2012 Camaro 2ss auto vs. manual

[Bcarr]

We have the manual and love it! Ours is just a weekend car but not owning a stick for a while has made this a blast to drive. My wife knows how to drive one though. It's not hard to teach as I was teaching my 16 year old son on it. I know....What am I thinking?

You will love it either way but I believe a car like this deserves a stick shift!

Just my opinion of course!

[invaderzim]

if you can only afford the cheapest car possible like a $13k KIA or something, that's one thing. but its 2012. I can't, for the life of me, understand why someone would willingly choose to bother with a clutch EVERY SINGLE TIME they drive a car. its like self torture. specially a car you're paying over $20k for. its a problem bike riders and professional auto/motorcycle racers have been trying to solve since the beginning of time. luckily quickshifters for bikes and shiftable auto trannies on cars are becoming the norm these days.

[Camaro154]

I know I was shocked to see on the forum how well the auto worked for the speed aspect. With the manual I read you have to really drive it hard and shift perfect to match the auto.

[SGOS252382]

Basically the question has been answered.

Bone stock the LS3 M6 Camaro SS is faster than the L99 A6 Camaro SS. BUT that is only with a skilled driver behind the wheel.

With average drivers behind the wheel, the L99 A6 wins most drag races. Whenever there's a Camaro track meet, the L99 A6 Camaros usually win most the races (stock vs. stock).

That's because the L99 A6 is much easier to run fast times. It launches off the line better/easier, and you don't have to worry about shifting.

Once modded, all bets are off. But as mentioned, the L99 A6 is much easier to run fast times. I go to the track quite often and the L99 A6 guys usually have very little trouble beating the LS3 M6s (mod vs. mod).

[stlrammer]

I have the manual and love it but catch some crap from the war department from time to time because she can't drive it and has no interest to learn. If you both want to drive the car buy the auto. Save your relationship.

[puertoricanfont]

get the ls3. Theres nothing like rowing throught some gears on a drive. And if your worried about your wife learning to drive standard on the ss pick up a $500 beater and let her practice on that. 426hp can be unrelenting on newbies to manual transmissions.

[LADYBMBLEBEE]

Originally Posted by Camaro154

Yeah I read about the paddle shift feature. I just have been torn like everyone else that has been in my shoes. I just hate the fact you loose the addition horse power with the auto but from what I read some believe the auto is faster in a straight line. Obviously the stick is more fun in corners.

My husband and I bought an automatic because I haven't driven a stick in 30 years and didn't want to re-learn in a brand new Camaro. While not the same, my husband drives it in manual with the paddle shifters all the time. As for horsepower the automatic SS is 400hp and we have no problem keeping up with our friends that drive manual SS. The best thing about the paddle shifters is that if your wife wants to learn to shift gears, the car will not allow you to shift into a gear that is too low or high thus stopping you from damaging your transmission.

[Kronix]

Manual hands down more fun to drive. Automatics are for sedans, and pu$$y whipped men that have to worry about their wives bitching......That's why she has her own car.

[Nessal]

It's all about personal preference or people that can't drive a stick shift. Both are great but when it came down to it, I couldn't buy an automatic Camaro. I find much more enjoyment shifting myself.

[SSGUNNER]

Either or is a great choice. Depends on what you want. The problem now a days is ignorant folks think they will always out run an auto and think their cool by granny shifting, not double clutching like they should. What a waste. Let's not forget yes LS3 has 26hp over the L99 but mind you the L99 has better/more gears than the LS3. HP doesnt mean squat. Tq? It's only a 10lbs difference.

[Mikey193]

Originally Posted by invaderzim

if you can only afford the cheapest car possible like a $13k KIA or something, that's one thing. but its 2012. I can't, for the life of me, understand why someone would willingly choose to bother with a clutch EVERY SINGLE TIME they drive a car. its like self torture. specially a car you're paying over $20k for. its a problem bike riders and professional auto/motorcycle racers have been trying to solve since the beginning of time. luckily quickshifters for bikes and shiftable auto trannies on cars are becoming the norm these days.

:( stick is a lot of fun to drive

[pump905]

keep the wife happy u will be happier and u can't lose with either one.

[E.T.]

AFM on the auto is really a bummer. It doesn't turn on only on the highway, it turns on all the time. It'll kick on and off while cruising at 35. IMO, this was the biggest mistake they made with the L99. It's easily "fixed" with a tune, but then you lose your warranty. Some people don't seem to mind it, but some do.

[Augie1978]

I have owned both an automatic and now a manual. I didnt like the AFM in the auto and the stick is alot more fun to drive in my opinion.