Corvette Performance - Do more people prefer 6 speed corvettes over auto?

If I get a corvette, I want to be able to resell easily just in case I get enough money to bu ya c6 ... so here are my 2 questions...

are corvette c5 easy to sell? will people buy it even though they are fairly expensive cars?

and which do people prefer.. auto corvettes or the 6 speeds? I know there are lots of autos out there, and few manuals. i just want to know your preference.. I think the 6 speed is my choice

I prefer a six speed. Don't know about anyone else, but when I was looking for mine, I found that Automatics were a little less expensive than Manuals.

Being just a play toy gotta have a 6 speed it's half the fun

A C5 is not an expensive car anymore. Even a very low mileage C5 isn't going to be more than a new Honda Accord. I would not give a second thought to resale value effecting tranny choice. Both tranny's sell well in the used car market if the car is in good shape. Any price bias will be reflected in the price of the C5 you purchase.

I drove a 02 c5 with the auto a few weeks back and it was fun but I'd prefer a manual. The auto will be more accessible to more buyers as sticks seem to mystify most people.

Manual is the way to go! My c5z was actually not expensive at all..and it had about 46k when I got it this year... I like being able to pick the best gear when I am driving around the track..my last auto transmission hesitated and just either up shifted..and I was out of my powerband..or downshifted into 2nd..and that made the car unstable..

I prefer manual for a toy but I got a deal I couldn't pass up on my Vette. I'm excited to try out a stalled auto at the track. It will be nice to have a consistent car, I'll be a lot more confident when grudge racing.

I prefer the manual, mainly they are more fun to drive and tend to put down more power as well.

I am on the hunt for a C6 Z06 right now so manual is the only way, if we dont find one then the backup car is a 2010+ Grand Sport. Once again I want a manual but the auto I drove a couple of weeks ago has some gusto as well.

6 spd C5s always worth more in the long run. Legit, not just personal enjoyment-wise.

Autos are boring. Why buy a sports car if you want it to be boring?

If you can't drive a stick, that's one thing. But if you have an option the answer should be a no-brainer.

I had a 2008 Z06 auto swapped,cammed, geared and full bolt ons. Thing was nuts! Would do again.

6 speed! The only way I'd ever own an auto was if I was building a drag car.

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I prefer manual for a toy but I got a deal I couldn't pass up on my Vette. I'm excited to try out a stalled auto at the track. It will be nice to have a consistent car, I'll be a lot more confident when grudge racing.

I still cant believe you went with the auto, i think you should have to change your name to Dark siSSy for that.

I still cant believe you went with the auto, i think you should have to change your name to Dark siSSy for that.

Give me the extra money to walk from this deal and get an M6 and I'll do it.

Give me the extra money to walk from this deal and get an M6 and I'll do it.

No i think i will be funnier if i get to refer to you as Dark siSSy everytime i see you.

You just like calling me pet names.....

You just like calling me pet names.....

You know it big boy :kiss:!

This forum will be a biased representation of the real car sales. People who post on this forum are gearheads. Gearheads prefer manuals. Not everyone buying a Corvette is a gearhead.

6 spd C5s always worth more in the long run. Legit, not just personal enjoyment-wise.Well, possibly.
The manuals have value because there are fewer of them, and of course rarer is often more valuable.
But the automatics still appeal to a wider/larger audience and therefor will ALWAYS find a buyer. Everyone that can drive a manual can also drive an automatic but not everyone that can drive an automatic can also drive a manual. So an automatic is still likely to sell before a manual will but to the person that 'has to have it now' the manual might bring in slightly more ca$h.
Wheat bread is better for us (and even tastes better in my opinion) than white bread, yet white bread still outsells wheat. :D ;)

Autos are boring.While I'll be the first to admit that a true manual with a clutch can be more thrilling/more exciting, I can assure you that there is NOTHING boring about running 10s and/or nearly 130mph in the 1/4 mile in an automatic Corvette. :)
I have friends that run 8s in there automatic Corvettes as well, trust me, they don't EVER get bored doing it either LOL. :D




