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Can you drive a stick shift car?

Advantage of an auto - easier to talk on a cell, eat a burger, drink... nicer in stop-n-go traffic.

Advantage of a manual - you are one with the vehicle... you're in sync with the entire experience.

Love my '92 Celica GT-S,,, but its an auto, so she is good for transportation.

Absolutely love driving the '99 Celica GT 'vert,,, top down, gears meshing, vehicle responding... :cool:
 
SactoGuy18 said:
The thing that will end the reign of the manual transmission is the wider and wider acceptance of dual-clutch sequential shift transmissions, such as Volkswagen's DSG and Porsche PDK. Indeed, Ferrari, which used to be almost completely manual with their famous gated shifters, is now making mostly cars with dual-clutch transmissions. Even Porsche is finding out that the PDK transmission option has become VERY popular, in spite of the substantial price premium for this transmission. Indeed, it's known that a Porsche equipped with PDK can lap Nürburgring's Nordschleife faster than a Porsche equipped with a conventional manual.
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They are very nice in the higher end cars, but I'm still not sold on the dual clutches moving down market. The Ford Focus (and Fiesta, I believe), and it has gotten slammed in several reviews I have seen. That's what makes them not offering a manual in the higher trims so annoying.
 
SactoGuy18 said:
The thing that will end the reign of the manual transmission is the wider and wider acceptance of dual-clutch sequential shift transmissions, such as Volkswagen's DSG and Porsche PDK. Indeed, Ferrari, which used to be almost completely manual with their famous gated shifters, is now making mostly cars with dual-clutch transmissions. Even Porsche is finding out that the PDK transmission option has become VERY popular, in spite of the substantial price premium for this transmission. Indeed, it's known that a Porsche equipped with PDK can lap Nürburgring's Nordschleife faster than a Porsche equipped with a conventional manual.
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The moment I hear "Nürburgring," my mind checks out. And that's not just because James May said so.

Have you been following the recent spate of record breaking laps? Bunch of guys arguing about whether the tires were show room spec and if it was a true bridge-to-gantry lap. Ugh. A resectable Nordschliefe time used to speak to a car's track credentials. Now it's just a penis measuring contest.
 
Happybunny said:
I first got my drivers license in November 1965.(Yes that's right there are some of us oldies still about)
I have driven manual gearbox cars for most of that time, in the late 1990's I did own two automatic cars. In 2006 I retired, when I reverted to manual again in this little beauty.
Image

The sound of the engine as you change down, turns this 64yr old into a teenager age. Look at the bunny go Image
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Nice Cobra I understand exactly what you mean. You should take one of theese http://youtu.be/dQ27PL7WwM0 for a spin if you ever get a chance. I'm sure it's also a manual.
 
SactoGuy18 said:
The thing that will end the reign of the manual transmission is the wider and wider acceptance of dual-clutch sequential shift transmissions...
Click to expand...

I've read up on this a bit - these kinds of trannies are more like the paddle style shifters, right?

Is there any kind of semi automatic transmission that allows you to actually shift through the gears with (for lack of a better term) "random access"? Basically an H pattern shifter with a computer controlled clutch?

I can't wait to get my Tucson and try the Shiftronic and see if it's worth using on a regular basis...
 
steve2112 said:
They are very nice in the higher end cars, but I'm still not sold on the dual clutches moving down market. The Ford Focus (and Fiesta, I believe), and it has gotten slammed in several reviews I have seen. That's what makes them not offering a manual in the higher trims so annoying.
Click to expand...

A problem with Ford's Powershift dual-clutch transmissions is that while they do shift gears very quickly, the "feel" of the shift between gears can be quite harsh compared to a conventional automatic. Ford is aware of this problem and they are working with Borg-Warner (who holds the basic patents on dual-clutch transmission) to ensure a lot smoother shifts between gears.
 
SactoGuy18 said:
A problem with Ford's Powershift dual-clutch transmissions is that while they do shift gears very quickly, the "feel" of the shift between gears can be quite harsh compared to a conventional automatic. Ford is aware of this problem and they are working with Borg-Warner (who holds the basic patents on dual-clutch transmission) to ensure a lot smoother shifts between gears.
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It isn't just the harsh shifting that I have seen gripes about. Car and Driver had several problems in their testing. They also experienced slow shifting and odd downshifting behavior. It may have been because they had an early production model, but I have seen similar complaints from other sources such as Autoblog. I hope they do get this and the issues with MyFord Touch fixed, because I really like the new Focus and have been considering it as a replacement for my Mazda.
 
