[IM4IU]

I'll preface this by saying I'm definitely cut from the cloth where American muscle cars should be a manual but I'm curious as to other's opinions who have driven both. Granted with today's technology you simply can't shift a manual fast enough to keep up with a paddle shifted automatic, but for those of you who have driven both what are your thoughts on both transmissions in the 6th gen?

[6spdhyperblue]

I bought a 4th gen in a manual because I found the automatic annoying around town and when having fun. also because it had two EXTRA gears. which netted in a faster car and much better highway MPG.

in the Gen6 get the manual if you really just enjoy driving with a clutch and/or dont want to spend the extra money(although A8 will get better mpg). I dont find the A8 transmission annoying to the point i wish it was stick

i ended up with a manual because my wife wanted the manual and I was on the fence. i figure you cant go wrong either way

[merlin803]

I went with a 5th Gen manual mostly because I couldn't stand the AFM on the auto but on my 6th Gen, the transmission is so fast and smooth and after about 1,000 miles so far I haven't really noticed the AFM.

I don't doubt at all that I would love the manual also but with 90% of my drive being stop and go city driving and with my wife preferring an auto, I am glad there really wasn't a down side with this auto transmission so it made my decision easy.

So, no regrets here, I am loving the auto but if you are a die hard manual guy then I would say to just try both, either should be awesome!

[cwl011]

It is personal preference at this point. I got the manual for the experience of a manual. However I did this knowing the A8 is one mpg better and a couple tenths faster. I agree with nicul15, you can't go wrong with either.

[fastball]

When people vacillate between the manual and automatic, never once have I ever heard anyone regret getting a manual after some time of owning it. I have heard a few regrets buying the automatic.

Unless you HAVE to have an automatic (significant other wants to drive the car and can't drive stick and it's inevitably an argument you won't win, you have knee or hip problems with your left leg, amputee), I would suggest you buy the manual.

[HumanWiki]

Originally Posted by cwl011

It is personal preference at this point.

Pretty much this.. now, if you're going to be a big time track rat, whether straight or twisty, you'll probably have some more specific need of one over the other.. But, for the vast majority of owners and what we'll ever put them through and the lack of most of us caring down to hundredths of precision and such..

All preference.. Manuals will be more "fun" for some and give you a more direct feel over the engine power. Autos are no longer sloppy slushboxes and will be more consistent more often.

As a manual, you'll have a hard time out driving an auto in straight lines.. Roll races will be debatable depending on the MPH you start from. Auto can potentially overheat itself and disregard your commands on a road course, but you'll save your left leg in traffic.

Auto is more forgiving on the driveline on DRs with drags. Manuals allow you to slip as needed, at the expense of the clutch life.

Remote start options in Auto. Manual is in car only.

Manual shifts very smooth and isn't notchy. Auto can lightly slip in to gears or kick hard on command.

Manual you can choose to skip a gear up or down. Auto you go up or down at its desire or have to manually tap through the numbers quickly.

I'd be more prone to say, pick what you're going to do with the car for most of your ownership and go from there.

Both are perfectly fine transmissions.

[Omar1]

Not this again..

[IM4IU]

I ordered one with the M6. The dealer tried to sell the auto to the point where I drove a Corvette with the A8. I mean it was a nice drive but I just wasn't getting there. Was more curious if anyone was just clearly blown away by the A8.

[JDP Sales]

I was worried that I wasn't going to enjoy driving my A8 as much as I did my 14 1LE. NOT THE CASE! The trans is freaking amazing!! When you are under heavy throttle and it rips a shift off, I grin every time. I am SUPER happy with my decision to go A8.

Whatever you choose, i'm certain you will love the car. I'm blown away with the improvements that GM made over the 5th gen.

All the best,

Jared Royce
801.545.4215

[MiamiBlueCamaro]

???

[oldman]

In my opinion the A8 is better on the tack, all tracks, well maybe not a long distance multi-lap road race. The A8 is better in town, better MPG, more civil. I got the manual cause my last Camaro was auto and I hated it (even though with stall it was faster and better than the M6). I told myself get an M6 for the sheer pleasure and nostalgia. My first Camaro was a 69 z/28 4 speed only of course.

[6th Gen SS]

The only real solution is to get one of each.






I'm going to get A8 bc the car could become a daily driver a yr or 2 after the purchase. While both were incredible test drives, I will choose A8 for the long haul. The A8 was amazing, technology is good! Oh- the wife isn't a confident manual driver- so it helps with that
(It was always stressful when she piloted my c5zo6.)

[Sev]

As others said/noted, its personal preference at this point. I ordered the M6 just for the pure fun amd not having a manual car for nearly 14 years.

[Dreamcar16]

i like telling my car what to do.