stick shift vs. paddle shifters

I drove a Ferrari F430 last year and thought it was awesome to have the chance to drive one. However I thought it would be so much more fun if it had a 6-speed rather than paddles. Paddles just can't replicate the feeling of a real standard trans.
 
DSGs are awesome for drag racing. Get on a road course and you'll want that manual back. Delayed shifts make you want to put your foot through the transmission.

When they say .0x seconds shifting, they mean when accelerating and things happen the way the computer is expecting. Downshift with mid turn throttle modulation... computers goes "uhhh...I'm not sure what you want to do, hang on...hmm...here's a gear! Hope it was right!"

I've been driving a stick for almost 20 years, It doesn't take me a second to shift gears, I'm pretty sure I can get them banged out in 1/2 second or less, probably even better with someone else's car that I don't care as much about.

I used to be pro stick in traffic, but DSG's are actually awesome in traffic, you get full downshifts and full engine braking like you would do with a stick. I hardly ever use my brakes in traffic.
 
Grew up with manual floor shifters but the new paddle shifters are incredible. You have your cake and eat it to. Auto or manual mode. Computer prevents damage and over revving should you forget you are in manual mode.
 
I have been driving for over 25 years. I have had over a dozen cars/trucks during this timeframe. I have had 2 trucks, 1 Nissan Pathfinder, and one sports sedan with manual transmissions. All the others have been automatics.

I love the feel and control with a manual transmission, bur concede that modern automatics (especially newer dual clutch transmissions) have essentially bridged the gap in control. Many paddle shift equipped cars actually have faster reaction times than a skilled driver with a manual. I love the fact that the Honda Fit can be equipped with paddle shifters.

My main problem with automatics strictly is that since they have become commonplace ( I think that approx 90% of vehicles purchased have autos), some new drivers will never try to learn how to drive a manual. It is a skill set that is rapidly disappearing.
 
Minus all the commentary on driving a manuel or a automatic, nothing sounds worse than the shift of an automatic on a sports car with a aftermarket exhaust. As a kid I remember immitating that horrible, wimpy sound ... chuuugawaaaa.....waaaaaa........waaaaaa.

I'll stick with manual.
 
Paddle Shifters were designed for ppl who don't have the proper hand/foot cordination

and women :)
 
VR8 said:
Minus all the commentary on driving a manuel or a automatic, nothing sounds worse than the shift of an automatic on a sports car with a aftermarket exhaust. As a kid I remember immitating that horrible, wimpy sound ... chuuugawaaaa.....waaaaaa........waaaaaa.

I'll stick with manual.
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That is a good point you bring up! The Corsa Extreme catback exhausts for C6's is actually acoustically approved for manula transmission cars.
 
VR8 said:
Minus all the commentary on driving a manuel or a automatic, nothing sounds worse than the shift of an automatic on a sports car with a aftermarket exhaust. As a kid I remember immitating that horrible, wimpy sound ... chuuugawaaaa.....waaaaaa........waaaaaa.

I'll stick with manual.
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Yes!! I agree 100%! A loud badass sports car going down the street goes from wicked to lame real fast once you realize its an automatic! I guess autos are better for the drag strip but for cruising? Pass!
 
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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Honda's are great cars to learn on. The clutch is very forgiving and the shifter feels pretty smooth. The first stickshift car I ever drove was an '09 Honda Civic Si when I was 15. I didn't even stall once. I just kept the RPMs a bit high and let the clutch out slowly. And my friend's step-dad taught us both to drive stick.

The only other car I drove stick was an '02 Mitsubishi Lancer OZ Rally that belonged to my brother in law. I've driven that about 5 or 6 times. Stalled on that car quite a few times. The clutch engages a bit more abruptly than the Civic I drove. First gear was rather tricky to get into, and reverse was a total PITA.
 
Flash Gordon said:
Paddle Shifters were designed for ppl who don't have the proper hand/foot cordination

and women :)
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Hahaha Flash! Believe it or not, out of my friends I've taught how to drive manual, the girls have learnt much quicker than the guys. They usually stall a couple times then are fine where the guys are hopeless for ages. Infact one of my friends (an Asian woman believe it or not) got into my car, listened to my instructions and took off perfectly first time. I couldn't believe it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk so please excuse any grammatical errors
 
I think paddle shifters and automatic trans would be good for small city bumper to bumper commute, but I like the feel of the manual trans better. who knows, one of these days the manual trans will be obsolete. let's hope not...
 
I think post 10 summed it up which means for me I will almost always own a stick.
 
