C6 Corvette ls3 - auto trans. any good?

[Zorro83]

Was just wondering if the auto transmission is forgivable or is this a manual only type of car...I know that manual is always better in terms of enjoyment. But is the vettes auto transmission adequate? Or is it jerky etc...

Thanks!

[sullie]

In 2005 Chevy used a 4-speed with the ls2. From 2006 forward it's been a 6-speed. I have not heard anything negative about either of them. I have the 6-speed manual and I find it to be an excellent manual transmission but I have no first hand experience with the automatic in the C6.

[Zorro83]

Thank you...I want a manual as well, but once in a while a real good deal comes up but it happens to be auto...just want to know if it's something I can forego or will regret.

[sullie]

No problem. Not telling you what to do at all, however, you could more than likely get one hell of a deal if you just waited a few months until after the C7 comes out early next year. I mean, I'm willing to bet you the same car you purchase today could probably be had for $2k - $4k less in just a few short months b/c someone just HAS to have the C7 and they want to dump their C6 right now. You know what I mean?

[MKV Aaron]

Thank you...I want a manual as well, but once in a while a real good deal comes up but it happens to be auto...just want to know if it's something I can forego or will regret.

Unless this good deal will allow you to sell for a large profit so you can buy said 6mt c6, you will regret it.

You will always wish you had the manual, every single time you drive it.

I had a DSG, which is basically the best Automatic ever, and I regretted it.

[Zorro83]

Absolutely Sullie, I've just begun my search and I don't intend on purchasing until spring at the earliest. Like you said late model C6s will be even more affordable when the C7 comes out.

Thanks Aaron for the reply...I am afraid that is what will happen, if I do end up with an auto. And this being a summer/fun car, I really don't want to compromise.

[Smigelski]

Thank you...I want a manual as well, but once in a while a real good deal comes up but it happens to be auto...just want to know if it's something I can forego or will regret.

It always seems like the pristine cars for sale that have low miles and are otherwise gems have automatics. I've seen it a lot with Miatas and E30s. 944's to a lesser extent, but I spend less time looking for those.

[Yavuz]

I want to second a few comments already made. The 6 speed automatic is actually a pretty good transmission, but if you want a manual - then get a manual. If you settle for the auto you'll end up hating the car.

Also - I too would consider waiting a year to buy a C6. I actually sold my C6 Z06 earlier this year for a good amount of money and I knew that I would take a huge hit if I waited until the C7 came out to sell it. I may pick up another C6 Z06 in a year or two after they've taken the depreciation hit.

[sullie]

I want to second a few comments already made. The 6 speed automatic is actually a pretty good transmission, but if you want a manual - then get a manual. If you settle for the auto you'll end up hating the car.

Also - I too would consider waiting a year to buy a C6. I actually sold my C6 Z06 earlier this year for a good amount of money and I knew that I would take a huge hit if I waited until the C7 came out to sell it. I may pick up another C6 Z06 in a year or two after they've taken the depreciation hit.

I couldn't hold my wad this year. I found the exact car I wanted offered for what the dealership was going to give the guy, it was in pristine condition, was a manual transmission, had under 20k miles, the color I wanted, Z-51 package, etc. I know I could have gotten the car for less next year but, in my case, I don't think I would have gotten this particular car much less than what I paid. In Econ101 the professor used to say "sunk costs are sunk costs."

[Zorro83]

I couldn't hold my wad this year. I found the exact car I wanted offered for what the dealership was going to give the guy, it was in pristine condition, was a manual transmission, had under 20k miles, the color I wanted, Z-51 package, etc. I know I could have gotten the car for less next year but, in my case, I don't think I would have gotten this particular car much less than what I paid. In Econ101 the professor used to say "sunk costs are sunk costs."

Sweet!!!

Speaking of the z51 package....is that something that should be high on my list as well?

[sullie]

Sweet!!!

Speaking of the z51 package....is that something that should be high on my list as well?

