I like automatic transmissions

[Adam]

If you like fast take-offs, don't discount DSGs. Most have launch control - it's huge fun.

DSGs are best of both worlds, a clutch feel at traffic speeds, lightning fast shifts when you thrash it.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by imcarthur

Yes but . . . not on a mind-numbing freeway for hours & certainly not in an extended stop n go parking lot. For both an auto is best.

Ian

I held off until 2011. But once I started gigging a lot and was in situations where I *had* to be somewhere in LA at a specific time, and easily spending an hour + in stop-and-go traffic, I switched. The last straw was a gig with a 7:30 downbeat at a club less than 9 miles from my house. I left at 5pm to give "plenty of time." I arrived at 7:25pm. My left leg was about to fall off from working the clutch.

I still find myself instinctively moving my left foot and grabbing for the shift knob from time to time...

[wdfifteen]

When I worked at GM developing lock-up torque converters we beat the heck out of Chevy T350 transmissions. We ran them through a test protocol that included running up and down through the gears continually for 17 hours a day. The engine would hit 4000 RPM at every shift. A single T350 would outlast 4 or 5 700R4s. When you look at how small some of the gears are it's hard to believe they could withstand it. We ran them behind 350 V8s that were fairly bulletproof themselves.

[stuartj]

Originally Posted by Adam

If you like fast take-offs, don't discount DSGs. Most have launch control - it's huge fun.

DSGs are best of both worlds, a clutch feel at traffic speeds, lightning fast shifts when you thrash it.

There is no doubt that DSG is the future. They are just flat out faster, and in full auto mode, smarter than drivers.

I bemoan the loss of the skill in driving a manual, but the numbers speak for themselves.....as the old motorsport saying goes...'when the flag drops, the bull**** stops...."

[wildthing]

I like automatics for long daily commutes with lots of stop and go traffic. For a spirited weekend drive I still like the tactile feel of a manual... Haven't driven a PDK or DSG ever so can't comment on that.

[gprsh924]

I dislike automatics but they are so much better in traffic that they serve a purpose.

I like the flexibility of the SMG in my dad's M3.

I test drove and 05 911S and a 2011 Boxster last weekend. The 911 was amazing, but the clutch is heavy enough that I don't know if I could daily drive one in Chicago.

The Boxster had the PDK and felt like the perfect day to day car. Now I need to find a way to put one in my parking spot in the next 12 months.

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by Adam

If you like fast take-offs, don't discount DSGs. Most have launch control - it's huge fun.

DSGs are best of both worlds, a clutch feel at traffic speeds, lightning fast shifts when you thrash it.

I've only driven on double clutch, the VW DSG. It was brilliant at speed. But in low speed situations like parking lots, it did some very odd 'feathering'. A subtle but rapid, jerky engagement/disengagement of the clutch.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

I've only driven on double clutch, the VW DSG. It was brilliant at speed. But in low speed situations like parking lots, it did some very odd 'feathering'. A subtle but rapid, jerky engagement/disengagement of the clutch.

Yeah, it just needs a slightly different approach than a normal auto, but you get used to it pretty quickly. My GTI has a hill-hold feature, too which is neat.

[stuartj]

New Porsche 991 GT3. First Drive. - /CHRIS HARRIS ON CARS - YouTube

Chris Harris on the GT3....nails it, I think.....talks about the DSG at about 9mins. Great watch.

[andyt11]

I feel like a passenger when I drive an automatic. I also feel like I'm not in control of the vehicle. How can you be in control when there is no solid connection to the wheels.

I recently drove a very fast DSG equipped car. It is an amazing piece of equipment and is worlds away faster than a manual. Its also what I would call a real gearbox and not at all a rubber band. However, it did get boring in about ten minutes. Which was disappointing. There was nothing to do. Just point and squirt. The whole car was flawless and left nothing for me to think about. No wheel spin, no skids, no shifting, it even blipped the throttle when it knew you would change down. Super cool but not for me.

[andyt11]

Originally Posted by stuartj

New Porsche 991 GT3. First Drive. - /CHRIS HARRIS ON CARS - YouTube

Chris Harris on the GT3....nails it, I think.....talks about the DSG at about 9mins. Great watch.

I just watched that. That's what I was trying to say.

