Test Drove an SS this weekend

camaro-dreamer · 04-18-2017, 08:25 AM

My local dealership had a hyper blue 1SS with body colored ground effects and black bow ties. The car looked absolutely amazing. The care sounded even more amazing upon startup. I have been missing the throaty growl of a large displacement V8. The car had the dual mode exhaust

. I took the car for a test drive. Then, things went south, both figuratively and literally as that was the direction traversed. This particular example was equipped with the A8. The car was constantly searching for the correct gear at cruising speed. Is this normal with the A8? On a level surface increasing in speed from 40-45 mph involved 2 gear changes. Is this normal? The engine sounded amazing and the acceleration felt great. However, I am not sure if I can deal with the constant searching. Is this normal or perhaps the example on the lot had a transmission problem? Feedback would be appreciated. Thanks everyone!

HalfMoon · 04-18-2017, 08:29 AM

The car was telling you that you really wanted to get a 1LE and a manual transmission.

Sorry, I don't have any experience with the automatic transmissions in Camaros or Corvettes, I always go for the manual transmission. I'm sure someone will be along to help you out though!

Richard0nee · 04-18-2017, 08:35 AM

I didn't have that experience when I test drove the A8.. it felt fast and smooth. The M6, felt fast and straight up raw!

Gotta test drive both and see for yourself

init4fun · 04-18-2017, 08:44 AM

Not seeing this behavior in my A8 or any of the A8's I have driven.

ChevyRules · 04-18-2017, 08:52 AM

Not from what I have seen so far with my A8... Did the car have any miles on it from multiple test drives? Only thing I can think of as there is a learning program to the transmission, it may be confused from multiple driving styles as it tries to learn your particular style of driving.

Raven87 · 04-18-2017, 08:58 AM

I've driven a '16 and a '17 SS A8 and neither of them had that sort of issue. Both were linear and very smooth with no 'hunting' for a gear.

I was very impressed with the A8.

6spdhyperblue · 04-18-2017, 09:01 AM

it takes time for the car to settle in and learn to make it shift nicely

jdasnt3 · 04-18-2017, 09:17 AM

My A8 has 15K miles and I am the only person to drive it. No test drives before me. Properly broken in, and never has the issue you're describing.

SuperSound · 04-18-2017, 09:19 AM

Sounds like a mix of test drives fouling up the TCM adaptive programing and perhaps the OP not use autos that react quickly to throttle changes. Never had a problem with this or my BMW A8s "hunting for gears" but have heard that complaint from many people who hadn't drove one of them before.

camaro-dreamer · 04-18-2017, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HalfMoon

The car was telling you that you really wanted to get a 1LE and a manual transmission.

Sorry, I don't have any experience with the automatic transmissions in Camaros or Corvettes, I always go for the manual transmission. I'm sure someone will be along to help you out though!

Sadly, there were no manuals on the lot :(. That's next! I've driven a c7 with the 7M which was great. If only I was a bit shorter... I'm hoping the SS would be a similar experience.

Thanks for the responses on the A8. I would not think this behavior was normal.

camaro-dreamer · 04-18-2017, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperSound

Sounds like a mix of test drives fouling up the TCM adaptive programing and perhaps the OP not use autos that react quickly to throttle changes. Never had a problem with this or my BMW A8s "hunting for gears" but have heard that complaint from many people who hadn't drove one of them before.

Maybe the PDK has me spoiled.

SuperSound · 04-18-2017, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camaro-dreamer

Maybe the PDK has me spoiled.

If that's what you are used it definitely would have! To forewarn you, the paddle shifting leaves a lot to be desired in comparison. But in Drive with performance shift activated, it will pleasantly surprise you.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

KMPrenger · 04-18-2017, 09:32 AM

I have a Hyper Blue 1SS with the A8, and I can tell you that doesn't sound normal. My A8 has been smooth, and shifts are good. I don't notice much hunting around at all. Test drive a different A8 if you get the chance.

But yes, the transmission will try to "learn" your driving style. Lots of test drives...might equal a confused transmission? lol...not really sure on that one.

01pewterz28 · 04-18-2017, 09:36 AM

Definitely not normal my A8 SS shifts smoothly and pick up great absolutely love the A8 transmission and the LT1 power.

