4 speed automatic or 6 speed for 89 Vette?

[1989 406]

Do you like the 4 speed automatic or the 6 speed in the 89 Vette?

 

[ecss]

I have a 89 with the 700R4 which is nice in stop and go traffic. I installed a kit to firm up the shifts.

I also have a 90 ZR-1 with the 6 speed. What I don't like is the narrow foot well area for the clutch and brake pedals in the C4. Your left foot eventually wears a hole in the carpet.

Installing racing pedal covers helps prevent your foot from slipping off the clutch and brake pedal if you have moisture on your shoes.

For a week end driver I prefer the 6 speed. For a daily driver I prefer the auto.

From a resale point it appears the 6 speed is easier to sell.

 

[tonylong]

I have an auto and love it. I like the manual too but in the used market they tend to get more abuse and then you run into costly repairs.

 

[jmhorn52]

I have an auto in my 88 and I like it,,I always thought I would want a manual but I like this and with the traffic around here it saves your left leg

 

[1989 406]

I agree a lot of what was said.

I always felt that it was very narrow in those Vettes. I do like the automatic, it was a good transmission. Our 89 went 12.19 in the quarter with an automatic.

The reason I ask is because the car would not be my daily driver. Just weekends and sometimes during the week. I currently have an 86 SVO Mustang with a great 5 speed in it. I like having an automatice for daily and a stick for weekends. I have never driven the stick in the Vette because up until the 6 speed, the automatics were so superior.

I guess I would have to find one and drive it. I know they can get costly when they break.

 

[G Winter]

I am old school. A sports car isn't really a sports car unless it has a stick shift. I love my 6 speed. The thing is in normal driving I only use 3 gears. 1-3-6 from stand still and 2-4-6 when turning corners etc. Two lane road passing most of the time 5th does nicely but if in a hurry and depending on the speed I will use 4th. Even my wife likes the 6 speed.They are very smooth shifting.The gear ratios seem to be nicely spaced and the low is down there far enough to give you a good launch. When you launch you need to be ready because shift RPM comes quick in first gear.The 6 sp. is just plain fun.

Glenn

 

[vett boy]

I am old school. A sports car isn't really a sports car unless it has a stick shift. I love my 6 speed. The thing is in normal driving I only use 3 gears. 1-3-6 from stand still and 2-4-6 when turning corners etc. Two lane road passing most of the time 5th does nicely but if in a hurry and depending on the speed I will use 4th. Even my wife likes the 6 speed.They are very smooth shifting.The gear ratios seem to be nicely spaced and the low is down there far enough to give you a good launch. When you launch you need to be ready because shift RPM comes quick in first gear.The 6 sp. is just plain fun.

Glenn

Good man (and wife) Glenn .I feel the same way.

 

[JimBobC4]

I have a six speed in my 1995. Its great on the open road but a LOT of work in traffic.If its just a weekend car, I would go for the six speed to work out some frustrations.

Also, if you like the T-5 transmission in the SVO, you will like the feel of the ZF in the vette. It's even more crisp. Kinda like the T-5 with a
nice aftermarket shifter.

 

[89sleeper]

I would not have a 89 corvette any other way than with a 6 speed half the joy of driving a vette is running thru the gears

 

[Scottsredvette]

Bad knees,,,,,, I love my automatic.

 

[G Winter]

Bad knees,,,,,, I love my automatic.

You gotta do what ya gotta do.
I hope they don't get so bad that you can't get in an out.

Glenn

 

[Scottsredvette]

You gotta do what ya gotta do.
I hope they don't get so bad that you can't get in an out.

Glenn

That is starting to become a small issue, guess I'll just have to upgrade to a C5 or a C6 one of these days.......