buying auto vs manual

[r1junky]

i'm in the process of getting a used corvette. i love the C3 styling, but i am going to go with the C4 for suspension and engine reasons. thing is, it is so hard to find a C4 with a manual tranny. people must not want to part with the manuals or something? or back in the day, everyone chose automatic option, which seems odd for a car like the corvette.

 

[Fabinatl]

I had a C4 6spd for a daily driver here in Atlanta, Ga. I loved it but the constant stop and go traffic was killing me. Yes, it's fun shifting but not under 10mph. I sold it and got an C4 automatic. Not as much fun but a lot more pleasant driving in daily stop and go traffic. So for an over 50 guy the auto was the best thing for me. Now if it was not my daily driver, I would have the 6 speed. Speed shifting is fun!
Andy

 

[r1junky]

great point and for a DD, i would have an auto as well.

 

[grumpyvette]

the C4 generally has a 700R4 | 4L60E auto trans in most years and while the overdrive is nice in that it tends to keep the rpms low its NOT a STRONG TRANSMISSION and it CAN,T BE BUILT to with stand SERIOUS TORQUE LEVELS in the 500-600 ft lbs and up range for extended periods, ESPECIALLY if slicks are used.yeah I know theres guys out thier running 10 second cars with 700r4s and trans shops that SAY they can build one to handle 600hp, but any 700r4 trans subjected to those loads is on borrowed time!
Ive had SEVERAL totally built 700r4 transmissions fail in short order behind 500hp-700hp engines running nitrous and in every case the trans shop WON,T fix it for free, saying it was" RACED" even if it failed in under a month, even if I had an UNCONDITIONAL 1 year GARAUNTEE
the manual trans is only slightly better but not much. if your installing a SERIOUS ENGINE ID suggest looking into the 4L80E or the TKO 600 MANUAL


http://www.rsgear.com/


http://www.rsgear.com/

http://www.glennsperformance.com/index.php?product_dc

http://www.standardtransmission.com/tremec.html

http://www.speedunlimited.com/cgi-bi...l?p_catid=3589

http://go.mrgasket.com/newproducts/CAT_PDF/Lakewood.PDF

http://www.transmissioncenter.net/4L80E.htm

don.,t fall for the TOTAL B.S. about rating transmissions by horsepower, its TORQUE LOADS and HEAT or lack of lubracation that destroy transmissions NOT HP
remember the formula for HP is
tq x rpm /5252=hp
so 350 lbs of tq at 2500rpm is 166hp
but 350 ft lbs at 6000rpm is 400 hp
and 500ft lbs at 3000rpm is 285hp
yet the 700r4 is factory rated for 350 ft lbs of tq, its TORQUE LOADS and HEAT or lack of lubracation that destroy transmissions NOT HP, no matter how well you heat treat parts the SIZE/THICKNESS that fits and the surface area of the clutches have limits, the 4L80E is SIGNIFICANTLY larger and stronger, it weights about 80 lbs more and that extra 80 lbs is in MUCH BEEFIER/LARGER STRONGER PARTS

 

[Tuna]

Manuals will be harder to find because only about 40% of C4's from 89-96 (6-speed) were built with manuals. The early C4's with the 4+3 manual were even less popular.

 

[jimmers]

I have a 6 speed 90 and love it. I drive is usually as my DD and wouldnt have it any other way!

 

[r1junky]

Manuals will be harder to find because only about 40% of C4's from 89-96 (6-speed) were built with manuals. The early C4's with the 4+3 manual were even less popular.

yeah i see that, was just looking at the production numbers. definitely didnt expect to see those percentages.

 

[nearmiss]

i'm in the process of getting a used corvette. i love the C3 styling, but i am going to go with the C4 for suspension and engine reasons. thing is, it is so hard to find a C4 with a manual tranny. people must not want to part with the manuals or something? or back in the day, everyone chose automatic option, which seems odd for a car like the corvette.

Its really a personal preference decision. Do you like manually shifting or is it a PITA? I have a 6spd daily driver which I use in traffic. For me its not a big deal. On the other hand, my wife won't drive my car because for her it is a big deal to have deal with clutch and shifting in traffic. Maybe that is a good thing.