I drove stick for 29 years, and in the last two I went to automatic. You have to remember that every stick car is a different feeling, with different release points. Also, the stick transmission changes over time, as the clutch starts to run out. When the manual clutch is new, the car engage sooner, you have to press all the way down, and as it gets old, it starts to engage at the beginning, just a little pressure and you change gears. Even when you only drive stick, when you get someone else's car, it takes a couple miles for you to get used to the clutch, since it will be different engage points.
I love the automatic, but it seems to me that it changes gear way too soon, and I'm always changing to manual so I can stick to the same gear longer.
 
If my profile pick and signature block isn't enough, I'll go ahead and say it. Stick for this guy!

I've been driving for 25 years now, and have only owned manual transmission cars. In that time, automatic transmissions have gone from the horrid "slush boxes" most of us remember as kids to highly sophisticated devices. All of the performance and economic gains from manuals we learned in our early years have been erased by technology. Does that mean I'll like automatic's better....NOPE!

Last year, I was shopping for a car. I managed to drive several Audi S4's and a couple BMW 335's with Sport Package. There was an even split between auto/DSG and manual. Despite the amazing performance of the cars, I found the auto's to be dull, lifeless, and boring to drive. I had no connection to the car, even when playing the paddles it didn't do anything for me. The manual transmissioned version of the same cars were a night-and-day difference from a driving experience. I felt alive, connected, and a physical part of the car...not just a passenger.

A colleague asked the other day why I still drive a manual last week. I admitted there was no technical gain, but I treat it like a craft; my own link to the past. Nothing compares to driving a manual transmission car (ANY car) on a twisty back road. I love to drive and it's a fun and rewarding experience with a manual. The way things are going, one that may not be around for much longer.

After all that said, I am seriously considering the new S3 as my next vehicle. The only thing giving me pause is the lack of manual transmission being offered. My wife didn't help anything when she told me I might have to give up driving a manual to get the car I really want. Tempting, but then is it REALLY the car I want if I hate the transmission? Hmmmm....
 
Have always driven sticks with an occassional auto thrown in over the years. Absolutely prefer stick however...

The new SMG paddle shift trannies are near flawless but i have only test driven a few. I will have a paddle shifter on my next BMW. There is a reason F1 cars have paddle shifted SMG trannies!
 

I prefer my truck (Chevy Colorado) as an automatic. It makes it easier to jump in and drive so I don't have to think. But I also only drive it once a month or so, when i need to haul something.

In my car (Acura RSX) its "All stick, all the time..." For a daily driver I can see wanting / using an automatic "paddle shift" because it is easier and mindless at times. But in any kind of a sports car / hot hatch I feel like a stick is a requirement. It gives that extra connection and control that you loose in an auto.

 
Paddle shifters only if it's a DSG (dual clutch trans).

Otherwise, stick!!
 
Mike@DedicatedPerfection said:
I love my manual transmission and there is nothing like the feeling of actually have to drive the car yourself instead of just pointing the wheel where you want and pushing the pedal down. It is fun to go through the gears and rev match your downshifts and so on.

I dont really care for and automatic trans with paddles. If I wanted a car with paddles it would have to be a Dual Clutch Trans.

I have driven the DCT trans and they are very fun to drive and still act a bit like a manual but have much quicker shifts and some even feature launch control. Launch control can make for a super quick launch.
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:iagree:It takes more skill to drive a stick than a DCT or Auto. DCT and Autos may be faster or it appears you may have more skill with launch control, however, a manual (stick) is so much more fun when you know how to drive a stick.

Rev-match, heel and toe, trail braking, double-clutch shifting, etc. No one that can only drive a DCT or Auto can know what I am talking about.

The manual guys do they are IMO overall BETTER drivers than guys that only drive DCT or Auto and have no idea of how to drive a manual.....again, IMO
 
Wow! Resurgence of a 4 year old thread!

I own an 09 Acura TSX with a 6MT. Approximately 5% of all TSXs were offered with it. This transmission has been one of the best I have ever shifted.

It really kills me when I see the new Acura TLX, and many other new vehicles NOT being offered with the 6MT. I drive about 400 miles per week and I now have 118K on the car. Not for one second have I regretted getting a manual.

Unfortunately, the manual drivers are now the minority. We are being phased out due to convenience. It's so much easier to talk on your phone while reading the paper, texting, eating a mcfatburger, drinking, shaving, makeup or whatever else you see people doing on the commute when you don't have to come up with coordination enough to shift.

Sad to see driving enthusiasts being a minority.
 
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