This forum will be a biased representation of the real car sales. People who post on this forum are gearheads. Gearheads prefer manuals. Not everyone buying a Corvette is a gearhead.True. :nod:
But then again, not every gearhead (Corvette owner or otherwise) is a 'manual only' type of person either. ;)

The real question should probably be (and a question that might even become very relevant soon), where do all of you 'it must be a manual only' types fall if/when the Corvette gets a sequential manual 'F1 style' trans during the C7 era?:huh: :D Especially if it becomes the only trans offered.
It is still a true manual transmission in the strictest sense of the definition, clutch and all, but it still has only two pedals and doesn't necessarily even have to be shifted manually at all.
Just curious. ;)

Auto shifter here & in traffic its a blessing. When I drag race its pretty consistent and hits hard off the line with the 3500 stall & 3:73 gears. No worries about missed shifts either. Now if I lived in a more rural area with plenty of twisty roads & /or race course the car than stick shift would be my choice.

These cars really shine on the road course. Beyond weight they have no advantage over a fbody at the drag strip. Autos sucks on a road course.

6 speed the end, auto sports cars are no fun, unless its a drag car i will only own a 6 speed, maybe if its a big turbo car i would want an auto but outside of those 2 stick is the way to go

The real question should probably be (and a question that might even become very relevant soon), where do all of you 'it must be a manual only' types fall if/when the Corvette gets a sequential manual 'F1 style' trans during the C7 era?:huh: :D Especially if it becomes the only trans offered.
It is still a true manual transmission in the strictest sense of the definition, clutch and all, but it still has only two pedals and doesn't necessarily even have to be shifted manually at all.
Just curious. ;)
It likely will! The rumors are that Chevrolet wants to make the Corvette more "selective" (meaning added price to keep it out of the average working American's reality). I think that could be a bad move, as the Corvette has always been a great performance value and people love it because it is available to all demographics.

The ZL1 was supposed to be only manual when it came out. Now they added the auto because they knew sales wouldn't be as high for it with manual being the only option.

The ZL1 was supposed to be only manual when it came out. Now they added the auto because they knew sales wouldn't be as high for it with manual being the only option.

To be honest I am itching to build a 4th gen LS1 and will go with a TH400. I wouldn't want to drive a manual car constantly in traffic or at the drag strip.

But then again, not every gearhead (Corvette owner or otherwise) is a 'manual only' type of person either. ;)

While true, manual Vettes always have a higher resale price against a comparable automatic.

While true, manual Vettes always have a higher resale price against a comparable automatic.That absolutely applies to the earlier cars (C1 - C3) :nod: but I'm not entirely convinced that it also applies to the later/current (C5 & C6) generations.
And I'm not talking about Z06s here as they're sort of a separate model that only came as a manual anyway. I'm talking manual coupes/convertibles versus automatic coupes/convertibles from the C5/C6 era.
Not sure if you'd missed my post one page back or not but this is why I say that.

The manuals have value because there are fewer of them, and of course rarer is often more valuable.
But the automatics still appeal to a wider/larger audience and therefor will ALWAYS find a buyer. Everyone that can drive a manual can also drive an automatic but not everyone that can drive an automatic can also drive a manual. So an automatic is still likely to sell before a manual will but to the person that 'has to have it now' the manual might bring in slightly more ca$h.
Wheat bread is better for us (and even tastes better in my opinion) than white bread, yet white bread still outsells wheat. :D ;)

While I'll be the first to admit that a true manual with a clutch can be more thrilling/more exciting, I can assure you that there is NOTHING boring about running 10s and/or nearly 130mph in the 1/4 mile in an automatic Corvette. :)
I have friends that run 8s in there automatic Corvettes as well, trust me, they don't EVER get bored doing it either LOL. :D




True. :nod:
But then again, not every gearhead (Corvette owner or otherwise) is a 'manual only' type of person either. ;)

HAHA... It's a 10 second thrill. I'd rather have a thrill every time I drive. And the great part about a manual is that you can have fun away from the track. Having to get up to 130MPH in 1/4 mile sounds fun for a couple seconds. But going straight with your foot mashed to the floor isn't a skill so it's less of a thrill. You can put the car on auto pilot with a brick and a wheel lock.

