getting fast cars in automatic....

[astroglide]

[ QUOTE ]
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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with audi/vw, i think their automatics rock because of the direct shift gearbox. it can run in fully automatic mode (normal or sport), but it also has paddles on the steering wheel for clutch-free gear changes. the gti actually quotes slightly better gas mileage for dsg over manual and even identical or slightly faster 0-60 times, so those commonly-cited advantages are out the window. there's also a launch control feature built into newer models that will basically queue up an automated redline drag race shifting mode when you enter a command sequence.

my car is a manual jetta gli. it's very fun to drive, and i've been a stick driver all the way back to my very first car. if i were to buy a gti, i would go dsg. i drove an audi a3 with it, and i thought it was a ton of fun with plenty of control. even though you don't have experience with manuals, test driving a dsg automatic should be a very different experience from a standard automatic. i suggest giving that a twirl.

[n.s.]

[ QUOTE ]
test driving a dsg automatic should be a very different experience from a standard automatic. i suggest giving that a twirl.

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Yeah, DSG in the GTI is totally different from a conventional automatic (the lack of a torque converter is really huge here). I think it's closer to a stick shift than a conventional automatic tranny.

[renodoc]

this thread is pretty funny and toolish at the same time

wtf? is there a spellchecker on this site now?

anyway, I have an audi RS6, and it only comes in auto cause the maual tranny they had at the time couldn't handle the power from the engine. It does have the paddle shifters which I use a lot.

I would rather have a stick for sporty cars. The ones the OP mentioned would be much more fun in a manual. I also agree completely with those who think that driving a stick is an essential life skill. It is, and the OP shouldn't be so lazy and just learn it.

[Stagger_Lee]

Manual transmission on cars for public roads are for wankers.

You want performance? Get on a track in a real race car.

In every other case, get an automatic.

[Ricky_Bobby]

[ QUOTE ]
Manual transmission on cars for public roads are for wankers.

You want performance? Get on a track in a real race car.

In every other case, get an automatic.

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What if I actually enjoy driving a manual and the better (in most cases) gas mileage that goes with it?

[Stagger_Lee]

A wanker with an excuse.

[Ricky_Bobby]

You're funny.

[adsman]

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Manual transmission on cars for public roads are for wankers.



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Interesting. I'm thinking of updating my ignore list. Welcome to the club!

[Henry17]

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Performance related arguments are all outdated. FWIW I have always driven manual and still do, but the only reason manuals aren't obsolete is because of cost. There is technology out there that will outperform a manual transmission in every way.

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I don't know enough about cars to refute this but if this statement is true then why is this technology not offered on higher end sports car?

Last time I bought a performance car where price considerations were not an issue the dealership didn't mention this technology as an option.

[Sponger.]

I don't care enough about driving to get a manual, so I'm not sure what to do when I buy a fast car. I might get insulted by a bunch of people who enjoy driving. oh noes