7speed or auto?

toccitruck · 03-30-2014, 05:50 PM

Ok dumb question going to order a C 7 never had one.I am 53.Was going to get the automatic,I have Benn in the trucking business for 34 years,still drive my own truck about 450 miles a day,13 and.I also collect old trucks,most have twin stick transmissions.Never had a car with a stick,told a friend of mine today I was going to order a C 7 with a auto and he laughed,told me what a waste.Ok are the auto transmissions a waste?is the 7speed a pain?Are they easy on your left foot or hard like a truck?He told me the auto paddle shift will jerk?and you need to put it neutral at a light?Will the 7 speed were you out?Help I want to make the right choice

Steven Bell · 03-30-2014, 06:40 PM

Tocci,

I'm 57-all of my buddies said, "Steven, when you buy a C7-for the love of God-please, DO NOT GET AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION."

This is a powerful car. You'll enjoy it more with a manual transmission.

noname · 03-30-2014, 06:52 PM

I got an auto. I never owned a stick before, and I figured I wasn't going to start with a $70k+ car.
Driving the C7 auto is plenty enjoyable. The 450 hp makes it enjoyable and you can feel and hear the shifting.
If you want to experience the manual driving, you can switch the auto to M and then paddle shift as you see fit. So you can drive the auto as a manual sans stick shifting and paddle shifting instead.
The auto should also be able to shift faster than a human can. On the track, I've taken down BMW's and porsche's and perhaps if they weren't so busy shifting and instead paying attention to their lines then they wouldn't be behind me.

The C7 is a joy to drive, so get whatever you feel like you will most likely to enjoy. But know that you can paddle shift with the auto, you don't have to have it in neutral, and it won't jerk (unless you're shifting inappropriately).
I will admit that stick shifting is more fun than paddle shifting, but if you're going to be driving it in traffic (like me), then, personally, I have more enjoyment with it in auto than being forced to shifting up and down in stop-and-go traffic.

mowilson329 · 03-30-2014, 07:14 PM

You can't go wrong with either. I went with the auto partially because the traffic around Jacksonville tends to get very hectic and backs up quite quickly. I didn't want to continually have to shift gears on the 30 mile commute when I drove her to work.

After putting 1000 miles on her. I know I made the right decision!

1FASTC7 · 03-31-2014, 11:34 AM

Auto's are turning quicker ET's at the track. Just saying. I've always had manual sports cars. However, i didn't get the option with my C7. Love the auto though. The new auto transmissions have come a long way from the old th350 or powerglides in the origional stingrays.

Kochaloch · 03-31-2014, 03:09 PM

My two cents.

A waste, I think not. Look at Ferrari I don't believe they offer any manual transmissions anymore. The fact is the technology of auto transmissions is catching up (if not surpassed) the performance of manual gearboxes, especially in a straight line. However when driving an auto transmission I feel I'm loosing a bit of the experience, especially on the track. I bought my C7 Z51 manual trans to not be my daily driver...but as it turns out I enjoy driving it so much it has become my daily driver.I would imagine that the C7 isn't as harsh as a semi but if you haven't driven a car with a manual I would try to find a friend(or your dealer, I test drove a used ZL1 to see if I like mag ride select) and ask them to let you drive their car around to see if you like it. In the end its personal preference.

oyealiz · 03-31-2014, 03:17 PM

Ah, the age old question!

7 spd here, but I don't sit in traffic every day, either.

thrilled · 05-13-2014, 01:15 PM

I wouldn't have nothing but A manual in A sports car.To me it's not A sports car with an automatic.

Hulkamaniac · 05-13-2014, 01:38 PM

Your friend is a jealous nimrod.

NOTHING wrong with the automatic C7. Shifts faster than the manual. If you want to shift, drop it into M and then use the paddle shifters.

I used to drive a truck for a living like you. I got the automatic cuz I'm over the "shifting thing".

Get the Z51 with magnetic ride.

My ZL1 had magnetic ride so I got it on my C7. You'll love it!

