02-24-2006, 01:27 PM | #1 |
Realist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: E90 325i
Location: GTA with a long commute
Posts: 185
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Manual transmission required for driving enjoyment?
First, I mean no offense to anyone who have a vehicle with automatic transmission.
Anyways for almost 4 weeks now, my 328Ci has been in the shop for subframe repairs. During that time, I have been begging rides from people, and have borrowed my parent's 325i, my wife's Outback, and now, my sales adviser's (who sold me my new E90) 330Ci. All of those cars have auto transmissions. I found that I have enjoyed driving less and less, even if I "shift" manually with the tiptronic. I just can't feel involved with driving. During that time, I have even test driven a DSG equipped A3 3.2, and didn't enjoy that vehicle either. I have a feeling that I would enjoy a Civic Si with good 6 speed manual, more than a M6 with SMG. Until now, I didn't think driving a manual transmission mattered that much to me. Crazy, eh? Anyone else feel the same way? Can't wait to A) get my car back B) for its replacement to arrive. Ed
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Common sense, isn't |
02-24-2006, 01:30 PM | #2 |
No more BMWs
Join Date: Apr 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8
Location: Glenwood, MD
Posts: 14,753
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Yep. Automatics are no fun.
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02-24-2006, 01:33 PM | #3 |
•••••••
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: '11 1M
Location: Churzee
Posts: 17,741
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Yes, rowing your own is a prerequisite to true driving enjoyment IMO.
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2011 1M |
02-24-2006, 01:34 PM | #4 |
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 13,514
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I couldn't agree more. Automatics are boring as hell, removing you from the driving experience, and take almost all the fun out of being behind the wheel.
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02-24-2006, 02:12 PM | #5 | |
Vicarious Twitterer
Join Date: May 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: 06 330 cic ZHP
Location: CT
Posts: 7,566
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Quote:
I disagree, I think it depends upon the car. S2000's Miatas, WRX's ----- in short, cars that actually require the driver to get something out of the engine fare really well with manuals, it's a lot of fun. But cars with big displacement engines and a lot of torque are just a nuisance to drive around town with manual trannies, most of the time you're in 2nd or 3rd gear anyway. I never liked BMW's manuals, the shifters are rubbery and vaque and the clutch take-up leaves a lot to be desired. Ed |
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02-24-2006, 02:55 PM | #6 | |
Mugwump
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3
Location: NY
Posts: 17,475
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Quote:
However http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showpo...1&postcount=72 |
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02-24-2006, 03:06 PM | #7 |
Founder emeritus
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Maryland
Posts: 21,007
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I'm pretty much in the camp of preferring a manual tranny Civic to any high-dollar hi-po slushie or wankermatic.
A rubbery and vague stick with vague clutch take-up is still infinitely preferable, IMO, to a slushie. |
02-24-2006, 03:13 PM | #8 |
redefined
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 14,896
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no, fun roads are more important
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"There's a freedom you begin to feel the closer you get to Austin, Texas." -Willie |
02-24-2006, 03:15 PM | #9 | |
Western Anomaly
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: White Orca
Posts: 16,614
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Quote:
even though it is repetitive, it is still satisfying to me to drive a car "well", no matter the challenge. and by this, i mean, look at the CTS-V. it's got a great clutch but the shifter is clunky and with a 3.73 rear end and its weird gear ratios, it's really tough to be smooth in the car. but it makes it even more satisfying to me to drive it to the nth degree and be smooth when i want to be and outright vicious during momentary lapses. you might have some of those elements in an SMG equipped car --but you will never have those moments in an automatic equipped car. never.
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02-24-2006, 03:18 PM | #10 | |
Founder emeritus
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Maryland
Posts: 21,007
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Quote:
As I've said before, I even prefer a stick in stop and go traffic. |
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