Having a stalled auto in traffic is just harsh. Maybe not on you, but on the car itself not to mention that the car is less practical with a big stall. While having a manual isn't great in traffic either, the only real benefit to an auto in traffic comes if you're car is stock. At least with a manual, you're not going to hurt the car in traffic if it's modified.


In all fairness, though, I'm likely going to buy a C7 when they come out and if they have a good dual clutch auto, that's likely what I'm going to get. I'm starting to worry about my knees, and I'm going to keep my C5Z, so I'll have the best of both worlds. Aside from that, I hardly drive during the day so I don't have to deal with traffic that often, even here in Los Angeles.

Having a stalled auto in traffic is just harsh. Maybe not on you, but on the car itself not to mention that the car is less practical with a big stall. While having a manual isn't great in traffic either, the only real benefit to an auto in traffic comes if you're car is stock. At least with a manual, you're not going to hurt the car in traffic if it's modified.I had a manual and for me it was not a fun car to drive in the heavy traffic I drive. My A6 with a Yank 3200 is great in traffic. I feel it should have came from the factory stalled this way. Definitely not the harshness you describe for big stalls. It's not the best choice for track but I can beat a manual drag racinig with equal power and weight every time. Even a couple of C6Z06s. I do not road race so an auto is the best choice for me.

HAHA... It's a 10 second thrill. I'd rather have a thrill every time I drive. And the great part about a manual is that you can have fun away from the track. Having to get up to 130MPH in 1/4 mile sounds fun for a couple seconds. But going straight with your foot mashed to the floor isn't a skill so it's less of a thrill. You can put the car on auto pilot with a brick and a wheel lock.

Having a stalled auto in traffic is just harsh. Maybe not on you, but on the car itself not to mention that the car is less practical with a big stall. While having a manual isn't great in traffic either, the only real benefit to an auto in traffic comes if you're car is stock. At least with a manual, you're not going to hurt the car in traffic if it's modified.


WTF?:eek2:

That absolutely applies to the earlier cars (C1 - C3) :nod: but I'm not entirely convinced that it also applies to the later/current (C5 & C6) generations.
And I'm not talking about Z06s here as they're sort of a separate model that only came as a manual anyway. I'm talking manual coupes/convertibles versus automatic coupes/convertibles from the C5/C6 era.
Not sure if you'd missed my post one page back or not but this is why I say that.

The manuals have value because there are fewer of them, and of course rarer is often more valuable.
But the automatics still appeal to a wider/larger audience and therefor will ALWAYS find a buyer. Everyone that can drive a manual can also drive an automatic but not everyone that can drive an automatic can also drive a manual. So an automatic is still likely to sell before a manual will but to the person that 'has to have it now' the manual might bring in slightly more ca$h.
Wheat bread is better for us (and even tastes better in my opinion) than white bread, yet white bread still outsells wheat. :D ;)

True. I've seen base c5s/c6s go for higher prices as well, but never paid attention to sale length.

I bought my 05 C6 A4 with the specific intention of making it a dragstrip car.

The combination of lower price, smaller brake package (for smaller wheels) and auto trans was exactly what I was after.
I'll take a race-prepped automatic over a stickshift any day. :headbang:

They make vettes with autos????? :loco:

I bought my 05 C6 A4 with the specific intention of making it a dragstrip car.

The combination of lower price, smaller brake package (for smaller wheels) and auto trans was exactly what I was after.
I'll take a race-prepped automatic over a stickshift any day. :headbang:

I'm pretty sure the C6 is a 6 speed auto not a 4 speed.

