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I won't argue that modern autos have come a long ways, and I'll admit that I haven't driven a new Saab with an auto either. Both my brothers have VAG cars with autos, a Jetta Wagon w/ 1.8t, and an '05 A4. Both fun to drive. Autos keep getting better and better. Locking torque converters, adaptive shifting based upon drivers' heavy-footedness (or lack thereof, of course), and increasing numbers of cogs all have helped close the gap.
Now, what about those with no torque converter, like Audi's dual clutch, BMW's SMG (soon to go dual clutch too) and Porsche's Tiptronic? (I drove my neighbor's '07 Carrera equipped with Tiptronic a couple weeks ago... very cool.) From a pure performance stand point, it's hard to argue with millisecond shifts!
However, can I even try to nail that perfect 3-2 double-clutch downshift going into that 30 MPH corner when I get a hankerin' to do so?...No. Can an Audi DSG/BMW SMG/P. Tiptronic/You-name-it do it better or more consistently than I can?... Yes.
Now, can Steve Nash hit free throws or jumpers better and more consistently than I can? Absolutely! But, that doesn't mean I'm going to replace my hoop-shootin' with seat-time watching him do it.
And please, don't go harshin' on my gig here. I realize that the analogy is far from perfect. The point is this: I find deep satisfaction in learning and practicing my skills. One of those happens to be the process of changing gears in a car. From my perspective, great enjoyment can be had in such a small thing as shifting.
95% of the time, I would not miss a stick, but I never wish for an auto. I do have the luxury of living somewhere which does not have traffic. I don't drink coffee on my way to work (I ride my mountain bike more often than I drive). Every road to or from my humble little town is more windy than it is straight. So, driving a stick shift is not a chore in my book... but a pleasure.
Just my $0.02. Here's my "backyard"...
posted by 75.26.160...
_______________________________________
Current:
'03 9-5 Aero Wagon, 5spd, Polar/Black
Past:
'06 9-5 Combi, AT, Polar/Black
'04 9-5 Aero Wagon, AT, Nocturne/Granite
'03 9-5 Aero Wagon, AT, Steel/Charcoal
'00 9-3 Viggen, 5D, Silver/Black
'93 9000 Aero, 5MT, Cirrus/Black (Owned this one twice)
'86 900 SPG, 5MT, Edwardian/Buffalo Grey
Posts in this Thread:
- 5 speed vs. Automatic, tz, Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:05:03
- Re: 5 speed vs. Automatic, ursaw, Fri, 28 Sep 2007 18:43:57
- Re: 5 speed vs. Automatic, HERDSZN , Thu, 27 Sep 2007 06:52:03
- Automatics drive me nuts (+), vvk, Wed, 26 Sep 2007 20:02:29
- I just switched worlds, Nikos, Wed, 26 Sep 2007 14:55:07
- Ditto aggression w/stick, DivrDon , Wed, 26 Sep 2007 13:58:32
- Can't do the auto yet.., Crispin, Wed, 26 Sep 2007 10:45:31
- 19 Years does make a difference, Herb Hirsch , Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:57:14
- Modern automatics are fun..., Mike Lynch , Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:18:57
- Point and squirt, turrbo , Tue, 25 Sep 2007 22:57:38
- Yes, they are fun..., PGAero , Tue, 25 Sep 2007 15:14:28 <-- Viewing This Message
- My sentiments exactly and you still can't push start..., Street, Thu, 27 Sep 2007 00:10:36
- Yep!, Noel, Wed, 26 Sep 2007 06:19:05
- Heartily agree, JMJ in NC, Wed, 26 Sep 2007 05:41:43
- agreed, jeff in MD, Tue, 25 Sep 2007 20:25:12
- Location?, EGD , Tue, 25 Sep 2007 19:16:04
- Re: Modern automatics are fun..., Noel, Tue, 25 Sep 2007 14:09:36
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