I always downshift, although it's probably not the best thing to do from a clutch life perspective. Hewever here's my reasoning:

1. The more shifts I execute, the better I'm going to get at rev matching and shifting in general.
2. I like to be in the "right" gear at all times.
3. I've never had to replace a clutch but have gone through brake pads. (perhaps 10 to 12 owned vehicles most of which were stick shift)
4. I learned to drive on a small pickup truck that had pathetic brakes.
5. I always have visions about my brakes failing, so I take comfort in knowing that I have the skills to slow the vehicle down should my brakes fail.
6. I like the sound, especially on a drop top sporty/sports car.

YMMV

 

I normally downshift, mainly because it's more fun and sounds cool.

My last car was an '88 RX-7 that had 33K miles on it when I got it. When I sold it with 104K, it still had the same clutch in it.

I always try to rev match when I downshift. 1) It reduces the wear on the clutch, and 2) It makes me smile when I get it exactly right! After the clutch is out, then I let the engine rev down.

I NEVER just let the clutch out and drag the engine revs up. Someone once told me that puts wear on the clutch parts in the opposite direction then they usually rub, which is bad. I have no idea if that's true or not.

Disclaimer: This is all regarding street driving. I've never been on a track, so the techniques and advice may be different there.

 

If I make it up to 6th gear I brake and downshift through 5th to 4th gear, but once I am in fourth gear I use the brakes from there.

 

Using engine braking as a deceleration "aid" is good practice. It's not a case of "need". It is a case of "control" and being in charge of your circumstances rather than having the car control you.
If you do not rev-match on downshifts or if you do not know how or if you don't do it properly, then yes, your clutch and the rest of your drivetrain will take some abuse. But a "properly" executed rev-matched downshift will do no harm to the power train.
I've rev-matched down shifted on every std car I've ever owned since learning how to drive. And as a point of curiosity, my wife downshifts during deceleration too and she does NOT rev-match and her cars' clutches have lasted just as long as mine have (over 100,000 miles). She just knows how to do it without putting undue stress on the powertrain.
This whole thing about "I'd rather buy new brake pads than a new clutch" is quite possibly ................................ well, never mind. I'll let you figure that one out.

 

The worst thing to do is downshift to 1st gear...period...even from 2nd gear. I usually downshift from 4th (four speed) to 2nd as a habit. Keep in mind that in high-performance cars, usually high-performance parts are used in drivetrains, engines, etc. Don't worry yourself too much about it. If you're like me, you "hot rod" once or twice during your cruise or daily routine. These cars were made to do that...NOT to wring it out stoplight to stoplight.

 

When I sold my prelude with 30k miles on it...the clutch was fine and the original brake pads had only 30% wear on them. I down shift and speed match. I have been doing that my whole driving life. I know people who just brake and need new pads and rotors by 20k miles. If a clutch last around 60k to 80k miles...and well replacing the brakes four times compared to one clutch replacement....like Xviper said......which cost more?

...

On another note.. you gotta love the Automatic Drivers that use both feet when driving, because I always love see the brake lights of another driver on while they are accelerating

 

This is a debate that will probably last as long as people drive cars.

As far as using brakes alone, automatics do that (its the only way to effectively down unless you "downshift" them to a number rather than the "d"). I suspect that automatics have been around long enough to demonstrate that this style is fine to use if you like. Plus, if engine braking assist was so bad, why would automatics allow you to "downshift" at all? Why not just have "D" "R" "N" and "P", why have the numbered "gears" as well?

As far as engine braking, *if* you rev-match, this should be no worse than simply driving the car. You're putting "stress" on the engine regardless of whether it's from a vacuum (engine braking) or from the fuel-air combustion. Both stress the engine. However, full power is *far* more stressful than "normal" driving or engine braking, on both the drivetrain and the engine. Since the drivetrain and engine are designed for the full power of the car, the stresses from engine-braking should have very little long-term effect on the engine or the drivetrain, and IMO be no worse than continuing to drive at a constant speed.

IMO, if there was a real problem with either approach, then we'd have probably heard about it now, as literally millions of cars would have been affected.

 

I heel and toe on the street............

 

how do u rev match the speed when down shifting ..............do u mean heel and toeing? iv tried to do that but the pedals r not placed so i can do that comfortably

 

You may want to read Click and Clack's comments on this:
http://cartalk.cars.com/Columns/Archive/19...ecember/01.html

IMO, downshifting probably isn't wrong, but you are difinitely using more clutch than otherwise. I sold my Accord a few years ago with 157,000 miles on it with the original clutch. And yes, I had to put new brake pads in every 50,000 miles, but I never replaced the rotors. I've put over 100,000 miles on several cars, and I've never had to replace a clutch.