Hi RPM
Well-known member
i was working the autoshow, Scion booth.. seen a few guys wearing motorcycle related shirts, made sure to say hi to everyone that wore one 
2015 Auto Show
- Thread starter SunnY S
- Start date
Saw literally nothing that interested me. Lots of automatics since manual is disappearing: lame. Lots of higher powered front wheel drive cars: more lame. Few exotics or luxury cars that not only barely appeal to me since they are almost all automatic but they're also so expensive I'll never buy one. Electric cars with next to no mileage (I think 180 km was the highest other than Tesla, who had a crap booth with next to nothing). Some hybrids that sound too complex to be worthwhile (Mitsubishi was pushing the upcoming Outlander with some kind of tri-engine thing that just seems so likely to break). Meh.
slayerofsouls
Well-known member
Do you define a DCT as an automatic? It still has a clutch plate (2 clutches)
Anything that is capable of functioning by itself without driver intervention via clutch pedal and gearshift lever is an automatic, as far as I'm concerned. Doesn't matter what the mechanics inside are ... although some automatics are better than others.
Like these guys said, if it shifts itself, has no stick and third pedal, I'm not interested. Maybe if a company came out with something that kept the pedal and stick but somehow still had an automatic mode, I might consider it. But that would just be more crap to break.
slayerofsouls
Well-known member
So no interest in any modern era supercar? Interesting..
I honestly find a 3 pedal to be overrated. It is like saying, I only want a car without power steering and no ABS brakes. Technology is progressing, and 3-pedals are a thing of the past.
Not really, no. Not like I'll ever own one, anyway. The Gallardo I drove a couple years ago was stick and I was happy with that.
Both my current cars don't have ABS. That's just coincidence, though.
Roomie
Banned
Technology is progressing and racers are finding it easier. Street posers aren't complaining. A stick is still more engaging and user fun than any possible paddle shift. They're far from a thing of the past.
slayerofsouls
Well-known member
How many 2015 supercars can you name that are 3 pedals?
Roomie
Banned
Simply because you can't out shift them on a race track. You're talking thousandths of a second. That doesn't even translate to road going car. That doesn't date them nor make them less fun for the road. I know the cars and coffee posing crowd doesn't care but there's a lot that prefer a manual.
-D-
Banned
i can name all that have 1 steering wheel.
slayerofsouls
Well-known member
Its more than just performance figures. People are too focused on just performance figures, but for supercars that is a big part of how they are rated.
You are essentially streamlining a long manual process of pressing your foot down and engaging a gear, to just a flick of a paddle. Giving you more control of the wheel.
I dont understand your argument "that doesn't date them" - how so? As we move forward less and less cars are coming with 3 pedal manual.
Auto's are not as fun and satisfying for the overall driving experience. Plain and simple.
But no matter, automatic's have won in the end, companies like BMW only have the M3/M4/M5 in manual and are moving away to Auto everything. This generation of cars is probably their last with manual tranny's.
Now it's more about the infotainment than it is the raw, driving experience.
msatrakkoic
Well-known member
Manual>>>>>>>>> auto.
Auto is just another way to get more ****** drivers on the roads
Auto is just another way to get more ****** drivers on the roads
sadly, most of the guys who can afford them, have no clue how to drive them regardless.....
Also, I like how many blame the car manufacturers for not making manuals anymore.... they would make them, if people would keep buying them.....
http://blog.caranddriver.com/acura-is-getting-off-the-stick-and-heres-why/
That's exactly it, it's about driving engagement.
This shift away from manual transmissions resembles the move away from convertibles generations ago. Originally drop tops were deemed essential components of a sporting cars. They were lighter, gave a stronger sensation of speed, greater felling of connection to the road. Now convertibles are heavier, less stiff, and annoying at the speeds cars easily attain these days. But for many people they still retain that engaging aspect that they might have become accustomed to, because that's what it's all about in the end. Actual performance is only relevant to spec sheet racers. Nobody is going to get to work 3.2 seconds faster than the day before. and call it a great driving experience!
So with manuals. They were always lighter and more efficient, they give a feeling of control, a greater 'oneness' with the vehicle. The fact that automatics are becoming more efficient and faster in instrumented testing isn't really relevant. They're always going to be less engaging than stick.
Sports cars died a while ago, they're mostly all boulevardiers now. That's one of the main reasons why I ride (and why I'll never understand cruiser bikes - get a friggin car!)
