Automatic Performance Cars
Discussion
Due to starting a new job closer to home soon, I'm hoping to change from my efficient, reliable and boring golf tdi to something more exciting and have been browsing the classifieds a lot recently.
Something that I have always wondered is why there are so many, what I would call performance driver's cars that have automatic gearboxes. I mean isn't deciding when to change gear, the shift motion, downshifts and tailoring your rpm to the situation a big part of driving a performance car and spirited driving?
I guess i'm just struggling to understand why there are cars that are clearly driven by people that enjoy the thrill of driving available with automatic gearboxes and in some cases there seem to be more automatics available than manual versions. For example, and this is one of the more extreme examples I can think of, why would someone buy a toyota supra (very much a drivers car) and even think of wanting an auto?
I have only ever driven one automatic car but it had paddle shift which is totally different to a full auto IMO. So can anyone explain the attraction to me?
ETA - Not sure why there is an angry face next to the thread in the list in GG, it wasn't started in anger!
Something that I have always wondered is why there are so many, what I would call performance driver's cars that have automatic gearboxes. I mean isn't deciding when to change gear, the shift motion, downshifts and tailoring your rpm to the situation a big part of driving a performance car and spirited driving?
I guess i'm just struggling to understand why there are cars that are clearly driven by people that enjoy the thrill of driving available with automatic gearboxes and in some cases there seem to be more automatics available than manual versions. For example, and this is one of the more extreme examples I can think of, why would someone buy a toyota supra (very much a drivers car) and even think of wanting an auto?
I have only ever driven one automatic car but it had paddle shift which is totally different to a full auto IMO. So can anyone explain the attraction to me?
ETA - Not sure why there is an angry face next to the thread in the list in GG, it wasn't started in anger!
Edited by Al U on Friday 15th August 20:46
richs2891 said:
I guess its a lot to do with (cheating) the emissions and mpg figures,
Also some cars are just suited better to autos otherwise end up changing gear all the time and ends up actually been slower than an auto.
This, as well as acceleration and cruising ability. Having something like 8 gears means you can have short initial gears and long higher gears, giving good acceleration performance and good motorway ability/MPG. Also means it can be at the optimum RPM more of the time, which is again better for performance and/or emissions and frugality.Also some cars are just suited better to autos otherwise end up changing gear all the time and ends up actually been slower than an auto.
I know Porsche offer a 7 speed manual but in reality to make best use of it, as Rich says, you'd have to be changing gear a lot.
I understand where you are coming from, I dont understand it myself either. Granted, the proper performance cars with flappy padels like the GT-R or AMG examples seem to do it quite well but blue collar performance cars dont seem to have the tech to do it properly.
Just take the Evo X, I have spent quite some time looking at these on autotrader and most have auto/flappy boxes that by all accounts are not very good. Why would anyone order a rally legend like that and order an auto box.....
Just take the Evo X, I have spent quite some time looking at these on autotrader and most have auto/flappy boxes that by all accounts are not very good. Why would anyone order a rally legend like that and order an auto box.....
Evil.soup said:
Just take the Evo X, I have spent quite some time looking at these on autotrader and most have auto/flappy boxes that by all accounts are not very good. Why would anyone order a rally legend like that and order an auto box.....
Think you've time to short shift from 4th to 2nd for the impending hairpin whilst braking from 120mph on a gravel and snow track? Even proper rally cars have sequential clutchpedalless boxes on the whole...User33678888 said:
Evil.soup said:
Just take the Evo X, I have spent quite some time looking at these on autotrader and most have auto/flappy boxes that by all accounts are not very good. Why would anyone order a rally legend like that and order an auto box.....
Think you've time to short shift from 4th to 2nd for the impending hairpin whilst braking from 120mph on a gravel and snow track? Even proper rally cars have sequential clutchpedalless boxes on the whole...On a road car though the tech is a long way from what the WRC cars use, I would love to own a rally type performance car with a manual sequential gearbox but what we actually get are pretend examples that are designed for those that like to tell people in the pub that they have flaps in their car. Its just not cool or very good at what it does.
User33678888 said:
Evil.soup said:
Just take the Evo X, I have spent quite some time looking at these on autotrader and most have auto/flappy boxes that by all accounts are not very good. Why would anyone order a rally legend like that and order an auto box.....
Think you've time to short shift from 4th to 2nd for the impending hairpin whilst braking from 120mph on a gravel and snow track? Even proper rally cars have sequential clutchpedalless boxes on the whole...On a road car though the tech is a long way from what the WRC cars use, I would love to own a rally type performance car with a manual sequential gearbox but what we actually get are pretend examples that are designed for those that like to tell people in the pub that they have flaps in their car. Its just not cool or very good at what it does.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff