Automatic vs Manual - lifetime, repair costs

[ToniCZ]

Hi guys,

I'd like to buy 1LT RS Camaro in few months, but still I have a dilemma. Car will be used quite often (20 000 miles per year) with rougher usage sometimes. I am thinking about one with manual transmission, but if the repair costs (clutch change etc.) could be too high, maybe I will change my mind to automatic.

So questions are:
- What lifetime can have automatic transmission compared with manual in same conditions of use?
- What are usual repair costs diferences between manual/automatic?

thx, Toni

[robsls3]

Alot of difference.

Clutch every 2 years depending on how you drive it. That can run you about $500-$1k if you cant do it youself.

Cant speak for a Gen5 automatic but my Gen4 TA it was just a transfilter every and trans fluid change every year. $50 tops on that.

[p3jason]

Originally Posted by robsls3

Alot of difference.

Clutch every 2 years depending on how you drive it. That can run you about $500-$1k if you cant do it youself.

Cant speak for a Gen5 automatic but my Gen4 TA it was just a transfilter every and trans fluid change every year. $50 tops on that.

What are you doing to go through a clutch in 2 years? I still have the original clutch in my 1990 Z24 and I put some abuse on it early on.

[mikeSS]

Originally Posted by robsls3

Alot of difference.

Clutch every 2 years depending on how you drive it. That can run you about $500-$1k if you cant do it youself.

what?

[happycamper]

Today's automatics are very reliable, but so are today's clutches.

We've been driving various manual transmission vehicles over the last 30 years and have NEVER replaced a clutch since 1979. Our current MT vehicles have 92k and 131k miles.

If you plan to drive in heavy traffic a lot, you'll want to consider the automatic. Another factor to consider is the clutch may not be completely covered under warranty (wear-out item), but the entire AT will be.

The automatic will require a fluid & filter change every 50k miles. The manual will need a clutch fluid flush every 50k, or so.

[mikeSS]

Originally Posted by happycamper

Today's automatics are very reliable, but so are today's clutches.

We've been driving various manual transmission vehicles over the last 30 years and have NEVER replaced a clutch since 1979. Our current MT vehicles have 92k and 131k miles.

If you plan to drive in heavy traffic a lot, you'll want to consider the automatic. Another factor to consider is the clutch may not be completely covered under warranty (wear-out item), but the entire AT will be.

The automatic will require a fluid & filter change every 50k miles. The manual will need a clutch fluid flush every 50k, or so.

if i was planing on putting 20k a year and doing allot of city driving, i would go with auto.

[Ivas]

Replacing a clutch on the Camaro is not overly difficult, you can do it yourself with a minimum of hassle. On the other hand, automatic transmissions are a real monster to repair; I personally swore off ever doin' that sticky fluid, tiny springs, minuscule float bearing rebuilding work in 1974 on a Mercury...

[swagled]

The repair cost today on an automatic has become very cringe-worthy. The old 3 gear automatics up through the 1970s were not a big deal, you could pick up a rebuild for $500 or so. The electronic transmissions of today are much more intricate and you're looking a fat four figure $ to replace one.

As far as I'm concerned a properly maintained transmission should last the life of the car! I've had several cars now at 150,000 to 250,000 miles and none of them needed a rebuild. Keep the fluid clean and don't drag race, or tow something heavy.

[robsls3]

As I said it depends how you drive. I have replaced clutches in car from people burning them up every 2 years.

[THE EVIL TW1N]

Originally Posted by p3jason

What are you doing to go through a clutch in 2 years? I still have the original clutch in my 1990 Z24 and I put some abuse on it early on.

+1

My stock clutch on the cobra went over 80,000 mi at over 500 hp. And the only reason I replaced it was due to the throwout bearing going out.

A stock clutch should be able to go over 100,000 miles easily, more like 150,000. And even then, it's not that expensive.

Auto's can go 200,000+ mi. too, but I have also seen modern auto's crap out at as early as 40,000 mi.

[IamJacksCamaro]

In 25 years of driving, I've only replaced 2 clutches on 2 out of the 9 cars I've owned... not too bad.

[SGOS252382]

Manual transmissions tend to require more repairs than automatics. This is according to my mechanic who works on LSX vehicles everyday for a living.

[TOMS1SS]

Originally Posted by mikeSS

if i was planing on putting 20k a year and doing allot of city driving, i would go with auto.

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.....

[gml1998]

A Camaro with a manual trans will cost 995.00 less than an automatic.That is extra Mod Money.