7 Speed vs manual tally so far

Jerseyed · 05-18-2014, 02:56 PM

Realizing this is not a very representative/scientific poll, I took the liberty of tallying up the consensus here as to preference (Toccitruck's 7speed vs auto thread), and the results are:

7 speed = 18
Auto = 6
neutral/unsure = 6

Z51 7 speed TPW May 26! can't wait

Jerseyed · 05-18-2014, 03:03 PM

Sorry!! Title should have read 7 speed vs auto

laborsmith · 05-18-2014, 06:24 PM

You mean there is no t speed automatic option for the C&?

Historically as far as the last few decades go the manual transmission appears in about 1/3 of the Corvettes assembled and the 2014 model year looks to be in step with history. I guess that means in the informal world of the marketplace, the automatic reigns supreme.

FWIW both my current rides have manual transmissions which proves I am biased toward the automatic.

Laborsmith

Jerseyed · 05-18-2014, 07:37 PM

Thanks for the clarification Laborsmith.

Jerseyed

regguy1 · 05-18-2014, 08:18 PM

GM Authority site said 40% of C7's are 7MT

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1...ck-with-manual

General Motors has confirmed to Edmunds that 40 percent of Corvette Stingray buyers choose the seven-speed manual transmission option. The other 60 percent of Corvette buyers get a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters, although GeneralMotors Company [NYSE:GM] will introduce a new eight-speed auto next year.

RidgebackKing · 05-19-2014, 09:05 AM

I think the OPs "data" is based off of the information on this forum, just as he said. I'd be willing to bet the M v A ratio on this forum is reversed. IMO, the forums have people who are more "into" their cars and those that drive M, again IMO, are more "into" their cars.

Richardlord · 05-21-2014, 01:44 PM

It also would be interesting to see the age range of buyers. I expect more older age buyers are buying 7 speeds, which seems the reverse of what one may expect. My dealer had an explanation for this in that most younger buyers trend to automatics, with the reason given me is that younger buyers don't know how to shift, never having had the experience, and do not want to learn.

Another thing, having driven my C7 7 speed with rev matching and NPP fully open all the time in all 5 modes; it tends to be more noisy, which I like. The rev matching does all kinds of revving with me not intending that it do so, and with NPP open, it sounds-off more as it wishes more so than I expect an auto would do. I am an active shifter. I tend to wind-up into gears at speeds more so than I expect Chevy would approve, although I do shift before I suffer a loss of speed, and I down-shift for braking purposes at higher speeds than I expect Chevy would suggest. Turns out I do not do much 1 to 4 shifting. The result is much rev matching/NPP noise, but beautiful to my ears.

Hulkamaniac · 05-21-2014, 04:53 PM

At 46, I must be in the younger crowd who prefers automatic transmissions in my vehicles. Including my C7.

purpleRac3r · 05-21-2014, 04:56 PM

There very much is merit in the older crowd more into manuals than the younger crowd. I'm 46 and learned to drive on a 4-speed manual Ford pickup. Back then, manuals were much more common. Now, automatics overall rule by something like 20+ to 1 over manuals. Used to be that the manuals were significantly better in fuel mileage, and much stronger and better geared for towing/heavier loads. Modern automatics have closed the gap and as adults figured that out, more bought automatics. With more and more households having automatics and not manuals, more and more kids learn to drive on said autos. The vast majority of people stick to what they are used to, and for those who learned on autos, they tend to stay with them.

Of course, there are always exceptions. Some friends of mine had to go with automatics due to knee issues, and I know a few younger automobile enthusiasts who much prefer manuals.

RidgebackKing · 05-21-2014, 05:05 PM

I'm 41, do I count as "older buyer"? My father would only let me learn to drive on a manual and I told my son he couldn't get his license until learned how to drive a manual.

Hulkamaniac · 05-21-2014, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RidgebackKing

I'm 41, do I count as "older buyer"? My father would only let me learn to drive on a manual and I told my son he couldn't get his license until learned how to drive a manual.

You and your Dad are wise men.

Both my parents said the same thing to me when I wanted my lisence.

goldbug · 05-21-2014, 06:24 PM

I would say for some it would depend on the purpose of the vehicle. I went with the manual in my C7 because it will be used primarily for fun, and I've got an automatic in my daily-driver Subaru, because if I'm stuck in traffic commuting, I'd prefer an auto.

I'd guess I'm on the younger end of Corvette owners (35), but I've had a manual car or truck almost the entire time I've been driving. It's something that parents just pass down (or don't)--both my parents drove manual (and still do occasionally), and I'll definitely be teaching my son.

Richardlord · 05-21-2014, 08:12 PM

When I went to order my C7, I debated between auto and manual. I was trending auto because of the month-long 10,000 mile estimated cross country trip and back I was planning as I envisioned, and did not look forward to, several thousands of shifts on a manual. However, my wife drives a manual, and when I told her I was trending auto she said, "What? You are ordering what? This is a CORVETTE you are going to be driving!" with "we" implied. So, rather than suffer continual spousal emasculation, I opted for the 7 speed. However, from what I read of the 7 speed and rev matching, it did not take much spousal disdain to order manual. The wife is a real pistol, and I avoid unnecessary pot shots when possible. She claims she is a better shifter (not), and all I admit to her is that she is "shiftier."

