I cannot enjoy the Astra I’m driving like I enjoy my much slower 18 year old 318is… RWD + Manual > FWD + Auto, but damn is FWD so much better in the rain!

—-BMW was one of the first to introduce a sequential-manual gearbox (SMG), which used an
—-electronically controlled clutch to replace the manual clutch and gearshift in its “M” cars.
—-Unfortunately, though as efficient in energy transmission, it was not as fast as a manual clutch or as —-smooth as an automatic.

is TOTALLY INCOMPETENTLY written. SMG is one of the fasters gearboxes even today…. !

It used to be that sticks were quicker, and were more fuel efficient, but with the advancements in technology that’s changed, now the clutchless manuals, DSG’s, CVT’s, etc are getting quicker and more efficient, and that’s never a bad thing.

While I haven’t driven anything using a DSG, or clutchless manual, I have driven auto’s with manual shifting which is a little different, but to me the experience of a manual, using both feet, and your hand will never be replaced by any automatic tranny.

I like shifting, and hearing the engine shift, but even many of the newer CVT’s imitate gear changing, and can do a number of different things. I would like to see a CVT hooked up to a transmission atleast, for the sole purpose of decreasing RPM’s when needed. It would be great on mid-size to full size trucks.

its good practice and safer to go down thru the gears

This has probably been the best thread since Lutz went off about global warming. Let the battle lines be drawn. It’s a great debate. Technology is a wonderful thing, but I’ll find the last piece of junk on the road before I die if it has 3 pedals instead of two.

“In Soviet Russia, transmission shifts YOU!!”

Olds307, that was outrageously funny! I had a car like that once. That comment brought back some fond memories (not of the car but of old times). Thanks for that.

Why would I want to change gears in the morning rush hour commute every two seconds, and using pretty much only neutral, first and second, is beyond me. And would anyone use clutch on an open road, too.

I have an automatic with manual option shifts which are usefeul only at overtaking on B-roads or in the hills. I can kick in the transmission into whichever gear I like only using my right foot and my fuel consumption is better than 80 percent of the drivers of the same car would ever achieve.

I know many people who wouldn’t buy an automatic because it’s not a “proper” car, but driving with them is pain – for me, the clutch, the engine and the ‘box itself.

I talked to a guy from AW Europe at the Frankfurt Motoshow last year (Aisin AW Group is one the largest auto transmission maker in the world, the 8-speed ‘box in the Lexus is their product) who told me plain that most people are not able to able to use manual transmissions to gain from the benefits they have over auto boxes. Which matches my personal experience.

The other thing is that you have to learn to drive with an auto ‘box. It’s not just about foot on the pedal. Even people who are excellent with manual boxes can struggle with “automatons”. My brother, for example, he can drive the Mazdaspeed 6 (Mazda 6 MPS, actually) like the devil and still get bellow Mazda’s mpg figures. But it took him a good while to get to the numbers I was getting on my automatic Mazda3 (bellow official mpg). I drove many autoboxes over the years and each behaved differently, you just need to learn it like any clutch in order to get best results.

I can actually drive a manual car, OK, I don’t like the clutch, but that’s it. I coached a few people to drive a manual telling them when to shift. They, of course, knew that I didn’t like manual boxes so they were surprised “how do I know”. I know, I just don’t like to do stuff I consider useless. I can set up and repair computer with the messed up Windows, I can actually build a computer, but I use a Mac because tweaking Windows is waste of resources. And it’s the same with manual boxes.

BTW, I’m from Europe

Many things are driven by computers. Cars are about the only thing left that isn’t. And when the computer shuts down completely, the backup one comes on. That’s why these things have redundant computer systems. However, even then they aren’t infallible. In fact, many people die because of failure of the computer systems. ”

I agree that everything runs with a computer but with the car, you can do what you want, whenever as opposed to other means of transportation (save boats).

“I’m willing to bet a car with a manual transmission that more people die while commuting because of human error every year than by all of the computer controlled systems put together.”

thats subjective, obviously I’m not saying this is or isn’t true.

Comment by Nr9, posted on May22 at 8:34 pm”

I’d rather not have a computer run my actions for me as it will do other crazy **** that I wouldn’t want happening to anyone.

Elevators, subways, monorails, trams, trains, buses, airplanes, some boats…

Many things are driven by computers. Cars are about the only thing left that isn’t. And when the computer shuts down completely, the backup one comes on. That’s why these things have redundant computer systems. However, even then they aren’t infallible. In fact, many people die because of failure of the computer systems. But I’m willing to bet a car with a manual transmission that more people die while commuting because of human error every year than by all of the computer controlled systems put together.

I’m applying to compact and mid-size trucks, and was I suppose to cry? I still prefer the stick.

the chance of a computer shutting down is much less than that of a human falling asleep