Auto or manual?

[Janet]

I chose the manual.

[CAM....ZL1]

Originally Posted by Al C.

+ Gas Guzzler tax..

All i can say about added cost is this....I have not always not been so finantually fortunate and have made many purchases over the years
with less options than I always wanted...and not just cars.....and always kick myself later for not really getting it the way I wanted, I have came to learn that you will never be happy unless you get it exactly the way you want it...period...so buying a stick just to avoid the extra 1300 gg tax and 1185 auto trans will never happen to me...have had sticks before ,for years and I just get tired of rowing gears. I plan on this being a keeper for the long haul and auto is the right choice for me.


:party0038:

[REAPER SS]

Its still up in the air for me but I am leaning toward the auto when I do decide to get the ZL1.

[USARCPT]

I drive a manual, BUT I would consider selling all I had for an automatic IF I lived in San Francisco proper.

If you've not seen those hills, believe me...it's no bueno for manual cars. I don't care if you're the greatest of manual transmission drivers on the planet.

I'll take their Rice-A-Roni fine, but they can keep the wonky inclines that always seem to crest about 10 feet above a stop sign.

[islander033]

Having the choice between the two transmissions is awesome!

I'd go manual myself.

[garfin]

Originally Posted by USAR2LT

I drive a manual, BUT I would consider selling all I had for an automatic IF I lived in San Francisco proper.

If you've not seen those hills, believe me...it's no bueno for manual cars. I don't care if you're the greatest of manual transmission drivers on the planet.

I'll take their Rice-A-Roni fine, but they can keep the wonky inclines that always seem to crest about 10 feet above a stop sign.

2013 Camaros with manual transmissions will have Hill Start Assist.


Best regards,

Elie

[shockandawe]

Originally Posted by BSR-1

website says 1185.00 US

I believe there is an additional gas tax penalty for worse mileage then stick, so it may be $2500.

[JMAN311]

Originally Posted by 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

This is so great to hear. So glad you shared your real world driving experience

I have no reservations about going with the auto anymore.

[Whos_Drivin]

Just curious because I don't know much about transmitions, but does anyone have any guesses on how the auto will hold up with this much power?

[ShnOmac]

Originally Posted by 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

Good info!

[Rock-It Man]

Originally Posted by IcePick06

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

Actually, you might want to look into the current offerings from the European super car builders. Some models come as paddle shift only.

The manual clutch transmission will be gone within the next 10 years.

[PNYSLAR]

MANUAL

[2012ZL1]

I'm going with the belt drive

[thespymaster]

Auto