There's been threads about this before, but I am really unsure which I want. The stick people say "get a manual you p***y, you feel connected to your car and it's way cooler!", the auto people say "Manual doesn't have an advantage get what you prefer.". What's your opinion?

 

Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

Ive has 4 automatic camaros and my current one is stick. No comparison manual is so much better

 

Unfortunately I did not have the "option" to choose......could have looked for others, but with only 12k on the clock(at the time) I could not resist. Always could do an M6 swap, but being a big SOB my knee just misses the auto shifter now.

 

Buy the manual,I've had both,the manual is so much better .

 

Buying an auto is only excusable in a couple conditions:
1. You routinely drive in very heavy stop-and-go traffic for extended periods of time
2. You're planning on using it for a dedicated drag car

Manual transmissions are superior in all other aspects.

 

This poll is useless. Of course it will lean towards manual. They always do, and this discussion (clearly) already has .

You've heard it before, I'm going to say it again: "get what you want!"

It seems that the majority of people on this site lean towards straight line racing/performance. Auto cars clearly have the advantage there. I've beaten MANY manual cars, because they're not as easy to drive WELL (and while most people "think" they know how to drive, they don't).

Autos are certainly nicer for daily driving, and esp. stop-and-go traffic. Throw a stall converter in, and you've got a wicked street/strip car.

Manuals are great for a daily driver (ideally, without traffic) or a weekend cruiser. OR, if you do what I did, and get into road racing your car, and blow up your 4L60E, then a T56 swap suddenly makes a lot of sense!!

SERIOUSLY dude? Nobody can make this decision for you. Get the car you want for what you will ACTUALLY be doing with it. If it is ONLY for a daily driver? Well, you "may" want to consider an M6 (simply for the "fun factor"). But if you think you'll be hitting the track a lot, get the A4, and don't regret it.

Here's a thought: test drive both!!! See what you like!

 

I agree with this also. While of the 6 F-Bodies Ive owned only 1 has been an automatic. I like the feeling of being in control with the M6 and no matter what kind of traffic I drive in (phx az for the last three years) I always prefer a manual. And Ive also found they are much stronger than the autos.

 

have owned both now. loved the 6-speed, and it would be preferred for general driving and general hot rodding. new car is "backup" drag car in case something breaks and i can't get ready for next race and fair weather "beater". i have an 80 camaro w 400 small block for Footbrake racing about every other weekend. an Auto is by far the drag racing choice for consistency and best launches, not the fastest of course, and easier on the rear. the old lady likes driving it better being an auto. if you get an Auto throw a shift kit in it and it's the best investment you'll make. until i became a bracket racer i pretty much thought all autos were an inferior choice. transmissions were PERFECTED 30+ yrs ago with the TH350 and TH400s. to heck with overdrive. i love a race prepped TH350 with manual valve body!

 

Thanks for the opinions.

 

I've had both, and while I like a stick for the thrill of shifting, I prefer an auto for my kind of driving. I bought my formula as a daily driver...it gets used as much around town as anywhere else. I like the fact that the auto takes care of traffic issues with the most pull and least wasted time. I bought the car for the instant get up and go it delivers...with the auto its gone like RIGHT NOW..and keeps pulling with no missed shifts, slow shifts and chewed up gears. Plus a non-abused/well maintained auto will last a long long time. I've seen manuals broke with one bad shift (and rear-ends because of manuals and hard shifting) ...and depending how hard you are on clutches, they can become a very regular and very expensive maintainence item. It really depends what you're looking for in the car. The best scenario would be to have both to fit your mood at the moment I just take my shifting urges out on my bikes
I test drove a 96 camaro LT1 covertible 6 speed with exhaust, and I suspect a few other mods (from the sound of the intake noise, never lifted the hood tho ) back to back with my stock 95 formula LT1. The mileages on the cars were almost the same..within 1500 miles or so, and the formula was quite noticeably faster everywhere...lower rpm's all the way up. The camaro was running fine, it just didn't pull as hard as the formula. Thats the main reason...and the fact the camaro was missing reverse and was more money, and in slightly rougher condition than the formula (and I've already had a vert..didn't want to go down that road again) that I went with the formula. Couldn't tell you why the 6-speed Z was slower tho I test drove it first and thought geez, so this is what the LT1's are all about? Then me and my wife together test drove the formula and I thought WOW, now this is what I was expecting. And my wife said WOW out loud She loves the power just as much as I do. I live at 4500 ft up tho...and thats where both these cars were test driven at. It was a pain even FINDING any 4th gens on up that weren't trashed tho I looked for ages :

 

I love my car as a stick now. Daily driver here, and stop and go traffic doesn't bother me that much. Well, the shifting part anyway...

If I ever buy another F-body, it will be a manual.

 

I'm lazy..... Just an auto..... But for fun, I would have got a M6........

 

I do like manuals better. Even with the fact that I have a blown out knee and am pending major knee surgery I still don't regret having both my vehicles (96 V6 camaro and 98 Dodge Dakota 4x4) with a manual transmission. I've driven manual before following knee surgery so i can do it again lol

 

i just bought my 6-speed swap and i already know that its exactly what i love...i have had everything and i just about traded in my ta for a 91 vette with a m6, but then i realized i could save a bunch of money and have a nicer looking car if i just put the six speed in my car...get whatever suits you best