Whats up with all the negative L99 stereotype?

[MG]

People saying they feel slower, quieter than the LS3's? Cars feeling sleepy and not so willing to get up and go? True, there was that fuse-pull issue. True, the automatics are marginally heavier and are slightly detuned.

But are they not supposed to be a tick quicker to 60 and a tick slower through the 1/4 mile, all the while pulling more consistent results? Is the L99, at the end of the day, not a performance engine as well?

What do you think?

I think its all in people's heads. Its not like your butt can feel a 0.1 second difference anyway. If someone got out of an L99 any less satisfied than if it were an LS3, that person probably had the intention of not liking it to begin with.

Yes, I have an L99 on order, and I am damn proud of it!


(Note: please dont turn this into an LS3 vs L99 thread. I just want to clear up any possible, undeserved misonceptions regarding the SS automatics.)

[Smoky10]

I thinks it's just people with the feeling of it's not really sports car if it doesn't have a manual transmission. And also the fact that it is a few HP short. But as long as you are happy with your car, I wouldn't worry about the negative annotation people are giving.

[jtzako]

If its faster 0-60 who cares? These arent the old days when Autos where not very good.

[spyderwebb]

I have an L99 and have 18,000 miles on it now, you've got nothing to be concerned with. I'd put my automatic against a manual anytime, with a little tweaking a few performance parts, and a well broke in engine, it will just come down to driving skills and I know the automatic will be consistant...nuff said

[LS1owner]

Please its just as loud...and the Auto trans are FAST these days. Most Vettes seem to be auto, as are M3 and M5 with that DCT/auto/manual combo thing, etc. auto trans are fast and smooth these days, this isn't 1990 automatic trans anymore. save it!

[04Ram2500Hemi]

I just hit 1800 miles on my L99 2SS and I really enjoy it. I always drive it in Sport so I can play with the paddle shifter when I want to, but it's nice to let the car do the work when I want to sit back and relax. The only thing I wish was different was that instead of paddles it was an auto stick- it would be nice to have the shifter in the same place as the manual since some times it can be hard to get the right gear you want when you are in the corners.

[shroomjohn]

Well I know Ive added a few mods and I get a rush everytime I mash it!

[JohnInSoCal]

my L99 is a little too loud and gets to 60 MPH in 3.8 seconds

[greenrail]

Its all perception. A lot of old heads like me, seem to think that anything associated with an automatic transmission is for the less ability inclined.

I say hogwash! Today's technolgy does a lot more than many understand. The acceleration times as tested (not percieved) are so close it is a toss up for most folks.

Be bold, Stand up and Say You are darn proud of what you have!

It boils down to personal needs and choices. Had I needed to drive my car every day to work, I would have gone L99 and Auto.

[PQ]

The 'stigma' was created back when so many cars had the low spark timing issue before the fuse pull and the fix. Some people still mess with me even today. NOT a stigma I want, but will forever be with me in this community.

I think a lot of that still is in the backs of many peoples minds. Kinda like 'First impressions last a long time'.

Plus, the fact that a manual tranny can engage a lot quicker so the tires spin easier. Certainly not conducive to winning in the race, but more flamboyant. Hence, more outwardly desireable.

Sure, AFM sucks, but it's not necessarily the L99 that has the bad rap, but the dumbed down tranny.

[ChrisBlair]

Originally Posted by jtzako

If its faster 0-60 who cares? These arent the old days when Autos where not very good.

I'm not trying to put you down or make fun, but when where those days? In the old days- and in many cases today- automatic transmissions ruled the dragstrip. An automatic gives more easily repeatable and generally quicker 1/4 mile times than a manual box, technological ghee-whiz notwithstanding

Manual boxes tend to be lighter and potentially more robust; plus there's no fluid coupling to absorb hp, but...back in the day, a TH400 was a fine transmission and handled much more torque than a '10 Camaro SS puts out

[AntzV]

This is my L99 and I think it sounds meaner then most LS3's i've heard

[hrpiii]

I didn't know there was anything negative about my L99 whooping the crap out of an LS3? Am I getting left off the email notifications again?

[PQ]

Originally Posted by hrpiii

I didn't know there was anything negative about my L99 whooping the crap out of an LS3? Am I getting left off the email notifications again?

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