It was high on my list because it added the following :

(from GM's website from 2009 regarding the Z51 package)


Performance-oriented package for the Gymkhana/Autocross enthusiast; includes extra cooling, stiffer springs and stabilizer bars, specific shock absorbers, larger brakes with cross-drilled rotors, specific tires and Z51-specific 6-speed manual when ordered with 6-speed manual transmission or performance axle ratio with 6-speed paddle shift automatic. Not available with Magnetic Selective Ride Control.

[thetopdog]

Don't get the auto

[JustinCSVT]

The auto is OK. They just got the paddle shifters right in '12 or '13 I forgot which one. They developed some instant shift thing for the ZL1 trans and the C6 and CTS-V got the upgrade as well.

[Smigelski]

Sweet!!!

Speaking of the z51 package....is that something that should be high on my list as well?

It was high on my list because it added the following :

(from GM's website from 2009 regarding the Z51 package)


Performance-oriented package for the Gymkhana/Autocross enthusiast; includes extra cooling, stiffer springs and stabilizer bars, specific shock absorbers, larger brakes with cross-drilled rotors, specific tires and Z51-specific 6-speed manual when ordered with 6-speed manual transmission or performance axle ratio with 6-speed paddle shift automatic. Not available with Magnetic Selective Ride Control.

Also, the Z51 package was discontinued with the advent of the Grand Sport.

[Zorro83]

Also, the Z51 package was discontinued with the advent of the Grand Sport.

Did not realize that...thanks for the info! Looks like I'll be concentrating on MY '08 and '09 as the GS is out of my price range and the Z51 package is something that I want.

[rynodyno312]

Did not realize that...thanks for the info! Looks like I'll be concentrating on MY '08 and '09 as the GS is out of my price range and the Z51 package is something that I want.

The F55 package gives you the big brakes that came with the Z51, as well as the stiffer damping (in sport mode). It doesn't have the Z51's big sway bars or transmission cooler, nor the same tires, but the performance with the f55 option is still very good, and the magetic shocks allow for a switch to a softer ride when desired.

Putting Z51 sway bars on an F55 car seems to be very popular.

[thetopdog]

Did not realize that...thanks for the info! Looks like I'll be concentrating on MY '08 and '09 as the GS is out of my price range and the Z51 package is something that I want.

The Z51 package isn't that important IMO. If you're not going to track it it won't really make a difference, and if you are going to track it you can easily add things like the Z51 swaybar pretty cheaply. I put Koni FSD shocks on my base C6 for about $600 and they're supposedly much better than the Z51 shocks. The Z51 swaybar was like $250 or something last time I checked. The only difference you won't be able to easily replicate are the gear ratios, I think the first couple gears on the Z51 are shorter, but I doubt it makes that much of a difference

[sullie]

With all due respect, I disagree. The Z51 package is absolutely worth every penny of its $1,695 original price. You don't just get some nicer brakes. It's typically glossed over but you get the transmission cooler, sway bars, shocks, etc. for a mere $1,695. I don't think you could buy these parts used or from a wrecked C6 for that kind of money.

Here's an excellent video from Car and Driver that talks about the different Z's (ZR1, Z06 and Z51)



The only other thing I would add is that the switchable exhaust note option (option code NPP) is also another option that I think is worth every penny. I've read on here about the C6 exhaust being docile and some people left wanting for more noise from the exhaust. The NPP option solved that. If you don't get the NPP option then I would opt for a Corsa exhaust because, I believe, it's almost criminal to mute such a fantastic sounding engine!

[Zorro83]

Thank you for all the useful information...finding one with NPP & Z51 may be too difficult, so I think as long as I have suspension package I'm ok, and then can upgrade the exhaust at a later point.

[Inspector Detector]

Unless this good deal will allow you to sell for a large profit so you can buy said 6mt c6, you will regret it.

You will always wish you had the manual, every single time you drive it.

I had a DSG, which is basically the best Automatic ever, and I regretted it.

I regret the slush box on my Fit too. But a lot of that's because it won't let you stay in high gear at low cruising speeds.

[thetopdog]

With all due respect, I disagree. The Z51 package is absolutely worth every penny of its $1,695 original price. You don't just get some nicer brakes. It's typically glossed over but you get the transmission cooler, sway bars, shocks, etc. for a mere $1,695. I don't think you could buy these parts used or from a wrecked C6 for that kind of money.

