Automatic vs Manual - lifetime, repair costs - Page 2 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

brantley847 · 02-27-2011, 07:27 AM

This was my fear as well. I do a ton of driving in city / heavy populated areas so I went with auto. However, the previous auto I owned went to crap in about 25k miles. GRANTED, that was a truck... that I drove like a performance vehicle lol

I have been gun shy to mod this vehicle because of that experience. It cost me 3.5k to replace or 3k to repair that tranny. I am hoping since this vehicle was designed to be a performance vehicle that I will be ok with this transmission.....fingers crossed because I will be pulling the mod trigger here shortly...

2012 ZL1 · 02-27-2011, 07:36 AM

If you ask me especially in a v-6 application both should last you over 100,000 miles unless you beat on them.. If you don't know how to drive a stick the clutch or manual tranny might have a shorter life..

So I really don't think it matters, just get what you want..

But, the manual Camaro comes with a posi rear end like the SS, and the auto does not...

If I were to buy the V-6 Camaro.. I'd buy the manual..

HondaPowered · 02-27-2011, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fearer2010SS

I do drive 20k plus a year and you'll be in pure hell without an auto. You'll also be in pure hell driving a Camaro that much with compromised sight lines, get a compact.....

Im kind of on this guys side. If you are doing 20k+ a year, get something that gets amazing gas mileage. And get a camaro on the side.

When I get my camaro I know i'll miss the gas mileage of my honda, but I drive nowhere NEAR 20k+ a year.

But if you are stuck on the camaro, then get an auto for all that driving.

Desertdawg · 02-27-2011, 08:46 AM

Personally for me, manual is the only way.

Driver induced shifting adds to the overall experience of a great drive. Of course if you using it for a daily commuter it congested traffic, then a automatic would have to be it.

The less weight the better. I wish I could order a G5 Camaro the way my 69 was. No A/C, manual windows, manual seats. Just keep it simple and give me a light fast car and do away with all the frills.

swagled · 02-27-2011, 08:59 AM

Seems like I alternate with each car I get. Drive a manual, get tired of it, buy an automatic. Then flip flop again with the following vehicle.

You can get an automatic to match your driving style a bit, by locking out the top gears in the city, and careful timing of your foot placement on the gas pedal. They are certainly nice to have in "construction" traffic.:upset:

BOOGIE · 02-27-2011, 09:22 AM

I had 1 Manual and swore I would never buy another one! I went thew tires like there was no tomorrow I could not help myself

Now Im just too lazy for a stick

DarkneSS · 02-27-2011, 09:27 AM

Manual really only needs the clutch replaced depending on how you abuse it. Autos tend to break unless you never beat on your car and change the fluid every 30,000 miles. They also tend to break after your warranty is up.

VR Baron · 02-27-2011, 11:01 PM

auto in the v6 is a good unit and sporty as well. It is a sealed unit and fluids are synthetic that don't need changing before 100000 miles. Change sooner if you like.
Old clutches only lasted me 50000 miles but my 98z28 still has the original at 95000 but I don't abuse it much. If city or traffic driving get the auto or gut it out with a manual. Ive had 28 years in manuals in L.A. traffic and its no fun, but can be done(obviously).

Sevn86 · 02-27-2011, 11:22 PM

I say auto would be better in the long run...

daveagogo1 · 02-27-2011, 11:30 PM

You could always get the auto and use the paddle shift if you really feel like shifting yourself on a nice road drive. I use my paddle shift daily on a 4 mile long very nice winding no traffic section of my daily commute.

Sawyer · 02-27-2011, 11:36 PM

From what I've read the auto will "last" longer... I still will be getting a manual. LOL

P3SAR · 02-28-2011, 07:31 AM

I'm sure there are plenty of horror stories of both autos and manual transmissions crapping out early. That being said, both of these transmissions are well built, modern designs. Pick whichever suits your driving needs, but as far as reliability, I think if you keep up the maintenance and treat it well, it will return the favor.

MontanaKnight · 02-28-2011, 07:40 AM

If you do smoke your clutch. Only thing you have to worry about in the first 100,000 miles is the dealership saying it was from abuse not part failure. I had this happen to a friend of mine. At least it was a subaru wrx sti and not a Camaro.

stand-al0ne · 02-28-2011, 10:12 AM

if you're wearing out clutches every two years under normal driving, you do not need to be driving a manual.

