I need info! Is the automatic GTO really faster than the Manual?

Question

I am really interested in purchasing a new Pontiac GTO.I have heavily researched the car and have found that Pontiac along with some websites have rated the automatic faster than the manual.The auto is rated at 0-60MPH in 4.6 seconds while the manual is 4.8.Not a large gap I know but a difference non the less.I just wanted to see what some of you thought and if there are any GTO owners who can share their experiences with the car.Thanks!!

Answer 1

#1: generally, web sites and auto mags test cars that come from a small stable of press vehicles. Odds are good that most of those sites tested the same automatic and stickshift vehicles. So, odds are the test numbers are reasonably accurate, at least for the cars that were availble to the press.

#2: it's not so unusual for an automatic to be faster than a manual; some Corvettes and other high-torque vehicles share this trait, as the engine puts out so much power (and automatics capable of handling that power shift so quickly) that the amount of time spent actually putting power to the ground makes up for the broader gear ratios and pumping losses from the automatic -- plus, many automatics in higher-end cars have as many (if not more) gears as the automatics, so there's no ratio disadvantage.

#3: a difference of .2 seconds isn't much; the big difference is that the guy driving the automatic will get that time consistently each time, while the stickshift guy will get relatively inconsistent times (too many variables.)

At the end of the day, with that small of a performance difference, I'd buy whichever one makes you happier. If you enjoy driving a stickshift (and do things like heel and toe downshifting to be in the proper gear when coming out of a tight turn) get the stickshift. If you just like mashing the pedal and going fast, get the automatic.

Answer 2

Sure its faster. A lot of people might argue with me but an automatic will be consistantly faster than a manual shift for several reasons, mainly having to do with how the power is delivered to the wheels and the consistancy of shift points and such. A manual shift relys on the driver being consistant every time. Also...automatics (from the factory) are "geared" a little differently. I love the feel of dumping a clutch and launching but almost always there is inefiecietcy in that whole shifting gear shifting process.

Answer 3

normally that's only the case with turboed engines, because with an automatic, the engine is always under load, and always pushing the turbo. With a manual, the engine isn't under load between gears, and at idle.