stick shift vs. paddle shifters

Stick FTW. About 2 years ago I worked as a valet and got to drive just about every car made. So I've driven a lot of both. I like driving a true stick way more

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FUNX725 said:
But:
I've yet to see anyone...including myself----while young(er), or the now 'old(er) version'---that can shift faster than a computer.
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though i do enjoy driving stick (not so much in busy bumper to bumper situations lol), i would have to agree with that. below is an example (0-60 in 3 seconds)...

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3ZR5lf00SU&feature=fvsr]?MY11(2012@USA) GT?R Part2?0-100km/h time 3.xxx!!!?The fastest news!!? - YouTube[/video]

we all know the advanced technology the japanese bring in electronics, etc. if they were doing high end sports cars (lambos, ferraris, etc) as long as they have, they would be just about un-beatable...
 
Unfortunately I have to drive in rush hour traffic so it is automatic transmission for me. I wish I could have a manual :).
 
If you asked this question of me about 3 years ago I would never have considered anything but a manual. But the dual clutch transmissions are sweet. I can not help put to drive them fast. The Porsche PDK is the sweetest Transmission I have ever driven. As smooth as you want it or as radical as you want it. Especially if you get the Sport Chrono Package with Launch Control. I still prefer a manual. But between the Porsche PDK, The Audi with the DSG and the new BMW dual clutch it is getting harder. I do not like the SMG's. To jerky.
 
Even though my car is an automatic, I would take a manual transmission car over an auto any day. You have complete control over the car, and you're less tempted to be distracted behind the wheel (texting, eating etc.) because it requires more focus to drive. There is nothing that makes driving more fun than being able to rev-match your downshifts, heel-toe shift, etc. You have more control that way.

The fake "manual shifting" automatics are nothing more than just a marketing scheme. I've driven many cars with this feature, and it's completely pointless. The shifts feel very delayed, and sometimes the computer still kicks in and shifts before you want it too.

Dual clutch transmissions may be faster shifting than manual transmissions, but they don't have that connection to the road that you get from driving stick. IMO, the joy of driving manual is more important than the 1/10 second faster shift time.
 
Manual for me.
A manual transmission is so much more fun and you can always improve take off in a race by learning how to launch properly + you are always in control of what you engine is doing.

If it's a DSG/ PDK (dual clutch auto) then paddle shift can also be fun (and those extremely quick shift speeds are awesome), although it's still lacking the fun factor and control of a proper stick shift manual tranny.


Great video:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4HpD5K6Qws]Drift King Test Golf GTI (DSG vs 6spd Manual) - YouTube[/video]
 
When I was in the market for a car, I considered looking at cars with a stick, but I had no one to test drive for me as I dont know how to drive stick. :(

So I went automatic. I guess its nice not knowing what I am missing since Ive only ever driven auto. I do like to play with my auto stick though. Not a real stick I know. But its fun for launching from a roll be able to hold it in first.
 
Stick all the way!!
I would rather drive an automatic than use paddles. I've driven two cars with paddles and for the life of me don't understand the point of them. I thought they'd be cool but after using them, I find them pointless and less efficient and less practical than sticks.
 
I've always owned cars with standard transmissions, and wouldn't have it any other way! I've driven several cars with paddle shifters and thought they were for people that had no clue how to drive standard but wanted to pretend. Not my cup of tea at all!
 
