i ever did with the Z28 was buy a push-down auto shifter knob which allowed you to flick it between gears with relative impugnity. Autos also allow LHD virgins to gain experience without changing gear with the door handle (LOL) and is a lot easier to maintain. The clutch is going to more expensive to replace as a service item when the auto will pretty much go on forever with only fluid and filter changes.
In many situations, the auto will be faster than the manual. You have kickdown so you never have to guess the lowest gear suitable for the occasion, the computer will pick the lowest and fastest means of propelling the car forward, neither will you wrong-slot or think you're in 4th when you're in 6th.
Ordinarily, I'm not a fan of autos and always believed a manual box was the proper way of driving but American autos are different, can take the wheelspinning starts with disdain and are a very nice drive. I've had a C4 auto and a Z28 auto and likewise a manual Z28 and a Z06. The manual Z28 was a 1987 with a mere 175bhp using a T5 box which was a nice box to use but it still never really grabbed me like the much more powerful; 1998 Z28 auto.
Like others say, drive both. I don't think there is a right answer.
Yes it has advantages in being able to shift down (if you find the gear) but it was never truly what you might call a fingertip experience or a pleasure. The 'box in the Mustang is much much better. The auto is a slight impediment when you're giving it the beans as it likes changing up and using it like a manual is only good at about 7/10ths if you're to avoid the inevitable lurch you get with only 4 ratios where 4th is an overdrive ratio anyway.
However, for most of the time, I enjoyed the Z28 as a daily driver, not least in traffic when the auto is totally effortless and you don't have to dance with the throttle and the gears.
The best thing i ever did with the Z28 was buy a push-down auto shifter knob which allowed you to flick it between gears with relative impugnity. Autos also allow LHD virgins to gain experience without changing gear with the door handle (LOL) and is a lot easier to maintain. The clutch is going to more expensive to replace as a service item when the auto will pretty much go on forever with only fluid and filter changes.
In many situations, the auto will be faster than the manual. You have kickdown so you never have to guess the lowest gear suitable for the occasion, the computer will pick the lowest and fastest means of propelling the car forward, neither will you wrong-slot or think you're in 4th when you're in 6th.
Ordinarily, I'm not a fan of autos and always believed a manual box was the proper way of driving but American autos are different, can take the wheelspinning starts with disdain and are a very nice drive. I've had a C4 auto and a Z28 auto and likewise a manual Z28 and a Z06. The manual Z28 was a 1987 with a mere 175bhp using a T5 box which was a nice box to use but it still never really grabbed me like the much more powerful; 1998 Z28 auto.
Like others say, drive both. I don't think there is a right answer.
LuS1fer said:
This is where I get controversial and say that I only had a manual because the Z06 only comes with a manual. Had I gone for a stock C5/convertible, I think I would have gone for the auto. The reason for this is that I had a 1998 Camaro Z28 at the same time I had the Z06. I actually got fed up with the manual gearbox which is pretty poor as a cog-swapping implement. Even replacing the shifter for an aftermarket shifter was not the answer even though it was vastly better than stock.
Yes it has advantages in being able to shift down (if you find the gear) but it was never truly what you might call a fingertip experience or a pleasure. The 'box in the Mustang is much much better. The auto is a slight impediment when you're giving it the beans as it likes changing up and using it like a manual is only good at about 7/10ths if you're to avoid the inevitable lurch you get with only 4 ratios where 4th is an overdrive ratio anyway.
However, for most of the time, I enjoyed the Z28 as a daily driver, not least in traffic when the auto is totally effortless and you don't have to dance with the throttle and the gears.
The best thing i ever did with the Z28 was buy a push-down auto shifter knob which allowed you to flick it between gears with relative impugnity. Autos also allow LHD virgins to gain experience without changing gear with the door handle (LOL) and is a lot easier to maintain. The clutch is going to more expensive to replace as a service item when the auto will pretty much go on forever with only fluid and filter changes.
In many situations, the auto will be faster than the manual. You have kickdown so you never have to guess the lowest gear suitable for the occasion, the computer will pick the lowest and fastest means of propelling the car forward, neither will you wrong-slot or think you're in 4th when you're in 6th.
Ordinarily, I'm not a fan of autos and always believed a manual box was the proper way of driving but American autos are different, can take the wheelspinning starts with disdain and are a very nice drive. I've had a C4 auto and a Z28 auto and likewise a manual Z28 and a Z06. The manual Z28 was a 1987 with a mere 175bhp using a T5 box which was a nice box to use but it still never really grabbed me like the much more powerful; 1998 Z28 auto.
Like others say, drive both. I don't think there is a right answer.
I know it is a bit childish but sometimes i do like to do a nice burnout from the lights!! will the auto do it or not?
vette78 said:
For me, it had to be manual. Tried both but only fell in love with the car when I drove a manual.
Too true about the sports exhaust = symphony. I'm not a fan of that SHLUURRR noise that autos make when they change gear (more noticeable on one with Sp. Exhaust) and love the fact that I can hold mine in gear through corners, or just use the revs to decide on whether I want rumble, roar or wail
Trying not to be biased because i've got a 6 speed - WHEN I get my next Vette it will be another manual. Actually it'll be a C6 Z06 but anyway...
BLATANT PLUG TIME:
If you're after a manual C5 for less than £16k - you'd do a lot worse than have a look at mine. It's the black 98 with some nice bits on it in the classifieds. Other end of the country from you at the moment though...
Did see it & sounds nice,did not relise it was yours!I am having a good scout about before making a decision, shame you are so far away!!
iaiin said:
I know it is a bit childish but sometimes i do like to do a nice burnout from the lights!! will the auto do it or not?
Do bears shit in the woods?
If you like doing burnouts, it's easy do it with an auto. Instead of worrying about balancing clutch and throttle and either stalling or giving it too much and thumping the power in, you stick your foot on the brake and rev to thedesired level and then let the brake go. Instant burnout. The auto takes the abuse better than the manual clutch plate which wouldn't last that long if you did it a lot. A clutch isn't cheap to replace either.
LuS1fer said:Makes me glad I did not get a t56 box on the back of my Z06 lump - they are a bit truck like from what I have heard. Alot easier to do burnouts with auto (but I feel this is shocking behaviour)
This is where I get controversial and say that I only had a manual because the Z06 only comes with a manual. Had I gone for a stock C5/convertible, I think I would have gone for the auto. The reason for this is that I had a 1998 Camaro Z28 at the same time I had the Z06. I actually got fed up with the manual gearbox which is pretty poor as a cog-swapping implement. Even replacing the shifter for an aftermarket shifter was not the answer even though it was vastly better than stock.
Yes it has advantages in being able to shift down (if you find the gear) but it was never truly what you might call a fingertip experience or a pleasure. The 'box in the Mustang is much much better. The auto is a slight impediment when you're giving it the beans as it likes changing up and using it like a manual is only good at about 7/10ths if you're to avoid the inevitable lurch you get with only 4 ratios where 4th is an overdrive ratio anyway.
However, for most of the time, I enjoyed the Z28 as a daily driver, not least in traffic when the auto is totally effortless and you don't have to dance with the throttle and the gears.
The best thing i ever did with the Z28 was buy a push-down auto shifter knob which allowed you to flick it between gears with relative impugnity. Autos also allow LHD virgins to gain experience without changing gear with the door handle (LOL) and is a lot easier to maintain. The clutch is going to more expensive to replace as a service item when the auto will pretty much go on forever with only fluid and filter changes.
In many situations, the auto will be faster than the manual. You have kickdown so you never have to guess the lowest gear suitable for the occasion, the computer will pick the lowest and fastest means of propelling the car forward, neither will you wrong-slot or think you're in 4th when you're in 6th.
Ordinarily, I'm not a fan of autos and always believed a manual box was the proper way of driving but American autos are different, can take the wheelspinning starts with disdain and are a very nice drive. I've had a C4 auto and a Z28 auto and likewise a manual Z28 and a Z06. The manual Z28 was a 1987 with a mere 175bhp using a T5 box which was a nice box to use but it still never really grabbed me like the much more powerful; 1998 Z28 auto.
Like others say, drive both. I don't think there is a right answer.
Or get a TVR with a Corvette engine AND a much better manual gearbox!In my experience, limited to one C5 from new, it took a good 25K miles for the manual gearbox to loosen up. I also (cannot remember the mileage) replaced the hideous standard gearknob with a a more svelt (phallic) shaped carbon fibre look-a-like jobbie. This to my mind made a noticable improvement to shifting, logical or not. Now at 75K miles I find the manual shift fine, whereas in the first year it was less than favourable; at the end of the day GM do not make the greatest gearboxes from a shift perspective
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