Manual
- Thread starter Ricochet J
- Start date
I stirred the idea in my mind for 30 seconds and came to the conclusion that I wouldn't feel bad at all. Sometimes I drive to work (on holidays and take the long route
) but mostly I walk to work come rain or shine. Sometimes it's great, sideways rain never gets boring?
In many cases it's better for the automatic than the manual. Also many of them have faster 0-60 times due to having more gears and the shift times being milliseconds.
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In the test, not so much the real world.
I wouldn't ever buy a manual but im not sure i buy that any current auto's are actually better than a properly driven manual when it comes to fuel consumption.
A good car for comparison would be an already very economical BMW 520d or something like that fitted with a very good automatic. I bet those things are still more economical with a manual box.
A good car for comparison would be an already very economical BMW 520d or something like that fitted with a very good automatic. I bet those things are still more economical with a manual box.
I enjoy my manual gearbox and my new Gti will have one as well
in these days of so many automated systems I still feel as if I should be doing something when driving, if only to keep my mind active
plus, I actually like it. it feels mechanical, like you are actually driving as opposed to just pressing the throttle and letting everything go on around you, or flipping a little plastic paddle.
each to their own though...
in these days of so many automated systems I still feel as if I should be doing something when driving, if only to keep my mind active
plus, I actually like it. it feels mechanical, like you are actually driving as opposed to just pressing the throttle and letting everything go on around you, or flipping a little plastic paddle.
each to their own though...
- Joined
- 29 Jun 2004
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Thing is, within the next 20 years cars will become increasingly more automated. Current trends even suggest self driving cars within 40 years. You either have to go with it, or remain in the stone age.
I'm not suggesting by not having an automatic you're in the stone age - what I am saying is don't be surprised 10 years from now if you can't buy a new manual transmission car.
I dont doubt it, at some point the auto box will stop appearing on the options list as it will be the default choice
but at the moment I would rather spend the money on a better in car entertainment system than an autobox!
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They honestly receive a lot of undeserved stick for what is essentially a great gearbox. You may argue "they're not widespread which proves that they're rubbish", which is a ridiculous thing to say. It's simply the stigma attached to CVT which has caused its downfall. They're quite popular in Asian markets especially Japan. I'm not sure where this "CVT is rubbish" attitude has come from.
By example the Jaguar X type never sold in huge numbers despite being a good car simply because Jaguar purists kept spouting "it's based on a Mondeo". So what? The stigma killed the X Type.
By example the Jaguar X type never sold in huge numbers despite being a good car simply because Jaguar purists kept spouting "it's based on a Mondeo". So what? The stigma killed the X Type.
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Nobody has said that.
No it's not and there has been no 'downfall' of the CVT box either. It's still around, doing what it does best - providing an efficient automatic solution for smaller engined and compact cars where packaging and efficiency are the primary concerns. The main threat to the CVT is the dual clutch auto, which are becoming more and more popular in smaller engined cars and also offer the efficiency benefits of a CVT whilst increasing the flexibility and drive-ability of the transmission.
They are popular in Asian markets because the Asian markets buy a lot of cars to which CVT boxes are well suited - small capacity midsize cars and below.
I have no idea why you keep making this point, which is irrelevant.
The CVT box is not as refined, flexible or capable as a torque converter automatic. However in some applications the torque converter automatic isn't suitable - they require a decent amount of power, they are less fuel efficient and they take up more space.
Look at where all the CVT boxes are. Look at where all the torque converter autos are. Different boxes for different purposes. a Nissan Micra 1.2 with a ZF 6 speed auto would suck, just as a BMW 550i with a CVT would suck.
They are exceptionally rare in larger engined cars (and when they are found in large engined cars they tend to be part of some sort of hybrid powertrain).
Your Impreza, with its 2 litre engine, isn't exactly a large engined car is it (Though I remain amazed it hasn't got a twin clutch setup instead). I suspect the reason why the WRX has a CVT is because most automatic Impreza's are the non WRX versions (Which better fit the definition of smaller engined mid size cars) and it wasn't deemed viable to develop a completely different transmission solution just for one model.
I'm sure you'll argue it's because the CVT box in the WRX is the best box in the universe, mind. I'm almost bored of discussing that with you though because it's always the same - I take the time to compose a reasonably detailed post setting out the reason for my views and you reply with sarcastic one-liners. It's a waste of time for both of us really.
Your Impreza, with its 2 litre engine, isn't exactly a large engined car is it (Though I remain amazed it hasn't got a twin clutch setup instead). I suspect the reason why the WRX has a CVT is because most automatic Impreza's are the non WRX versions (Which better fit the definition of smaller engined mid size cars) and it wasn't deemed viable to develop a completely different transmission solution just for one model.
I'm sure you'll argue it's because the CVT box in the WRX is the best box in the universe, mind. I'm almost bored of discussing that with you though because it's always the same - I take the time to compose a reasonably detailed post setting out the reason for my views and you reply with sarcastic one-liners. It's a waste of time for both of us really.
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The WRX doesn't share the same gearbox as the Impreza, it isn't the same model or model line.
I don't agree that this is the best box in the universe, but what you're saying isn't correct in that small engined cars have the CVT. Subaru (and Nissan) put the R&D into CVT boxes, Subaru thus created this high torque CVT box and Nissan use CVT in their 3.5 Maxima.
I think a 550 with a CVT would work well, it has the torque to get it going without needing many revs to do so. I can keep up with traffic happily in mine without going over 2500rpm so it would suit a big car quite well.
FYI, mine has a torque converter too.
I don't agree that this is the best box in the universe, but what you're saying isn't correct in that small engined cars have the CVT. Subaru (and Nissan) put the R&D into CVT boxes, Subaru thus created this high torque CVT box and Nissan use CVT in their 3.5 Maxima.
I think a 550 with a CVT would work well, it has the torque to get it going without needing many revs to do so. I can keep up with traffic happily in mine without going over 2500rpm so it would suit a big car quite well.
FYI, mine has a torque converter too.
Spent some of my Christmas break testing motors for my new car tried Cayman, 4C and 370z. The Cayman and 4C had paddles, I got out of both of those and was a bit disappointed with the drives not just for the gearbox of course, perhaps my expectations were a bit too high after all the reviews I have lapped up, I got back in my lowly MX5 and felt that was more like it, I guess I just like doing stuff when driving, operating the machine.
I quite liked the manual Nismo though, despite not fitting in the thing, reckon once I try a manual Cayman I could be sold.
Never been an auto driver, I have driven autos but not for enjoyment, for comfort/cruising, I may just need a longer time to adjust to sporting behaviour as its just not the same.
I quite liked the manual Nismo though, despite not fitting in the thing, reckon once I try a manual Cayman I could be sold.
Never been an auto driver, I have driven autos but not for enjoyment, for comfort/cruising, I may just need a longer time to adjust to sporting behaviour as its just not the same.
I test drove the DSG Octavia and hated it and ordered a manual. I have tried to like Auto's but always wish I was in a manual if driving one. I cannot honestly say I find changing gear that much of a problem and have never wished it was beng done for me tbh....