Roll Call! Who drives a MANUAL transmission?

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I recently bought this used ol bucket. Manual transmission of course because the only other option was "Tiptronic" which is their slushbox (torque converter) automatic. I've always owned manual up until the last few years when my last few cars had Dual Clutch Automatic setups. Dual clutch is so damn quick, i actually kinda miss it!
 
I know how to drive a standard, but my DD only comes in automatic.

I have added kits to change the shift points and increase the crispnees of the shifts.

I sure don't feel like a pasenger, especialy when I hit the "go pedal" (things speed up real quick).

If my DD came with a manual, I doubt I would switch/choose.
 
anonymoususer said:
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I recently bought this used ol bucket.
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We should all be so lucky and burdened with similar ole buckets! :dblthumb2: What a truly amazing car. Congrats, and drive it every chance you get!

I've always owned manual up until the last few years when my last few cars had Dual Clutch Automatic setups. Dual clutch is so damn quick, i actually kinda miss it!
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I'm glad you put this out there. I've been driving for 27 years and NEVER owned a car with an automatic. In the past I wouldn't even look at a car, regardless of how good it was, if it wasn't equipped with three pedals. I'm fanatic enough to even own a couple of t-shirts with manual transmission references.

Then came two recent test drives...

1) Audi S3. The only transmission available in the US is the Audi 6-speed dual clutch. I was seriously impressed. Overall the car is really nice and very fun to drive. Snapping off shifts up or down was a breeze with the paddles. There was no driving experience/fun lost by losing the third pedal.

2) BMW 340i M Sport with Track Package. This car was equipped with the ZF 8-speed automatic found in cars all over the place, but with BMW's unique shift programming. My tester was one of the dealership's service loaners and already broken in. I know the salesman well and we took the car for a...ummm...spirited test drive on empty rural farm roads nearby. Wow. The ZF shifted up just as fast as the Audi DCT, and seemed to down shift even faster. Working the paddles seemed very natural and I was able to work the gears with the paddles instinctively. I found myself laughing out loud. I've never laughed while driving a car with an automatic before...

Considering the demise of the enthusiast auto market in the US, I've realized in order to drive some of the few remaining fun cars out there I might have to compromise on my transmission choices. Fortunately, a few automakers out there have set up their cars with transmissions which give up nothing in performance, and most likely improve it. I have to admit I enjoyed being able to keep both hands on the steering wheel allowing me to focus more on my driving line and less on shifty and disrupting the weight balance of the car.

Phew...I've said it...I'm glad to have that off my chest.

I'm sure I'll be struck by lightening as soon as I step outside.
 
My older sister taught me how to drive a manual transmission when I was 15. She had a Fiat Spyder (I think it was a 1972) that I bugged her about until she broke down and showed me how to drive. It was "tons of fun" driving with the top down, and it was definitely a car you could get the girls with. I prefer driving a manual transmission over a automatic now, it's fun.
 
Desertnate said:
We should all be so lucky and burdened with similar ole buckets! :dblthumb2: What a truly amazing car. Congrats, and drive it every chance you get!



I'm glad you put this out there. I've been driving for 27 years and NEVER owned a car with an automatic. In the past I wouldn't even look at a car, regardless of how good it was, if it wasn't equipped with three pedals. I'm fanatic enough to even own a couple of t-shirts with manual transmission references.

Then came two recent test drives...

1) Audi S3. The only transmission available in the US is the Audi 6-speed dual clutch. I was seriously impressed. Overall the car is really nice and very fun to drive. Snapping off shifts up or down was a breeze with the paddles. There was no driving experience/fun lost by losing the third pedal.

2) BMW 340i M Sport with Track Package. This car was equipped with the ZF 8-speed automatic found in cars all over the place, but with BMW's unique shift programming. My tester was one of the dealership's service loaners and already broken in. I know the salesman well and we took the car for a...ummm...spirited test drive on empty rural farm roads nearby. Wow. The ZF shifted up just as fast as the Audi DCT, and seemed to down shift even faster. Working the paddles seemed very natural and I was able to work the gears with the paddles instinctively. I found myself laughing out loud. I've never laughed while driving a car with an automatic before...

Considering the demise of the enthusiast auto market in the US, I've realized in order to drive some of the few remaining fun cars out there I might have to compromise on my transmission choices. Fortunately, a few automakers out there have set up their cars with transmissions which give up nothing in performance, and most likely improve it. I have to admit I enjoyed being able to keep both hands on the steering wheel allowing me to focus more on my driving line and less on shifty and disrupting the weight balance of the car.

Phew...I've said it...I'm glad to have that off my chest.

I'm sure I'll be struck by lightening as soon as I step outside.
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Yeah it's surprising how well some performance oriented automatics drive now, specifically BMW and Audi. BMW M-DCT and Porsche PDK are on a whole other level on top of that too.