02-27-2011, 07:27 AM	#15
brantley847 v It bites. Drives: 2011 IBM 2SS/RS Join Date: May 2008 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 3,585	This was my fear as well. I do a ton of driving in city / heavy populated areas so I went with auto. However, the previous auto I owned went to crap in about 25k miles. GRANTED, that was a truck... that I drove like a performance vehicle lol I have been gun shy to mod this vehicle because of that experience. It cost me 3.5k to replace or 3k to repair that tranny. I am hoping since this vehicle was designed to be a performance vehicle that I will be ok with this transmission.....fingers crossed because I will be pulling the mod trigger here shortly... __________________ 2011 2SS/RS Performance: 439 RWHP: 226/236 Comp Cam, Kooks 1-7/8, CAInc, Borla S type, Vmax TB, Rx Catch Can, Trans cooler, SLP 160 termo, Melling high volume, Eibach Springs/Sways 1" drop, Whiteline complete bushing kit.

02-27-2011, 07:36 AM	#16
2012 ZL1 Drives: 2012 ZL1 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Ma Posts: 35	Auto VS Manual If you ask me especially in a v-6 application both should last you over 100,000 miles unless you beat on them.. If you don't know how to drive a stick the clutch or manual tranny might have a shorter life.. So I really don't think it matters, just get what you want.. But, the manual Camaro comes with a posi rear end like the SS, and the auto does not... If I were to buy the V-6 Camaro.. I'd buy the manual..

02-27-2011, 11:36 PM	#25
Sawyer Drives: '13 5.0 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,345 View My Garage	From what I've read the auto will "last" longer... I still will be getting a manual. LOL Last edited by Sawyer; 02-28-2011 at 11:02 AM.

02-28-2011, 10:12 AM	#28
stand-al0ne Rev Couture Drives: 2010 LS Camaro & 2013 Rav4 Ltd Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Jamlando, FL Posts: 1,129 View My Garage	if you're wearing out clutches every two years under normal driving, you do not need to be driving a manual. __________________ EBC Brakes\| DOT 4\|Bigworm\| SickSpeed\| BMR \| IPF \| Vararam\| MRT \|MGW \| Nitto \| Rx \| Iggee \|ZL-1 Sways\| Hurst \| Apex Racing\|Past: Srt-4\| 6.0L GTO- RIP \| '98 Integra

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02-27-2011, 08:46 AM	#18
Desertdawg Drives: Dreaming of a New Camaro Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Reno, Nevada Posts: 24	Personally for me, manual is the only way. Driver induced shifting adds to the overall experience of a great drive. Of course if you using it for a daily commuter it congested traffic, then a automatic would have to be it. The less weight the better. I wish I could order a G5 Camaro the way my 69 was. No A/C, manual windows, manual seats. Just keep it simple and give me a light fast car and do away with all the frills.

02-27-2011, 08:59 AM	#19
swagled Drives: Y2000 Olds Intrigue Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NC Posts: 180	Seems like I alternate with each car I get. Drive a manual, get tired of it, buy an automatic. Then flip flop again with the following vehicle. You can get an automatic to match your driving style a bit, by locking out the top gears in the city, and careful timing of your foot placement on the gas pedal. They are certainly nice to have in "construction" traffic.:upset:

02-27-2011, 09:22 AM	#20
BOOGIE Drives: Camaro Vert & Avalanche Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Lafayette La Posts: 442 View My Garage	I had 1 Manual and swore I would never buy another one! I went thew tires like there was no tomorrow I could not help myself Now Im just too lazy for a stick

02-27-2011, 09:27 AM	#21
DarkneSS Account Suspended Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS 6MT Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Westchester, New York Posts: 3,715	Manual really only needs the clutch replaced depending on how you abuse it. Autos tend to break unless you never beat on your car and change the fluid every 30,000 miles. They also tend to break after your warranty is up.

02-27-2011, 11:01 PM	#22
VR Baron SoCal Camaro5 Race Team Drives: 2021 Shadow Grey Camaro 2SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: SO CAL Posts: 14,287	auto in the v6 is a good unit and sporty as well. It is a sealed unit and fluids are synthetic that don't need changing before 100000 miles. Change sooner if you like. Old clutches only lasted me 50000 miles but my 98z28 still has the original at 95000 but I don't abuse it much. If city or traffic driving get the auto or gut it out with a manual. Ive had 28 years in manuals in L.A. traffic and its no fun, but can be done(obviously).

02-28-2011, 07:31 AM	#26
P3SAR Waiting to Drive Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS IBM w/SIM Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Germantown, TN Posts: 164	I'm sure there are plenty of horror stories of both autos and manual transmissions crapping out early. That being said, both of these transmissions are well built, modern designs. Pick whichever suits your driving needs, but as far as reliability, I think if you keep up the maintenance and treat it well, it will return the favor.

02-28-2011, 07:40 AM	#27
MontanaKnight Drives: Dreaming Of the 2011 SS2 A6 - Soon Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Bozeman, Montana Posts: 225	If you do smoke your clutch. Only thing you have to worry about in the first 100,000 miles is the dealership saying it was from abuse not part failure. I had this happen to a friend of mine. At least it was a subaru wrx sti and not a Camaro.