Are stick shifts on the way out?
02-03-2005, 04:27 PM
#31
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Originally Posted by Chazmo' date='Feb 3 2005, 08:02 PM
So, apparently, back in December, I was advocating the spread of the sequential, manual transmission with a servo-controlled clutch. This month, Car and Driver magazine panned the BMW Z-4's SMG tranny.
I'm going to have to drive one of these. I still think this is the future, but perhaps it's not the present.
Road and Track just had their feature article this month pitting 10 sports cars against each other (the S came in an incredibly respectable 5th, beat only by the Lotus Elise, Porsche 911S, Porsche Boxster S, and Chevy Corvette). The definition included a manual transmission.
I think this is all very interesting. I know, personally, I think I'd like to have an S2000 with a fast-acting SMG, but perhaps it's premature.
I'm going to have to drive one of these. I still think this is the future, but perhaps it's not the present.
Road and Track just had their feature article this month pitting 10 sports cars against each other (the S came in an incredibly respectable 5th, beat only by the Lotus Elise, Porsche 911S, Porsche Boxster S, and Chevy Corvette). The definition included a manual transmission.
I think this is all very interesting. I know, personally, I think I'd like to have an S2000 with a fast-acting SMG, but perhaps it's premature.
Those few tenths of a second, much like the 150 mph top speed, really don't mean much to me. Especially when compared to the fun and the feel of a good old fashioned third into second downshift into a tight turn. Or a perfectly executed upshift when it matters.
I suppose the SMG tranny is the way of the future, and even if something is gained, something will be lost too.
02-03-2005, 04:40 PM
#32
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Originally Posted by ralper' date='Feb 3 2005, 05:27 PM
I don't know, Chaz. I suppose your revolutionary SMG tranny with the servo-controlled clutch will be a few tenths of a second faster, but I still like driving my traditional, old fashioned, manual transmission.
I suppose the SMG tranny is the way of the future, and even if something is gained, something will be lost too.
I suppose the SMG tranny is the way of the future, and even if something is gained, something will be lost too.
At some point, all cars will be electric or hybrid
.
02-03-2005, 04:52 PM
#33
Originally Posted by ralper' date='Feb 3 2005, 08:27 PM
I don't know, Chaz. I suppose your revolutionary SMG tranny with the servo-controlled clutch will be a few tenths of a second faster, but I still like driving my traditional, old fashioned, manual transmission.
Those few tenths of a second, much like the 150 mph top speed, really don't mean much to me. Especially when compared to the fun and the feel of a good old fashioned third into second downshift into a tight turn. Or a perfectly executed upshift when it matters.
I suppose the SMG tranny is the way of the future, and even if something is gained, something will be lost too.
Those few tenths of a second, much like the 150 mph top speed, really don't mean much to me. Especially when compared to the fun and the feel of a good old fashioned third into second downshift into a tight turn. Or a perfectly executed upshift when it matters.
I suppose the SMG tranny is the way of the future, and even if something is gained, something will be lost too.
So, Rob, I think I'm agreeing with you. After seeing what C&D had to say, I'm not switching to a seq. tranny any time soon.
And, damn if I don't love the S's shifter! I just don't have the chops for heel and toe that I'd like!
I can't let Keith keep smoking me in the turns, Rob! 
(dang Ferraris!)
02-03-2005, 04:53 PM
#34
Originally Posted by FO2K' date='Feb 3 2005, 08:40 PM
The 6 spd manual on the E46 M3 is faster than the SMG, but I agree that SMG type transmission vehicles will be the wave of the future. Automatic trannys will improve to the point that most cars will not even have an option for a manual, but I expect that S's, Miata's Lotus' and the like will always have a manual gearbox.
At some point, all cars will be electric or hybrid .
At some point, all cars will be electric or hybrid
.That surely ain't today though.
02-03-2005, 05:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Chazmo' date='Feb 3 2005, 07:52 PM
And, damn if I don't love the S's shifter! I just don't have the chops for heel and toe that I'd like! 
I just wish my feet didn't get all tangled up when I try heel and toeing. 
02-03-2005, 05:35 PM
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Originally Posted by klassyblue' date='Feb 3 2005, 08:24 PM
Tom it's easier if you don't wear those black pumps when your doing this!!!
It's those high-heeled sneakers.
02-03-2005, 08:28 PM
#38
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Someday I expect I'll be unable to buy a car with a manual transmission. (Paddle shifters don't count.)
Heck, I'm already unable to buy a car without ABS brakes.
Heck, I'm already unable to buy a car without ABS brakes.
02-03-2005, 09:14 PM
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Chazmo's got the "pulse" on this topic, as far as I'm concerned. Still, I prefer a sequential shifter--on bikes you can get electronic cutout so that the spark is arrested briefly during shifting to make things faster and smoother.
Porsche is attacking the problem from the other side--making auomatic shifters act as if they're people-friendly manuals.
The CVT is nice, but has already been eclipsed by the 6-speed auto, imo.
Porsche is attacking the problem from the other side--making auomatic shifters act as if they're people-friendly manuals.
The CVT is nice, but has already been eclipsed by the 6-speed auto, imo.
02-05-2005, 12:07 PM
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Originally Posted by paS2K' date='Dec 8 2004, 02:00 PM
My dad's 1960 Dodge Dart had 3 on the tree and the venerable 225 slant six (no, preVints....that's not a 6 speed tranny )When the shift linkage would get hung up for some reason, you just raised the hood and reached in on the driver's side and unstuck the gear roads poking thru the firewall
This in the car that I learned to drive in.... Does anyone else have 3 on the tree stories