Steve Dallas · 05-13-2014, 02:02 PM

I prefer manual, of course.

It's a personal preference...I just can't see driving a car like this without doing the shifting yourself. That's part of the fun of driving these things.

zimm888 · 05-13-2014, 03:06 PM

Everyday driver in traffic isn't fun with a stick. Buy for what you'll use it for most and what you want, not what others say you should have.

monicatomokc · 05-13-2014, 03:32 PM

I'm 65 and it was a must for me to go with the 7-speed Manual. I was coerced into getting an Automatic in my 2011 Camaro 2SS by my wife so she could drive it and not once did she get in the left seat!! Time was up and she gave in. I love it!! It's a bit different from the old days and the 4-Speed I had in the Chevelle (SS-396), as you would expect. I love the new, much shorter throw and the spring loaded centering.

RidgebackKing · 05-13-2014, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thrilled

I wouldn't have nothing but A manual in A sports car.To me it's not A sports car with an automatic.

Agreed!

Stingray · 05-13-2014, 04:09 PM

All personal preference... what makes one happy is therefore the right choice. For me, it has to be a manual trans. especially being this is my first ever Corvette anyway. If it was an AMG or a GT-R or a Ferrari or a Lambo then a dual-clutch is perfectly fine (and often the only choice anyway).

03-30-2014, 05:50 PM	#1
toccitruck Drives: Mack trucks Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: oklahoma Posts: 12	7speed or auto? Ok dumb question going to order a C 7 never had one.I am 53.Was going to get the automatic,I have Benn in the trucking business for 34 years,still drive my own truck about 450 miles a day,13 and.I also collect old trucks,most have twin stick transmissions.Never had a car with a stick,told a friend of mine today I was going to order a C 7 with a auto and he laughed,told me what a waste.Ok are the auto transmissions a waste?is the 7speed a pain?Are they easy on your left foot or hard like a truck?He told me the auto paddle shift will jerk?and you need to put it neutral at a light?Will the 7 speed were you out?Help I want to make the right choice

03-30-2014, 07:14 PM	#4
mowilson329 Drives: 2014 Stingray 1LT/Z51 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 193	You can't go wrong with either. I went with the auto partially because the traffic around Jacksonville tends to get very hectic and backs up quite quickly. I didn't want to continually have to shift gears on the 30 mile commute when I drove her to work. After putting 1000 miles on her. I know I made the right decision! __________________ Cliff

03-31-2014, 03:09 PM	#6
Kochaloch Drives: C7 Z51, BENZ GLK 350, Titan Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: TX Posts: 163	My two cents. A waste, I think not. Look at Ferrari I don't believe they offer any manual transmissions anymore. The fact is the technology of auto transmissions is catching up (if not surpassed) the performance of manual gearboxes, especially in a straight line. However when driving an auto transmission I feel I'm loosing a bit of the experience, especially on the track. I bought my C7 Z51 manual trans to not be my daily driver...but as it turns out I enjoy driving it so much it has become my daily driver.I would imagine that the C7 isn't as harsh as a semi but if you haven't driven a car with a manual I would try to find a friend(or your dealer, I test drove a used ZL1 to see if I like mag ride select) and ask them to let you drive their car around to see if you like it. In the end its personal preference. __________________ 8/20/2013 - 1100 1/16/2014 - 2000 1/20/2014 - 3000 1/24/2014 - 3300 2/10/2014 - 3400 2/14/2014 - 3800 2/26/2014 - Delivered!!!

05-13-2014, 01:38 PM	#9
Hulkamaniac Livin' the Dream Drives: '23 Charger GT, '23 Stingray Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Hiding in your closet... Posts: 785 View My Garage	Your friend is a jealous nimrod. NOTHING wrong with the automatic C7. Shifts faster than the manual. If you want to shift, drop it into M and then use the paddle shifters. I used to drive a truck for a living like you. I got the automatic cuz I'm over the "shifting thing". Get the Z51 with magnetic ride. My ZL1 had magnetic ride so I got it on my C7. You'll love it! __________________ If you spell Chuck Norris in Scrabble, you win. Forever.

