Im at a toss up right now and want a little input. I haven't owned a stick in my life..........

Is your A-4 or M-6 everything you thought it'd be? And if you could change it, would you?

(I think both are good and i'd be happy with either, but im struggling to sway myself one way over the other. Now, about the color.........)

Tell us first how you will be driving this primarily.

I would suggest different transmissions for different driving circumstances.

For example, I have a 5 mile commute to work through no traffic. I live minutes away from back country roads that are fun to zip through banging the gears all the way. Manual tranny was a no-brainer for me.

If I had a long commute or if I was drag racing, I would definately consider an auto.

I only have about a 15 mile trip to work, and can either hop on the interstate or take some back roads.

I'm also gonna do my best to keep it stored in the winter, but with 143000+ on the 'ol 4-banger Chevy Beretta, I may have to wander onto some MIchigan winter roads.

:pain: B)

I have a 35 mile trip to work each way on the 10 Freeway going into Los Angeles. I had no choice but to get the A4. I am really happy with it.

im in the same situation. Its going to be my first car and i really want a m6. I have a mile commute to school (don't worry i have a good parking spot for it). But im just wondering, after a while i might get tired of shifting bc of all the traffic lights. But i have other friends that drive manuals, one who has a manual 328ci and drives it everyday and tells me that its no problem. So im confused. Also i ahev no problem letting my sister drive the car (shes 21) but shes only use to automatic and has no interest in learning manual so i dont know :blink:

In the FWIW category, I find the clutch on the GTO to be surprisingly light...

I own 2 automatic vehicles: a 1994 Camaro that I drive to work everyday and a Chevy Avalanche pick up truck. A manual tranny is too painful for freeway stop and go traffic.

My goat is purely a weekend toy. I would hate to drive it in a crowded freeway where the average speed is 10-15 mph. My left leg would cramp up and I would burn through that clutch easily.

However, after driving an M6 GTO, all other automatic cars would feel so boring and mundane.

Love my A4 due to rush hour commute. More so since I put in the Predator tune.
:ph34r: :ph34r:

Tails, not to get too far off the topic, but what were the noticable differences after Predator tune on the A-4?

And, did you do the factory tune or adjust it on your own?

:type:

M6 here, wouldn't consider anything else.
;)
My 96 WS6, my 98 TA and my dearly departed Viper were all 6 speeds.
B)

Just depends whether you like shifting or not. The Manual would be more fun, as you would be picking the gear you want to be in, but the auto is better if you just don't want to think about it. I chose the A4 this time because I just got sick of shifting (and my wife can't drive a stick), but my next car will probably be the manual, because I miss not having more control over the car.

I took M6 because it feels much better, and I do live in Queens - NY. There is one thing; I am driving to work in opposite direction than rush hour traffic so it makes a difference.
One more thing I am from Europe and back there they have 90% cars with manual transmissions, so I am used to it.

My personal advice - go with M6. ;)

Zigor2

Interesting observation Zigor about the Europeans. I have a theory that the prevalence of automatic transmissions is one reason that Americans are the world's most unskilled, incompetent drivers. That and cupholders. If you REALLY drive you shouldn't be eating and drinking or talking on the cell phone. Did I mention the obesity epidemic ? Perhaps we're just too fat to drive. OK, rant over.
I feel better now. Oh wait one more thing. If the easy hydraulic clutch is too much of a strain on your leg in traffic, perhaps you should DRIVE TO THE GYM.

Well cupholders can be usefull just so your drink doesnt fill on the drive home, many a time I'v had to hold my drink in my lap while shifting even if im not gunna drink it.

Originally posted by droopy@Aug 14 2004, 08:09 AM
Interesting observation Zigor about the Europeans. I have a theory that the prevalence of automatic transmissions is one reason that Americans are the world's most unskilled, incompetent drivers. That and cupholders. If you REALLY drive you shouldn't be eating and drinking or talking on the cell phone. Did I mention the obesity epidemic ? Perhaps we're just too fat to drive. OK, rant over.
I feel better now. Oh wait one more thing. If the easy hydraulic clutch is too much of a strain on your leg in traffic, perhaps you should DRIVE TO THE GYM.
Hehehe...you're funny! Did I already tell you that my riding mower has a cupholder?

