OT: Are manual trannsmissions becoming endangered??

[Digital Jams]

I know that the drivetrain is pretty much an F1 setup, ceramic clutch plates and all. Not sure about the suspension of the Porsche but for the average driver I am sure the car can be very dangerous.

 

[Code001]

but it never sounds as good ...

I really don't even think about shifting .... it's so subconcious at this point . Unless some punk pulls up next to me with his pimped out Jetta .

Don't get me wrong, my car is a manual, and I can understand what everyone here is saying about the fun and control factor. You just gotta look at it from a different perspective to understand the situation. A racecar driver doesn't care about fun factor, nor does the soccer mom or business man waiting in traffic.

I know that the drivetrain is pretty much an F1 setup, ceramic clutch plates and all. Not sure about the suspension of the Porsche but for the average driver I am sure the car can be very dangerous.

Uh, the drivetrain isn't F1 based at all. The transmission is even a regular old manual transmission. A ceramic clutch doesn't mean anything other than it's harder to slip the clutch and more race-bred. People have been using twin-disk clutches in cars for ages. The material doesn't automatically make it feel like an F1 car. It's just bullshit propaganda to sell more cars and allow rich people to brag that their cars have something special. It's also not only dangerous to the average driver, but even racecar drivers have a hard time handling the thing due to the way the suspension reacts (massive oversteer with tires that don't grip well enough for the HP they put in there). Compare it to the Bugatti Veyron which has more HP, yet is infinitely easier to control.

Oh, and don't even get me started on their horrible cross-drilled rotors that they use. Those pieces of shit crack just like any other non-fancy rotor, yet Porsche tries to market them as inventive and helping during braking under extreme weather conditions. They also try to claim the holes are cast, when in fact, they're drilled like every other rotor.

 

[Digital Jams]

Somebody does not like Porsche

 

[Code001]

Somebody does not like Porsche

Porsche is one of my favorite brands, but I dislike some of the stuff they do. It's off-topic anyway, so I'll keep it to a minimum.

 

[Telephant]

We need those clutchless manual transmissions like the race cars have

Porsche GT.....if ya gots the money for it

I hear that car is the closest you will get to driving a F1 ride.

Believe it or not my friends Dad has a Carrera GT. I had never even seen one person. Then one day I was dirving downtown, and saw my friends Dad opening his car door for this hot 25 year old girl. Thats pimpin' on a whole 'nother level.

In any case, every "semi-automatic" I have driven has been lame as fuck. NOt just lame, but totally fucking gay. I just dont enjoy driving it. Id rather drive a 93 foxbody with a blower...sideways.

Even the paddle shifter in my Dad's Jaguar XK8 is pretty fucking lame. And it will shift for you if you dont.

 

[moronmountain]

I have an '03 Passat with an AT that has the option of being shifted manually. I NEVER use the manual method as the tranny shifts in good spots all on it's own. It will even redline before shifting when I put my foot in it. It's a smart tranny for sure. I think the biggest argument for getting a manual tranny is that they're lighter and the models of cars that you get them in usually have a little more HP and a wider spread on the gears. Meaning 1st is lower than 1st on an AT and 6th is higher than 5th on an AT. In this scenario if you really know how to drive a manual you'll potentially have higher performance. The thing is, most people are faster with an automatic because they can't really drive a manual to it's fullest potential.

 

[Code001]

Id rather drive a 93 foxbody with a blower...sideways.

You just won over my heart.

 

[Code001]

I have an '03 Passat with an AT that has the option of being shifted manually. I NEVER use the manual method as the tranny shifts in good spots all on it's own. It will even redline before shifting when I put my foot in it. It's a smart tranny for sure. I think the biggest argument for getting a manual tranny is that they're lighter and the models of cars that you get them in usually have a little more HP and a wider spread on the gears. Meaning 1st is lower than 1st on an AT and 6th is higher than 5th on an AT. In this scenario if you really know how to drive a manual you'll potentially have higher performance. The thing is, most people are faster with an automatic because they can't really drive a manual to it's fullest potential.

