DEBATE! AUTOMATIC or MANUAL? Slushbox No More, How Would YOU Option The Chevrolet Corvette?

DEBATE! AUTOMATIC or MANUAL? Slushbox No More, How Would YOU Option The Chevrolet Corvette?
These days, finding an all-new manual automobile is a pretty hard thing to do. Even the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche are moving away from standard transmissions.

It's sort of a sad thing, but it seems like the average consumer could care less. They want their shifts to be problem free and to happen as fast as possible. Let's see what happens when these dual-clutch boxes start blowing up. Anyway...

2015 Chevrolet Corvette

The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette can be had with either an all-new eight-speed automatic or a seven-speed manual. While this may seem rather bland news, it is actually interesting. That's because the all-new autobox is quicker and matches the manual's 29 mpg on the highway.

So, I turn to you — the automotive industry's tastemakers — and ask: if YOU were to option the all-new Corvette, would YOU get the AUTOMATIC or the MANUAL?

What say you, Spies?


2015 Chevrolet Corvette


































MattDarringerMattDarringer - 8/25/2014 8:11:21 PM
+1 Boost
Automatics are as fast and sometimes faster--with paddle flippers--than manuals so the days of manuals are numbered. I am a diehard manual fanatic, but the writing is on the wall.


jeffgalljeffgall - 8/25/2014 9:32:31 PM
+6 Boost
Manuals may be slower than the auto option in most high end cars, but for me, the.manual still provides the better driving experience, I feel more connected to the car.


jeffgalljeffgall - 8/25/2014 9:36:53 PM
+4 Boost
As for most American consumers, they do not care if autos are faster. They are seeking ease and convenience due to laziness or a fear of using a manual. For this, the manual's time is limited. As it stands today, if you want a sedan with AWD, as far as I know, there are two options... The BMW 3 and Audi A4.


reaganeatbrainsreaganeatbrains - 8/26/2014 1:49:21 AM
+5 Boost
Subaru WRX


W208W208 - 8/26/2014 6:31:57 AM
+2 Boost
Mitsubishi EVO GSR, not that it's a good gearbox. I'd still go with the Subaru.


jeffgalljeffgall - 8/26/2014 8:07:42 AM
+2 Boost
Both good points, although the EVO's time is limited and I wouldn't touch it given how antiquated the interior of my sister-in-law's Lancer Is.

In any event, I need something with a little less boy racer appearance and a bit of a larger back seat for the occasions where I drop kid seats or other adults in the car.


W208W208 - 8/26/2014 8:53:58 PM
0 Boost
Jeff...I guess I don't understand why you absolutely need a 4wd manual sedan, instead of 2wd. If you're looking for an all arounder type vehicle, get a FWD manual. I never thought I could have any fun in a fwd car until I bought 2008 caliber srt4. Eff me was that a fun car even if the build quality sucked.

I'm the type person who wants a vehicle that checks all boxes: looks, speed and fun. I'll be ditching the manual, and going for a BMW x6 once I'm back stateside. The n55 6cyl was a ton of fun to drive, with the sport package...although, I'm still a bit leary of those engines because of the n54.


Manny99Manny99 - 8/25/2014 10:12:38 PM
+6 Boost
My last 3 cars have all been manuals, and that's how I will continue buying cars as long as I can. Test drove a Boxster with PDK vs. stick shift and even though the PDK shifts faster, you don't feel connected to the car so the experience isn't the same. Americans don't know how to drive manuals since they are a rare breed, so less and less consumers will opt for them as time goes on. A stick shift is now a good anti-theft/anti-carjacking device.


jeffgalljeffgall - 8/26/2014 8:12:48 AM
+3 Boost
Although I hate valet parking, especially when the lot is right there, I love when I pull up and the kid can't drive the car and I need to park it.


Agent00RAgent00R - 8/26/2014 12:57:57 PM
0 Boost
LOL @jeffgall

I've only had that happen 2x.


Manny99Manny99 - 8/26/2014 3:24:52 PM
+1 Boost
Only happened to me once since I also go out of my way to avoid valet parking. Best feeling to be able to self park in the unnecessary valet lot.


