if only cars transmissions were to be 'invented' in auto form at the first go, we will not be having this discussion;

 

I love my manual- I generally prefer doing all my own shifting. But, the paddle shifters in the auto are really interesting- I'd love to try them out.

 

It is as difficult a decision as the colors. It really is a preference thing. If I were in LA rush hour everyday I'd need an automatic. But I'm not.

The handbrake trick is easy to learn and makes hills stress free. You never need to roll backward again and its so easy with the mini handbrake.

I learned to drive an automatic with two feet when I had my right foot in a cast for 12 weeks. Actually I learned to drive with my left foot, but when it was over I could drive with either or both at will, with an automatic. I've settled back into driving with my right foot unless I'm being really lazy.

 

Worth trying out... but the car still takes over sometimes when you don't want it to. There's a "detent" in the gas pedal, if you push past it, the car pretty much ignores your input. Very annoying if you're a leadfoot.

Mind you, I've only driven an MCSa for a total of about 15 or 20 minutes, so I am not claiming 100% knowledge about how it operates. I just knew I tried it and I was very happy to get back to my manual transmission.

 

My mother does the exact same thing. I was a one footed automatic driver untill I broke my right foot and had to do both with the left foot. I can drive one footed or dual feet. Not as smooth with the dual feet, but I can do it.

 

Yes

 

Whoever Auidi got to drive the manual for that test must be a doofus.
Or maybe they are trying to brainwash you with vicious propaganda.

Or both.

 

No, whoever drew the graph was the doofus. It's bizarre -- speed on the x-axis and time on the y-axis? It makes sense when you flip it around.

 

Why do you say that. Its well known that many race cars only use paddles. Humans simply cannot shift as fast.

Same is true with the 2007 Porsche 997 Twin Turbo. ALL acceleration times are faster (significantly faster) with the paddles vice a human being trying to shift

Go ahead and laugh but in 10 years, manuals will have gone the way of the Dodo

 

...for me, manual is the only way to go, no matter which car.

Cheers.

 

An RX-8?

 

RX7, yes. RX8? funny looking half door to rear?

Possibly ... like I said, it was the only one I could think of off the top of my head.

I think most ppl can agree that sports cars are like ... MGBs, Midgets, TR6, Porsche 550, Boxster, Z4M, etc. Hatchbacks I just got a hard time calling any hatchback a sports car especially with a back seat. Sporty ... sure. Rallye car? maybe. Sports car. nope.

 

Wow, lots of two footed auto users. I'd think that would be more dangerous. If you are in a precarious situation and your brain tells your foot to stop there is a possibility of pressing both feet down at the same time. I dunno...seems odd. I think I'd freak if I saw some one do that too!

I think chows4us is right. Manuals are soon to be less and less. At least I think that's the way it will be in America. Isn't it that most here when purchasing a sports car tend to buy an auto? Between cell phones and mochafrapalattechinos there are too many distractions for manual shifting. They (those people that make things) are already working on cars that drive themselves. Weird.

 

Hmmm. While I am a fan of electro-hydraulic actuated clutches like what is available on BMWs with the SMG option, I wonder if you will see that option on a transverse driveline layout. Personally, I tend to think that a more likely outcome is that in 10 years, you will see something more along the lines of a strengthened CVT scenario. Carlos Ghosen (CEO of Nissan) is a real fan of the CVT. Personally, I think he is on to something.

 

It's a personal choice and for me, cars/trucks only come with three pedals. I learned to drive with "three on the tree" (I'm an old fart, 46). My wife has a Lexus IS350 on order, it has the paddle shifters, should be fun! Hmmm...maybe I'll give up the pedal on the left? NAH!

 

Why would driving with two feet be any more difficult than walking with two feet. Of course, we all fell down a few times when we started, but we were close to the ground. If anyone is tempted to try driving an auto with two feet . .. make sure no one is behind you the first time.

 

Oh, and sports cars . . . I don't find people agreeing about too many definitions when push comes to shove. I also don't see any importance on reaching an agreement. Sports car, sports sedan, cabrolet, cabriolet, convertible, roadster . . . all these words have meaning and all these words change their meaning. My MINI is a sports car because I so choose and so drive it. It is much more debateable as to whether there is a back seat rather than if a back seat forbids it from being a sports car.:impatient