Let's see... 24,805 Z/28s & SSs sold in '02, 10,188 were M6 and 14,617 were A4s (the numbers are similar over the last 2 or 3 model years). Looks like the Autos are the favorite. But it's also interesting to look at the 'regret' factor. I've noticed a lot of A4 drivers wishing they had opted for the M6 but not too many M-sixers wanting to go the other way.

 

I always figure the main group buying brand new Camaros were baby boomers trying to feel young again or something so they would opt for the less intensive driving experience of the auto.

I just got my car in December and was dead set on a stick. Both cars I've owned so far have been sticks and I really enjoy driving manual vehicles. Anyway, due to a shortage of time to find my car inbetween semesters at school I had to settle for a automatic. Almost not a day goes by that I don't regret it.

 

All the ins. company needs is your VIN# and they will know if your car's an auto. or a stick.

Yeah, I've heard that ins. is higher for red cars.

 

why is that???

seems like discrimination to me

 

4TH GEN F-BODY VIN BREAKDOWN

1 G 1 F P 2 2 P X S 2 1 0 0 0 0 1
| | | | | | | | | | | +---------+---> Production Sequence
| | | | | | | | | | +---------------> Assembly Plant
| | | | | | | | | | 2 = St. Therese
| | | | | | | | | +-----------------> Model Year
| | | | | | | | | P = 1993
| | | | | | | | | R = 1994
| | | | | | | | | S = 1995
| | | | | | | | | T = 1996
| | | | | | | | | V = 1997
| | | | | | | | +-------------------> Check Digit
| | | | | | | +---------------------> Engine Code
| | | | | | | S = 3.4L V6 (L32) (1993-1995)
| | | | | | | K = 3.8L V6 (L36) (1995-present)
| | | | | | | P = 5.7L V8 (LT1) (1993-present)
| | | | | | +-----------------------> Restraint System
| | | | | | 1 = Manual belts
| | | | | | 2 = Manual belts (driv+pass inflatable)
| | | | | | 3 = Manual belts (driver inflatable)
| | | | | | 4 = Automatic belts
| | | | | | 5 = Automatic belts (driver inflatable)
| | | | | +-------------------------> Body Type
| | | | | 2 = 2 door coupe (hatchback)
| | | | | 3 = 2 door convertible
| | | | +---------------------------> Carline Series
| | | | Chevrolet:
| | | | P = Camaro (all models)
| | | | Pontiac:
| | | | S = Firebird
| | | | V = Formula, Trans Am
| | | +-----------------------------> Carline Code
| | | F = F-Body
| | +-------------------------------> Make
| | 1 = Chevrolet
| | 2 = Pontiac
| +---------------------------------> Manufacturer
| G = General Motors
+-----------------------------------> Country
1 = USA
2 = Canada

I'm looking but I can't seem to find the reference to the transmission type.

 

Nice!

I was going to do something similar, but didn't have the motivation to break it all down.

Good diagram!!

 

Yeah, it took me hours to type all that crap in and format it properly.... no, just kidding. I mostly just pasted and changed the font/color. Thanks anyway.

 

Capn Pete!! IMO, theyre one of the fastest shifting auto trannies out there. Just step on it and enjoy the CONSTANT ets
Speaking of insurance, ive heard that the m6 is more lenient to insurance...

 

Maybe you've had different experience with GM auto trannies than me, but the TH350 in my '81 Z shifted way "quicker" than the 4L60E in my '02, and especially after having a shift kit installed! It wasn't even an extreme kit, but the 1-->2 shift would usually give a little "chirp" into 2nd, and the 2-->3 shift just happened instantly, no hesitation. My '02 on the other hand, shifts "ok" from 1-->2, but it's not all that firm of a shift, and the 2-->3 shift sucks..............it sits at the top of 2nd for about 1/2 of a second before it drops into 3rd --- almost like it's "coasting" for that split second. One day I'll probably get a Trans-go or similar shift kit, and hopefully it will cure that problem, but even then, I still don't think they're built to take the abuse that older transmissions were.

That may be just IMO, but I think it's probably others' too?

 

I searched for over a year untill I finally broke down and bought my Z... I wanted and still want an M6 but alas I had to go with A4 since at the time no one else had an M6 for sale neither private party or Dealership... What made me decide to buy the car was the fact that I knew both the Sales Manager and Finance Manager over at the dealership I bought the car at plus they dropped the price of my car from $ 26,555 (KBB Retail Price) down to 21,300... So I could not pass that up for a 2002 w/ 10,000 miles....

I will one day get an Fbody w/ an M6 but right at the moment my Z is still a blast to drive... I have to agree with Cap'n Pete about the 4L60E tranny is not as strong as a Th350 or even the TH400 Trannys... Plus my 68 C10 w/ TH400 shifts a lot faster then my Z's 4L60E and both trannys are Stock..... The only A4 that is nearly Bullet Proof is the 4L80E tranny which is a TH400 w/ Overdrive...