[stuartj]

Originally Posted by andyt11

I just watched that. That's what I was trying to say.

Round my parts, the fastest modern cars in Tarmac Rally are the Lambo Gallardo, the Audi TTRS and Godzilla. All of them are semi autos. Talking to the guys running those cars, most of them just stick it 'auto' and let the car do the thinking, especially in the wet. Watching them launch is amazing. They gently roll forward, like theyre in carpark at the supermarket, then poof, theyre gone....

[onewhippedpuppy]

Modern autos get better MPG than manuals, DSGs shift faster, but I think manuals are more fun. For me that's what it's all about, fun. Every automatic I've owned has bored me to tears, I just enjoy shifting.

[masraum]

Automatics have their place. i've driven all sorts of automatic and manual cars. I haven't driven an automatic equipped car that had what I would call a slushbox in a long time. Most of them these days work pretty well. i suspect in certain situations, I would prefer an automatic, but fortunately for me, those situations are rare and I drive a manual most of the time.

Originally Posted by Tobra

The 6 speed in my Miata feels like it needs another cog. Either that or a less ridiculous rear end ratio. An automatic in an underpowered 4 cylinder car? No thanks

Yeah, it's a real shame that they dropped the redline of the MSM from 7000 to 6500. That extra 500 rpm would help a lot. Lot's of the guys that do the common upgrades end up going to a 3.67 rear from the stock 4.30 rear. Our transmission ratios are nice and tight, but it's a bit much that our gears only give about 20mph over the next lower gear. I think our cars hit around 25 in 1st, 45 in 2nd, 65 in 3rd, 85 in 4th, 105 in 5th and then top out at 130 at redline.

[Jrboulder]

I don't plan on ever buying another manual.

I bought my DD with it being an only car in mind, so I got a manual. Now that I'm a 2 car operation it's honestly getting a little annoying to deal with. With the Porsche I couldn't see owning anything other than a manual, but I don't plan on selling it or buying another.

[aigel]

I need a manual shifter. Modern cars shift so nice and the clutches are light, it'd be a shame to have a slushbox. On my TDI the DSG also wasn't an option. Just read about them ...

Soon it will be over, I am afraid. I read that only 2 or 3 percent of US new cars are sold with a manual. Having a Euro car may delay things a little but ...

G

[afterburn 549]

I do not mind them if "made" correctly and not prone to failure .
Not long ago it was not "if" but just "when" they would take a dump.
So i have always subscribed to the manual . If driven right they will go a million of miles.
With the auto they are divided into soft parts and hard parts.
The 1st being "O" rings, clutches and such.
All it takes is a ripped "O" ring and now there will be no pressure to a clutch pack.
Most shops have no clue what sun gear is or how to pressure test a auto with air pressure .
But they will sell you a rebuild rather then a simple fix. (usually)

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by aigel

I need a manual shifter. Modern cars shift so nice and the clutches are light, it'd be a shame to have a slushbox. On my TDI the DSG also wasn't an option. Just read about them ...

Soon it will be over, I am afraid. I read that only 2 or 3 percent of US new cars are sold with a manual. Having a Euro car may delay things a little but ...

G

Agreed, someday our cars with three pedals will be a quaint historical artifact. "Look kids, here's a car that you had to shift yourself."

[BReif61]

The last car I had was an automatic Acura Integra. "It won't be so bad," I told myself. "It's just your DD, it'll be fine."

That car was god awful. Had it less than a year. Good riddance. Never again will I voluntarily buy a slushbox behind a weak four banger.

[oldE]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

I've only driven on double clutch, the VW DSG. It was brilliant at speed. But in low speed situations like parking lots, it did some very odd 'feathering'. A subtle but rapid, jerky engagement/disengagement of the clutch.

There seem to be some variations in the VW DSG transmission cars I have driven.
One, in a 2006 TDi Jetta the garage loaned me was an amazing piece of gear. It had been "rode hard and put away wet" for 6 years and had about 250K km (~150K miles) and it was smooth and responsive. I would have swapped it for my 5 speed it need be.
Another DSG was in a 2012 Passat TDi and I couldn't believe how ill-mannered it was at parking lot speeds.
Maybe it needed a good thrashing.

Best
Les