I'm pretty sure the C6 is a 6 speed auto not a 4 speed.The 2005 had a 4 speed automatic. 6 speed 2006 and up. http://www.corvettemuseum.org/specs/2005/specs.shtml

I'm pretty sure the C6 is a 6 speed auto not a 4 speed.From 2006 forward, you're correct.
In the C6's introductory year it's only available automatic was the 4L65E (4 speed auto.). :nod:




The 2005 had a 4 speed automatic. 6 speed 2006 and up. http://www.corvettemuseum.org/specs/2005/specs.shtml:nod:

From 2006 forward, you're correct.
In the C6's introductory year it's only available automatic was the 4L65E (4 speed auto.). :nod:


Yeah, I'm pretty sure I'd notice the difference between a 4-speed and 6-speed auto. :D

Corvette=manual trans.

Thats how it's always gonna be in my book.

Sure, autos have they're place,....

I had a manual and for me it was not a fun car to drive in the heavy traffic I drive. My A6 with a Yank 3200 is great in traffic. I feel it should have came from the factory stalled this way. Definitely not the harshness you describe for big stalls. It's not the best choice for track but I can beat a manual drag racinig with equal power and weight every time. Even a couple of C6Z06s. I do not road race so an auto is the best choice for me.

Well, a 3200 isn't a big stall. It's a medium stall.

BTW, Corvettes are road racing cars. Not strip cars. So don't expect that the Corvette would EVER come with a drag-racing stall. They're horrible for road racing and awful for economy. Being able to beat a road race car with a car that has been converted for the strip isn't impressive; it's obvious.

If u going turbo auto, otherwise 6 speed

Well, a 3200 isn't a big stall. It's a medium stall.Isn't that what I said? The Yank 3200 almost not even medium.

BTW, Corvettes are road racing cars. Not strip cars. So don't expect that the Corvette would EVER come with a drag-racing stall. They're horrible for road racing and awful for economy. Being able to beat a road race car with a car that has been converted for the strip isn't impressive; it's obvious.Corvettes sure are designed for road racing but probably less than 5% are used for that purpose, the rest that race are drag racers. Most don't race at all. Sure it's made for road racing but most never see the twisties except occasionally on public highways.

Not too many cars come from the manufactures with drag racing stalls. I did not say they should come that way. I said they should come with a stall equivalent to the Yank 3200. For sure a drag racing stall would not work well road racing. And they don't meet the mpg requirements and drivability that most owners want.

Isn't that what I said? The Yank 3200 almost not even medium.

Corvettes sure are designed for road racing but probably less than 5% are used for that purpose, the rest that race are drag racers. Most don't race at all. Sure it's made for road racing but most never see the twisties except occasionally on public highways.

Not too many cars come from the manufactures with drag racing stalls. I did not say they should come that way. I said they should come with a stall equivalent to the Yank 3200. For sure a drag racing stall would not work well road racing. And they don't meet the mpg requirements and drivability that most owners want.
I often wonder where people get their numbers for statistics...

5% this... 90% that... Come'on, seriously?

Lets put statistical numbers [we can't prove] aside for a minute. If the "majority" of Corvette owners drag raced their cars (if they raced at all), GM STILL wouldn't make the Corvette a drag racing car. Just like Ferrari doesn't make a drag racing car even though a smaller percentage of Ferrari guys actually drive their cars like they were meant to be driven. The difference is that Ferrari puts track days together, and that's something Chevy should do too for the Corvettes.

However, that doesn't mean they should setup the Corvette with any sort of drag racing intention. If it was so, they would have thought "Maybe we should give the Z06 and ZR1 drag race gearing." We all know that both cars could be a LOT faster in 1/4 if they were geared for it.

Back to my original point, Corvettes are (and will always be) road racing cars. That's why there are Camaros to buy for drag racing. And that's also why the high performance packages all come in manuals. Not autos.

After owning a stalled auto there was no say I was gonna buy this car with a auto. Even if it wasn't my toy I still wouldn't get the auto. When I decide I want a strictly drag car it will be auto but I get bored with drag racing sometimes so that may not happen either.

As for the question at hand. Sales will probably say most own autos but it will also probably show that most of the owners are old farts that buy one just because they can. Us on the other hand actually like to race and mod our cars.

Both the automatic and 6 speed has there good points, automatic's make good drag cars the 6 speed make good road racing and auto-x car. I personally like both. The solution would by one of each. lol

LOL what year are we in now? And people still hate on autos? LMFAO

I don't hate on Autos... I just don't like driving them. They have their place though.

BTW, if I keep my C5Z when I buy a C7, I'm buying an auto C7.

The real question should probably be (and a question that might even become very relevant soon), where do all of you 'it must be a manual only' types fall if/when the Corvette gets a sequential manual 'F1 style' trans during the C7 era?:huh: :D Especially if it becomes the only trans offered.
It is still a true manual transmission in the strictest sense of the definition, clutch and all, but it still has only two pedals and doesn't necessarily even have to be shifted manually at all.
Just curious. ;)

If GM turns to the flappy paddle gearbox without option for a true manual, it will be the death of the corvette to me

Both the automatic and 6 speed has there good points, automatic's make good drag cars the 6 speed make good road racing and auto-x car. I personally like both. The solution would by one of each. lol:werd: :drive: :nod:

If GM turns to the flappy paddle gearbox without option for a true manual, it will be the death of the corvette to meAnd I'm sure some others (not me personally) will agree with you on that as well, :nod:
I don't think they'll do that though, if I had to guess what the C7 might ultimately have I would say that it could be much like how Porsche is doing it with the 911 Carrera S right now. A traditional 'three pedal' 7 speed manual transmission as standard and maybe a DCT/SMG/F1 style 'two pedal' 7 speed manumatic with the paddles and a 'full auto' mode so that the wives can still drive them. :drive:
So it certainly would cut costs considerably if they offered just one transmission that could do it all, much like Ferrari and Lamborghini are now doing. :burn:

with a tune, the A6 can be ok since it allows for manual shifting. If from the factory it had shifted like a Porsche tiptronic, I would be driving an auto.

with a tune, the A6 can be ok since it allows for manual shifting. If from the factory it had shifted like a Porsche tiptronic, I would be driving an auto.Do you actually mean the newer Porsche PDK dual clutch set up? That's supposed to be pretty awesome. :nod:
But the Tiptronic was/is a very similar concept to the Corvette's A6 in that it's a traditional automatic/torque converter layout but with paddles. The later ones were better of course but initially those early Tiptronic cars were probably even worse than the Corvette's set up, very sloppy (and slow) from what I recall.

Before buying, I drove a Boxster, it was probably a 2007, and it did not have nearly the shift lag in the paddles that the A6 vettes I test drove (2006 and a 2008). Shifts were pretty good and the car handled like it was on rails. It just was too slooooww.

M6 is the only way to go.... Not like I have a Auto option anyways hahaha

Six speed all the way, I wouldn't have bought my C5 if it was an auto.

5% seems way to high. I'd say less than 1% ever see a road race track. There's a lot of corvettes out there.

I'm a big supporter of manual transmissions. Auto's have improved massively over the years and I wouldn't mind owning one. But because of the ease of labor, price of parts, and overall fun factor = manual will always have my vote.

6 speed all the way, to me if its not a manual its not a sports car.

Seems like all the really quick 'strip/drag vettes run slush boxes.

If I were to go that route with mine, it would be something worth looking into; however, I prefer to row gears whilst cruising the streets, so the 6-speed gets my vote.

The Jerico DR4 in my '93 mustang is a ton of fun tho (as far as drag cars are concerned). I think an IRS car would work much better with an auto, though, as it tends to not hit the tires as hard as a stick-shift'd combo.


Eh... it's all good.

If strickly drag racing then auto, but I had dropped about 100 lbs on my 08 vette and took it around town. You could feel more seat of the pants then an auto would feel. The fun factor rowing thru the gears, you cant get that with an auto.jmo