Manual transmissions exhibit less drivetrain loss than their automatic counterparts which is what mainly attributes to them being faster. Gear ratios also play a part in it, but the drivetrain loss affects the vehicle more-so as there is more HP at the wheels. However, if the person cannot drive, misses a gear, has issues with the clutch, synchros go bad, launches at the wrong RPM, etc. etc. then the automatic will win. No one can shift faster than a computer.

Oh, and just because a car can go to "redline" doesn't mean that's the optimum shift point for the vehicle. On my specific vehicle, the redline starts at 6800, but it's best to shift 1st to 2nd at 7000 (which means you must move the rev limiter further up a touch, as it's exactly at 7000). This is due to the difference in gear ratios of 1st to 2nd. From 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th, 6600-6800 is where you want to shift. This keeps the motor's RPMs high enough so that when your RPMs drop when going to the next gear, you're still in the vehicle's powerband.

 

[Telephant]

BTW I should mention, the F1 transmission make complete sense.

Its just that for me (and I think Code will probably agree), the feeling of driving a stick, rear wheel drive vehicle with lots of low end torque is pretty much as good as it gets.

Even if I bought a Ferrari, I dont think I get the paddle shift. Id go with the tried and true. But Im also not racing around a track with 30 other guys.

 

[Code001]

BTW I should mention, the F1 transmission make complete sense.

Its just that for me (and I think Code will probably agree), the feeling of driving a stick, rear wheel drive vehicle with lots of low end torque is pretty much as good as it gets.

Even if I bought a Ferrari, I dont think I get the paddle shift. Id go with the tried and true. But Im also not racing around a track with 30 other guys.

I agree, but I don't think you can get Ferraris in other options besides the paddle-shifters now-a-days.

 

[moronmountain]

I have an '03 Passat with an AT that has the option of being shifted manually. I NEVER use the manual method as the tranny shifts in good spots all on it's own. It will even redline before shifting when I put my foot in it. It's a smart tranny for sure. I think the biggest argument for getting a manual tranny is that they're lighter and the models of cars that you get them in usually have a little more HP and a wider spread on the gears. Meaning 1st is lower than 1st on an AT and 6th is higher than 5th on an AT. In this scenario if you really know how to drive a manual you'll potentially have higher performance. The thing is, most people are faster with an automatic because they can't really drive a manual to it's fullest potential.

Manual transmissions exhibit less drivetrain loss than their automatic counterparts which is what mainly attributes to them being faster. Gear ratios also play a part in it, but the drivetrain loss affects the vehicle more-so as there is more HP at the wheels. However, if the person cannot drive, misses a gear, has issues with the clutch, synchros go bad, launches at the wrong RPM, etc. etc. then the automatic will win. No one can shift faster than a computer.

Oh, and just because a car can go to "redline" doesn't mean that's the optimum shift point for the vehicle. On my specific vehicle, the redline starts at 6800, but it's best to shift 1st to 2nd at 7000 (which means you must move the rev limiter further up a touch, as it's exactly at 7000). This is due to the difference in gear ratios of 1st to 2nd. From 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th, 6600-6800 is where you want to shift. This keeps the motor's RPMs high enough so that when your RPMs drop when going to the next gear, you're still in the vehicle's powerband.

Basically a more technical way of saying what I said. As far as "optimum" shift points go, I don't think most people would ever notice something like this. I think my Passat shifts at a nice point and doesn't lose much RPM when it shifts. Basically the only people who would benefit from a manual tranny are few and far between. I still prefer manuals but I'm on the fence whether or not I'm faster in one. I do like being able shift from 5th to 3rd in a tight corner though.

 

[Qweklain]

I really don't even think about shifting .... it's so subconcious at this point . Unless some punk pulls up next to me with his pimped out Jetta .

