Stick or Paddles (third pedal vs auto clutch)

[spicymustard]

I was just reading the auto vs manual forum, I think everyone chose manual. This inspired me to post this thread.

In cars available with both would you prefer a stick and third pedal or paddles and two peddles?

BMW M3, Lambo Gallardo, Ferrari 360, Ferrari 575, Ferrari 355 etc.

I have come to the conclusion I will never be able to shift as fast as a BMW SMG, however I would take an M3 with a stick. However I would take the 360 with the new gen paddles like in the Stradale. Having launch control would also come into account, the US spec M3 has no launch control, therefor having a slower 0-60 than a stick, however the Euro spec is faster having LC. There is also the whole breaking with your left foot thing, definately improving lap times.
I really have not come to a definite yes of no on the subject.
I wonder if any of you have?
And I hope this is not a repeat topic, sorry if it is.

[zr2man99]

I want to pretend I'm Schumacher! Paddles!

[ferrari550]

I would like the paddles sometimes for fun but i would like the stick all around driving. i'm sure the paddles are very fun, i would love to try, but a six speed standard does it for me

[themailman34]

Id take the paddles...........im not to good at driving stick :(

[cho_888]

love the clutch love the stick. learn to drive then learn to sit in the drivers seat.

[scubywrxr]

paddles and a ferrari cant go wrong!!

[alondahan]

I think it depends on the car. in some cars I prefer a stick, and in others I prefer paddles.

[aawil]

I want to pretend I'm Schumacher! Paddles!



I feel the same way. I find them to be more race like not less.

[mitsucars]

hmm tricky question.. I kinda enjoy heel/toe downshifts and getting them just right especially when you're braking as hard as possible at the same time, and just changing gear with a stick and clutch, it's kinda satisfying in a way, BUT at the same time to have a car with paddle shift would be pretty cool to drive too if it was a well made system

[jakaracman]

Voted for paddles, but actually with auto clutch I prefer using "stick" even in cars with paddle shift (if they have it, like M3 ...).

[cho_888]

i think it depends on teh car, what your doing with it and how seriouse you are going to take it. If you love to race and what to clock fast lasp times consistantly go the paddles, if you want to have fun reving the car and playing with its greas around twisty corners go the stick. Its personal oppinion and what you need to do.

[Chaos in 1983!]

Wow a lot of people likes the paddles...I would try the paddles for a while, just for fun, but I'd have to say stick, I just like shifting gears...feel more in touch with the car :D

[scubywrxr]

Save the paddles for the race track and learn how to drive mutha`s :mrgreen:
I chose a manual gearbox for that extra driving pleasure :wink:

[cho_888]

thats my point scubywrxr you have the right idea! : 8)

[stradale]

I chose the manual shift. I know the paddle shift is faster, but the manual is more involving. Besides, I'm used to shifting manually and even in heavy traffic I don't find it a nuisance. It goes without thinking.

[BADMIHAI]

I'm with stradale on this one! Stick all the way!

[TT]

Sure, the paddles are faster, but the manual more rewarding :) when you blip the throttle and match perfectly the engine revs downshifting is way better than the computerized version, always perfect :D

[Imre]

Manual.There is no doupt about that.Paddles are for sissies :twisted:

[Johns]

definitly paddles, there more fun. my next car is probly going to be the E46 M3 with SMG 0X

[scubywrxr]

Manual.There is no doupt about that.Paddles are for sissies :twisted:

tell that to Juan Pablo Montoya, Kimi Raikonnen, David Coulthard, Rubens Barrichello, and the biggest "sissy" of them all, 6 time F1 world champion Michael "sissy paddle user" Schumacher. 8)

[scubywrxr]

Well like I said before - paddles are quicker, for when u want the fastest time- but does not need much skill - to heel and toe and snap change u need good hand eye- co-ordination and some skills - nothing beats the thrill of a perfect downshift into a hairpin bend with a manual shifter :wink:

[TT]

tell that to Juan Pablo Montoya, Kimi Raikonnen, David Coulthard, Rubens Barrichello, and the biggest "sissy" of them all, 6 time F1 world champion Michael "sissy paddle user" Schumacher


I doubt you can compare an F1 with say a C2 VTR ;)

[SFDMALEX]

Defenetly stick. In my race sims I always go with a fully manual H pattern. Its much better as far control goes. With paddles you arent as free at all. The main problem is that you dont have that clutch pedal. In a fully manual I can switch a couple of gears at once, were in a paddel sequential box you got to switch one gear at the time, and this is major under braking. It's hard to explain the other control factors, you need to be put in a race to see the advantages of a fully manual box, over a clutchless sequential gearbox.

As far as times go, I did a 2:00.2 at mugello with a 360C with pedals, and a 2:00.3 with fully manual.

[BADMIHAI]

paddles<----"die motherfuckers, die motherfuckers, die motherfuckers, still"

[Fluxlo]

Though both paddles and the standard manual tranny keep you involved with the car, i believe there is a higher connection to the car with the 2 peddles and the clutch. I've never driven a pure paddle car though so i don't know exactly how fun it'd be. But driving stick is really fun, i don't know if it can top the exhileration of it. :)

[ducati998]

MANUAL!!!!!
wise choice cho_888, I'm sure that comes with your years of experience on the in various stick and paddle shift optioned cars!

[cho_888]

likewise, yes but you know i'm right 8)

[ducati998]

about the paddles, for the track yes, for the road no. that is true. there is one exception by force, can you guess?

[cho_888]

ohh i dont need to guess, its the road version, of the racing versoin of the road car!

360 challenge stradale

[ducati998]

wonderful! it is indeed. if i could make the noise in words i would.
it might go something like, bharkkk, crack crack, bharrkkkk, crack...
see ya mate

[Wide]

Havin the manual is much more fun and good for many cases.. But ofcourse others are good for tracffic.. But anyways I always choose manual..
Usin auto has no fun and not better than the manual.. (not talkin about the gears from wheel..)
Knowin that to change the gear to anyone and anytime is good..

Btw how many ppl got a F1 usin at the city that they are still protectin the auto..?
Manual is better than the others all the way..
And it makes muscles for your leg.. lol..

[novass]

Stick. Its much more fun.

[Chingachgook]

The problem with paddle shifter is that the downchange speed is decided by the electronic and not by the driver. with a manual gearbox you can downchange from 6th to 4th if you have to brake very very hard, but with the paddle-shifter you have to pull the paddle 2 time to go in 4th, and you have to pull it in the right moment, because the downchange speed is decided by the electronic.
I prefer a complete manual with H pattern or atrue sequential Gearbox, like the Elise GT1, the TVT T550R and so on. I can use a stick and use the clutch and blip whenm I'm downchanging, and like said TT, when you are able to match perfectly the engine revs, it' a pleasure that no paddle-shifter can ever give!
In fact, the only thing I don't like about the Challenge Stradale is the paddle shifter. If one day I'll be enough rich to buy a Challenge Stradale, I will convert it to manual or better to a rear race gearchange. With straight cuts gears of course :wink: