manual or auto

[iaiin]

Thinking of buying c5 vette 100k miles, but a manual when i wanted auto, will i be okay with gears & changing with right hand?
will it affect re sale later?
cheers guys

[SeeFive]

iaiin said:

Thinking of buying c5 vette 100k miles, but a manual when i wanted auto, will i be okay with gears & changing with right hand?
will it affect re sale later?
cheers guys

For the kind of driving I do, I would never buy an auto unless it was sequential or flappy (not available on a C5). I personally feel uninvolved in an auto when pressing on, and autos just upset the car's balance when cornering in teh way that the power comes in. Having spoken to people who have had manual and auto vettes (e.g., C5Ragtop) I do not think I am alone. If I drove around town all day, I would - but I would not care what car it was as I would be so bored anyway.

Ratios are better in a 6 speed manual than a 4 speed auto, and you will get slightly better economy - like you will be worrying about that buying 5.7 liters of cylinders.....

Right hand gearchange should take you about 5 minutes to get used to, so the risk of opening the door when selecting another gear disappears pretty much straight away.

Future sales - C5 manuals are less common than autos, but then again perhaps there are more people who would buy an auto out there - dunno. Personally, I would pay a premium for a manual - which I did and have not regretted it one bit.

[iaiin]

SeeFive said:

iaiin said:

Thinking of buying c5 vette 100k miles, but a manual when i wanted auto, will i be okay with gears & changing with right hand?
will it affect re sale later?
cheers guys

For the kind of driving I do, I would never buy an auto unless it was sequential or flappy (not available on a C5). I personally feel uninvolved in an auto when pressing on, and autos just upset the car's balance when cornering in teh way that the power comes in. Having spoken to people who have had manual and auto vettes (e.g., C5Ragtop) I do not think I am alone. If I drove around town all day, I would - but I would not care what car it was as I would be so bored anyway.

Ratios are better in a 6 speed manual than a 4 speed auto, and you will get slightly better economy - like you will be worrying about that buying 5.7 liters of cylinders.....

Right hand gearchange should take you about 5 minutes to get used to, so the risk of opening the door when selecting another gear disappears pretty much straight away.

Future sales - C5 manuals are less common than autos, but then again perhaps there are more people who would buy an auto out there - dunno. Personally, I would pay a premium for a manual - which I did and have not regretted it one bit.

Thanks for reply, the guy has 1997 silver, manual high milage /no hud / bit stone chipped about £ 9k if quick, what do you think? Its got good engine,been looked after/ owner sounds nice.

[car95]

You'll get used to changing with your right hand really quickly.

There's a recent discussion on CCCUK at

http://corvetteclub.org.uk/viewtopic. (sorry can't see the correct formatting codes at this moment)

I also posted there a link to a discussion on David Yu's website, here: www.auto-journals.com/blog/?p=265#comments

My previous daily cars from 1999 were in order automatic, tiptronic, cambiocorsa (DON'T DO IT!!), SMG, then MANUAL in the Z, and I'm so glad to have manual in this car.

[C5RagTop]

I've had 5 Auto Vettes and bought my first manual last year. Never had a problem with the gearchange (wrote off 6 driver doors opening them in error though.............)

For years the sports car purists have sworn by manauls but having had both I can honestly say they are right. You drive a manual and an auto drives you but it's your choice - don't let the price compromise your enjoyment.

[anonymous-user]

Yup, either transmission will be fine in terms of resale in UK.

Just get a Vette ..... and enjoy!

[iaiin]

C5RagTop said:

I've had 5 Auto Vettes and bought my first manual last year. Never had a problem with the gearchange (wrote off 6 driver doors opening them in error though.............)

For years the sports car purists have sworn by manauls but having had both I can honestly say they are right. You drive a manual and an auto drives you but it's your choice - don't let the price compromise your enjoyment.

cheers do you thing a 1997 with 100k for £9k a good deal or is milage too high?

[SeeFive]

iaiin said:

C5RagTop said:

I've had 5 Auto Vettes and bought my first manual last year. Never had a problem with the gearchange (wrote off 6 driver doors opening them in error though.............)

For years the sports car purists have sworn by manauls but having had both I can honestly say they are right. You drive a manual and an auto drives you but it's your choice - don't let the price compromise your enjoyment.

cheers do you thing a 1997 with 100k for £9k a good deal or is milage too high?

Difficult to say without seeing the car, but these engines tend to go on and on. Rumour is that engine rebuild think time is the far side of 150,000 miles. Transmissions have a lot to deal with given the engine torque, but the Tremec box is fairly hardy. My 2000 C5 has done 113,000 miles, sounds sweet, but has just got to the stage where it will be getting its first semi-serious attention.