Getting back to what me dealer said, it appears those of you who opted auto, did so not because you do not know how to shift, unlike many of its younger customers. I played college football back in the day, and as a result, I have had two total knee replacements. One reason I got my knees functional again was so I could manage a clutch as I planned on buying a '67 C2 big block manual, as most were back then. Then the C7 came along, and with the gas issues of a C2 limiting driving, I instead opted for the instant classic 7 speed C7 that I could drive long distances. I wonder how the C7 has impacted the collector market - depressed it or raised interest.

The wife and I read the C7 manual and could not believe the speed tolerances of each gear of the 7 speed - truly amazing - we can downshift into 2nd gear at what speed? If I downshifted into 2nd at its top speed tolerance I expect the sudden slowdown would catapult me right out of the driver's seat. Unbelievable 7 speed.

I hope to have the opportunity to drive a C7 auto, but for now, I am having a blast shifting my C7 manual with rev matching and NPP and enjoying conducting this symphony of speed and sound.

C7Driver · 05-22-2014, 01:48 PM

My last two Corvettes had the 6-speed manual tranny but when it came time to order my C7 I had to go with the auto. When I tried to sell my '08 I had two buyers who both passed when they learned it was a manual. I won't have that problem with the C7. Also, I'm not missing all the shifting. I put my Stingray in "sport" mode and the auto shifts real nice.
I have a 250 mile trip coming up this Sunday. I'm going to enjoy just driving the car and won't worry about the stop & go traffic issues.

05-18-2014, 02:56 PM	#1
Jerseyed Drives: 2010 Lexus, 2014 Z51 C7 on order Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: New Jersey Posts: 40	7 Speed vs manual tally so far Realizing this is not a very representative/scientific poll, I took the liberty of tallying up the consensus here as to preference (Toccitruck's 7speed vs auto thread), and the results are: 7 speed = 18 Auto = 6 neutral/unsure = 6 Z51 7 speed TPW May 26! can't wait

05-19-2014, 09:05 AM	#6
RidgebackKing Drives: My wife crazy Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Garage Posts: 73	I think the OPs "data" is based off of the information on this forum, just as he said. I'd be willing to bet the M v A ratio on this forum is reversed. IMO, the forums have people who are more "into" their cars and those that drive M, again IMO, are more "into" their cars. __________________ 1100 - 02/14/2014 2014 C7 Z51 AW 2LT MEP Q7T CFA FE4 NPP TTV UY4 HOME - 06/04/2014

05-21-2014, 01:44 PM	#7
Richardlord Drives: Dodge Magnum RT Hemi AWD Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Potomac River Home in Southern MD Posts: 283	It also would be interesting to see the age range of buyers. I expect more older age buyers are buying 7 speeds, which seems the reverse of what one may expect. My dealer had an explanation for this in that most younger buyers trend to automatics, with the reason given me is that younger buyers don't know how to shift, never having had the experience, and do not want to learn. Another thing, having driven my C7 7 speed with rev matching and NPP fully open all the time in all 5 modes; it tends to be more noisy, which I like. The rev matching does all kinds of revving with me not intending that it do so, and with NPP open, it sounds-off more as it wishes more so than I expect an auto would do. I am an active shifter. I tend to wind-up into gears at speeds more so than I expect Chevy would approve, although I do shift before I suffer a loss of speed, and I down-shift for braking purposes at higher speeds than I expect Chevy would suggest. Turns out I do not do much 1 to 4 shifting. The result is much rev matching/NPP noise, but beautiful to my ears. Last edited by Richardlord; 05-21-2014 at 02:15 PM.

05-21-2014, 04:53 PM	#8
Hulkamaniac Livin' the Dream Drives: '23 Charger GT, '23 Stingray Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Hiding in your closet... Posts: 785 View My Garage	At 46, I must be in the younger crowd who prefers automatic transmissions in my vehicles. Including my C7. __________________ If you spell Chuck Norris in Scrabble, you win. Forever.

05-21-2014, 04:56 PM	#9
purpleRac3r Drives: 1974 & 2014 Corvette Stingrays Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Troy, Mo Posts: 623	There very much is merit in the older crowd more into manuals than the younger crowd. I'm 46 and learned to drive on a 4-speed manual Ford pickup. Back then, manuals were much more common. Now, automatics overall rule by something like 20+ to 1 over manuals. Used to be that the manuals were significantly better in fuel mileage, and much stronger and better geared for towing/heavier loads. Modern automatics have closed the gap and as adults figured that out, more bought automatics. With more and more households having automatics and not manuals, more and more kids learn to drive on said autos. The vast majority of people stick to what they are used to, and for those who learned on autos, they tend to stay with them. Of course, there are always exceptions. Some friends of mine had to go with automatics due to knee issues, and I know a few younger automobile enthusiasts who much prefer manuals. __________________ '74 Stingray coupe, heavily modified, as seen in August 2011 VETTE magazine, 2014 Stingray Z51 #196, ordered 02/11/13, built 08/29/13, Museum Delivery 10/04/13, driven daily!

