6 speed or Automatic?

[Zman13]

Hi all,

I'm new to the site, so be gentle with me please.

I've been reading a lot of the posts here for the past few days and it's pretty obvious that there's a bunch of knowledgable Corvette junkies lurking around the site. That's a good thing for me, because I'm by no means an expert on Corvette's. As a matter of fact, I'm such a newbie that I don't even own a Vette as yet. But I've got a major woody for a C4 and I'm on a mission to acquire one sometime next year. ( no money until X-mas has come and gone)

My question for all you experts is this. What are the pro's and con's of 6 speed vs. Automatic? I'm leaning towards an auto, simply because I'm getting older and I'm tired of pushing a clutch pedal all day long. But I'm also a speed junkie who likes slammin gears and watching the tach needle swing towards the red zone. Which one performs better?

Can I expect to pay more for a 6 speed equipped car or less? Are there any reliability issues with either the 6 speed or the auto?

I'll be in the market for a 1992, 93 or 94 model C4. Something in the $12K to $15K price range.

My current sports car is a 1973 240Z (a poor man's Vette) with a 3 litre Rebello racing engine (street version), dyno'd at 275 h.p. Yes, it goes pretty good. But I wouldn't want to drive it to Florida anytime soon. (come to think of it, I wouldn't want to drive anything to Florida these days)

Anybody want to run their 'STOCK' C4 for pinks against my 'Z' ? Nah, you'd probably still beat me.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

Zman!

 

[GS Diva]

Zman,

As I read your post, I knew I was going to respond, but I really knew I would when I read that you have a '73 240Z!!! I had one...bought new in '73...for 10 years and absolutely loved that car!! It was my daily driver, even with 2 small children!

As for your question about 6-speed vs. automatic, I'm for a 6-speed all the way! In my opinion, it's the only way to go with any sports car.

Good luck...and welcome to the Corvette Action Center!

Elaine

 

[Vettefan87]

Just remember, it does not matter if it is a stick or an auto it is no more or less a Corvette then any other. Don't let anyone push you into getting something you don't want it is your money. I have an automatic and it is nice to just jump in the car and not have to worry about shifting. If I would ever aquire another vette on top of mine now it would be a stick.



Justin

 

[Tuna]

If you really like to hear the sounds of the motor at RPM, then the stick is the only way to go. If you spend a lot of time in city stop and go traffic, the auto might be more appealling.

All 3 cars in my garage have sticks including the 4-dr family car, so you can see how I like to drive.

There ought to be plenty of nice C4's in your price range so get out there and start test driving some of them. Each Vette has it's own personality and one of them may just call you name - auto or stick.

 

[warren s]

They both have good points and bad points.

Test drive each, go for more than a 5 minute drive. Its really personal preferance. No major problems specific to either in the years you mentioned.

 

[Goose]

That is a loaded question. Everyone is differant. I to could not decide on a manual or auto, when I bought my 95 model. My last car was a Saleen Mustang with a five speed and was a blast to drive on ocassions, but was to much of a pain in the rear to drive in stop and go traffic. After much thought I bought a auto, and have not regretted it. It is a blast to drive. I do not think one is better than the other, it just depends on what you want.
Goose.

 

[Edmond]

I think it really depends on what your driving habits are. If you're going to be driving in cities and traffic, go automatic. The constant shifting/clutch may make you insane. :L

Automatics are nice, you pretty much get a perfect launch every time. Is anyone else going to drive the car? If you don't want them to, go with the 6 speed. :L

 

[Zman13]

Thanks everybody,

I appreciate the input. I think I'm pretty much decided on the automatic. I do drive quite a bit in stop-&-go traffic here in the Bay area. My wife will also drive the car once in a while, so an auto would help in that case.

Now the next decision...92 or later?!

Any suggestions?

Zman

 

[bradvette]

Zman, I used to have 2 Nissan Z-cars, but they were an '84 and an '87. Drove them for 13 years, combined.

As for manual vs. tranny, its my feeling that I like being more involved with the driving. I'm 41, and ever since I started driving at age 16 I've only owned 1 automatic, and sold it after less than a year. I despise driving automatics - they bore the daylights out of me, but that just my opinion!

As for an LT1, if you can afford a '95 or a '96, opt for one of them. If not, there's nothing worng with a '92!

 

[Rogue]

When I got my '91, I was more concerned with mileage and condition rather than tranny. In retrospect, I sort of regret getting an automatic and not waiting for a comparable condition 'Vette with a 6-speed. Why? Because were I live there are a lot of twisty roads where an auto sucks and a 6-speed is the best way to go. Also, I don't commute on my 'Vette.

I think given the same mileage and condition, I'd pick the 6-speed rather than an auto. But if the auto is in better condition and has lower mileage, don't turn it down simply because it's an auto. Both cars WILL go fast with either tranny. The 6-speed just gives you more control and more ratios to choose from.

 

[Gorgon]

Welcome to the CAC!

Owning both a C4 and C5 with 6-speeds I can say the C4 clutch is lighter in my 95 as is the shifting effort. For day to day driving 6 gears can be tedious but the gear ratios are close and there's plenty of torque to skip gears. Most of the time I skip 3rd altogether doing a 1-2-4-5 shift. I have a friend that shifts his C4 1-3-5 for city cruizing. Besides, my wife will not allow an auto car into the driveway. The only auto we've owned is the 97 F-150 we have. But at the end of the day it is your decision so go with what will make you and your wife comfortable.

Transmissions aside, for the price range you've posted you should be able to get into a later C4, 95 or 96. Now the question is coupe or convertible. A good investment is the Corvette Black Book. It lists options for each year vette, production numbers, color availability, etc. It will also list the incremental changes for each model year.

Corvette Black Book

They are cheap and you will find yourself referenceing the book all the time. I did when shopping for mine.

Good luck with the search. There is plenty of good info on the site here so check out the tech center and search the forums. Chances are good the question has already been asked but feel free to ask anything you like.

Leon

 

[Zman13]

Thanks Leon, that's some good advice. Thanks to everyone's good advice...I really appreciate it. I can see I have a lot of research to do if I want to get the right car for me.

After thinking about what everyone has said, I think I might be looking at either a 95 or 96. The little woman insists on a coupe, so that answers the convertible question. Not a big deal to me, the T-top should be nice anyway, right?

Speaking of the little woman...she's giving me some grief lately due to my sudden fixation on Vette's lately. She thinks I'm going through a mid-life crisis or something...jokingly accused me of wanting to cruise for chicks in my new Corvette! HA! I just like fast vehicles...that's all!!! We just got through dumping 11 grand into her 71 Mustang and the results were so pleasing that it made me want a big V-8 also. (can't have my wife driving a faster car than me now, can I?)

Okay, thanks again...I'm sure I'll have more questions later.
Keep the rubber side down!