1) Synchro 5th to 6th is slow, so a manual gearbox synchro rebuild is on the cards. Not mega expensive - around £800-1000 at a guess with a clutch thrown in.

2) Aircon condenser has fell apart - about 300 quid for a new condenser.

That's about it for mine for the last 80,000 miles apart from oil and filters. I would say that your target car is priced ok against 97s with reasonable miles but not incredibly cheap, because there will be few takers on a high miler, not due to delicacy, but more due to ignorance of how hardy these cars are. 97 was also the first year of the C5 and improvements were made going forward, and equipment levels increased (hud, trick suspensions etc) making the older models slightly less desirable to the masses. Remember if you are questioning it now, you will be probably have similar problems with a limited market unloading it later.

Personally, I would probably go for something a little later (99 - 2000), with more stock horsepower / spec and a few less miles - but then again I pile on the miles. Whatever you go for, just make sure that it all works - all gears, all electrics (plastic car is a pain) and all aircon (just needs re-gassing is a regular get out).

As mentioned on other threads, if it all works now (gearbox / driver aids etc) and doesn't have any nasty rattles / smoke, then in my limited experience it is not likely to cause you too much hassle going forward for quite a few thousand miles. Its worth checking out the Driver Information Centre codes next time you see the car as per this thread:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[iaiin]

SeeFive said:

iaiin said:

C5RagTop said:

I've had 5 Auto Vettes and bought my first manual last year. Never had a problem with the gearchange (wrote off 6 driver doors opening them in error though.............)

For years the sports car purists have sworn by manauls but having had both I can honestly say they are right. You drive a manual and an auto drives you but it's your choice - don't let the price compromise your enjoyment.

cheers do you thing a 1997 with 100k for £9k a good deal or is milage too high?

Difficult to say without seeing the car, but these engines tend to go on and on. Rumour is that engine rebuild think time is the far side of 150,000 miles. Transmissions have a lot to deal with given the engine torque, but the Tremec box is fairly hardy. My 2000 C5 has done 113,000 miles, sounds sweet, but has just got to the stage where it will be getting its first semi-serious attention.

1) Synchro 5th to 6th is slow, so a manual gearbox synchro rebuild is on the cards. Not mega expensive - around £800-1000 at a guess with a clutch thrown in.

2) Aircon condenser has fell apart - about 300 quid for a new condenser.

That's about it for mine for the last 80,000 miles apart from oil and filters. I would say that your target car is priced ok against 97s with reasonable miles but not incredibly cheap, because there will be few takers on a high miler, not due to delicacy, but more due to ignorance of how hardy these cars are. 97 was also the first year of the C5 and improvements were made going forward, and equipment levels increased (hud, trick suspensions etc) making the older models slightly less desirable to the masses. Remember if you are questioning it now, you will be probably have similar problems with a limited market unloading it later.

Personally, I would probably go for something a little later (99 - 2000), with more stock horsepower / spec and a few less miles - but then again I pile on the miles. Whatever you go for, just make sure that it all works - all gears, all electrics (plastic car is a pain) and all aircon (just needs re-gassing is a regular get out).

As mentioned on other threads, if it all works now (gearbox / driver aids etc) and doesn't have any nasty rattles / smoke, then in my limited experience it is not likely to cause you too much hassle going forward for quite a few thousand miles. Its worth checking out the Driver Information Centre codes next time you see the car as per this thread:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Many thanks for that, I will have a think, how much hp has the 1997 got comparerd to later models? I thought a c5 was a c5??
Also its a 2 owner car & he brought over from states himself 9 years ago & its only been on our salt infested road 1 year which must be good!

[anonymous-user]

iaiin said:

Many thanks for that, I will have a think, how much hp has the 1997 got comparerd to later models? I thought a c5 was a c5??

Broadly speaking you're right. Some people get excited about early cars being 345 bhp and later cars 350 bhp but in all honesty this kind of difference is within the range of manufacturing tolerance in any event. Auto's and manuals have slightly different engine maps too which affects the power/torque graphs. On the road they are all mighty quick!

£9k is the cheaper end of the C5 business but provided the car's been reasonably well looked after it shouldn't be a problem. Might be a case for an early full service after you buy unless you're 100% happy with the history. Bear in mind that if you need a set of tyres they cost the same on a £9k C5 as they do on a £20k C5.

[iaiin]

5 USA said:

iaiin said:

Many thanks for that, I will have a think, how much hp has the 1997 got comparerd to later models? I thought a c5 was a c5??