04-18-2017, 08:25 AM	#1
camaro-dreamer Drives: 2013 Porsche 981S Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: TN Posts: 329	Test Drove an SS this weekend My local dealership had a hyper blue 1SS with body colored ground effects and black bow ties. The car looked absolutely amazing. The care sounded even more amazing upon startup. I have been missing the throaty growl of a large displacement V8. The car had the dual mode exhaust . I took the car for a test drive. Then, things went south, both figuratively and literally as that was the direction traversed. This particular example was equipped with the A8. The car was constantly searching for the correct gear at cruising speed. Is this normal with the A8? On a level surface increasing in speed from 40-45 mph involved 2 gear changes. Is this normal? The engine sounded amazing and the acceleration felt great. However, I am not sure if I can deal with the constant searching. Is this normal or perhaps the example on the lot had a transmission problem? Feedback would be appreciated. Thanks everyone!

04-18-2017, 08:58 AM	#6
Raven87 C'mon- really? Drives: Looking for a ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Nortwestern Ohio Posts: 1,966 View My Garage	I've driven a '16 and a '17 SS A8 and neither of them had that sort of issue. Both were linear and very smooth with no 'hunting' for a gear. I was very impressed with the A8. __________________ Steve 2018 Camaro 2SS 1LE Black #3805 - SOLD

04-18-2017, 09:17 AM	#8
jdasnt3 Drives: 18 Silverado 1500 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Bradenton, FL Posts: 1,721	My A8 has 15K miles and I am the only person to drive it. No test drives before me. Properly broken in, and never has the issue you're describing. __________________ 16 Red Hot 2SS A8: NPP, CAI Cold air, Ported TB, Fasterproms Ported intake, E85 flex, Formatto tuned. 11.80@118 with 1.92 60' (600-700 DA) on stock run flats.

04-18-2017, 09:19 AM	#9
SuperSound Drives: '17 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Eastern NC Posts: 5,063 View My Garage	Sounds like a mix of test drives fouling up the TCM adaptive programing and perhaps the OP not use autos that react quickly to throttle changes. Never had a problem with this or my BMW A8s "hunting for gears" but have heard that complaint from many people who hadn't drove one of them before. __________________ Current: '17 2SS Hyper Blue, A8, MRC, NPP Past: '99 SS Camaro A4, '73 Camaro 383 A3 "Voices in your head are not considered insider information." 3800 Status - 6/16/16 (Built!) 6000 status - 6/29/16 (Delivered!)

04-18-2017, 09:32 AM	#13
KMPrenger Drives: 16 Camaro SS, 15 Colorado Join Date: May 2009 Location: Jefferson City, Missouri Posts: 13,943	I have a Hyper Blue 1SS with the A8, and I can tell you that doesn't sound normal. My A8 has been smooth, and shifts are good. I don't notice much hunting around at all. Test drive a different A8 if you get the chance. But yes, the transmission will try to "learn" your driving style. Lots of test drives...might equal a confused transmission? lol...not really sure on that one. __________________ 2016 Camaro 1SS - 8-speed - NPP - Black bowties 2010 Camaro 1LT V6 (Sold. I will miss her!)

04-18-2017, 08:29 AM	#2
HalfMoon Drives: '18 JLU Rubicon, '19 Golf R Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Not California anymore! Posts: 56	The car was telling you that you really wanted to get a 1LE and a manual transmission. Sorry, I don't have any experience with the automatic transmissions in Camaros or Corvettes, I always go for the manual transmission. I'm sure someone will be along to help you out though!

04-18-2017, 08:35 AM	#3
Richard0nee Drives: 2016 SS M6, NPP Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Hawthorne, CA Posts: 1,957	I didn't have that experience when I test drove the A8.. it felt fast and smooth. The M6, felt fast and straight up raw! Gotta test drive both and see for yourself

04-18-2017, 08:44 AM	#4
init4fun Drives: 2017 50th Anniversary Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: illinois Posts: 424	Not seeing this behavior in my A8 or any of the A8's I have driven.

04-18-2017, 08:52 AM	#5
ChevyRules Drives: 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR Join Date: May 2016 Location: USA Posts: 964	Not from what I have seen so far with my A8... Did the car have any miles on it from multiple test drives? Only thing I can think of as there is a learning program to the transmission, it may be confused from multiple driving styles as it tries to learn your particular style of driving.

04-18-2017, 09:01 AM	#7
6spdhyperblue Drives: 6th gen Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: US Posts: 3,678	it takes time for the car to settle in and learn to make it shift nicely

04-18-2017, 09:36 AM	#14
01pewterz28 #TeamBeckyD Drives: 2017 HBM 2SS Convertible A8 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Apopka, FL Posts: 10,496 View My Garage	Definitely not normal my A8 SS shifts smoothly and pick up great absolutely love the A8 transmission and the LT1 power. __________________ #TeamBeckyD FIFTY HBM 2SS VERT

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