Been driving stick for about 33 years. I do say if I had to drive city traffic or bumper to bumper on the SureKill Expressway near Philly I would go with an Automatic because I have a bad back and constantly working the clutch would kill me. I have a 5 speed 96 SVT Cobra Mustang, a 5 Speed 90 Ford Ranger Pick Up. Both my wife and I wish the Cobra was a 6 speed. If the Tranny ever goes it will be replaced with a T6. We have an automatic Volvo Wagon. I've never had the opportunity to drive a paddle shifter and I don't know what a dual clutch is. My sister is a nurse and she got in trouble for calling a doctor a ##### because he bought a new Vette with an automatic. She has driven stick all her life, started with a Pinto. I love the control and just the feel of a stick in a muscle car. I had a 78 Saab Turbo with a 5 speed, a 70 Mach 1 with a Hurst 4 speed, pickups with 3 on a tree. I think once you drive and master a stick you never go back. Though i agree if I had a Caddy or Lincoln I would want an automatic. And luckily I have a wife who drives and loves driving 5 speeds. I learned to drive stick when I bought a 82 Mustang GT HO brand new with a 4 speed and learned to drive it on the way home from the dealer. Luckily it had so much torque it was hard to stall.
 
What would be a good learner car?

Who taught you guys to drive stick? A buddy?

Id love to learn.
 
timaishu said:
What would be a good learner car?

Who taught you guys to drive stick? A buddy?

Id love to learn.
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i had no choice, my dad bought a used truck for me and it was a stick. one early sunday morning, he took me to some roads where some industrial buildings were (no traffic), and told me to hop into the drivers side. the main thing was getting used to pushing and letting off the clutch as with all cars they feel different. i can't count the times he was yelling at me to do it this or that way and kept putting his foot to the floor on his side like it was a drivers ed car LOL. just think of a scale where you put something on it and the other side goes down, your left and right foot will be doing basically the same thing and you don't want to quickly slam/grind the stick into gear, but rather smoothly. like anything else, it takes time to get it down solid and within an hour or two, you'll get the hang of it...
 
what type of paddle shifters are you talking about? The exotics such as Ferrari and Lamborghini paddle shifters are a LOT different that the paddle shifters you get in any every day brand. I have driven my friends 08 Murcielago LP640 with E-Gear a number of times. The paddle shifters were cool the first couple drives just because it was new to me and i was driving a lambo! after that I realized it was kinda boring to be driving a sports car that i didn't have to use my left foot to drive, and the fun of rowing through the gears wasn't there. so i guess i would say i would have to choose Stick shift when it comes to a sports car. but for an every day driver an automatic is fine for me.
 
timaishu said:
What would be a good learner car?

Who taught you guys to drive stick? A buddy?

Id love to learn.
Click to expand...

I traded in my car, bought a manual then talked a buddy into picking it up from the dealer and teaching me. After a few hours I was on my own. It took a couple of days before I was ready to brave L.A. traffic even at 4am :)
 
i've driving everything from Auto, traditional Manual, to a Sequential 6-speed porshe, and i still will take manual any day, i prefer something that actually takes skill to drive lol, i may not be able to shift as fast as the paddles but i sure enjoy doing it more. tho i must admit.. the Sequential wiffleball bat looking shifter was pretty cool haha, but handling over 900 whp in my rwd with a manual is way more fun haha ;)
 
^^^^^^ That comment was meant for you

timaishu said:
What would be a good learner car?

Who taught you guys to drive stick? A buddy?

Id love to learn.
Click to expand...

My Grandfather taught me on his old chevy truck. He yelled the whole time untill I got it right lol
 
I love my manual!! Though, I can't say I wouldn't enjoy paddle shifting, as I've never had the opportunity to drive a car so equipped. I must say I do prefer an ATX in heavy traffic. In snow nothing seems to get around better than a MTX with snow tires:)


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TornadoRed said:
I think it's important to state that not all paddle shifters are DSG. Automatics with a manual shift, by either stick or paddles suck. The response is just too slow and I don't see why one would even bother with that option. Now DSG paddle shifters are different. The next gear is already selected and engaged almost instantly.
I've had three cars with manual automatics (two with paddles) and I never used it. My GTI is stick and it just seems like I'm part of the car. I haven't driven a true DSG.
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Yea your right DSG is totally different then alot of other automatic gearboxes.
BTW if you ever mod your car go REVO 2 with an ATP downpipe :xyxthumbs: Such a difference
 
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