If you're considering the Audi S3, you should really give the 2017 Audi A4 a try. I have never ever ever ever considered Audi. BMW was always my go to for sedans. But on our test drive of the 2017 Audi A4, we knew we had to have it. Its really hard to describe, but its almost as smooth and quiet as a Mercedes S class, but feels sporty and responsive like a 335i. I think it's as close to the perfect balance for a sedan. You really should try one before committing to a S3. It also uses the same engine as the Volkswagen Golf R, so there will be a ton of mods for it too if you're into modding like me. And it uses a dual clutch though i don't remember how many forward gears.
 
My personal point of view is, "If you're not shifting manually, you're not driving." My pleasure ride is a BMW E92 M3 with a proper six-speed manual transmission (three pedals) and a naturally-aspirated 4.0 liter V-8 engine (414 hp). No one else drives my car and I could not think of teaching anyone to drive a manual transmission in that vehicle. My wife drives our daily driver, a new BMW F22 228i coupe with an eight-speed Steptronic tansmission and a 2.0 liter inline four cylinder twin turbo engine. She is a focused, defensive driver with excellent car control skills who never takes both hands off of the steering wheel. Neither of us tolerates distracted driving, especially texting. I believe that driving would be more fun and safer if auto manufacturers stopped building vehicles that "drive" themselves. There are too many "nuts' behind the wheel.
 
anonymoususer said:
If you're considering the Audi S3, you should really give the 2017 Audi A4 a try. I have never ever ever ever considered Audi. BMW was always my go to for sedans. But on our test drive of the 2017 Audi A4, we knew we had to have it. Its really hard to describe, but its almost as smooth and quiet as a Mercedes S class, but feels sporty and responsive like a 335i. I think it's as close to the perfect balance for a sedan. You really should try one before committing to a S3. It also uses the same engine as the Volkswagen Golf R, so there will be a ton of mods for it too if you're into modding like me. And it uses a dual clutch though i don't remember how many forward gears.
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I may look at the B9 S4 whenever Audi USA decides to finally offer it here. At this point, I'm leaning towards a 440 Gran Coupe. I like the S3 and previous B 8.5 S4's I've driven, but at this point I'm really smitten by the RWD and balance of the BMW. It just felt lighter on it's feet and more toss-able.
 
Half of my Blipshift shirts have something to do with the 3 pedal shuffle ============
 
alfortuna said:
My personal point of view is, "If you're not shifting manually, you're not driving." My pleasure ride is a BMW E92 M3 with a proper six-speed manual transmission (three pedals) and a naturally-aspirated 4.0 liter V-8 engine (414 hp). No one else drives my car and I could not think of teaching anyone to drive a manual transmission in that vehicle. My wife drives our daily driver, a new BMW F22 228i coupe with an eight-speed Steptronic tansmission and a 2.0 liter inline four cylinder twin turbo engine. She is a focused, defensive driver with excellent car control skills who never takes both hands off of the steering wheel. Neither of us tolerates distracted driving, especially texting. I believe that driving would be more fun and safer if auto manufacturers stopped building vehicles that "drive" themselves. There are too many "nuts' behind the wheel.
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I've owned two BMW M3's, one with SMG II (E46), and the other with M-DCT (E90). Prior to these two cars, every other car of mine (15+) were ALL manual. Other than a couple very minor gripes on the dual clutch, i can say, unequivocally beyond any doubt it's superior to the old manual by every measurable statistic. After going back to manual on my 911 Turbo i noticed its 1) slower off the line. A DCT with launch control is far quicker. Compare my 997.1 Turbo manual versus a 997.2 Turbo PDK and it's drastic. 2) It's quicker in every other way too, 3) immaculate downshifts everytime, even to redline, and it's intoxicating (yes i know very well how to heal toe but it's more precise than even some of the most experienced race car drivers), 4) if i'm out for drinks, my girl can drive it with no problem, and the icing on the cake is 5) it get better gas mileage.

However, i do get the point that a manual is more *engaging* to drive. That's why i say "measurable statistic" in the third sentence.

It boils down to personal preference. But what i'm just trying to say is, if you don't have significant experience with a dual clutch, don't knock it or automatically disapprove without a full day of track time or several weeks of driving.
 
Desertnate said:
I may look at the B9 S4 whenever Audi USA decides to finally offer it here. At this point, I'm leaning towards a 440 Gran Coupe. I like the S3 and previous B 8.5 S4's I've driven, but at this point I'm really smitten by the RWD and balance of the BMW. It just felt lighter on it's feet and more toss-able.
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S4 will be a sick ride im sure! Maybe also consider a CPO F8x M3/M4?
 
Klasse Act said:
Half of my Blipshift shirts have something to do with the 3 pedal shuffle ============
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Klasse Act said:
Half of my Blipshift shirts have something to do with the 3 pedal shuffle ============
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Yes!!!

I only have three of their shirts, and two of them are manual transmission related. I love their products.
 
Been there done that but honestly I have no more desire to own a manual. Today's auto's are quicker and can be driven in manual mode. PDK's and DSG units are awesome loads of fun too. There too the newer ZF transmissions are as fast if not faster.