Broadly speaking you're right. Some people get excited about early cars being 345 bhp and later cars 350 bhp but in all honesty this kind of difference is within the range of manufacturing tolerance in any event. Auto's and manuals have slightly different engine maps too which affects the power/torque graphs. On the road they are all mighty quick!

£9k is the cheaper end of the C5 business but provided the car's been reasonably well looked after it shouldn't be a problem. Might be a case for an early full service after you buy unless you're 100% happy with the history. Bear in mind that if you need a set of tyres they cost the same on a £9k C5 as they do on a £20k C5.

Thanks , i think its had new boots on. I would think its been looked after seeing they have had it 10 years & imported it over when they came. I wouldnt think you would bring a crap one with you?

[ringram]

The 97 ecu is a one off too. So for tuning etc you will have a small headache there. Personally Id go for 99+ manual as mentioned above.
It has some inherent limitations.

[chimtvr]

I HAD A SILVER 97 AUTO IT WAS A GREAT CAR
BUT.... PERSONALLY I DIDN'T LIKE THE AUTO GEARBOX I AM KIND OF A DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT GUY, YOU WOULD BE FLAT OUT ON A SLIGHTLY CURVED ROAD AT ABOUT 50 AND IT WOULD CHANGE GEAR SPINNING THE REAR WHEELS AND SENDING THE CAR SIDEWAYS.
IN A MANUAL YOU KNOW WHEN THE GEARCHANGES WILL HAPPEN.
SO I BOUGHT A BLACK MANUAL IF YOU ARE GOING TO DRIVE IT QUICK IT'S MUCH BETTER HOWEVER THE SILVER LOOKED FAR BETTER THE COLOUR SHOWS OFF THE CURVES MY BLACK ONE LOOKS LIKE KNIGHT RIDER I'M NOT SURE IF THATS A GOOD THING

[iaiin]

chimtvr said:

I HAD A SILVER 97 AUTO IT WAS A GREAT CAR
BUT.... PERSONALLY I DIDN'T LIKE THE AUTO GEARBOX I AM KIND OF A DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT GUY, YOU WOULD BE FLAT OUT ON A SLIGHTLY CURVED ROAD AT ABOUT 50 AND IT WOULD CHANGE GEAR SPINNING THE REAR WHEELS AND SENDING THE CAR SIDEWAYS.
IN A MANUAL YOU KNOW WHEN THE GEARCHANGES WILL HAPPEN.
SO I BOUGHT A BLACK MANUAL IF YOU ARE GOING TO DRIVE IT QUICK IT'S MUCH BETTER HOWEVER THE SILVER LOOKED FAR BETTER THE COLOUR SHOWS OFF THE CURVES MY BLACK ONE LOOKS LIKE KNIGHT RIDER I'M NOT SURE IF THATS A GOOD THING

Ha Ha dont you like night rider!
The car has been sold to someone else, so back to drawing board it went for £8k,(1997, 106k miles some stone chips) i think i would rather pay £12 with lower miles , later year & maybe sports exhaust!
maybe a tvr! if they did not keep breaking down.

[G4HKS]

Oh careful Ian, dare to mention TVR's breaking down on PH? They get very twitchy and defensive about the reliability and will bombard you with "I have had mine for years and never had a problem". Well I have owned 5 TVR's (4 Griff 500's & 1 3000M) over a 10 year period and had problems with all of them. I'm quite sure if Peter Wheeler actually admitted his quality control was actually crap and did something about it at the time, the company would still be here today.

Edited by G4HKS on Saturday 7th June 11:07

[anonymous-user]

The older 4-speed auto (which I've got) isn't a patch on the latest 6-speed paddle-shift auto. The 4-speeder can give some interesting "torque management" issues on kickdown and isn't the smartest tranny in town.

However, reality says that when pressing on you can dispense with the transmission's opinion of appropriate gearing by shifting the stick to third and leaving it there. If and when you want to summon 2nd it's just one click of the shifter away. Use it like a switch between 2nd and 3rd and the car will absolutely fly! Rest of the time you can be on the mobile (officer), eating a sandwich (officer), entertaining the girlfriend or whatever while the manual boys are busy playing with their knobs.

Whichever C5 you buy you won't be disappointed. They're astounding cars. Seriously quick and amazing value for money in the second-hand market right now.

[ringram]

Actually the 4L60E 4 speed is much more tunable than the 6L80E you can change it to shift pretty hard at whatever rpm shift you want etc.
Stock you are likely correct. But get in there with some tune software and you will be surprised at what you can do. Up line pressures, reduce/zero torque management etc. Just dont go too crazy or you will wear her out faster.