Auto vs 6 sp????

dbs1 · 05-09-2011, 06:18 PM

You may have seen my other posts concerning an SSR I have looked at. It's an auto, and I previously had a 6sp I thought was the sschnizzle.

With some exhaust work, cai and 4.10 gears my former SSR could get 25+mpg cruising a little below 70mph, and showed about 435 hp at the crank.

What kind of mpg's do you auto guys see with similar mods other then the gear change? I'm sure the auto would shine at the dragstrip, but I frequent the road course more, and just a weekend or nighttime cruise seems to lend itself to rowing the gears, other then driving in traffic where an auto would be a better deal.

Those who have owned both, or pro's/con's from both sides, your opinion would be appreciated. Thx!

XSELER8 · 05-09-2011, 06:55 PM

6 speed for me on everything. There is nothing wrong with an Auto....but I alway enjoyed driving manual. When I was looking for an SSR (and Mini and Mustang and Jeep) it was gears or I really did not want it. My cousin let a salesman talk him into an Auto Z4 Bimmer....regretted it everyday and finally traded it for a 6'r. Buy what you really want. Go with your gut .

MoodyBlue · 05-09-2011, 07:01 PM

I have the stock Gears and Auto. 19 in City and 23 on the FWY.

I like a stick. My Wife is a Clutch Burner. So I have to have an Auto or spend every other month replacing Clutch Components.

RUN ROD RUN · 05-09-2011, 08:23 PM

I have the 4.10 gears and auto.
16-18 in City and 21 on the FWY.

MnMsToy · 05-09-2011, 08:50 PM

I have owned both and prefer a 6-speed. If you add 4.10s or 4.56 gears with a 2800 stall converter to an auto and a computer tune you will burn the tires off.

ZoomAddict · 05-09-2011, 10:02 PM

Really is a personal preference. Those who like to shift usually are not happy with an auto unless they do a lot of rush hour driving. As you are probably aware, mileage for a 5k lb SSR will depend more on how much of a rabbit you happen to be than the trans type.

dbs1 · 05-10-2011, 02:12 AM

No doubt an auto for rush hour or trying to drive, write and be on a phone which I do a lot, although the company car would be used mostly for that and mo betta at a dragstrip.

If I keep my 02 camaro with a manual then I highly doubt the SSR would make it to the road course. I discovered previously that even with a 6 speed it was at least 1000lbs over weight and 100hp shy of being really much of a competitor.

With an auto I would leave the stock gears, but perhaps go with a 2800 stall convertor. In my current Z71 I went from 16.8 to 14.4 with a tune, cai, LT's and catback and that type of vertor. It has dropped a little in town on mpg's, but will still get close to 20mpg on the hisar if kept below 70 mph.

My thought process was if I could pick it up cheap enough I could drive it through the summer and then decide which truck to sell, or even if I would rather have a 6sp. Me thinks the latter, but if it would cost me very little to find out for a few months I may pull the pin.

Thanks for your input!