For now though in my mid 40's I have no desire to have a daily that's a manual. I can pop my S4 into manual mode and click off gears like video game fast so I'm good :)

Funny story though as I sold a sports car that was manual and one day after driving it I took the minivan out with my son in the back. It has a 5spd auto and I hate that first gear is so dang short that I can't even complete the turn out of our street without it jumping to 2nd and blowing my love for torque.

Anyway, I'm in manual mode and 1st gear turning left. The guy coming from my right is not right up on us, but I will pull out with authority and be fine. The van does scoot quite well. So I go and lay into it and with the my sense of having just come from my other car, I nail clutch and shift to second.............only the clutch is the Brake and I thus just brake checked the dude like it was my job :laughing:

oooops.....
 
anonymoususer said:
I've owned two BMW M3's, one with SMG II (E46), and the other with M-DCT (E90). Prior to these two cars, every other car of mine (15+) were ALL manual. Other than a couple very minor gripes on the dual clutch, i can say, unequivocally beyond any doubt it's superior to the old manual by every measurable statistic. After going back to manual on my 911 Turbo i noticed its 1) slower off the line. A DCT with launch control is far quicker. Compare my 997.1 Turbo manual versus a 997.2 Turbo PDK and it's drastic. 2) It's quicker in every other way too, 3) immaculate downshifts everytime, even to redline, and it's intoxicating (yes i know very well how to heal toe but it's more precise than even some of the most experienced race car drivers), 4) if i'm out for drinks, my girl can drive it with no problem, and the icing on the cake is 5) it get better gas mileage.

However, i do get the point that a manual is more *engaging* to drive. That's why i say "measurable statistic" in the third sentence.

It boils down to personal preference. But what i'm just trying to say is, if you don't have significant experience with a dual clutch, don't knock it or automatically disapprove without a full day of track time or several weeks of driving.
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Good post. Audi's S-Tronic and Porsche's PDK are among the very best performers. Audi is slowly doing away with their DSG/S-tronic dual clutches though for some good reasons. The newer ZF auto's are as fast / faster, cheaper to build and maintain, offer more gears, 8 now vs 7 in the DSG, for better mileage and in a package that's not much heavier if at all. Also, in stock form, the S-tronic isn't what Americans are used to and they want the super sillky smooth drive of a slushbox vs the occasional notchy feeling a DSG could bring in certain circumstance. They are so good people forget the car is actually clutching for them and thus that's what they are feeling. Especially in traffic or on hills. That all goes away when they are tuned though. Ask me how I know :)
 
Me! 14 Cayman base, black/black. This is my daily driver. I live in suburbs and around 12 miles to work. I take back roads to work to avoid hwy traffic.
 
I've got no problems with a manual. My last three or four cars were manuals. I drive an automatic now because that is the way Toyota makes the Rav4 I guess. I don't mind it so much. I'm in a lot of stop and go traffic on my 45 minute commute to and from work, so the auto is actually a better choice for me. If I had a weekend ride then it would definitely have three pedals, though.
 
So sad that it is getting so hard to get a manual tranny in a new vehicle.I started driving a stick when I was 11 years old.I had to sit on the front of the seat of my dad's 69 gmc just to reach the clutch.For some it comes down to what they prefer.It's not about an outo or manual being better than the other.I just prefer to drive a stick.The only way now days to get a stick is a stripped down model with a small engine or a totally loaded expensive sports car.Forget about a full size pickup with a clutch.How times have changed,I remember when you COULD NOT get a truck with an outo!How Sad!!
 
Brad Bruggeman said:
The only way now days to get a stick is a stripped down model with a small engine or a totally loaded expensive sports car.Forget about a full size pickup with a clutch.How times have changed,I remember when you COULD NOT get a truck with an outo!How Sad!!
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What's even more sad is the loaded expensive sports cars don't have manuals either. Dual clutch transmissions and the new fast shifting ZF automatics seem to rule the day. Only the Vette, Lotus, select few Porsches, Golf R, BMW 3/4 series, Camaro, and the Ford performance cars even offer the option any more.
 
Drove a 5 speed TJ Wrangler from 06-09, bought an 09 Frontier 6cyl 6 speed 4x4 in 09 and drove it daily until a couple months ago.
Upgraded to a Sierra SLT
so now, no more manual.

I have been thinking about a T56 swap in my 98 Camaro ( should have done this rather than starting a 77 Camaro project ).
only cool thing about the 77 was a 350 / Muncie 4 speed swap
 
Old thread, I know, but fun thread! Heck yeah I drive a manual. I was the only kid at driver's ed who didn't know how to drive an automatic. My 16 yo is currently learning on the Z, and Ipray that my clutch withstands it.
However, I had a very good discussion with the tech at the Maserati/Ferrari workshop, and understand that the engineering of the latest hi tech automatic transmissions is superior in many aspects. It's too bad. Actually driving the car is what brings such joy.
 
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