Going back to manual from automatic?

Iceweasel

JP08 wrote: »

They are not so great if you are an "enthusiastic" driver who likes to give it beans up and down the box on a twisty B road. But there aren't that many of them where you can get a clear run, and it hasn't been my thing for many years.

The 'flappy paddle' gear changers are now faster than any manual gear-stick.

That's why I don't think there are no manual boxes offered by Ferrari or Porsche any more.

Old-school 'autos are for wimps' drivers are not happy of course.

Ebe_Scrooge

Iceweasel wrote: »

The 'flappy paddle' gear changers are now faster than any manual gear-stick.

Out of curiosity, are there any cars that "normal" people could afford that have these ? As you say, Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini etc. have been using them for some time. But I don't think I'll be able to afford a Ferrari for at least a couple of years yet

ballyblack

In my family experience

Changing from a manual to auto for a very eldely driver can be quite dangerous

macman

Ebe_Scrooge wrote: »

Out of curiosity, are there any cars that "normal" people could afford that have these ? As you say, Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini etc. have been using them for some time. But I don't think I'll be able to afford a Ferrari for at least a couple of years yet

Citroen C2 Sensodrive (if you must)?

knightstyle

Smart cars have had flappy paddles for a while.
Back to the opp. We have had automatics for the last 20 years following my DW back problems. From time to time i hire a car and get a manual, as others have said it is like riding a bike and you soon do the clutch bit without thinking.

facade

It is no problem changing from auto to manual.
(Except you might stall a few times when manoeuvring, as you expect the car to creep slowly, and it just gives up)

However I find when I do drive the manual it is such a faff to get the thing moving.
Press the clutch, mess with the gear lever, lift the clutch a bit, whilst pressing the accelerator a bit, undo the handbrake, press the accelerator a bit more, lift the clutch a bit more.

By the time I've done all that, the car in front is about 50 yards away. :eek:

In the auto, I just lift up one foot and press the other one down, and we're off :cool:

Then I end up on the brake to avoid running into the back of the car in front when it stops accelerating whilst the driver presses the clutch, messes with the gear lever, lifts up the clutch. presses the accelerator....:rotfl:

I love torque converter autos :D

Iceweasel

Mind you you really do have to understand how an auto-box works - not like this guy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMJhOSdxQVg

bigjl

Every time I have gone from an auto to a manual it just cements how much nicer an auto is to drive.

facade

bigjl wrote: »

Every time I have gone from an auto to a manual it just cements how much nicer an auto is to drive.

I simply can't imagine why people spend large amounts of money on cars where you have to work the gears yourself, and then claim they are "better" :rotfl:

Takes all sorts I suppose........

BeenThroughItAll

facade wrote: »

In the auto, I just lift up one foot and press the other one down, and we're off :cool:

So you do a lot of left-foot braking then?

:-)