RE: PH 2013: Biggest disappointments

[Mr2Mike]

Robbie K said:

It seems to me the manual is the modern equivalent of the chest wig and Carlos Fandango Super Wide wheels. Proof the driver is "a real man"....

What a truly bizarre conclusion. That must make auto's the modern equivalent of a metrosexual. Neatly trimmed, well dressed but just a bit too effeminate and utterly impractical.

[havoc]

Robbie K said:

Obviously it makes 99% of actual race drivers "video gamers" or whatever the current term of paddle shift abuse is.... again as I say I enjoy the feel of a manual, but if I was racing (or manufacturing) it wouldn't really even be a tough decision....

Erm, racing is all about getting from A to B the quickest. Computers can change gear quicker and more reliably than even the best human, so in racing it's a no brainer. Note that before paddle-shifts they were using sequential boxes where you only used the clutch for pulling away for years...but you didn't see manufacturers trying to put those in customer cars, did you???


Driving on the road ISN'T about speed. It's about enjoyment, in one form or another. Many get enjoyment and satisfaction from perfecting their skills...and a paddle-shift 'box takes one of those away from you.



What part of this aren't you guys getting???

[Wills2]

havoc said:

Erm, racing is all about getting from A to B the quickest. Computers can change gear quicker and more reliably than even the best human, so in racing it's a no brainer. Note that before paddle-shifts they were using sequential boxes where you only used the clutch for pulling away for years...but you didn't see manufacturers trying to put those in customer cars, did you???


Driving on the road ISN'T about speed. It's about enjoyment, in one form or another. Many get enjoyment and satisfaction from perfecting their skills...and a paddle-shift 'box takes one of those away from you.



What part of this aren't you guys getting???

I think the sales figures of high performance cars (DCT vs manual) speak for themselves, what is it they say? The market has spoken.

[Robert Burns]

I'm just going add a few words to the number of manual v auto posts.

Yes. Some people who like cars enjoy driving a manual. They feel they have to work to get pleasure from a great bit of tarmac. I felt like this when doing a number of passes in europe and also in my own area where I can travel north for an hour and im in some of the best roads scotland/uk can offer.

But some of us have problems. Now after a number of bad tackles i've had a few left knee dislocations. To the point that washing my car can result in a dislocation. My Focus RS was great, lovely volvo engine, great gearbox and just a really fun car. But when you dislocate you knee on alpine pass its not fun.
Knee operation due soon.

So I had to get dct m3 if I wanted to continue my love of cars instead of driving some auto crap box astra that doesn't want to change when I ask for a gear.

Manufacturers are all doing autos becuase that is the way for them to get a faster 0-62 time. Remove the human link from the gears and you go faster. After coming from a manual to an auto. Would I go back? No.

The just joy of perfect downshifts and gears faster than you blink is brillant. When your stuck in traffic on the m25 when you have just driven from Scotland heading for dover. its great to have a auto where you are clutch in and out due to stop start traffic. Or the best bit. When you not in the mood. Just stick it in full auto and chill.

[Grandfondo]

Wills2 said:

havoc said:

Erm, racing is all about getting from A to B the quickest. Computers can change gear quicker and more reliably than even the best human, so in racing it's a no brainer. Note that before paddle-shifts they were using sequential boxes where you only used the clutch for pulling away for years...but you didn't see manufacturers trying to put those in customer cars, did you???


Driving on the road ISN'T about speed. It's about enjoyment, in one form or another. Many get enjoyment and satisfaction from perfecting their skills...and a paddle-shift 'box takes one of those away from you.



What part of this aren't you guys getting???

I think the sales figures of high performance cars (DCT vs manual) speak for themselves, what is it they say? The market has spoken.

The market has spoken and it has said that most "sporting type cars" are bought by fat balding city dwellers that want the ease of use of an auto and if they can tell their colleagues at work over an over priced lunch that their car has an F1 style gearbox then all the better!