Auto or manual?

[IcePick06]

Originally Posted by mlee

I'm actually driving one this weekend because I have one ordered and want to make sure I'll be happy with it. So far it's not near as fun as people say...

Wait...I'm confused. WHICH is LESS fun--AUTO or MANUAL?

IMHO:

More fun and more control on a race track = MANUAL

Faster (in a straight line) and Less Stressful (in traffic) = AUTO

I have to agree with Car & Driver and their whole "SAVE THE MANUALS" campaign when it comes to SPORTS CARS. A Sports Car to me should be a Manual transmission, more control and even more horsepower--hence every manufacturer from Ferrari to Porsche Lamborghini offer a manual version. Sadly it will fade away eventually (at least in the Domestic Sports Car segment) and you will only be able to get Paddle Shifting cars

[IcePick06]

Originally Posted by BSR-1

website says 1185.00 US

+ GG Tax is $2600...in reality you are paying ~$2500 more for the auto

To the guy who said almost $4k more, you have to subtract $1300 for the manual GG tax since you will be stuck paying that regardless

[mlee]

Originally Posted by BSR-1

website says 1185.00 US

Plus the 2600.00 gas guzzler tax.... M6 gets hit w/ 1300 so I was on the high side there...

Originally Posted by BSR-1

Price for an auto in the 1LT is only 995.00

True but this is the ZL1 section...

[mlee]

Originally Posted by IcePick06

+ GG Tax is $2600...in reality you are paying ~$2500 more for the auto

To the guy who said almost $4k more, you have to subtract $1300 for the manual GG tax since you will be stuck paying that regardless

LOL... we posted at the same time...

[htron50]

$2600 + $1185 = $3785 - $1300 = $2485, so $2500 is right on!

AWE TOE Matic4 me. Just too easy to get two-three cars ahead of that stick!

[Z4me]

I think everyone's going to have his or her reason('s) to
pick one or the other. I'm just happy that we have a choice
in the matter. From what I have read so far both the
transmissions have been improved over the SS version.

For me I am going with the manual. The last time I drove
a stick was my 77 trans am and i miss rowing the gears.
Since this will be my fun weekend cruising car I won't be
driving it during the crazy rush hour traffic around here.
As long as the knee's hold up I'm good to go!
What ever transmission you finally choose to purchase
Just make sure doing it for yourself and not because it
might be the most popular choice of others.

[Deke736]

I picked an auto.

[CAM....ZL1]

Auto for me....don't really plan on being too connected to
the road anyway.....Lol

[Al C.]

+ Gas Guzzler tax..

[JMAN311]

The gas guzzler tax really sucks. But due to having to take more freeways to work now I'm going with the auto. The stop and go traffic was just too annoying with a stick. And I want my wife to be able to drive it in the rare case we need to switch vehicles.

[cbass]

Faster (in a straight line) and Less Stressful (in traffic) = AUTO

Personally once muscle memory takes over than traffic is no problem even with a manual for me.

I personally like manual so that is what I would go with, but I know of people that don't so it's a personal choice.

The 5% less drive train loss is nice as well.

[JMAN311]

Originally Posted by cbass

Personally once muscle memory takes over than traffic is no problem even with a manual for me.

I personally like manual so that is what I would go with, but I know of people that don't so it's a personal choice.

The 5% less drive train loss is nice as well.

Good point, I've been very curious to see if the typical losses will be confirmed when people start dyno'ing their stock M6/A6.

[garfin]

I'll start off by saying that I have always had a manual transmission vehicle and agree that the connection that a driver feels with a manual car is one of the most rewarding aspects of driving a high performance vehicle.

I had the privilege last weekend of driving both manual ZL1s and automatic ZL1s back-to-back (and the ZR1 'Vet) on the track at Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch in Pahrump, Nevada with the rest of the Disciples. I must be honest and admit that I was very skeptical about the level of performance and amount of enjoyment/satisfaction the auto would provide, given that I have always been a 100% devout fan of manual transmissions in a car like this. The manual performed pretty much as I expected, given it's the same setup as the manual in my CTS-V. The ZL1's shifter had a little shorter throw than what I'm used to and seemed to have a slightly more positive shift action than the V.

But the automatic was a real eye-opener for me. Driving around the track in manual mode, my skepticism began to disappear after the 1st upshift, which was instantaneous and strong. This automatic transmission differs from the V's slushbox in that there is a "preloading" feature in the ZL1's unit that maintains a higher pressure in the lines which translates into noticeably quicker upshifts. It's as if the transmission is anticipating the upshift. A lot of the guys with automatic Vs are tuning their trannies (bye-bye warranty) to provide quicker upshifts/downshifts. I can't see that being necessary at all on this car... and of course the downshifts done with the paddle are rev-matched perfectly, every time. There's not much that's better in terms of satisfaction, than downshifting manually and blipping the throttle just right and coordinating the clutch to achieve that seamless transition into the lower gear, but none of us are perfect and sometimes it just ain't so smooth with the manual. The auto is foolproof in this regard. If only there was a way to heel-and-toe with the auto!

Would I buy the auto? Probably not, given my background and experience with a manual, but after tracking a ZL1 with the auto, at least I'd have to give it some consideration simply because of just how good it is and how consistent it is. The bottom line is that I would gladly take an automatic ZL1 out on a lapping day and not expect to have much, if any tradeoff in my enjoyment of the car.

For those who have good reasons to consider the automatic and are struggling with the choice, don't think for a second that you will be making a compromise by choosing the automatic.

Best regards,

Elie

[STINGER BEE]

Auto**