Forward for upshifting is retarded. I have never seen a racecar with that configuration.

 

Paddle shifting is only going to get better and more popular. As the technology improves, some of the current advantages of a manual transmission will not be as enticing to the majority of the public.

Downshift without a delay and without a clutch? Yes please.

But to each their own and personally I love to be connected to the car with a manual transmission.

 

At least with the S2000 design, the conventional torque converter automatic transmission is out of bounds. It simply cannot handle the high rpm's. Note that the Mazda RX-8, with a 9000 rpm redline with 6 speed manual, has to drop the redline to 7500 with the 4 speed torque converter automatic. It also loses about 45 hp - definitely not a desirable choice. Now, as for DSG and similar, perhaps in time they will reach a level of flexibility and sophistication where the manual gets pushed off the map. But not for a while at least.

 

I test drove a Jetta GLI with the DSG tranny and I have to say it is a great compromise in a car that both me and my wife would have to drive. The DSG shifts super fast and behaves just like a manual unlike the manumatics in my G35 or Jeep GC. I still prefer to drive a stick, but the DSG offers a better option for my family car than what has been previously avaliable.

Kevin

 

One good thing about these DSGs and F1 trannies is that they decrease the chances of a mechanical over-rev...i think.

when i shop for used S2k's, i'm always worried about picking one up where the driver accidentally downshifted from 5th to 2nd...going 80 mph. Ouch.

 

Actually the BMW tiptronics have down for upshifts and up for downshifts. At least on the newer E46's it was like that. I know my mother had an older E46 and it was the opposite way, but on the newer ones its this way. BTW, on her old car I always thought that it was retarded with the down to downshift and the up to upshift.

 

BTW, the main reason why some of you are defending manual transmissions, is that you are spoiled with the s2000. I hate the e46 m3 tranny (its like rowing a boat/sliding a level on an old railway station) and 90% of cars on the road today have horrible manual trannys, especially, if coming from an s2000.

 

"when i shop for used S2k's, i'm always worried about picking one up where the driver accidentally downshifted from 5th to 2nd...going 80 mph. Ouch."

I totally did that trying to downshift from 6th to 4th in the first week I had the car. Thank God I was looking out for it because I wasn't used to the close proximity of the gears so I didn't fully let the clutch out!

But yea, the DSG is gonna be great for guys like me who refuse to drive automatics but will eventually have to share a car with a female.

 

that is because a large part of the public who buys paddle shifters don't know anything about stick driving. they think its the same.

 

You guys are hangin' with the wrong women. I would say that a very large percentage of women I know at least know how to drive a stick. They may not prefer it.