The first three letters of manual are M A N...

Originally posted by fastcop@Aug 11 2004, 04:54 PM
Tails, not to get too far off the topic, but what were the noticable differences after Predator tune on the A-4?

And, did you do the factory tune or adjust it on your own?

:type:
Sorry to jump in, I love my predator tune that came with the system. Big improvement on the auto shifts and tm. :lol:

We are a nation of drivers pacing and hogging the left passing lane at 60 mph while every other driver on the freeway is trying to pass you at 80 mph. About 90% of American drivers would die a horrible fiery death on the German Autobahn simply because they have no concept of whta it really means to drive. I mean flat out drive with no distractions.

Try getting stuck on the 405 freeway leading to downtown Los Angeles at 8:00 am with a manual transmission. I bet you would get out of the goat and just walk. After all, your clutch would be completely toasted.

I admit manual trannies are so much fun but Autos are almost a necessity in life considering we spend so much time in traffic.

I agree desert, that's one of the main reasons I moved out of L.A. County.
Manual trannies are great, but you have to be in a location where you can enjoy them.

If you have ever been stuck in Paris traffic you would agree that it is at least as bad as any traffic situation anywhere in the world. And guess what, even the french drive mostly manuals.

Originally posted by desertgoat@Aug 14 2004, 10:26 AM
We are a nation of drivers pacing and hogging the left passing lane at 60 mph while every other driver on the freeway is trying to pass you at 80 mph. About 90% of American drivers would die a horrible fiery death on the German Autobahn simply because they have no concept of whta it really means to drive. I mean flat out drive with no distractions.

Try getting stuck on the 405 freeway leading to downtown Los Angeles at 8:00 am with a manual transmission. I bet you would get out of the goat and just walk. After all, your clutch would be completely toasted.

I admit manual trannies are so much fun but Autos are almost a necessity in life considering we spend so much time in traffic.
If I still lived in Orange County, I never would have bought a 6 speed. But I'm 2 mintues from the edge of town and open country roads here in Texas. :D

OK, last night I drove a manual for the first time........needless to say, I still have a grin on my face. The dealer said "here, take em both for a spin". I started with the manual and had a blast!!! Was into the triple digits in no time. Then, to make the wife happy, I took out an automatic. Still a sweet ride, but not as fun as the 6-speed. Now, all I have to do is convince the wife that she'll be able to learn.....(not that I'll ever let her drive it...hehehe). :D

I'v found that most people who do that end up getting the M6.

Originally posted by Mountain Goat@Aug 14 2004, 11:43 AM
I agree desert, that's one of the main reasons I moved out of L.A. County.
Manual trannies are great, but you have to be in a location where you can enjoy them.
You can say that again. Try driving around any of the burroughs around NYC durring the rush. :angry:

If they had a 6 speed auto with tap shift my decision would be very easy. :D

Originally posted by fastcop@Aug 11 2004, 09:54 PM
Tails, not to get too far off the topic, but what were the noticable differences after Predator tune on the A-4?

And, did you do the factory tune or adjust it on your own?

:type:
The big difference is the crisp shifts even at less than WOT. It is way different and pleasing. It was just the Predator standard customized tune. I will be doing some tinkering in the future when time (and money) allows.
:ph34r: :ph34r:

Tails - if you got the Predator from a tuner, have them set up a custom tune for it. They can set the A4 up so that it shifts smooth as butter during part throttle, this stops the head snaping at low rpms that comes in the basic tune. When you hit WOT hold on - the animal awakes - chirps in at least 3 gears.

Originally posted by gto_in_nc@Aug 11 2004, 02:08 PM
In the FWIW category, I find the clutch on the GTO to be surprisingly light...
I agree. Compared to my current '89 E30 M3 or my brother's Mustang Cobra which has a clutch dropweight of somewhere in the region of 60 pounds, the GTO is a light yet still effective clutch that isn't too bad on the leg.

I'v felt the clutch and its only heavy if your used to girly featherlgiht jelly import clutches. I drove a friends Celica GTR and I couldn't even tell when I had the clutch it...it was just so....flimsy.

I like a clutch that has some resistance to it, if for nothing else but to know when if its engaging or not.