Manual or Auto?--resale value question

[armando416]

I ordered a Camaro at the dealer yesterday...I ordered a 2LT stick and already wonder if I should change my order!

I was thinking of a) upgrading to the 2SS, and b) possibly switching to the L99 automatic.

My question is, when I go to sell this car in 5 yrs or whatever (I do plan on keeping it a while!), is it going to be tougher to sell a stick shift car? Will I have to take less for it (more than the original price difference)? I know how to drive stick but apparently a lot of people don't from what I am seeing. If I go to any random Chevy website and look at 'Vettes that are in stock, I see about a 4 or 5 to one ratio of auto to stick. Is this because auto just sells better so dealers stock more, or because the stick shifts are gone the second they hit the floor? Any opinion? Because when it comes down to it I am almost indifferent to stick vs auto myself. Either way it will be a fun car. Sometimes I will appreciate having an auto if I am sitting in traffic, and the remote start is nice. Other times I can see where a stick feels more fun...like you are more in control. Any advice would be appreciated!


Also, I noticed all this talk about having to wait until Oct for new orders. The dealer I went to said their initial allotment still hasn't sold out (its the biggest Chevy dealer in IL) and I should get the car sometime in April. Does it make a difference if I switch to a V8 on when I will receive my order? If it ends up being October, I may cancel...it will already almost be winter again, and I want to enjoy this car NOW!! Plus I don't have a garage yet...it may sit in a friends garage all winter.

[LS3SSRS]

i think a manual sells for more than an automatic in the used car world. it's funny cause an automatic costs extra when it's bought new.

[Parker]

The SS resale value probably wont differ any much, but the V6 stick comes with LSD and the auto does not. If I could only get a V6 it would have to be the stick for the LSD, but that's my opinion.

[ucla1ove3]

LSD?

[Superman09]

LSD=Limited Slip Differential

[camaro5]

Auto has better resale.

[LS3SSRS]

Originally Posted by camaro5

Auto has better resale.

i guess it depends on the car. i know imports sell for more $$ with a 5-speed than an auto. imports i mean acura's, civics, 240sx... u know, little rice rockets.

[TAG UR IT]

I think the more important question is why are you already thinking about RESALE!!!

Focus on NOW!

Keep the car, have fun with it, pass it down to your kids!

[camaro5]

You know what else?

Whatever the difference is, it's not enough to influence your choice.

[JBsC6]

Order the manual if thats what you want. The resale should be equal to or more than an automatic L99.

I do believe the V8 model of the Camaro will be more fun to own so for me that would be the first option to go for..

After that? Its all up to you. I'm sure the L99 automatic V8 will be a hell of a hot rod too...

Both will perform great. Congrats on ordering up one of the finest new cars for the coming new model year.

Really great design.

You mentioned corvettes manual to automatic production ratio. Its usually about 40 % manual and 60 percent automatic..

Thats about 10% more than manuals than originally expected by GM. When buying a fun vehicle like the Camaro or the Corvette...chosing a manual or automtic is really just a decision on whether someones better half can't drive a stick or if heavy traffic is involved.

My first vette back in 99 was an automatic and it was a great drag car. Not quite as much fun on a road course because it downshifted coming out of the turns and upset the cars handling balance. On the street it was great. As far as todays 6 speed automatic I think it has better control capability.

That said...when I bought my 08 I made sure it was a manual tranny. Its more fun and thats what camaros and Corvettes are about...

So the bottom line is make your decision based off of what YOU want because at the end of the day....thats all that matters.

No wrong choice and both great ways to go.

I bet the automatic is faster accelerating for most guys anyway.

Resale on the stick will probably be a bit higher just because enthusiasts who would buy your 5 year old camaro will want that.

HTH

[armando416]

Thanks guys, if what you're all saying is right it sounds like having stick shouldn't hurt much if at all down the road when I have to part with the car someday. I guess I will just have to think long and hard about this one... I'm sure I will be a little rusty at stick after being stuck in a Grand Prix the last 2+ yrs (I used to have a Trans Am...wish they'd bring that back, too!) but hopefully it's just like riding a bike. Of course I still can't believe how autos have gotten so good that they usually beat stick, even w more weight (and in this case, less HP). Pretty amazing. Gonna make this a tough, tough call.

[Tal]

With the V6 I think the auto will get slightly higher resale. For the V8 models if it was M6 vs A4 I'd say the M6 would resale higher but the A6 might be good enough to keep closer in price. On any Camaro model the auto isn't going to be worth the upcharge just for resale though.

[Hooy]

Originally Posted by Tal

With the V6 I think the auto will get slightly higher resale. For the V8 models if it was M6 vs A4 I'd say the M6 would resale higher but the A6 might be good enough to keep closer in price. On any Camaro model the auto isn't going to be worth the upcharge just for resale though.

I think the auto for a V6 will sell MUCH easier. Enthusiasts (usually a stick driver) wants only the V8..

[CamaroSSforme]

Originally Posted by LS3SSRS

i guess it depends on the car. i know imports sell for more $$ with a 5-speed than an auto. imports i mean acura's, civics, 240sx... u know, little rice rockets.

Incorrect. I own a Subbie legacy GT with 5 speed...and it's resale value is $700 less than than the Auto. This is true across the board that I've seen.

You can check yourself here:

http://www.cudlautosmart.com/(X(1)S(...ookieSupport=1