[curtdragon]

Originally Posted by Dinosoar

Oh, automatic all the way. Hey, it's a proper sports coupe, has to have an automatic. Can't put 1980s tech on a 21st century sports car!

Manuals are for control freaks, autos are for speed freaks. I will admit, both can be for enthusiasts.

Hey, they don't do manuals on a whole lot of race specs out there from GT4 to F1 and almost everything in between. Since when are autos NOT an enthusiast's choice? They're slower, they're a liability on track (in the braking zone), and you can't shift once the car's taken a set in a high-speed turn. And, you also cannot take advantage of 8,9 or 10 gears.

While I am being a bit cheeky, I do believe autos are superior and totally an enthusiast's choice. And, I am a Gen Xer who learned to drive a manual on a '66 Beetle when I was 7; my track car is manual too. I just feel that managing the throttle, brakes and steering through the four tires is the point of it all, nothing to do with rowing gears for me.

Honestly it's more about being engaging. You're driving the car and not the other way around. It's about control. It's going to be where you want it. Slapping paddles isn't as fun.

But yes if you're about the fastest times then auto and AWD are the way to go

[FryCookOnVenus]

I have my deposit down on a manual. It might be slower and less efficient, but to me, it's more engaging and fun and that's the whole reason I'm buying an M car in the first place.

[d3sign3r]

Originally Posted by FryCookOnVenus

I have my deposit down on a manual. It might be slower and less efficient, but to me, it's more engaging and fun and that's the whole reason I'm buying a M car in the first place.

Same plus hopefully I'll get tired of it at times and drive my other more economical AT car to save some miles

[Dinosoar]

Originally Posted by curtdragon

Honestly it's more about being engaging. You're driving the car and not the other way around. It's about control. It's going to be where you want it. Slapping paddles isn't as fun.

But yes if you're about the fastest times then auto and AWD are the way to go

If driving fast enough, it is engaging enough. However, that's only for the track. For the street, I can see your desire to engage with the gear shift...that's just not the fun part for me. Don't get me wrong with my cheeky comments, I like manuals, and it does require a different skill set, I just really dig paddle shifters and focusing on car control more.

[Albator_IIII]

Originally Posted by Dinosoar

If driving fast enough, it is engaging enough. However, that's only for the track. For the street, I can see your desire to engage with the gear shift...that's just not the fun part for me. Don't get me wrong with my cheeky comments, I like manuals, and it does require a different skill set, I just really dig paddle shifters and focusing on car control more.

Personally, the speed would have to be illegal to have to be content using paddles, the novelty would wear off, and I would rarely use them. For 98% regular driving even "sedated" on civy roads, having to row my gears even non-spirited is a pleasure. A MT cannot be turned off.

Slower? Yes. Less fuel efficient? Sure. Both arms and legs busy and involved in the process? Heck yeah!

The 6MT is the primary reason for me getting this car. If you are happy w/ the 8AT, I am happy for you to be able to get the option.

[Dinosoar]

Originally Posted by Albator_IIII

Personally, the speed would have to be illegal to have to be content using paddles, the novelty would wear off, and I would rarely use them. For 98% regular driving even "sedated" on civy roads, having to row my gears even non-spirited is a pleasure. A MT cannot be turned off.

Slower? Yes. Less fuel efficient? Sure. Both arms and legs busy and involved in the process? Heck yeah!

The 6MT is the primary reason for me getting this car. If you are happy w/ the 8AT, I am happy for you to be able to get the option.

I am sure you're driving above the speed limit in a MT car too, no? Or you're saying, you have fun at all speeds?

[curtdragon]

Originally Posted by Albator_IIII

Personally, the speed would have to be illegal to have to be content using paddles, the novelty would wear off, and I would rarely use them. For 98% regular driving even "sedated" on civy roads, having to row my gears even non-spirited is a pleasure. A MT cannot be turned off.

Slower? Yes. Less fuel efficient? Sure. Both arms and legs busy and involved in the process? Heck yeah!

The 6MT is the primary reason for me getting this car. If you are happy w/ the 8AT, I am happy for you to be able to get the option.

7AT here and if I'm going for all out speed I just mash the pedal. No paddles. If I'm doing spirited driving the paddles may be used but definitely not the same

[trey100]

If you are primarily driving on the street, I don’t get the need to squeeze out the last few tenths with an auto. Manuals will be gone soon. You have a whole life to drive fast golf carts.

[JamnF87]

Manual transmission all the way here, without a question. Automatics are so boring to drive and I don’t really like paddle shifting. If this wasn’t offered with a manual transmission, then I would stick with my manual F87 or buy a different vehicle!

[Dinosoar]

So, what do you MT guys do in traffic, just suck it up?