And by pimped out Jetta, what you really mean is a 17 year old who put a cold-air intake, body kit that's cracked up after the first week, and an aftermarket cat-back exhaust with a 6" coffee can.

 

[shredhead666]

I can't stand manual transmissions. It feels like I'm playing a video game when I'm driving. And I hate driving as it is. I just want to relax and not have to worry about moving this, clutching that,etc...

I think you and I are the only ones man.

That said, I absolutely can't stand the automatic that is on my '99 Accord. Fucking transmission brakes and you lunge forward when you let off the gas. Horseshit. All the Volvo S-series from the last few years have had pretty nice feeling automatics though. They shift when you let off the gas, but you can still spool the RPMs way up high if you need.

 

[shredhead666]

I can't stand manual transmissions. It feels like I'm playing a video game when I'm driving. And I hate driving as it is. I just want to relax and not have to worry about moving this, clutching that,etc...

Really .... the exact reason I love my manual .

I love being able to redline a gear if I want . The SI doesn't redline to 8000 rpm . The Vtec kicks in around 5000 and brings you to 8000 in a hurry . A lot of fun to drive .

I think Code is right about .... that's what the people are demanding so the Co's have complied .

I personally think it's because all these people that talk on the phone while they drive ....

a little harder to do comfortably on a stick . and don't forget the DVD controller too

My accord's Vtec kicks in around 4-4500. You don't need a manual to dip into it either. Just stomp the gas. Let off the gas and it shifts for you. It's fun to drive too, but I think it'd be a serious PITA if I had to do all that shit with my left foot clutching this, and my right hand shifting that, and OOps I didn't let the pedal up slow enough and the engine died... FUCK that. I can do basically the same thing just by pushing the gas w/ my right foot. Maybe I'm missing the point, but yeah, I do like to talk on the phone while I drive and fuck with my iPod, etc... And yes, I can do so SAFELY. I'm not a fucking moron driver who can only pay attention to one thing at a time.

 

[RaceU4her]

im the fastest shifter around. they call me lightning hands

 

[trey85stang]

I only want a manual transmission option if the car is rear wheel drive. I like the shifter being directly mounted to the transmission.

The Corvette C5 is RWD and the shifter is not directly mounted to the transmission. If it were, you'd have to reach back into the trunk every time you had to shift. Just because it's RWD doesn't mean the shifter will automatically be directly mounted.

Looks like it's directly bolted to the transmission to me

 

[trey85stang]

im the fastest shifter around. they call me lightning hands

im a powershifter from hell... I can tear up a T5 all the way down the track

 

[RaceU4her]

im the fastest shifter around. they call me lightning hands

im a powershifter from hell... I can tear up a T5 all the way down the track

whats sad is how all these import people think they know how to drive. none of them know about power shifting. Front wheel drive cars have no purpose but going to the grocery store

 

[trey85stang]

im the fastest shifter around. they call me lightning hands

im a powershifter from hell... I can tear up a T5 all the way down the track

whats sad is how all these import people think they know how to drive. none of them know about power shifting. Front wheel drive cars have no purpose but going to the grocery store

power shifting to them means pushing/pulling the shifter with all their strength

 

[Qweklain]

My accord's Vtec kicks in around 4-4500. You don't need a manual to dip into it either. Just stomp the gas. Let off the gas and it shifts for you. It's fun to drive too, but I think it'd be a serious PITA if I had to do all that shit with my left foot clutching this, and my right hand shifting that, and OOps I didn't let the pedal up slow enough and the engine died... FUCK that. I can do basically the same thing just by pushing the gas w/ my right foot. Maybe I'm missing the point, but yeah, I do like to talk on the phone while I drive and fuck with my iPod, etc... And yes, I can do so SAFELY. I'm not a fucking moron driver who can only pay attention to one thing at a time.

Sounds like someone has a case of the "I have no idea how to drive a stick-shift!"