6MT or DCT?

[dinonz]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

Ha, well it's not 1 or 2 tenths, that's the just a straight line number that nobody gives a shit about - on a road course it's full seconds and is the difference between keeping up or not keeping up.

It's just not humanly possible to drive a mountain course full of twisties and elevation changes and not have the MT slow you down enough to take you out. I've never seen any MT driver in any car able to do it.

Interestingly on the Motor Trend head to head with the ATS-V vs the C 63 vs the M4, the ATS-V and C63 put similar drivers nose-to-ass on a mountain course with the M3 not even in sight ... point being that a mountain course is the great equalizer on car-driver system and all other things equal an MT driver is probably not even in the game in the mountains. It's like that fat guy that shows up to a mountain biking race: after 2000' you'll never see him again.

Go to 12:45 in this video (and if you like your M3 don't listen at 24:15):

Next time I'm on a mountain course driving balls out, I promise I'll give a shit...

Until then, I'll enjoy driving my 6MT

[Gibson6594]

The c63 may have won that comparo, but I'd never buy the fucker because it doesn't come with a stick.

[Powaup]

I Drive a manual now but next car will be DCT

[Bimmed Out]

I owned a 911/991 Turbo S for about two months. Never again will I own an automatic transmission sports car. My first and last.

[solstice]

My last M3 was DCT my current is MT. I see advantages in both and will likely continue to switch as long as MTs are around but if I walked out to my car now And found it had DCT I would likely start crying

[Ian1973]

Learned to drive on a manual at 12 years old. First car was a manual. I think out of like 10-15 cars I've owned only 2 were automatics, a Caddy STS and an Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. lol

[stealth70mde]

Decided 3 cars ago to go with Auto/DCT because I spend between 2.5 to 4 hours a day in heavy traffic.

I miss manual though but my left knee just can't it anymore.

[KevinM]

Yes, can drive manuals and will until no longer offered...however, my automatic skills are a bit rusty!

[9SECDD]

Originally Posted by kepler

I owned a 911/991 Turbo S for about two months. Never again will I own an automatic transmission sports car. My first and last.

Interesting, as it had the opposite effect on me. Previous 5 cars were all manuals ( E46 M3, E36 M3, 2 Mustang GTs, 300Zx). Drove a 911 Turbo S, Ferrari 458 Italia and Lamborghini Gallardo for 7 laps each around a track, all with DCT transmissions with paddle shifters. Couldn't stop daydreaming about my M3 having the same lighting fast paddle shifts. Sold it and got my DCT M4. I'll never go back to a stick shift sports car.

Not sure why so many view the DCT as an automatic. When driven with paddle shifters (the only way I drive) it's very much a manual. Just a superior manual that you shift using your fingers instead of your hand and foot.

Sticks shift manuals used to be faster than old slush-box automatics, but no more. I appreciate the nostalgia factor in old-style stick manuals, but DCT paddle-shifting transmissions are a superior manual trans (for those that want max performance) and are the future of fast sports cars.

[ecf34]

I never learned how to drive manual when I was growing up, so automatics are the only option for me. Honestly driving manual just seems like a chore

[NewM3driver]

Yep

[Gibson6594]

Originally Posted by ecf34

I never learned how to drive manual when I was growing up, so automatics are the only option for me. Honestly driving manual just seems like a chore

In traffic, it can be. Otherwise I find it much more engaging and fun. Yes, it's slower, but that's ok, this car is more than enough for my suburban streets and highways. I think most, not all, but most people find autos very boring once they have become accustomed to driving manual transmissions.

Edit: it seems like a chore because you don't understand how much it becomes second nature. Once you learn to drive stick, it's almost like you don't even realize you're doing it.

[captainaudio]

Originally Posted by Gibson6594

In traffic, it can be. Otherwise I find it much more engaging and fun. Yes, it's slower, but that's ok, this car is more than enough for my suburban streets and highways. I think most, not all, but most people find autos very boring once they have become accustomed to driving manual transmissions.

Edit: it seems like a chore because you don't understand how much it becomes second nature. Once you learn to drive stick, it's almost like you don't even realize you're doing it.

According to the poll the vast majority of those who are driving DCTs know how to drive a manual transmission.

I agree that shifting an MT becomes second nature. It did for me and after it became second nature it was no longer all that engaging. I regularly alternate between driving DCT/AT and MT cars and quite honestly when I am in an MT car I don't think "Wow! Now I'm really driving."

[Gibson6594]

Originally Posted by captainaudio

According to the poll the vast majority of those who are driving DCTs know how to drive a manual transmission.

I agree that shifting an MT becomes second nature. It did for me and after it became second nature it was no longer all that engaging. I regularly alternate between driving DCT/AT and MT cars and quite honestly when I am in an MT car I don't think "Wow! Now I'm really driving."

True, but we don't know the other reasons. Some may drive in traffic and choose not to bother with manual. Some may have physical limitations. Some may regret their decision.

I don't think, "Wow! Now I'm really driving" when I drive a manual, but I do miss it when I'm not.

At the end of the day, this is a stupid argument. Everyone gets what they like, and one is not better than the other. I guess my point was that someone who has never driven a stick should try it before judging it and labeling it as a "chore."

[5against8]

Will always drive a manual *if available*. Not saying I will stick with used older cars (or resort to driving a Corvette) if they all go away. Didn't have a manual for awhile because I switched to an SUV as my DD.

[Spionkop18]

If you cant you should be on the Mercedes form!!! ??

[AutoTalent]

Yes and I love it

[golovko]

There is no question that DCT is "faster" and the way of the future. However, I'm not trying to win any races in my daily driver so I'd much rather have the more fun of the two...manual! Will stick with manual until manufacturers tell me I can't have it anymore.

I also might be the only person who thinks a manual in traffic is better than an automatic because it gives you something else to do to pass the time.

[gatorfast]

Not sure how accurate the poll is. Doubt you would get too many people to admit they can't drive stick.

[captainaudio]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Not sure how accurate the poll is. Doubt you would get too many people to admit they can't drive stick.

And from my experience that includes a number of drivers who own a stick.

[babraham]

When I go back and forth between my cars frequently (one auto, one MT), I often find my left foot reaching for the clutch on my auto car...and that makes me chuckle.

My new car will be MT, so both my DD and weekend warrior will be manual then.

[GSWCireM3]

Yes learned after getting it. Definitely not the best car to first learn, but what a car to learn in.