[FryCookOnVenus]

Originally Posted by Dinosoar

So, what do you MT guys do in traffic, just suck it up?

Until someone suggests a better option, that's exactly what I do!

[JustinHEMI]

All I know is this (for me). I KNOW that the auto is the superior choice these days for best times, but that isn't what I'm chasing. I'm chasing engagement. How do I know the manual is for me?

Before seeing the light and buying my manual F87 M2, I owned 5 dodge challengers in the following configurations; manual, auto, auto, auto, manual. Each of those autos were the same car but with different cosmetic and option packages, each hoping to capture something the previous was missing. I kept telling myself the auto was the superior transmission, and it was. It wasn't until I thought, though, "maybe it's the auto?", and picked up another manual car that I regained the love that I was missing with all of those superior autos. It was an expensive lesson, but a lesson I will not repeat with the G87 M2.

Manual for me. I'm not an F1 or GT racer. I want to row gears on the windy backroads of the Poconos. I'm glad we still have the option.

[JustinHEMI]

Originally Posted by Dinosoar

So, what do you MT guys do in traffic, just suck it up?

I live in bum fucked Pennsylvania, traffic isn't a worry for me.

[BMWsForMe]

Originally Posted by Dinosoar

So, what do you MT guys do in traffic, just suck it up?

Yes, and very happy to do it. I have never complained about driving a manual trans in traffic.

However, I will also say I picked up a 335is convertible with DCT as a summer car for my wife, and I do enjoy driving it.

[BRAKE!]

Originally Posted by Dinosoar

If driving fast enough, it is engaging enough. However, that's only for the track. For the street, I can see your desire to engage with the gear shift...that's just not the fun part for me. Don't get me wrong with my cheeky comments, I like manuals, and it does require a different skill set, I just really dig paddle shifters and focusing on car control more.

I used to be a strictly manual guy - if you were buying a sports car and there was a manual option, I'd think you were crazy if you got the auto/dual clutch instead.

But, since I've been driving on the track, I come to appreciate the auto so much more. I genuinely enjoy shifting with the paddles and like you said - the auto transmission helps you focus your mind where it should be out on the track - ahead at the next corner, focusing on corner entry, exit, trail braking, etc. I feel that in this environment, having a manual is not an extra level of engagement, it's a nuisance. For that reason, if I was getting a car to be used on the track for my fun experiences, I would get an auto. Ex. if I got a GT3 or GT4, I would get the PDK.

However, for this car, I'm buying a manual. It will be my afterwork/weekend toy used for back roads, small trips, cruises, CCA meet ups. In the environment I'll be driving it in, having a manual would be way more engaging. I'm not looking at hitting corner apex, rather, I'll just be shifting at WOT when getting on the on/off ramps, small drifts when leaving a 4 way stop, and listening to the exhaust under the overpass, etc. It's way more fun to drive manual here because you can really control your car's behavior with all of your limbs vs clicking the paddles twice with your finger.

[fanofbmwe46]

6spd manual till I die!!! Or until the last 6spd BMW I own breaks down for good. I’m only 36yrs old :-)

[Al Bundy's Dodge]

Originally Posted by Dinosoar

So, what do you MT guys do in traffic, just suck it up?

It’s more of a game for me…to see how long I can keep her in gear before engaging the clutch to brake. This involves monitoring traffic flow in each lane, strategically changing lanes, etc…basically being engaged with your surroundings just as you would during normal traffic flow. In other words: driving.

[Dinosoar]

Originally Posted by Al Bundy's Dodge

It’s more of a game for me…to see how long I can keep her in gear before engaging the clutch to brake. This involves monitoring traffic flow in each lane, strategically changing lanes, etc…basically being engaged with your surroundings just as you would during normal traffic flow. In other words: driving.

I wouldn't know, from this description (other than clutch reference), if it were manual or auto (manual paddle shift mode) transmission at play here.

[Dinosoar]

I like these debates, or rather, the back and forth of the two preferences. I like driving my MT track car (2008 Mustang GT), but love all the other stuff of driving more than the clutch pedal.

I reject the idea that only enthusiasts drive manuals...so tired of every auto journalist assuming the same.

I do like hearing why MT guys are so jacked over their choice. I get it. I don't disagree. I just don't prefer it.

One thing we ALL agree on that performance cars, and especially (for me) performance driving is great! I can have fun in a Camry!

[GrannyShiftG80]

there's been a staggering increase in car thefts in my area

manual will be a big bonus just for that

[T_U_D]

Originally Posted by Allenssmart

there's been a staggering increase in car thefts in my area

manual will be a big bonus just for that

re the thefts.

[dominoM]

Originally Posted by Allenssmart

there's been a staggering increase in car thefts in my area

manual will be a big bonus just for that

hilarious but true