Re: getting fast cars in automatic....
 

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I recently had to make this very decision. I purchased an RX8 but I had never driven a manual before. I ended up getting the auto version simply because I couldn't care less about racing or beating someone off a light.


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The RX8 is one of the cars where the manual is much better than the automatic. Because of the high-revving rotary engine, the automatic version is crippled by Mazda, who states that a torque converter can't handle high RPMs. So the manual has a 9300 rpm redline and 237 HP at 8500 rpm. But the automatic has a 7500 rpm redline and 212 HP.

Re: getting fast cars in automatic....
 

I was aware of this as well.

Re: getting fast cars in automatic....
 

fwiw, i'd pass on an automatic, even in a muscle car which doesn't require a lot of gear hunting, the same way i wouldn't want to play a video game with one button.

Re: getting fast cars in automatic....
 

I think I'd die a little on the inside with those in an automatic.

Re: getting fast cars in automatic....
 

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I think I'd die a little on the inside with those in an automatic.

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Slap shifting FTW

http://www.bmracing.com/media/products/items/8_full.jpg

Re: getting fast cars in automatic....
 

A note for those folks who must drive a stick yet live in a hilly city. Subaru has that fantastic hill holder thingy (dunno if their fast cars do) that's a life saver in these situations.

Between this and the crying thread, there's a lot of stupid machismo afloat in OOT these days.

Re: getting fast cars in automatic....
 

i have a 6 speed 350z and i just wanted to say if i was buying anything fast i would def go with stick...the enjoyment you get from downshifting to pass and jamming thru gears while accelerating greatly outweighs w/e hassle it can be in the city

Re: getting fast cars in automatic....
 

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I am going to buy a car and a lot of the cars I like are the semi-trick ones like VW GTI and Subaru WRX. The problem is I don't know how to drive a stick shift. Am I a big tool if I get these cars in automatic and just use the paddle shifter occ.? fwiw, its not that i dont want to learn driving a stick its just that I dont want to.

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Who the [censored] raised you? Is your dad upset you're gay?

Jesus christ

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Says the dude with the most outrageously gay avatar ever.

Re: getting fast cars in automatic....
 

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Manual is more fun except in traffic.

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Bollocks! I love my manual, especially in traffic. It gives me a chance to see if the person behind me is really awake or not.

Then again, I just love screwing with people.

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How to neg girls, lowering their self-esteem enough to sleep with me?

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Ok, where does one learn this skill now? Should I start a new thread for this? It seems like some important, useful information.

Re: getting fast cars in automatic....
 

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I've only read like 3 pages of this but no one has mentioned the eating while driving issue?

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I don't follow. I don't have a problem eating while driving my standard. Of course, sometimes I practice driving with no hands just for [censored] and giggles. I can just about make a left turn at a traffic light hands free, but right turns at street corners are still outta the question.

Re: getting fast cars in automatic....
 

OP, the DSG in the GTI is sick and it's an awesome car. I have the less cool version in a stick(Rabbit), love it, but drive my friend's DSG all the time and it's awesome.

That said, learn to drive a stick because it's fun as hell even if you go with an auto or autoish transmission.

Some decent advice in this thread, so just go with whatever fits your lifestyle best.

Re: getting fast cars in automatic....
 

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People don't override superior systems to implement inferior systems.

The implication is that at least in some situations the manual transmission is superior.

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Since the default is automatic wouldn't that imply that automatic transmissions are superior in most situations then.

Re: getting fast cars in automatic....
 

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People don't override superior systems to implement inferior systems.

The implication is that at least in some situations the manual transmission is superior.

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Since the default is automatic wouldn't that imply that automatic transmissions are superior in most situations then.

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Something that I meant to post earlier but forgot. In cars with automatic transmissions that allow the driver to shift manually, it is has been shown in most track tests that straight line performance numbers are better with the car in full automatic mode.

While some may take this to mean that manual shifting is inferior, all it really shows is that manual shift options on automatic transmissions are really only there to allow people who are too lazy to operate a stick to play around with the manual mode. There is no performance benefit present in any of the auto/stick transmissions (remember, I'm talking about automatics, not paddle shifted manuals), except that they allow the driver to downshift going into a corner the way a manual would.

Manual shifting autos are a gimmick. The fact that a transmission designed to shift itself does better in automatic mode than it does when the manual feature is engaged does not imply that manual transmissions are inferior. There is really nothing to be gained by comparing auto/stick transmissions to manual transmissions.

Re: getting fast cars in automatic....
 

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People don't override superior systems to implement inferior systems.

The implication is that at least in some situations the manual transmission is superior.

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Since the default is automatic wouldn't that imply that automatic transmissions are superior in most situations then.

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I assume you mean the default.. option on new cars? Cuz I'd guess this is so because they cost more, or because more people have automatics/it's the mainstream.

Re: getting fast cars in automatic....
 

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Since the default is automatic wouldn't that imply that automatic transmissions are superior in most situations then.

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That's probably because people are lazy and suck at stuff by default.

Re: getting fast cars in automatic....
 

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how is that? I feel its the only way if you dont want to totally destroy the transmission over time. We are not talking 5 degrees decline here but San Francisco or equivalent.

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I live in Pittsburgh, and I use the hand brake rarely.

I don't have any clue what you are doing with it at every stop.

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I usually just park in gear.

Re: getting fast cars in automatic....
 

Also, I grew up driving in a town that is basically 4 hills, and there's some brutal intersections. I've never felt the need to use e-brake, that's weird.

Re: getting fast cars in automatic....
 

Manual FTW
http://onfinite.com/libraries/1215035/e63.jpg
I probably drive it suboptimally, but it's still fun. and F the Subaru hater.

Re: getting fast cars in automatic....
 

Come on man learn to drive a stick, its not that hard. You will be so much happier in the long run!