Don't know where you are at but they are being sold under MSRP. Don't even
think about the 6 speed, it won't out drive the latest auto. Plus it has to
be put in reverse through the sponge gate or it will kill and/or damage your
battery. Not a big thing if you and your wife are perfect. Do get the Z51
handling package.

Good luck

At least around here (midwest) they're asking for $5K to $10K over MSRP
if they think the customer looks like a mark, but the major dealers are
selling at $500 to $1000 under as of a couple of months ago and I've
seen ads for coupes at $2000 under. I got my convertible (built to
order) at $2500 under after lots of negotiating. Coupes are being
discounted a bit more, check the ads for the big Corvette specialists -
especially the ones big enough to keep the cars in stock.

All due respect to Dad, I drove both auto and stick and personally I
like the 6-speed better. Of course this is a very subjective choice. The
Tremec gearbox is not the smoothest but it's not bad, either, and is
smoothing out considerably as the car breaks in. The clutch is more
difficult than most. The stick-shift feels much more responsive than did
the auto I drove and, in my opinion, will out perform the auto if driven
right. I have a video of a 10-mph rollon between a C6 stick and an auto,
and the stick leaps ahead and has several car lengths on the auto within
a couple of hundred yeards. (Next year's 6-speed auto might be a
different story.)

Yes, you do have to put the 6-speed in reverse when you park the car.
That's what turns off the keyless ignition and locks the steering
column. If you fail to do that it's like leaving the ignition on -
you'll run down the battery eventually, but that's all. If you shut off
the car and don't do that the little text display on the panel reminds
you, "SHIFT TO REVERSE." For me it became automatic within a few drives.

I also drove a Z51 and found it a bit hard for daily use on urban Kansas
roads (but then I'm 52 and my own chassis is a bit less forgiving these
days). I opted for the F55 (magnetic ride) and am very pleased with it,
the car's quite livable for daily usage but firms up nicely if driven
aggressively. And the active roll control really works, the car corners
very flat.

-- Vandervecken