I have learned to to drive a manual transmissioned VW rabbit about 20 years ago, and ever since then, I have always had a manual transmission in all of my personal vehicle.
I have automatic transmission in my family cars.
I usually enjoy a performance car where I can have the most direct personal control. I enjoy a communicative steering wheel, and solid and direct feeling shifters, a communicative suspension with the least amount of unnecessary movements.

Anyway, I have drive different modern cars with these automated manual transmission, including BMW, Porshces, Ferrari. I feel no matter how quickly they shift, it takes away from the experiences of driving, because you remove certain interactions, such as the anticipation and calculation of the best engine RPM, gear selection, matching of engine and vehicle speed, and obviously the actual performance of the clutching process.

I will always choose a manual transmission, and for that matter, I will always want
to be able to steer without interference by a comuptuer.

 

If you enjoy rowing through the gears, more power to you. But the nice thing about the DSG style gearbox is now you have the whole world of left-foot braking wide open to you since that left foot need never touch a clutch pedal.

Personally I think the fully manual gearbox is an impediment to making haste.

 

+1
In no time, the current standard transmission will be a relic like the old 3 speed on the column. The DSG can do everything a traditional manual can and do it faster with less abuse. With each new DSG, the clutchless standard will get better and better until there are no more cries for a clutch pedal.

 

I don't really think they are cries just preferences and for me a true manual just seems more fun to drive. Although my car is automatic, but every time I get into my cousin's car and drive stick, it makes me hate my car because it is an automatic. Honestly, I don't think DSG's are going to phase out manuals, people are going to prefer the way the drive is with a manual transmission, just the feel of the manual compared to the DSG I guess.

 

There will always be people who will resist change. Personally, my X will have a manual. But for the sole reason that it'll be a DD and I find manuals and workign the clutch to be a lot of fun. However, as I've stated in another thread, if my X were going to be just a Track car, I'd be first in line for the SST.

I do however agree that "Automanuals" or "Manuatics" are where transmissions are going. They have the efficiency of a manual (slightly moreso) which is needed for the increasing mileage standards, and the wide appeal (if not wider) than an Automatic. I'll bet you can take a DSG or SST out of the sports car it's in, drop it into a family car and shave the paddles and the drive would never know the difference.

Even a traditional automatic's behaviour is limited by it's mechanical internals. That's why you can get shift kits and such for even new computer-controlled automatics. A DSG/SST style transmission is just as flexible as a manual transmission, it's all up to the computer's programming. People thought the CVT was the transmission of the future, and on paper it does look that way, but the reality has shown otherwise. Now there are SST type transmissions in the hands of the biggest critics and they're turning heads.

Much as I love my clutch pedal, the SST is a 98% win-win solution for auto manufacturers. Even I have to admit that the manual's days are numbered as a common option. You may still see them as options on Enthusiast cars, but that's because noone's more picky than an enthusiast. As for everything else, from econobox to family sedan to SUV, I think we're going to see "Automanuals" as the only transmission offered. The only option you'll get will be "Would you like Paddles with that?"

 

it really all does come down to personal preference.... as much i have heard good thing about the sst transmissions i'm still partial to the clutch pedal. not special reason it just what i prefer. i'm planning to get the X but it will be the 5 speed manual. i'm not that impressed by the sst being faster and quicker or any of that...i just want my clutch

 

Yeah me too, i want a manual when the X comes out. It just seems so simple. Plus the SST tranny will add more to the price tag while your traditional manual is always gonna be cheaper.

 

I don't blame anyone for getting a manual. The clutchless sticks are not perfected yet and there is still a bunch of uncertainty. But, in the not to distant future, your "personal preference" will not matter because just as the 3 on the column did, the traditional standard will disappear.

 

I think a lot of it has to do with ego though. I like driving a car that my friends can't. They don't know how to drive stick, therefore they can't own an Evo until they learn. Is it something only a select few can do? Hell no, but it is a skill that takes practice.

With the new Evo, anyone and everyone can get behind the wheel. That's all well and good, but I've always supported Dodge's mentality with the Viper--which is that there will NEVER be an automatic. Yes, I've heard the arguments about the new Evo transmission, but if you can drive it without needing the paddles then it's an automatic in my book.

 

So true.

 

i really hope mitsu will put agressive shifting on the car, meaning when touching the paddle =extremly quick up/downshift shift, We obviously can't expect it to perform like a $50,000+ WRC style trans but nonetheless it should leave the ancient design in the dust