I like automatic transmissions

[onewhippedpuppy]

I know the DSG is in many ways superior to the F1 gearbox, but the F1 gearbox in my 2003 Maserati really turned me off on the concept of the automated manual. It only made sense when hammering on the car, not easy to do regularly with 390 HP. Around town it was clunky, in manual mode it gave you whiplash and in auto mode it was like a driver's ed student learning to drive stick. Parallel parking or 3-point turns? Better hope there's not traffic behind you. But don't worry, because the clutch only lasts 20k and costs $5k to replace. The gearbox was the single worst element of the car, I found my RX8 (with a manual) to be far more fun. Leave the Maserati at home to drive the Mazda? That's not right.

Something that the DSG can't do - gear selection without looking. I know based simply on the position of my right hand which gear I am in. No need to look at a display. I find that far more intuitive than the automanuals.

[mikesride]

My F250, my daily driver and our new SUV are all auto and I don't mind. Plus a long time ago I decided all multi driver company cars MUST be auto....way LESS failures than with the standards. As long as I own a sports car or some type of weekend fun car, and my knees don't give out or something, it will be standard. An Auto transmission for something you use to launch your boat sure makes things nicer!!!!

[ramonesfreak]

My 2013 GTI has DSG. My first car without stick and I love it. Don't miss shifting a DD one bit

[widebody911]

When I was shopping for an M3 last year, I looked high and low for a decent 6MT with no luck, but a nice SMG came up for sale with the color and options I liked, so I bit the bullet and bought the SMG. I love it! This is my daily driver, and the "auto" mode of the SMG makes dealing with traffic so much more enjoyable, and if I feel the urge, I can still use the paddle shifters. I don't miss the clutch - at all.

I wonder how many of the guys who romanticize about manual transmissions also bemoan the death of manual chokes, hand-crank-start, manual ignition timing control, hand throttles, acetylene headlamps, valve adjustments, clutch adjustments, brake adjustments, and carb adjustments.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by nostatic

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...

Sixteen years of commuting into downtown L.A. on the 110 freeway... 20 miles each way...

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

We are a two car family (well... me, my wife and the two cats) she drives the Hyundai and I get the Miata... see the above comment about my commute... a girly car with an automatic transmission...sigh.

Yes, I do love the feel of feathering in the clutch and applying power as I go into a bend... maybe after I retire and no longer have to commute move onto a boxster or 996... or Z4 with a stick.

[Aragorn]

I have put over 200k miles on one car with a 5spd manual transmission and never had to replace the clutch. Can't think of a time I have ever been without at least one car with a manual transmission.

Auto is fine but feels disconnected to me.

Selling a car with a stick today is getting pretty tough too. Kiddies don't know what the third (spare) pedal is for..

[tedg04]

My perspective on auto transmissions was instantly revolutionized the first time I drove my friend's Mk5 GTI with a DSG. It maintained the control you wanted in a manual with clear enough engagement of the driveline, while also offering a commute-friendly auto mode. Compare that to the current PDK, and the case for choosing the auto is even stronger.

I wouldn't look for a Sportomatic long hood (but then again, at current long hood prices no one is buying them for driving enjoyment), but also wouldn't buy a 991 with 3 pedals either. As to the lack of involvement from only using two pedals and no shifter - I would be more concerned about the traction control, torque vectoring, even ABS than the method of changing gears. Think about how involved you feel even racing a stupid single speed go kart - it's not the gears, it's the chassis engagement.

[aigel]

The VW DSG is bad news in terms of reliability and service cost. Yes, you can service yourself, but it is a PITA, especially compared to the "service interval" of the manual.

G

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by aigel

The VW DSG is bad news in terms of reliability and service cost. Yes, you can service yourself, but it is a PITA, especially compared to the "service interval" of the manual.

G

The same argument can be made for a modern automatic. My 2012 F150 doesn't even have a dipstick.

[SilberUrS6]

I prefer manual, and always have. My DD is a manual, my fun car is a manual, and I'd only buy row-it-yourself cars if I could.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

The same argument can be made for a modern automatic. My 2012 F150 doesn't even have a dipstick.

Yes - that is just nuts, IMHO. This thread had quite a few saying that the DSG is the perfect compromise between a stick and an auto. But I think it terms of maintenance and reliability, it may be worse than a classic slushbox with a lockup converter ...

G

[5String43]

I dunno, man. I've ditched my SC for a Mini Cooper S Clubman with 6-speed trans. I am a (very) elderly gent, but I can't imagine letting some slush-box do the shifting for me. Different strokes for different folks, I guess. It's all goog.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by aigel

Yes - that is just nuts, IMHO. This thread had quite a few saying that the DSG is the perfect compromise between a stick and an auto. But I think it terms of maintenance and reliability, it may be worse than a classic slushbox with a lockup converter ...

G

If you buy new and sell when the warranty is up, it might be great. But if you buy used or intend to keep your car, not so much. Of the three options it is the most complicated, that pretty much says it all from a servicing and reliability standpoint. The F1 gearbox in my Maserati was very complicated, and clutch replacement could only be done by a dealer or an independent with the factory service computer due to the calibration routine required as part of replacement.

[andyt11]

Originally Posted by widebody911

I wonder how many of the guys who romanticize about manual transmissions also bemoan the death of manual chokes, hand-crank-start, manual ignition timing control, hand throttles, acetylene headlamps, valve adjustments, clutch adjustments, brake adjustments, and carb adjustments.

Not many I wouldn't think, since none of the above are desirable. Not like the control and driver involvement offered by a MT.

[scottmandue]

I also wonder how many of the slushbox haters have to fight rush hour bumper to bumper traffic every work day?

Sure a stick is great if you drive five miles or walk or ride a bike to work, or work from home, or are retired (see my comment about going back to a stick when I retire).

Right tool for the right job... work smarter not harder.

[aigel]

I have done 1+ hour commutes in my 6 speed TDI. The car has a light clutch pedal combined with excellent torque at idle - a good combo even in stop and go ...

I do prefer a shorter commute or at least one that flows!

G

[gacook]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

I also wonder how many of the slushbox haters have to fight rush hour bumper to bumper traffic every work day?

Sure a stick is great if you drive five miles or walk or ride a bike to work, or work from home, or are retired (see my comment about going back to a stick when I retire).

Right tool for the right job... work smarter not harder.

I lived in Massachusetts for 4 years. Lived down by Rhode Island (cheaper) and commuted to Boston daily, minus Sunday (usually). Commute was anywhere from 45 minutes to 3 hours, depending on traffic and morons (Massachusetts drivers are the worst I've seen anywhere). I drove a stick

[PabloX]

I generally don't like automatic transmissions, but my dad recently bought a new Accord with the CVT, and it's pretty much the best automatic I've driven. It manages the ratios very well, has a very wide ratio range which keeps the engine quiet while cruising and it kicks down exactly when you need it.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

The same argument can be made for a modern automatic. My 2012 F150 doesn't even have a dipstick.

What is the service frequency and cost? The DSG is somethingl like every 50,000 miles. That's way too frequent when the bill is a few hundred dollars each time.

[Nostril Cheese]

There is something to be said for driving a American burnout machine with a Torqueflite.

I recently drove a Golf with a DSG. Pretty impressive in manual mode, but it felt like it was slipping in auto.