ScirosSciros - 8/25/2014 10:50:58 PM
+1 Boost
Well the way I've optioned my 2015 was with the new 8-speed auto. Seems like it was a good decision based on early reviews of the tranny. Faster and more efficient. Is it less fun? Ehh not for me, a Z51 will be plenty of fun with shift paddles; I don't think I'll be hurting for fun in this thing.


vdivvdiv - 8/26/2014 12:37:58 AM
-2 Boost
Neither. Electric motor with fixed gear reduction from now on.


JDMUSMuscleJDMUSMuscle - 8/26/2014 5:10:03 AM
-2 Boost
Automatic. Manual is for posers.


Agent00RAgent00R - 8/26/2014 12:58:27 PM
0 Boost
What does that even mean?


MattDarringerMattDarringer - 8/26/2014 8:24:41 PM
-1 Boost
It means that manuals are destined for extinction.


W208W208 - 8/26/2014 6:37:03 AM
-1 Boost
Seriously, I'm a diehard manual fan, but if manufactures offered hillstart assist in manual form, there'd be more people using them, because god knows there's nothing more ass-puckering than trying to hillstart a performance oriented car like a Mitsubishi or a CSRT4 on a 10-15% grade.

Subaru and Mini are the only two manufacturers I can think of that offer hillstart assist.


W208W208 - 8/26/2014 6:37:51 AM
0 Boost
....for manual transmissions.


Terry989Terry989 - 8/26/2014 10:40:43 AM
+1 Boost
Porsche also offers hillside assist.


Agent00RAgent00R - 8/26/2014 12:59:24 PM
-1 Boost
Just about every single manual I've driven in past 3-4 years has had hill assist on it.


W208W208 - 8/26/2014 2:12:39 PM
0 Boost
I'd be curious to know which manual vehicles come with this option. Surprisingly, literature on this function, as it pertains to manuals, is limited to nonexistent.


DoukasDoukas - 8/27/2014 11:14:07 AM
+1 Boost
My 2012 335 coupe with a manual has hill start assist


Manny99Manny99 - 8/26/2014 12:08:53 PM
+2 Boost
Although with hillstart assist you have to get used to giving the car more gas in order to get the brakes unlocked. And hillstart will only activate at a certain % grade hill. So it's annoying because you have to adjust how you engage into first gear depending on whether or not hillstart assist has engaged or not. I wish I could activate/deactive my hillstart assist on my own vs. the computer.


Agent00RAgent00R - 8/26/2014 1:00:56 PM
0 Boost
What car are you driving @Manny99?

The only vehicles I've driven with annoying hill assist are Chrysler Group products. For whatever reason they've engineered the set up to require a lot of throttle to unlock the brakes.

Everything else has gone pretty smoothly, in my experience.


Manny99Manny99 - 8/26/2014 3:19:52 PM
+1 Boost
I have a 2014 Boxster. Hill assist only engages on hills at 5% grade or higher, according to Porsche. First time it engaged I stalled out since I didn't know what to expect. So I became the idiot who stalled out in a brand new Porsche, but luckily the driver behind me was patient.


Agent00RAgent00R - 8/26/2014 1:03:11 PM
+1 Boost
Make mine a seven-speed.

I love the control and also I've noticed most manuals sound less managed. Case in point: 2015 BMW M4. DCT car is pretty boring. VERY fast but boring. The standard transmission M4 has more burps, pops and is much easier to control driving around daily.


stampferstampfer - 8/26/2014 1:30:16 PM
+2 Boost
I've had a 5sp '82 Accord and '92 Prelude, '99 SVT Contour, 6sp'02 E46 M3, '07 CTS-V, and '09 335i and thought I was a die hard manual fan. FYI the '09 335i has a hill assist of sorts-- it will not roll back in 1st 3-4 sec you take your foot off the brake when clutch is depressed. However, I'm now driving an '11 E90 M3 DCT and don't miss the "manual" shifter at all. I were buying the 'vette I think I'd still get the manual though.


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