I am looking at getting a Z w/6spd, but was wondering if anybody regrets getting one w/a 6spd? Obviously you lose the "fun factor" w/ an auto, but is that a worthy trade off for convience? Thanks for yout help

 

Hey, if you ever get tired of the 6 speed on the car your gonna get then I'll trade you in a damn minute...keep THAT in mind when making your decision

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1998 Camaro SS A4 #2,515 OF 3017
NBM w/ grey leather
T-tops, all GM and SLP options
MODS:
-SLP dual-dual (came with car)
-Hypertech 160 thermo
-SLP Lid w/ K&N and smooth air bellows

**1997 Z28 M6...yes it was modded. Totalled by a girl who couldn't stop for a stop sign on 4-18-2002

 

Well, I'll give ya a little insight. I've got an auto, but I have driven standard lots in the past. There are some days that I wish my car was a 6-speed, but then there are a lot of times that I'm glad my car is an auto. Recently, I was driving a friend's Sunfire GT 5-speed, and I was thinking to myself "yeah, this is cool, but it's a PITA too". If you have any intentions of racing your car, an auto will always be more consistent, while a 6-speed can get you a quicker time / faster speed if you're a really good driver (simply because an auto setup weighs more, and you get better gearing with standards, which keeps the motor in its power band).

Ultimately, YOU have to decide what you want. If you like the "fun" of driving standard, get a 6-speed, but if you do a lot of talking on a cell phone, busy in-town driving (lots of stop-and-go), or like having a coffee with you, it's a hell of a lot easier with an auto. Besides, with the power that these motors put out, you don't need the standard to make it "feel" faster --- you just step on it and GO!!! FWIW, while sometimes I wish I had a 6-speed, I don't regret not getting one. HTH.

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2002 Z28 - A4, 2.73's, Blk/blk, leather, T-tops, sport appearance package - just bought on June 26, 2002! - Pics

1981 Z28 - 383, TH350 trans., 3.42 posi - sold August, 2000 - Pics

1973 Camaro - Dad's & my project in the works - to be built: 355 Chevy, 11.5:1 pop-ups, "camel hump" heads (w/2.02 valves), solid cam, 4-speed.....it should be quick! - Pics

 

Only in stop and go traffic where it takes 30 minutes to move half a mile, but that pisses me off even with an automatic.

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Black 2000 Z28
T-tops
6sp w/ Hurst Shifter

Friends don't let friends drive RICE!

 

Buy the Six speed. I commute 30 minutes a day in on/off trafic. Would not trade my six speed. Does not bother me in trafic at all. I had a 1995 it had a much stiffer cluth than my '02. I was stuck in Dallas bumber to bumber traffic for 2 hours in my 95, leg started to hurt a bit towards the end-only time it was a pain in the ***.

 

My '01 Z28 was an A4 and was great, but I found myself missing the manual trannys like I had been driving since '91.

After the wreck, I replaced the Z with a M6 Trans Am and I love it. You really have a better feel for the car with the M6. But, there are drawbacks. Don't plan on taking the M6 when you're going to be sitting in the car in line for a while (drive through Christmas displays, etc) Plus, the A4 is more consistient on the drag strip.

So, in the end, it's your choice. I love my M6, but I know that there are certain times I will want to take the wife's Intrigue and have the auto tranny.

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2001 TransAm WS6, M6 3.42
HPP, TBB, 160* t-stat, MTI Lid, Holley PowerShot, Flowmaster 80, Port/Polish MAF, !CAGS

www.BlackWS6.com

2001 Z28
-- R.I.P. - 06/25/02

 

One thing to consider is how much money you want to spend when modifying your car. If you plan to do heavy modding in a A4 car, you are also gonna have to dump some cheese into building the trans to handle it. The A4 does not have the best track record when it comes to high horsepower applications in stock form. On the other hand, the M6 is about a clutch away from handling damn near anything you can throw at it! (within reason). Just my opinion. Hope it helps

 

The only thing about the M6 that was a PITA is you almost never get to use 6th gear. Even on the highway you have to be going about 80 to keep the rpms up enough to keep the car from almost stalling but put some 4.10's in that thing and you will be like I love my 6 speed and the ONLY time I wish I had an auto is at the track. a stalled A4 is going to roast an M6 with every thing else being equal.

