CTS-V auto vs manual

[SBDave]

I feel like this might be a biased crowd (hahaha) but I'll ask anyways... I've located two 2011 CTS-V Wagon's for sale. A manual and an automatic. Anyone have experience with both setups? Also how is the visibility in the Wagon? I sat in a coupe and sedan this morning and visibility seems fairly poor. I assume the Wagon will be similar.

My background: I have no experience driving high horsepower cars. I grew up driving a stick (does an old vw baja bug count?) and currently have a 73 Cuda with a small 318 engine and a "Slap Stick" automatic, so it can be full auto or you can control when it shifts. The Cuda is low on power now but the plan is to build a stroker small block and convert it to a 4speed OD. Right now I drive the Cuda daily and would be using the CTS-V on any longer drives or in bad weather. I live in Santa Barbara CA and consider a long drive around 350miles (to Oakland, Mammoth or Vegas). I do go down to LA every so often and imagine sitting in traffic with the manual could suck.

Thoughts/opinions on auto vs manual and the car in general? Any helpful reviews people have read?

Sorry for the long story and questions but this is a pretty big purchase for me and I'm starting to get nervous haha

Thanks y'all!
Dave

[will69camaro]

The ex had a V wagon that was manual car. Visibility is very similar between the wagon, sedan, the coupe is the worst visibility.

After driving it a bit, I wished it was an automatic. Sure there is a novelty of banging gears in a wagon but at the end of the day it's more of a luxury car and the auto trans in the new GM's is really pretty nice.

Going back I'd have opted for an auto over the manual (and this is coming from someone that loves shifting gears).

William

[novahollic]

I agree, the automatic would be the way to go for something that you are looking to drive for long periods of time, and in traffic.

The auto is a pretty decent transmission, but it really shines with a tune. (as does the whole car)

[SBDave]

Way to make it hard on me guys!!! haha Well, I kind of expected to get an overwhelming "go manual" response with some pro auto folks thrown in the mix. The funny thing is with my cuda I find myself using the slap stick as much as I can...

[dhutton]

I have an automatic sedan. I love it for my DD. Worst part is the gas tank is too small. It seems like I am always filling it up.

Don

[camcojb]

That's on my list of daily drivers in the future. I want an auto for a couple reasons. One, because for a true daily driver and California traffic an auto is much easier to deal with. Number two, from the info I've found on the net the autos are usually quicker in the 1/4 mile, so that just cements the decision for me.

[Streetking]

I'm on my second CTS-V, I absolutely love it as a daily driver. I have driven quite a few 6 speeds but for a sedan/ driver I prefer the auto. If it was a dct trans, it would be the very best sedan on the road. Mine makes 733rwh through the auto and I'm on my second set of rear tires with 6k on the odo..

[bret]

Mines a stick. I love it but if I lived with heavy traffic, I'd consider an auto. Sticks are much harder to find...only about 15% were stick cars.

[Vegas69]

Auto, I wish GM made the Z06 in auto. I daily drive a C6 auto and it's great.

[SBDave]

wow, I'm pretty shocked at all the auto's! I guess on this site people are mostly using them for DD's so I guess that makes sense. I've been of the mindset that any performance car I get I'd want to be a manual but I haven't daily driven a manual for 12+ years so I kinda forget what it's like.

SW that looks incredible!

Thanks for all the responses!
Dave