Stick-shifters Unite ...

[BuffaloBoxster]

The automanuals are simply not as much fun...

Now if you're asking me which transmission I'd rather have in a race car then the semiautomatics win hands down. They shift quicker, don't blow shifts, are more consistent, and easier to drive.

[SD987]

Interesting read on this subject, the Audi DSG specifically.

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/content/11409729731880944331/index.php

[Ronzi]

Good article. It's nice to know that Jim and I are not just lone voices, crying in a wilderness of stick shift bigots.
I enjoy driving my '64 MGB with it's 4-speed manual (NON-SYNCHRO 1st gear, even!), and firmly believe it would not be improved with an automatic.
Technology marches on, however, and the modern automobile with it's computer-controlled-everything will eventually swallow the manual transmission without leaving so much as a hiccup.
The author of the article was incorrect in one thing however. F1 cars do have a reverse gear, required by regulation.

[Perfectlap]

who cares about 0-60?
Let's see which is quicker around the N-Ring.

btw, paddles/tips are inventions of satan that have ruined motorsports. Drivers can now wait until the very last possible second to shift and avoid a trailing driver from challenging his position.
Ditto for carbon braking, drivers can brake much much later leaving less space for a passing move. Those two "advancements" have watered down the talent pool at every level of motorsports. Today's drivers wouldn't las a lap eras gone by and the average age is dropping with the excitement level.

learning to properly brake, shift and steer is an art form in danger of becoming extinct! Merc now makes their stupid cars with cruise control that will auto brake and throttle for you

[KRZTACO]

I must start out by saying:

"I love the BMW SMG tranny in the M3."

You feel the car actually shift gears. The BIGGEST pet peave of the auto-manuals is if your in a gear at 3000RPM and you depress the gas pedal to the floor, it will automatically downshift to kick the RPM's up. In the BMW M3 is does NOT do this because it relies on the driver to shift MANUALLY!

I've test drove the Audi/VW auto DSG and it sucks. It will downshift if you floor it. You might as well have the standard slushbox. Should they (REVO/Neuspeed) come out with a "Track" shift program that will hold the gear and NOT downshift, I'd be in...maybe.

KRZ

[BadBoyS]

Stick shift is the way to go... There is nothing like banging through the gears on an on ramp to the freeway... Can't get that feeling from any auto..and I love to be in control of all aspect of my driving. No trans no computer ME only.....LOL

[FASTBMW]

Even my mom drives a stick shift boxer and she's 60!

[Adam]

I watched a highway race between two M3's on racingflix...one had SMG the other stick. Everytime they shifted the SMG pulled ahead slightly and the stick driver is a friend of mine who knows how to shift a stick. Even so, I like manuals better for the driver involvment that you can't get with an auto.