 

[r1junky]

Its really a personal preference decision. Do you like manually shifting or is it a PITA? I have a 6spd daily driver which I use in traffic. For me its not a big deal. On the other hand, my wife won't drive my car because for her it is a big deal to have deal with clutch and shifting in traffic. Maybe that is a good thing.

i want a manual, just a hard time finding them.

 

[nearmiss]

i want a manual, just a hard time finding them.

I notice that you are in Ontario. Perhaps automatic's are better with ice and snow in the winter? If so, that may explain why you aren't seeing many manual's for sale. Down here in the desert southwest, there seems to be a fair selection of 6spds around.

 

[Roadster Guy]

check auto trader.ca...try for a ZF

r1junky,
I am very happy with my 6 speed after 4 years of use. I prefer manual, but as others have stated it is completely a personal decision.

I just checked out autotrader.ca (select--all of Ontario) and a quick glance shows manuals for 94, 95 and 96 and some others in earlier years. Remember, for 96 the manual was hooked up to the LT4 only...auto the LT1.

I would try for the ZF tranny which I believe started its run in 1989.

Best be patient....what you want is out there.........."the fun is in the hunt".
Good Luck and let us all know what you score one day.
RG

 

[vett boy]

Real men drive manual, keep looking they made over 10,000 per year and some are for sale. Good luck

 

[vetteboy86]

Real men drive manual, keep looking they made over 10,000 per year and some are for sale. Good luck

I dont think I totally agree with that statement...

 

[gmjunkie]

Real men drive manual, keep looking they made over 10,000 per year and some are for sale. Good luck

 

[Vettefan87]

Real men drive manual...

:eyerole

 

[OldCorvetteFan]

Real men drive manual, keep looking they made over 10,000 per year and some are for sale. Good luck

"Real" men simply drive what they want.

Also, I'm not sure where you came up with the manual transmission volumes for C4's, but here's the data from the Black Book ...

Year Production Manual
1984 51,547 6,443 (4+3 DN)
1985 39,729 9,576
1986 35,109 6,835
1987 30,632 4,298
1988 22,789 4,282
1989 26,412 4,113 (First year of 6 speed)
1990 23,646 8,101
1991 20,639 5,875
1992 20,479 5,487
1993 21,590 5,330
1994 23,330 6,012
1995 20,742 4,784
1996 21,536 6,359

Steven

 

[vett boy]

"Real" men simply drive what they want.

Also, I'm not sure where you came up with the manual transmission volumes for C4's, but here's the data from the Black Book ...

Year Production Manual
1984 51,547 6,443 (4+3 DN)
1985 39,729 9,576
1986 35,109 6,835
1987 30,632 4,298
1988 22,789 4,282
1989 26,412 4,113 (First year of 6 speed)
1990 23,646 8,101
1991 20,639 5,875
1992 20,479 5,487
1993 21,590 5,330
1994 23,330 6,012
1995 20,742 4,784
1996 21,536 6,359

Steven

Your facts are correct. I thought there we're more real men out there.But as others have stated "each to there own'' Who am i to judge.

 

[sxyvet]

hi there guys,
a real sports car should be a manual!
but now i am getting a bit tired of 6 speed short throw manual!
i allways wanted manual and they are rare though i must say!
especailly in australia!
after doing/cruising laps all the time showing off, i wish i had auto now!
ohwell, im very happy still!
cheers
glen
sxyvet
australia

 

[Tuna]

I've been a manual fan since 1991 when I bought my first Vette with a 6-speed. Then I went a bought a new C6 with the 6-speed auto. It's a totally different driving experience from what I'm used to. It's also funny in that 2 years ago when I was looking to replace my 'family' car, I bought a CTS-V - the first Cadillac since 1949 to have a stick shift.

My wife's car is the 03 AE vert with a stick. Or grocery getter is a stick. And, I'm driving an auto now. How the world turns!

 

[JEFNLSA]

Its really a personal preference decision. Do you like manually shifting or is it a PITA? I have a 6spd daily driver which I use in traffic. For me its not a big deal. On the other hand, my wife won't drive my car because for her it is a big deal to have deal with clutch and shifting in traffic. Maybe that is a good thing.

Couldn't have said it better myself.