Transmissions...?

[rray200]

Originally Posted by Kenz Camaro

"The paddle shift is an interesting and cool idea. But wouldn't it seem strange to drive a muscle car with that heavy, throaty exhaust note with a paddle shifter? Paddle shifters are what I relate to cars like Ferraris, Porsches, Audis, the euro cars basically. The Corvette and Viper don't have them and neither does the Mustang. It would be quite revolutionary to put a paddle shift in a Detroit muscle car. How would the Camaro purists react to this option?"

Sorry but, Paddle shift IS an option on the Corvette.

Hummmmm, Hugger Orange/Gunmetal Gray stripes, hard-top vert, 450+hp, paddle-shift 6-speed auto, Z-28, with ALL the bells and whistles.....

I just checked. You're right. My bad. I had no idea. Makes sense since the Corvette is in the same class as all the big dollar euro exotic cars.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Well just some more tea for your cup, the paddle shifter is also going to be offered on the 08 Malibu, go to the chevy site and check it out...

(I haven't voted yet because I need to know the following)

I was wondering, if anybody is from GM powertrain, does the new six-speed automatic/paddle shifter differ from other automatics...will it last longer?
My biggest deciding factor is that I want this car to last a really long time. I'm talking 40+ years. So I want to know which transy will survive the longest


Sorry if I seem repetitive, but I can't take a dealers word for it.

[matthewmiller01]

I chose manual. I am at a disadvantage, though, since I have never had the chance to drive a car with paddles. If I ever get to, I may want to change my vote. I would, however, never want an automatic in a sports car. I feel more in control of the car with the manual. (Notice... there is a gear shift in the smilie! The way it should be! )

[Casull]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Well just some more tea for your cup, the paddle shifter is also going to be offered on the 08 Malibu, go to the chevy site and check it out...

(I haven't voted yet because I need to know the following)

I was wondering, if anybody is from GM powertrain, does the new six-speed automatic/paddle shifter differ from other automatics...will it last longer?
My biggest deciding factor is that I want this car to last a really long time. I'm talking 40+ years. So I want to know which transy will survive the longest


Sorry if I seem repetitive, but I can't take a dealers word for it.

My guess is that the liklihood of any of them going out within 40+ years is about the same. I would be amazed if any of those trannys would last 40+ years without needing some kind of repair.

[3whiterag]

Originally Posted by Casull

My guess is that the liklihood of any of them going out within 40+ years is about the same. I would be amazed if any of those trannys would last 40+ years without needing some kind of repair.

You are right on there. Think about it...40+ years, that is a very long time..

[stolen.thunder]

Is there a paddle shift transmission that can handle 700+ angry horses?
I eventually plan to upgrade. I love the idea of "paddle" shifting- it's too easy to make a joke about "spanking" manual and auto...

[Mr. Wyndham]

40+ years under low mileage...probably should have said that. My 79 has just under 50,000 miles on it. So on the 5th gen I wouldn't put any more than 100,000. That's what i meant.

[Casull]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

40+ years under low mileage...probably should have said that. My 79 has just under 50,000 miles on it. So on the 5th gen I wouldn't put any more than 100,000. That's what i meant.

Ahhh... that makes more sense then.


Either way, I would still say that the liklihood of either transmission failing on you or having any problems would be about equal.

I know that in the past manual transmissions were known to have greater longevity than autos, but todays transmissions are all built equally well. Of course it all depends on how you drive it. If you drop the clutch in a manual transmission repeatedly, you can't expect for it to hold up to that abuse without developing some problems.

I know in the past that manual transmissions were typically much cheaper to work on, but I don't know if that is the case anymore or not either.

Transmissions are like any other piece of machinery, if you take care of it, it will last. However, the failure rate between the two is certainly not significant enough to conclude than one is more reliable than the other.

[TAG UR IT]

Don't forget about the clutch. Chevy body shop had told me that the majority of the cars they work on for clutch problems have around 60K on the odometer. I've gone well past that on a couple of manuals and have had Zero problems....so...guess it depends once again on how you drive it.

[Mr. Wyndham]

I'm gonna resurect this thread, Cause I've got more questions

in my 78 i has a 3-spd on the floor, the tranny was geared so that i could use 2nd kinda like an auto on base anyway, my 70 pickup has a 3-on-the-tree, no power steering, no power brakes. and the clutch on it was a beast, driving from IL to SC twice made me never want to drive it again cus my leg was so strained. however newer cars have hydraulic clutches and are a lot easier to drive

tho rowing thru gears is fun and dandy, just remember "if you cant find it, grind it!" lol but seriously, if you have never driven a car with paddle shift, go out and do it, its great to be able to decide exactly where and when you want to shift and also eliminating the time it takes to row your boat. a perfect example is driving thru mountains/autocross style roads, you can keep both hands on the wheel for control and still shift when you want. plus when it comes to racing, inclines, stop and go, autos win hands down.

Keep in Mind, I'm on the Fence here, I like both, and dislike niether;

"auto's win hands down" That's what I would think, too. But then why do so many swear against the stick-shift? If paddles are that much greater (As I would think), is it because they are relatively new?

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by JeepinMatt

Is the Camaro confirmed to have a paddle shift? It may be quicker, but I just like the classic way. And I would say that auto's may be better off road and drag racing, but road racing?

I wonder the same things...I was surfing Corvette Forums the other day, and one person asked, how quickly can I shift from 6th down to 3rd (I assume for highway passing)...the replys all said the same thing, as quick as you can tap the paddles 3 times... I'm having a REALLY tough time deciding on which I want.

[Scott]

I live in Los Angeles, CA. Manuals will beat you to death in gridlock. Paddles please.

[CamaroSpike23]

Originally Posted by Scott

I live in Los Angeles, CA. Manuals will beat you to death in gridlock. Paddles please.

i was stuck in gridlock in ATL a few years back with a buddy in the car. I shut the car off, left it in neutral, and we took turns pushing it 2-3 ft at a time.

[Mindz]

Or you can get a transmission guaranteed for life. I won't post the site cuz I don't want to spam, but there are "bulletproof" transmissions guaranteed for life.