05-18-2014, 03:03 PM	#2
Jerseyed Drives: 2010 Lexus, 2014 Z51 C7 on order Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: New Jersey Posts: 40	Sorry!! Title should have read 7 speed vs auto

05-18-2014, 06:24 PM	#3
laborsmith Drives: 1969 Corvair, 2018 Camaro T4 RS Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Detroit Metropolitan Area Posts: 2,881	You mean there is no t speed automatic option for the C&? Historically as far as the last few decades go the manual transmission appears in about 1/3 of the Corvettes assembled and the 2014 model year looks to be in step with history. I guess that means in the informal world of the marketplace, the automatic reigns supreme. FWIW both my current rides have manual transmissions which proves I am biased toward the automatic. Laborsmith

05-18-2014, 07:37 PM	#4
Jerseyed Drives: 2010 Lexus, 2014 Z51 C7 on order Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: New Jersey Posts: 40	Thanks for the clarification Laborsmith. Jerseyed

05-18-2014, 08:18 PM	#5
regguy1 Drives: 2014 Corvette Coupe Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Ohio Posts: 171	GM Authority site said 40% of C7's are 7MT http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1...ck-with-manual General Motors has confirmed to Edmunds that 40 percent of Corvette Stingray buyers choose the seven-speed manual transmission option. The other 60 percent of Corvette buyers get a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters, although GeneralMotors Company [NYSE:GM] will introduce a new eight-speed auto next year.

05-21-2014, 05:05 PM	#10
RidgebackKing Drives: My wife crazy Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Garage Posts: 73	I'm 41, do I count as "older buyer"? My father would only let me learn to drive on a manual and I told my son he couldn't get his license until learned how to drive a manual. __________________ 1100 - 02/14/2014 2014 C7 Z51 AW 2LT MEP Q7T CFA FE4 NPP TTV UY4 HOME - 06/04/2014

05-21-2014, 06:24 PM	#12
goldbug Drives: 2014 Stingray Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 58	I would say for some it would depend on the purpose of the vehicle. I went with the manual in my C7 because it will be used primarily for fun, and I've got an automatic in my daily-driver Subaru, because if I'm stuck in traffic commuting, I'd prefer an auto. I'd guess I'm on the younger end of Corvette owners (35), but I've had a manual car or truck almost the entire time I've been driving. It's something that parents just pass down (or don't)--both my parents drove manual (and still do occasionally), and I'll definitely be teaching my son.

05-21-2014, 08:12 PM	#13
Richardlord Drives: Dodge Magnum RT Hemi AWD Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Potomac River Home in Southern MD Posts: 283	When I went to order my C7, I debated between auto and manual. I was trending auto because of the month-long 10,000 mile estimated cross country trip and back I was planning as I envisioned, and did not look forward to, several thousands of shifts on a manual. However, my wife drives a manual, and when I told her I was trending auto she said, "What? You are ordering what? This is a CORVETTE you are going to be driving!" with "we" implied. So, rather than suffer continual spousal emasculation, I opted for the 7 speed. However, from what I read of the 7 speed and rev matching, it did not take much spousal disdain to order manual. The wife is a real pistol, and I avoid unnecessary pot shots when possible. She claims she is a better shifter (not), and all I admit to her is that she is "shiftier." Getting back to what me dealer said, it appears those of you who opted auto, did so not because you do not know how to shift, unlike many of its younger customers. I played college football back in the day, and as a result, I have had two total knee replacements. One reason I got my knees functional again was so I could manage a clutch as I planned on buying a '67 C2 big block manual, as most were back then. Then the C7 came along, and with the gas issues of a C2 limiting driving, I instead opted for the instant classic 7 speed C7 that I could drive long distances. I wonder how the C7 has impacted the collector market - depressed it or raised interest. The wife and I read the C7 manual and could not believe the speed tolerances of each gear of the 7 speed - truly amazing - we can downshift into 2nd gear at what speed? If I downshifted into 2nd at its top speed tolerance I expect the sudden slowdown would catapult me right out of the driver's seat. Unbelievable 7 speed. I hope to have the opportunity to drive a C7 auto, but for now, I am having a blast shifting my C7 manual with rev matching and NPP and enjoying conducting this symphony of speed and sound. Last edited by Richardlord; 05-21-2014 at 08:35 PM.

05-22-2014, 01:48 PM	#14
C7Driver Drives: 2014 Z51 Lime Rock Green Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: New England Posts: 148	My last two Corvettes had the 6-speed manual tranny but when it came time to order my C7 I had to go with the auto. When I tried to sell my '08 I had two buyers who both passed when they learned it was a manual. I won't have that problem with the C7. Also, I'm not missing all the shifting. I put my Stingray in "sport" mode and the auto shifts real nice. I have a 250 mile trip coming up this Sunday. I'm going to enjoy just driving the car and won't worry about the stop & go traffic issues.