I would say it is definitely worth the original price, but if you're buying used it shouldn't be a deal breaker on an otherwise perfect car. An automatic tranny would be a dealbreaker because there is nothing you can do to change it after the fact. Shocks/Swaybars/Brakes are easily upgraded if necessary. In fact, I upgraded my brakes and shocks for about $1400 and could have gotten the swaybar as well for under $1700 total. I'm not sure how much difference the transmission cooler makes

[mariok2006]

I regret the slush box on my Fit too. But a lot of that's because it won't let you stay in high gear at low cruising speeds.

What's the lowest speed it will shift into top gear?

[JustinCSVT]

I'm not sure how much difference the transmission cooler makes

You always want a transmission cooler if available. The auto 'Vettes might have one standard though.

[nmap]

I work for a company who specializes in manufacturing C5/C6 suspension products, so take my advise for what it's worth. The Z51 suspension is certainly better than the Base car suspension, but it still can use a little bit of help to bring it up to world class where it should be. There are some excellent aftermarket options that are relatively inexpensive, so even if you purchase a Base you can bring the handling past Z06 levels pretty easily.

That being said... Given the very slight premium in the used market for Z51 vs. Base C6's, there isn't much reason NOT to search out the Z51 packaged cars. The slightly larger brakes and extra cooling alone make it worth the nominal increase in cost.

A word to the wise about Mag Ride, don't purchase a mag ride equipped car if you're ever intending on running the car hard (read: race tires) on track, want to upgrade to a performance shock/coilover option in the future, or have a problem with spending 500 bucks PER shock if the system ever goes sideways. You can pick up used shocks from members upgrading to coilovers, but OEM Mag Ride shocks are ridiculously expensive, and aside from the neat button on the dash the system performs worse than a properly tuned fixed shock or coilover option. The Mag Ride system for these cars is definitely neat engineering, but if you ever want to upgrade it is a little more of a headache to move to coilovers/fixed shocks on a F45/F55 Mag Ride car.

I C5/C6's! There literally isn't a better performance bargain on the market right now than the C5Z or with a little more cash the C6Z cars. The aftermarket is dirt cheap compared to euro brands, and parts from the right manufacturers are much better quality than the JDM brands... if you can get around the decidedly mediocre interiors for cars of their class their performance can be mind blowing with not a whole lot of money.

You're going to love it! This is coming from a long time Japanese fanboy... the C5/C6 is just too damn good of a car not to love if you're an enthusiast.

[stumyk]

I rented a c6 auto and drove it on a 3000 mile roadtrip. After the first day, I was bored/frustrated with the automatic transmission and wished it had a manual. Wait for the manual.

[nmap]

One last bit relating to the transmission though...

If you're drag racing (which admittedly I'm not) most folks seem to be getting marginally better and definitely more consistent performance with the Auto's than the 6spds. You can also get a transmission along with most engine ECU tunes that will firm up the shifts and help out the responsiveness of the Auto...

If you're into that kinda thing.

[Zorro83]

any other relevant info about the C6 LS3 is appreciated!

[rynodyno312]

any other relevant info about the C6 LS3 is appreciated!

It's probably the least expense car that will go 190mph.

[nmap]

Go to CorvetteForum. They'll have all the info you need. If you have a specific question I'm sure I can come up with an answer for you.

[LFZ]

C6s are more enjoyable as manuals. The auto really sucks IMO, and the paddle shift is rather slow and tacky. If you really want to drive the vette, get the M6. Or get a Z vette and then you have no choice for the matter.

[Dizy]

One last bit relating to the transmission though...

If you're drag racing (which admittedly I'm not) most folks seem to be getting marginally better and definitely more consistent performance with the Auto's than the 6spds. You can also get a transmission along with most engine ECU tunes that will firm up the shifts and help out the responsiveness of the Auto...

If you're into that kinda thing.

This is absolutely true. If you plan on doing drag racing, auto is the way to go with the C6. I've driven a few, and don't mind them. They do have a very powerful drive gear! While putting a couple of them on the dyno they try pretty hard to spin the rollers unless I stand on the brake. Much more so than any other auto equipped car I've driven!