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2000 Sebring Silver Camaro SS
Mods? Well...yes, enough mods to have MAD horsepower.
More mods to come? Well..yes, working on achieving INSANE horsepower.
Dyno as of 7/03/02 382hp and 362torque.
Car has gone a best of 12.64@111.67mph with a 60' of 2.15
http://camaroz28.cardomain.com/id/scottss2658

 

I wanted a drag racing car. I made the mistake of getting a 94 LT1 Camaro M6, so I sold it and got my 98 LS1 A4.

Plus, I'm a mediocre driver with a manual. I do miss it some days, but not nearly as much when I drive the Bird

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1998 BG Chameleon Firebird Formula A4 - ATI P-1SC, 3.73s, cutout, BMR suspension
314 rwhp, 328 rwtq(lid, cutout, filter)
12.96@108.36, full weight and a 2.03 60'(CAI, cutout, 3.73s)
No times or dyno with the boost...

President & Webmaster, Central Ohio F-Body Association: www.cofba.org

 

What about gas mileage? I heard w/the 6spd you can sit around 28-30 on the hwy, but the auto is around 25-27?

 

i've had a 6 and auto. the 6 is fun to drive on the back roads but, i like to drag at the local drag and the auto will kick 6's ***.

 

Also w/6pd in traffic, am I going to have to worry about significant clutch wear (stopping and going)?

 

Banks, here's another take:
I own two GM's, a 2001 T/A WS6 with an A4, and a 2000 SS with an M6. I drive the SS daily, in stop and go, on the highway, etc. If you like the joy of actually DRIVING your car, instead of just pointing it, then get the M6. From El Paso to Las Vegas it's 754miles, door to door for me. I AVERAGED 36 mpg up and back with the SS. I stayed in 6th most of the way too. IMHO, drivers prefer stick!


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2000 Pewter Camaro SS, K&N, SLP lid, Flowmaster catback, 160 stat, Hurst short throw, and SLP springs!!
2001 T/A WS6, K&N, SLP lid, Flowmaster catback, A4 tranny, best time of 13.24 with Mickeys!! Lookin for more!!

 

I had a A4 in my first 4th genner (a 1994) and made sure I got an M6 in my 1996. Since then, we specifically looked for a M6 when we bought both the 1998 Z28 and the 1999 SS. Even my wife likes driving an M6 better than an A4. Sure it's a PITA in stop and go traffic but, I'm willing to put up with it for the thrill of chirping 2nd and 3rd gears. I think it makes me feel like I'm driving the car instead of just pointing it.

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-1998 Z28 M6, Onyx, Borla, FRA, direct flow lid, TBB, K&N
-1999 SS Build #2205, M6, Met Navy Blue, t-tops, TBB, CAGS, K&N

 

I love my M6 and I would not trade it for anything I would not want an F-body without it...

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http://camaroz28.cardomain.com/id/whitedeathls1

1999 Sebring Silver Metallic Z28, M6 T-tops
Cosmetic Mods: GM SS Hood, 18" Y2K Chrome Corvette rims on Kumho Ecsta 712s in 275/35/18ZR, Corvette FRL covers (More to come!...)
HP Mods: Borla Catback, Granatelli MAF, Whisper lid with K&N, Free Ram Air, Superior 4.10s w/Ratech Crush Collar Kit, TA girdle w/stud kit, HPP3 w/160 t-stat, MMS ported TB, EGR and TB coolant bypass, ASP crank & Alternator pulleys
Suspension Mods: KBDD SFCs, Spohn LCAs & Adjustable PHR, Addco 32MM front and 1LE rear sway bars, BMR STB, Eibach Pro-kit
Extras: B&M Ripper shifter with RK Sport Satin Finish shift ****, Mobil 1 filler cap.
320rwp, 325 max torque on MMS Dyno jet!
R.I.P. 1998 Z28, 1/23/2002