Automatic Vs Manual

[intocarss]

Originally Posted by Rick D

One word MANUAL!!!

LABOR???

[BANKO]

I enjoy driving my car so much more now that I put in a T56. With modern hydraulic clutch actuation, it drives like a new car. I love the feel of shifting and being able to control the RPMs. There is nothing better than rowing through the gears!

[Rick D]

Originally Posted by intocarss

LABOR???

Nice Jer just saw this smart azz good catch!

[protour73]

Originally Posted by Sieg

For my transportation tools - automatic. (much easier to text and drive and do other things not associated with safe driving habits )

For special purpose vehicle - manual 6sp close ratio

A sequential 6sp box would be fun too!

Regarding the texting and driving, my kids first cars will be manual just for that reason.

OK Sieg, that definitely humored me!!


......and my choice: MANUAL

[Rick D]

Originally Posted by protour73

OK Sieg, that definitely humored me!!


......and my choice: MANUAL

Shouldn't you be in the garage finishing up that car of your??

[Zspoiler]

I prefer a automatic for a daily driver .(I drive truck for a living) Especially with our wonderful traffic these days.And a manual for my "toys" .You have more control. Well that`s me.

[Steve Chryssos]

It's always fun to watch these threads. The two transmission types get compared without looking at the actual requirements of the owner. For example: Pro-Touring cars are multi-purpose, right? But the conversation always short circuits directly to what works better on a road course. The loudest voice is usually the guy that doesn't understand the basic racecraft concept of opposite lock. But anyway, back to the example, multi-purpose vehicles, and the OP....

Do you like drag racing? The automatic will likely excel -- usually over more powerful 3 pedal cars. Shorter shift times, no power interrupt, and torque multiplication are awesome.

Will you be autocrossing? The automatic car will be just as good if not better. Why? Not a lot of shifting on most courses.

Will your car be used a daily driver? The playing field gets more level if you plan to drive your car frequently. I was in LA a coupla weeks back for a business trip and had a Nismo Z press car with three pedals. Great car, but miserable under the circumstances.

Do you have a lot of power? Many of our customers have big HP engines such as twin turbo applications and prefer to stay away from clutches in the interest of reliability and tractability.

Will you be doing a lot of track days? The automatic solution is not as effective as 3 pedals on a road course.

Are you entering the Formula One Championship with your Pro-Touring Car? The VERY FIRST THING we tell potential customers is that we only offer the best automatic transmission experience of your life -- not a substitute for a manual. Then we tell them that the paddle shifter is the least important part of the equation. Custom tuned billet torque converters are critical. Custom electronic calibration tunes are awesome. We work with specific transmission builders to minimize shift time, improve shift feel, and handle high rpm shifts and heat. Factory transmissions are calibrated for grandma. The long shift times are there to avoid scaring the average consumer.

A paddle shifter is just a fancy looking override switch for those circumstances when the driver is smarter than the computer. Unfortunately, most "expert" drivers use the switch at the wrong time, then blame the switch.

At the end of day, pick an automatic if you want and expect an automatic. just be sure to look at ALL of the parameters above -- not just road course functionality.

I love em both, but that wasn't an option on the poll.
/Steve

[GregWeld]

Excellent post Steve!


Spot on.

[Steve Chryssos]

Thanks!