05-13-2014, 02:02 PM	#10
Steve Dallas Commits weekly crime Drives: 2017 Camaro 1LT Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Camano Island, WA Posts: 9,513 View My Garage	I prefer manual, of course. It's a personal preference...I just can't see driving a car like this without doing the shifting yourself. That's part of the fun of driving these things. __________________ 2017 Camaro 1LT - Blue Barchetta IV I fire up the willing engine, responding with a roar. Tires spitting gravel I commit my weekly crime.

03-30-2014, 06:40 PM	#2
Steven Bell Drives: 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 162	Tocci, I'm 57-all of my buddies said, "Steven, when you buy a C7-for the love of God-please, DO NOT GET AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION." This is a powerful car. You'll enjoy it more with a manual transmission.

03-30-2014, 06:52 PM	#3
noname Drives: 3LT Z51 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Dallas Posts: 52	I got an auto. I never owned a stick before, and I figured I wasn't going to start with a $70k+ car. Driving the C7 auto is plenty enjoyable. The 450 hp makes it enjoyable and you can feel and hear the shifting. If you want to experience the manual driving, you can switch the auto to M and then paddle shift as you see fit. So you can drive the auto as a manual sans stick shifting and paddle shifting instead. The auto should also be able to shift faster than a human can. On the track, I've taken down BMW's and porsche's and perhaps if they weren't so busy shifting and instead paying attention to their lines then they wouldn't be behind me. The C7 is a joy to drive, so get whatever you feel like you will most likely to enjoy. But know that you can paddle shift with the auto, you don't have to have it in neutral, and it won't jerk (unless you're shifting inappropriately). I will admit that stick shifting is more fun than paddle shifting, but if you're going to be driving it in traffic (like me), then, personally, I have more enjoyment with it in auto than being forced to shifting up and down in stop-and-go traffic.

03-31-2014, 11:34 AM	#5
1FASTC7 Drives: 2014 Corvette Stingray Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 80	Auto's are turning quicker ET's at the track. Just saying. I've always had manual sports cars. However, i didn't get the option with my C7. Love the auto though. The new auto transmissions have come a long way from the old th350 or powerglides in the origional stingrays.

03-31-2014, 03:17 PM	#7
oyealiz Drives: c7 3LT, manual, vert Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 1,204	Ah, the age old question! 7 spd here, but I don't sit in traffic every day, either.

05-13-2014, 01:15 PM	#8
thrilled Drives: 1LT Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Kilmarnock,va Posts: 55	I wouldn't have nothing but A manual in A sports car.To me it's not A sports car with an automatic.

05-13-2014, 03:06 PM	#11
zimm888 Drives: 2014 Stingray Z51 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Toronto Posts: 273	Everyday driver in traffic isn't fun with a stick. Buy for what you'll use it for most and what you want, not what others say you should have.

05-13-2014, 03:32 PM	#12
monicatomokc Drives: 2014 Corvette 2021 Tahoe Z71 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Yukon, OK Posts: 195	I'm 65 and it was a must for me to go with the 7-speed Manual. I was coerced into getting an Automatic in my 2011 Camaro 2SS by my wife so she could drive it and not once did she get in the left seat!! Time was up and she gave in. I love it!! It's a bit different from the old days and the 4-Speed I had in the Chevelle (SS-396), as you would expect. I love the new, much shorter throw and the spring loaded centering. __________________

05-13-2014, 04:09 PM	#14
Stingray just can't get enough Drives: a bunch of fast toys... Join Date: May 2012 Location: SoFla Posts: 3,605 View My Garage	All personal preference... what makes one happy is therefore the right choice. For me, it has to be a manual trans. especially being this is my first ever Corvette anyway. If it was an AMG or a GT-R or a Ferrari or a Lambo then a dual-clutch is perfectly fine (and often the only choice anyway).