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New Vette Gets Stick as Standard; Automatic an Option for 2005

Ken

Gone but not forgotten
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Jan 30, 2001
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1987 Z51 Silver Coupe
07:36 April 12, 2004
NEW VETTE GETS STICK AS STANDARD; AUTOMATIC AN OPTION FOR 2005

By DAVE GUILFORD | Automotive News

DETROIT -- Hard-core driving enthusiasts will love it.

But less-intense Corvette buyers may be annoyed to discover that Chevrolet has flip-flopped the transmission options on its iconic sports car.

gearshift.jpg
Chevrolet expects two-thirds of all Corvette buyers to choose an automatic, but it's making a six-speed manual standard for 2005.

When the sixth-generation Corvette goes on sale this summer, a manual transmission will be standard for the first time since 1980. An automatic will be an option.

In the 2005 Corvette ordering workbook given to dealers, GM says it expects 65 percent of Corvette buyers will choose the automatics - increasing the number of optional transmissions GM will sell.

Chevrolet has not revealed prices of the new Corvette. So it is unclear if Corvette buyers who want the automatic will pay more than they do now on the current model. The optional six-speed manual now costs $915 more than the standard automatic.

Production of the coupe will start in July, GM says, and convertible output will begin soon after that. Chevrolet spokesman Bob Tripolsky says GM made the change because most pricey sports cars offer manuals as standard equipment: "It's putting us more in line with where the market competitors are, especially Porsche."

Rick Daniel, Internet Manager for Les Stanford Chevrolet in Dearborn, Mich., says the 200 customers who have ordered 2005 Corvettes aren't complaining: "Most of your diehard Corvette people are going to want a six-speed (manual) anyway. You're going to hear from the sports and speed enthusiasts first."
 
Since they expect 2/3's of the Vette's to be autos, they would make more money right?

The pessimistic side of me says this was a financial move on the part of GM and not a sports car move. ;)
 
Bout time they made the 6-speed "standard." That's how most car companies do it.
 
Edmund,

you hit the nail right on the head - it is called economics, and GM needs to say that
 
They haven't released the pricing on the auto option but we could assume that it's somewhere in the $900 neighborhood? $900x the number of auto C6's sold is a lot more money than $900x the number of M6's sold being that 2/3's of Vette's are auto's.


I'm driving an auto myself but I wouldn't spring the extra $$$ for an auto on the C6 though.
 
Pricey sports cars also offer tiptronic transmissions, auto with true manual shift. Okay GM if that is the rationale then lets have a similiar trannie
 
Relax people. Why assume that suddenly the auto trans will be the $900 option? In the past (prior to C5) you could get the optional manual tranny at no cost. I would suspect that this would be similar with the C6, the auto is a no-cost option.
 
Gorgon said:
the auto is a no-cost option.


Yeah right, this is GM we're talking about! :L
 
Gorgon said:
Relax people. Why assume that suddenly the auto trans will be the $900 option? In the past (prior to C5) you could get the optional manual tranny at no cost. I would suspect that this would be similar with the C6, the auto is a no-cost option.
Don't count on it Leon :beer
 
Considering that they are not offering a new automatic transmission for the C6 (as in same ol' 4 speed auto w/ overdrive) I'm betting on a no-cost option. We'll see when the pricing comes out.
 
NC 50anny said:
Wonder if GM has an option to charge for this option?
I guess time will only tell huh guys...
Me. I'm waiting for the new ZO6 to come out and probably 'O7 I'll be ready for the next step :D
 
Those of you who have seen my posts know that I am a big C6 fan. I am only a detractor on two points:

1. The Precision Maroon replacement for Torche Red.

2. The whole C6 Automatic Tranny issue. First let me say that I recall the years (and there were very many of them) when the manual / auto tranny choice was a no cost selection. This made since to me. Since I am very firmly a manual shifting nut, I have stayed away from the C6 Auto issue until now. Yet I don't understand what the thinking is at GM on this issue. Vette has almost no direct competition in it's market segment, but for this discussion let's stretch the direct alternatives to include 350Z, Boxter, 911, and 360 Modena (leaving the Viper out because it is offered only with a sick). None of this "competition" uses a 4 speed transmission with an OD unit tacked on. All of the competition provides a you-shift-it capability for these much newer, true 5 and 6 speed autos. This does not help the cutting edge technology image that the vette should bring to mind. Knowing all of this - as GM marketing most certainly does - they still have the audacity to charge extra for the aging, albeit sturdy and reliable, auto tranny.

Again, since my C6 will be equipped with a manual, I feel a bit like I am stepping on toes here. However, GM has baffled me on this issue. Just my thoughts.
:)


BTW, we've known since the Dec / Jan leak of the options / order list that the Manual would be standard and auto optional. This announcement just makes it official.
 
And after two long months of waiting and seeing the current pricing it seems that it is as I stated all along. The auto is a no charge option. ;)
 
Today's Detroit News has an article on the new C6. Their is no extra cost for either transmission! :)

The title reads, "Chevy trims Vette prices." Prices will start below those of the 2004 models, despite the addition of a more powerful 400 hp engine and other new standard features.

"Coupe will have a MSRP of $44,425, including destination charges, when it debuts this fall. The 2004 has a base price of $44,635. The new 2005 base model includes a six-speed manual transmission that was a $915 option on the 2004 model."

"An updated version of the four-speed automatic will be a no cost option."

Zippy :) :)
 

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