Standard Gear Shifters....

[BADMIHAI]

What is happening? Is it me, or do the newest supercars (or nice cars in general) lack standard gear shifters? I hate F1 style shifters! I like to have 3 pedals, not 2!!!! I played with a Ferrari H shifter once and I'm loving/driving standard ever since. I hate automatics and tiptronic crap.

[themailman34]

seeing as I'm not too good at driving stick, Im all for these F1 trannies

They do shift a lot faster than a human can and on downshifts, they automatically blip the throttle. But in terms of driver involvement, well there is not very much.
They are best used on the track.

As long as car companies offer the option of a manaul or F1 transmission, all people will be happy

[BADMIHAI]

As long as car companies offer the option of a manaul or F1 transmission, all people will be happy

well...that's the problem! They aren't puting standard shifters in the newest cars!

[mendocino]

I too prefer the manual, as long as I'm concerned, I want to have full control about everything possible in a car (no abs no tcs no esp ect) but I think manufacturer want to kill manual for technical reason: as power and torque increase so does the stress on the clutch and the gear box. and by doing cluching and shifting assisted they are sure the stress is limited to some maximum, so no misshandling ... pitty but that's the way it'll be in the future. imagine if you miss a gear in a car with a 50 000 euros engine... :shock:

[deth]

hmm i agree w/ mendocino but IMO i also think it has to do with the 'wow factor'. the cars that these 'boxes are being put in are designed to stun ppl..ie be different and stand out... the 'box is jsut one more thing to make ppl oogle....i realize that they supposedly arent too good right now..but tis new tech right? i'm sure it'll get better soon.

[stradale]

The paddle shifts are getting better already, but I don't know if that's ging to make a huge difference in this discussion. I haven't driven a car with some sort of semi-automatic transmission yet, so I can't rely on personal experience here, but reading various magazines and watching Top Gear/5th Gear learns that the journalists aren't exactly excited about it. I'm sure technology will get better and cure the jerky full-throttle upshifts, Audi's DSG has already done that I think. Still the involvement issue hasn't been dealt with. Even EVO's verdict of the Enzo suffered from this.

There's obviously a market for the semi-automatic gearboxes since Ferrari sells lots of them. A manual should always be possible to have IMO. I'm afraid that choice might be limited in the future (just look at the Enzo and Vanquish) and that's a damn shame. You can't beat three pedals and a dogleg IMO.

[BADMIHAI]

I'm not saying the new "paddle shifters" aren't good! I really don't give a fuck if they are! I'm saying I hate not having a clutch pedal and a H shifter!

[themailman34]

other than the enzo and vanquish........what else does not offer a manual?

At least the Porsche CGT has the manual!!

[TT]

AMG models? The SL at least comes only with the semi-auto one, isn't it?

[deth]

hehe in canada ALL benz's bar a couple ( the slk320 being one of the exceptions i can think of right now) are auto/semi auto!

[blah]

Isnt the new M5 coming out only gonna be sMg.

[hemi_fan]

Heres the plan, I'll invent the Manual-Semi-automatic-Automatic gearbox. Retractable paddle shifts on the wheel, retractable clutch petal, and ability to use all 3 types to their full extent. + it will weigh less and be more efficient than any of the single trannys. Wish me luck. hahaha

*gets out etch-a-sketch and starts doodling*

[blah]

Give me a old pistol grip shifter ANYDAY!

[Imre]

New m5 is with manual and smg.

[Chingachgook]

I like the F1 paddle shifter, but the manual is the best. you have more involvement, and you will be more satisfacted after a good driving. MANUAL ALL THE LIFE