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Old 06-03-2015, 09:32 AM   #1
Eric SS
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8AT vs 6MT for someone that has always loved manual pony cars

Greetings all! New here. I've always been someone who enjoyed rowing their own gears. I had a 5MT 1987 IROC-Z and a 6MT 1999 SS. Skipped the 5th gen and will be getting a 6th gen.

As most know, it used to be that there was such a performance and fun factor difference between the manual and a 4 speed auto that it was a no brainer. if you wanted a stick and the fastest of the 2 options, you got a stick. Now with the advent of these 8 speed autos with lightning fast shifts and paddle shifters, my guess is that it will be faster than the 6MT.

I have an 8AT in my current car (13 335i M Sport)and love it. However, I'm having a very tough time convincing myself that I'll enjoy an 8AT Camaro more than a stick which I've had in all the performance car's I've ever owned. But I also don't want something that is slower than an otherwise equal car.

Has anyone else switched that SWORE they would never switch to an auto Camaro? I feel like that old guy now that swore they would never drive an auto sports car
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Old 06-03-2015, 09:50 AM   #2
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It comes down to whether or not you like driving stick. If you do, get one.

If you are looking for the fastest car, get the auto.
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Old 06-03-2015, 09:50 AM   #3
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Do you want something more pure and in your words "fun"....or something that is likely consistently easier to be faster from a dig, but otherwise likely no faster?

For me, I want the 8AT, but for someone who loves rowing their own gears, I say go for the 6MT and never look back.
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Old 06-03-2015, 09:53 AM   #4
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Doesn't matter if the auto was 2x faster, I'd still get manual
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Old 06-03-2015, 09:54 AM   #5
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Don't feel like an old guy, I'm 22 and faced with the same dilemma. I've always wanted a
Manual from the days when I was 16 and would shop around at old 5th Gens. When talking cars with my friends I'd go so far as to say "why would you ever by an automatic pony car?" Now with the likely-quicker 8 speed which includes Active Fuel Management to save a couple MPG's when you're not pushing it, and remote start (I live in a cold climate) I'm starting to question what I may do here.
In some regards I feel also like a traitor to my former self, but I'm torn and need to figure out what's more important to having an enjoyable Camaro experience.
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Old 06-03-2015, 09:59 AM   #6
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The GTO was the first car, to my knowledge, that GM said the auto was a little faster than the stick. Mainly due to the auto having the same 3.46 gears as the manual, usually the manual had a lot more aggressive gears than the auto, making it faster.

They're now essentially 2 generations past that 4l65 with the 8l90. It's no question the 8 speed will be faster. It will rip a manual from a dig and match or beat it from a roll. Only if you're an absolute rockstar with a manual will you keep up but with the lightning quick shifts of the 8l90 the manual will fall back on every shift. There was also a time where manuals put a decent amount more to the ground, but the new auto's are so efficienct that gap has closed.

Only question is,which would you rather drive?
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Old 06-03-2015, 10:03 AM   #7
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Here's another consideration to make (as I will also)...what is this car for?

If it's to have a sporty daily driver for driving in snow and traffic and as a primary vehicle I may lean towards the automatic (and even the 2.0 perhaps) because of ease of use and the aforementioned benefits. However if I get an SS as a pony car to keep for a long time and baby (no snow/salt) and use primarily for nice weather driving, I'm more likely to get the manual. Who knows what my final decision will be, that's just where I stand at the moment.
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Old 06-03-2015, 10:12 AM   #8
Eric SS
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mt3130 View Post
It comes down to whether or not you like driving stick. If you do, get one.

If you are looking for the fastest car, get the auto.
And therein lies my dilemma. It's not nearly as easy of a choice as it used to be for me.
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Old 06-03-2015, 10:16 AM   #9
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It really should come down to your personal preference. I've got to use mine as a daily driver and the wife needs to be able to drive it (and I am not teaching her to drive stick on a new car!). So for those reasons I will chose the auto. The fact it is faster is just a bonus to me. If you are looking to seriously drag race it or use it as a DD, I think the auto will be better for your needs. If you are looking for a weekend cruiser/toy or tracking the car, the stick will be better.
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Old 06-03-2015, 10:18 AM   #10
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Autos have been faster in a straight line for a while now. If you want a more connected driving experience, get the manual.
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Old 06-03-2015, 11:06 AM   #11
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I'll be getting the manual for the simple reason I love shifting. I know the auto is faster but since this car wont see a track or a drag strip while I own it I don't see the point. Its just the fun factor.
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Old 06-03-2015, 11:07 AM   #12
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You're considering the manual so I'd advise getting one or you'll regret it. I love my manual transmission and the driving experience would be different without it... in the rain, sun, snow etc. as it's my DD
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Old 06-03-2015, 11:11 AM   #13
edgehead2000
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I'll have to drive both and go from there. I've been a die hard stick person but now that I can scarcely run more than a few miles without pain in my beat up knees, I know the A8 will be the way to go for later life.
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Old 06-03-2015, 11:13 AM   #14
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Manual all the way.
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