i thought the same way as most do about "driver aids" because i to felt it took away from the overall driving experience but something clicked one time watching F1 race many years ago. if schumacher can drive with driver aids why can't i.

i've driven my S with vsa on and off countless times on palomar mtn (S6 & S7) and while its fun to get the back end out in many of the hairpin turns especially going down hill. i think its more fun driving near or at limit and not have the vsa go off. to me it becomes a game, if the vsa doesn't go off and i'm going wot in 3rd at 70mph entering a hairpin then h/t into 2nd at corner entry, 1/2 throttle at mid turn full throttle at corner exit with no vsa to be felt, that makes me grin as much afterwards as the tail stepping out.

 

whether you hate it or not, automatic transmissions will dominate the entire market. I believe over 80 or 90% of corvette buyers already prefer auto.. (it isn't regular 4 door sedan...)
It's very very sad but true.
Manufacturers won't pay extra money to design the 'less efficient' manual transmissions for their new cars.
Remember how they want to put the same platform on as many cars as they can.. (even the purist Porsches.. or VW forced them to do so..)
Yes it is 100000 times more fun driving stick, but it won't last forever..
and you will have to admit it folks..
So.. enjoy it while you can.. our grand children will never understand why we wanted to waste so much energy and adrenaline to shift around gears..
Let's face it and accept that..

 

My deciding factor in getting the S was because I fell in love with the shifter feel.

If you take that away.. I don't know...

 

To the op, I believe you are referring to the 599 as to my knowledge it will be the last Ferrari to come from the factory with a 3 pedal option as I believe that the California is only offered with 2 pedals especially since Ferrari has admitted to using the California as an attempt to go after affluent female clientèle.

I enjoy the s2000's shifter action moreso than the Porsche that I sold to buy the S. However, after driving a 430 with an F1 transmission, a Gallardo with an E-Gear tranny, and a GTR I can say that I could live with a proper automated manual gearbox. While it may not be as challenging, there is something to be said with executing a perfect shift every time, even if you aren't doing it.

 

If cars like the 2011 Buick Regal and Toyota Camry are still available with the row it yourself transmissions

I would say DSG, SMG, flappy paddles, whatever will be only for the most expensive sport cars. So MT will still be around for the rest of us.

 

You guys say you will boycott a S2K successor (without MT), but as soon as one comes out you guys will be all over it like monkeys to bananas.

It's the future. Adapt to it or get left behind.

 

[QUOTE=TRDLiquidSilver,Dec 17 2009, 05:11 PM]i personally like them from experience and they might be better on a track vs. traditional manuals but i can't imagine them being fun going from home to work everyday.

they have an S with flappy paddle shifters. i don't think they're dual sequential but single.



Appreciating all the comments on this post,and taking into account the differing styles and uses that owners put their S2000's to I can fully relate to differing perspective.
I myself have driven many vehicle fitted with sequential boxes/paddle shift change and personally found them to be superb especially when overtaking.
The 6 speed box is fine,close mesh and quick but you do have to work it.

Personally I would have my s2000 even if it was a pedal car,but given the choice I would love a sequential box with paddle shift.With our UK roads,constant traffic lights,narrow roads it takes the effort out of driving without the loss of control.....but then like all things in life its horses for course.


[SIZE=14][COLOR=red]MERRY CHRIMBO AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL ACROSS THE POND :

 

This is the way I look at it....

If I was buying an F430 Scuderia, Enzo, or something like that I want the newest technology straight from Monza. I want the fastest shifting transmission, most advanced e-diff (if that's what Ferrari calls it), best computers, etc.


With the S, I want something that's fun and pure. I look at roadsters like a classic sports car. Two seats, engine up front, power to the back wheels, and manual transmission. It is about the classic sports car concept.

...and I drove my first car with a true clutchless manual transmission. It was an M-3. FUN FUN FUN, but not for me. I prefer a stick and clutch. I didn't like how I didn't really control it, but it did shift quicker that I possible could.

 

Traction control has been taken away.

 

the thing is europe pretty much has accepted flappy paddle geraboxes. the car that comes to mind is the current M5, bmw didn't want to build a manual tranny for it but bmw usa requested that they have a manual for their market. so bmw shoehorned the last gen m5 tranny to the current m5.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M5

america on the other hand has not fully accepted it. i don't know if its because we don't watch F1 as much as you guys do but the majority here can't stand them. i personally would be happy if i were given a choice of both in any future car purchase. also i think it depends on the car, a car like E90 i would go dct/dsg all day because the gearing would be perfect for it, a true sports car i'd probably prefer a manual.

and oh by the way GO