Manual

Ricochet J · 17 Dec 2015 at 10:38

Why would anyone buy a manual gearbox nowadays? :confused:

Since switching to automatic (CVT) my life has become a million percent easier. I don't think I'll ever go back to manual.

Howard · 17 Dec 2015 at 10:41

If I was buying a car which was primarily a plaything, I'd absolutely want a manual gearbox. I love a good manual gear change.

But for day-to-day trudging around, I love my autobox.

SDK^ · 17 Dec 2015 at 10:44

I've just gone Auto (DSG) and it's awesome; it's perfect for the weekly commute in stop/start traffic.
However if you seek driving engagement or want something fun for the weekend a manual would be the way to go. Also they are usually £1k+ cheaper.

Skeeter · 17 Dec 2015 at 10:47

Because its cheaper. That's the only reason I went for a manual on my new car. I'd have loved a DSG, but I like the £2k being in my bank more.

Ricochet J · 17 Dec 2015 at 10:47

Howard said:
If I was buying a car which was primarily a plaything, I'd absolutely want a manual gearbox. I love a good manual gear change.

But for day-to-day trudging around, I love my autobox.

SDK^ said:
I've just gone Auto (DSG) and it's awesome; it's perfect for the weekly commute in stop/start traffic.
However if you seek driving engagement or want something fun for the weekend a manual would be the way to go. Also they are usually £1k+ cheaper.

In sports cars (see M3, RS4, C63 etc) you have optional paddle shift which is the best of both worlds surely.

Howard · 17 Dec 2015 at 10:51

Ricochet J said:
In sports cars (see M3, RS4, C63 etc) you have optional paddle shift which is the best of both worlds surely.

I enjoy the manual override in my car (just like you can in the cars above but without the actual paddles on the steering wheel) when I feel like a bit of a hoon, but the actual feel of a good manual gearbox is irreplaceable IMHO.

Yeah, a stodgy gearbox in a car with crap throttle response isn't much fun, but these things aren't usually an issue in a performance-focused vehicle.

SDK^ · 17 Dec 2015 at 10:56

Ricochet J said:
In sports cars (see M3, RS4, C63 etc) you have optional paddle shift which is the best of both worlds surely.

I have behind the wheel paddle shift with DSG - flicking a micro switch to change gear isn't the same as moving a mechanical leaver. Paddle shift still feels like you are changing gear via a PS4 controller

Django x2 · 17 Dec 2015 at 11:07

This whole "car for the weekend" though is really an old 80s/90s mindset. Weekends are as busy traffic wise, if not moreseo than midweek, unless you get up at 8am, which no one does. A modern proper DSG auto will still provide all the fun and and engagement of an auto if used in manual mode.

naefeart · 17 Dec 2015 at 11:12

Ricochet J said:
In sports cars (see M3, RS4, C63 etc) you have optional paddle shift which is the best of both worlds surely.

Purists would argue. Paddle shifts aren't universally better or all the same either. A lot depends on the car and their implementation.

My old torque converter auto is perfect for my needs, wafting about and rush hour traffic. If I had a more focused car, I'd probably want a manual but I'd try both options first if they were available.

lemonade · 17 Dec 2015 at 11:13

Manual 4 lyf 'ere, will think about autos when I need to think about which pair of beige slippers would be better to walk around in and which zimmerframe would go with it.

Howard · 17 Dec 2015 at 11:14

Django x2 said:
This whole "car for the weekend" though is really an old 80s/90s mindset. Weekends are as busy traffic wise, if not moreseo than midweek, unless you get up at 8am, which no one does. A modern proper DSG auto will still provide all the fun and and engagement of an auto if used in manual mode.

If I didn't have to drive to work, I'd definitely consider a more fun-focused car with a manual box. "Weekend car" is just another way of saying "car that is used mostly for social use by someone who enjoys driving". If I didn't drive to work, my mileage would be drastically reduced and any driving I do would be "out and about" in the evenings and at weekends. Yeah driving into the town centre at 10am on a Saturday for a spot of shopping isn't much fun but I don't do that particularly often.

Ryan-3 · 17 Dec 2015 at 11:16

Manual for fun and auto for comfort, especially in traffic.

The best of both worlds with the sequential stuff, although you never get the satisfaction of a good shift using the paddles.

wingman · 17 Dec 2015 at 11:19

Currently have a courtesy car from BMW, a ZF 8spd auto.

It's a beautiful thing and the manual paddle shifts are sublime, not to mention how effortless the full auto mode is.

For the day to day commute it's utterly perfect but it will never, ever recreate the feeling of pulling off a perfect 1st to 2nd in a manual at the red line. It just won't create that sort of satisfaction. Nor will it ever feel as involved IMO.

If you can live without that, then the pros of an auto are obvious.

[TW]Fox · 17 Dec 2015 at 11:37

Ricochet J said:
Why would anyone buy a manual gearbox nowadays? Since switching to automatic (CVT) my life has become a million percent easier. I don't think I'll ever go back to manual.

I would buy a manual over a CVT as CVTs are horrible but otherwise I agree. No more manual for me since moving to the ZF8HP.

[TW]Fox · 17 Dec 2015 at 11:38

lemonade said:
Manual 4 lyf 'ere, will think about autos when I need to think about which pair of beige slippers would be better to walk around in and which zimmerframe would go with it.

Meanwhile the world moves on and most focused high performance cars are now found with 2 pedals not 3.

Unless a Ferrari is a car for people with beige slippers.

Howard · 17 Dec 2015 at 11:39

[TW]Fox;28950513 said:
I would buy a manual over a CVT as CVTs are horrible but otherwise I agree. No more manual for me since moving to the ZF8HP.

I thought the CVT worked quite well with the A4 2.0TDI hire car I had a couple of years ago. Maybe that's just down to the horrible engine though

Ricochet J · 17 Dec 2015 at 11:42

[TW]Fox;28950513 said:
I would buy a manual over a CVT as CVTs are horrible but otherwise I agree. No more manual for me since moving to the ZF8HP.

I disagree about your comment on CVTs. Sure in an M3 they're not fit for purpose. In a 2L Megane they're very good.

iaind · 17 Dec 2015 at 11:44

Howard said:
I thought the CVT worked quite well with the A4 2.0TDI hire car I had a couple of years ago. Maybe that's just down to the horrible engine though

I thought that combo worked quite well, but I do think it was because it masks part of the inherent downsides to that sort of engine. With a nicer engine I can see it being frustrating - but that gearbox you can pretty much forget about the engine and just use it as a tool for getting from A to B

lemonade · 17 Dec 2015 at 11:44

[TW]Fox;28950519 said:
Meanwhile the world moves on and most focused high performance cars are now found with 2 pedals not 3.

Unless a Ferrari is a car for people with beige slippers.

That's all fine, I prefer a good old manual box, autos put me to sleep, I'll consider an auto when a manual becomes difficult to operate, in which case a bus pass would probably be more appropriate anyway.

Freefaller · 17 Dec 2015 at 11:44

Howard said:
If I was buying a car which was primarily a plaything, I'd absolutely want a manual gearbox. I love a good manual gear change.

But for day-to-day trudging around, I love my autobox.

I think I agree. That said, my cars have always been play things.

I know the new dual clutch autos are much faster at gear changes, you can have launch control, and also accelerate quicker and it makes sense.

But there's something quite engaging about changing gears yourself. Maybe that's the biker side of me coming out, but also I just like to be engaged with the car, and autos just leave me feeling a little disconnected.

That said, I'd love for my next car (as and when and if I can afford it) to be a GTR which is an auto and I'd be happy with that.