Of course.

and ride a motorcycle

and fly a plane .............. ok, still training in that one but the gross mechanics are rather straightforward.


I would have loved to get the Fiesta with a stick but circumstances put me in the automatic.

Its ok around town/highway/etc.

But on the track I was genuinely impressed with the L mode .... genuinely impressed. The engineer who calibrated the shifts knew what they were doing. It blips the throttle to match the downshift for a perfectly smooth downshift, no upset of the car at all and it downshifts at just the right moment to keep the engine in the power band.



oh and in case anyone wants to bash a Fiesta ....... its ok, I understand ;)

as long as you include video of you having had your daily driver out on a real racetrack (not some infuriatingly dull autotrack course)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IrX22qJIHM






-
 
I'am very happy with my new car. It does not even have a transmission:D
Just a quiet,smooth,constant acceleration 0-60 in 6 sec:cool:
 
GoKyu said:
I've read up on this a bit - these kinds of trannies are more like the paddle style shifters, right?

Is there any kind of semi automatic transmission that allows you to actually shift through the gears with (for lack of a better term) "random access"? Basically an H pattern shifter with a computer controlled clutch?

I can't wait to get my Tucson and try the Shiftronic and see if it's worth using on a regular basis...
Click to expand...

Dsg as Volkswagen call it is a dual clutch automatic box. Technically it's a manual box but the car shifts for you. You have the option to shift if you like and can spec paddle shift. Gear changes are seem less due to next gear being selected and ready on the second clutch.

I have personally tried the 5/6 and 7 speed options on the petrol and diesel models and there flawless. Even slapping it into manual and trying to trick the box going down rather than up it doesn't miss a trick.

If you can try the 7 speed option on a diesel golf 1.6 or 2 ltr you'll be amazed at how fast the thing shifts gear.

----------

I should add that you can get better fuel economy out of the dsg option over the manual its nothing like the full auto boxes of yesteryear
 
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MonkeySee.... said:
The original post in this thread is mind blowing. :confused:
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There just aren't that many manual cars in the states, last I read some time ago it was 2% or new cars sold are manual.

I learned to drive a stick in a 1971 Fiat 124 took my drivers test in the same car, top down! Those were some good times!

Now my Jeep is just as fun but different, take the top off the door off and go cruise my 8 yo. daughter loves it!
 
Real driving experience involves stick... US, the rest of the world (mostly the rest) is all about stick
 
That's the one thing I miss with my current car. It seems when it comes to Honda cars here in the US, they really don't provide a model with a manual transmission.

There's the Civic Si, but it also requires premium gas which is about a $1.00 more per gallon which I didn't want. With that said, living in the city stuck in traffic I am thankful for an automatic transmission. I remember driving in the city with my Jeep in stop and go traffic - my left leg got such a work out :p
 
Like I said earlier, manual transmissions are getting increasingly awful, especially with the gear shift mechanisms with their "rubbery" feel that makes it hard to find the right gear. It seems only Audi, BMW, Honda, Mazda and Porsche bother to develop shifters that are actually easy to use.
 
robbieduncan said:
The only automatic I've ever owned was a car that was only ever made in auto form: a Jaguar XK8. Fortunately in the UK most mainstream cars are still available in manual.

There is another disturbing trend though: many modern manual cars (VAG group cars I'm look at you) won't let you use all three pedals at once. This is terrible for the spirited driver as you cannot heal and toe down the box. Kills the slight enjoyment one might get from driving a bland hatchback like a Golf.
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It's amusing how things change. I now have an automatic car again. No longer am I a sports car driver. I now have a BMW 525d Touring (Auto). About as far from a sports car as you can get. As it will never be driven in a spirited manner I got an auto. Which I actually quite like as it's really relaxing to drive!
 
Original Q: Yes. First car was an MGB-GT with 4 speeds. Loved that little car!

Have had nothing but manual transmission cars since then (except for a brief dark period with an ancient Datsun tin box with no brakes). I like the control, the feel of the road & car. And I've been a city driver for ages so I don't get all the wussiness about sticks and city driving, you all must have cankles or kneekles.

I have a ponderous beast of a Subaru Forester now, compared to the more sprightly coupes, but this AWD stick leaves everything in the dust/slush in snow & rain.
 
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