The decline of manual values

When I bought my Nissan GT-R, the one thing I was not keen on was it having a manual box. It actually an automated manual, so paddles or auto mode.

I felt I somehow wasn't connected with the car, especially since (and people will laugh) I was somewhat worried about using the paddles and putting it in the wrong gear and blowing the engine up ! (you can't do that of course, the gearbox will not let you). Now I drive it on paddles all the time and don't miss a gearstick.

Of course autos are easier in stop start traffic and essential if you have certain physical injuries/disability/limitations, that goes without saying. I was glad to temporarily swap my manual car with a family members automatic when I had back surgery, and just as glad to swap back when I recovered.

You can try to convince yourself that an auto is just as involving as a manual, but you are wrong. A manual requires more driver input and allows more driver control, by definition it is more involving.

Not everyone wants that extra involvement, and that's OK - if an auto was just as involving then it wouldn't have the advantages of easier use and detachment.

The claim that an auto allows you to concentrate on steering and braking better than a manual is nonsense in my opinion, I find the delayed and variable response of an auto much more distracting and interfering than a simple, predictable manual gearchange (which can be so ingrained into muscle memory that it barely even requires conscious thought). It's probably just a question of what you're more accustomed to.

I was always on the fence a bit with DCT gearboxes etc. However I do think that a fast car suits a fast gearbox if you know what I mean though. Both my 370Z/Caterham have 3 pedals, and they suit them for me, because they aren't slow, but they aren't really fast either. Plus they're both naturally aspirated as well. Whereas the DCT suits the performance of my F82 M4 I reckon, and I always say the faster the car the more it suits a faster gearbox I think(much like the R35 GT-R as well).

I did originally want the M4 with 3 pedals, but I don't now though, because the DCT really suits the performance/engine for me.

Compared to what? Obviously a modern Ferrari is going to be more immersive than a manual Vauxhall Mokka, but I don't think many people would dispute the fact that an F355 is more involving to drive than the modern 296. The modern car will be faster, more comfortable, more economical, more reliable, less rust prone,... but I struggle to see anyone calling it more involving.

The gearing in our 6 speed 2014 1.0 Focus is comically high. I would like to drive one with a much closer ratio box

I also prefer a good ride to a harsh one.

Lane assist is awful and should not ever be necessary. I wonder how often it aids safety?

I like a bit of brake feels.

Manual cars are for manual labourers.

Elaborate on a statement that I didn’t make? What a bizarre and dishonest request.

They feel more “keyed-in” to what the road surface is doing, because the far stiffer chassis allows the suspension to be better-tuned to what the car needs.

Turn-in is quicker, with less build-up if steering effort needed as the forces increase.

The far greater power and torque means that for each mm of throttle pedal movement you get a larger increase in output.

Now, I know that these are all subjective, but each of them for me leaves me feeling more connected to the car.

I once hated the SMG but now it’s the only auto in the fleet; it’s fun, involving, flawed. DCT are too good imo like most modern car you're more of a passenger then driver amazed by what the technology can do - at that point may as well get an EV

Why have a dog and bark yourself?

Auto's all the way.

(I never thought I would ever say that)