Manual Transmissions Are The Best!

[Stormtrooper1320]

230+ posts discussing the meaning of “best”.

That's because we were ruined during the 90's by what the meaning of "is" is....and what the meaning of "sex" is.....

 

[Magnified]

Manual transmissions?

 

[Decay]

Agreed...But after 20 years as a CDL driver..(and my earlier years at the track)..my choice..The M6...all day long

Cdl holder as well and was an oarsman for years but when I figured out what the A8 could do in track mode I was a convert.
I do miss banging gears and the paddle shifters are a complete joke on these cars.
But, put it in track mode and holy mother of god!
I would like to hear from someone on a road course vs a drag track.
When I am on twisting turning back roads and have some privacy track mode keeps me at 4k plus on the tach.

 

[1971demon]

Cdl holder as well and was an oarsman for years but when I figured out what the A8 could do in track mode I was a convert.
I do miss banging gears and the paddle shifters are a complete joke on these cars.
But, put it in track mode and holy mother of god!
I would like to hear from someone on a road course vs a drag track.
When I am on twisting turning back roads and have some privacy track mode keeps me at 4k plus on the tach.

Cant argue with that...for me though...its like takin a shower with my socks on...it just don't feel right...(and I have A8 and M6)

 

[Kat von Himmel]

Dont know what im walking into......But i find the box a bit crap. Its very clunky and sometimes when you are giving it a bit of welly you really have to find the gear and force it in otherwise it pops out, perhaps im still getting used to the car.

I have a purchased a barton shifter paid shit loads in import tax for this thing, please tell me this will cure the problems and make it more smoother. As it stands i waited months in finding and importing a manual and slightly regretting my decision.

Try a Barton shifter. I've heard they really wake up the M6 box.

 

[Decay]

Cant argue with that...for me though...its like takin a shower with my socks on...it just don't feel right...(and I have A8 and M6)

In a straight line it's the shit!!
Throw some curves and hills in and the jury is out.
If the paddle shifters were about 10"'s and worked both directions(pull to shift down and push to shift up) they might become usable.

 

[Kat von Himmel]

I ran 147.210 at the WannaGofast 1/2 mile in Ocala Fl Oct 2019. 2017 Hellcat Challenger 6 spd no engine mods. I had 285/35/20 Toyo Proxis R888R on the . I had also removed the Barton Shifter and put the stock shifter back as I was getting the car ready to trade in on a Redeye after the event. I beat some automatic Hellcats, I hung with a few automatics , and got beat by a few . Some autos popped off a couple of 149-150's.
My only regret on the Redeye trade is the automatic Trans. I respect the auto trans guys that know their limitations and can't shift a manual trans fast and precise. It is best you stick with the automatic. The fun factor and drive ability of the 6spd far exceeds the autos , I hope I can dumb down and adjust.

The wide selection of throttle openings and RPM of the manual transmission upon start or just moving around town is fun to play with.

 

[1971demon]

In a straight line it's the shit!!
Throw some curves and hills in and the jury is out.
If the paddle shifters were about 10"'s and worked both directions(pull to shift down and push to shift up) they might become usable.

Cant get a comfort level with the paddles...straight line A8 is amazing...but my drving style is more diverse..have great twisties here..even not bad at drifting...the M6 is part of me in that mode...not watching gages...i've drivin manuals over 50 years..the M6 is one of the better ones

 

[motorhead]

Cant get a comfort level with the paddles...straight line A8 is amazing...but my drving style is more diverse..have great twisties here..even not bad at drifting...the M6 is part of me in that mode...not watching gages...i've drivin manuals over 50 years..the M6 is one of the better ones

It's almost like you have to listen and feel what the machine is doing altering your inputs to achieve the desired results...

 

[1971demon]

It's almost like you have to listen and feel what the machine is doing altering your inputs to achieve the desired results...

It comes so natural..its not even a thought process...engine speed..vehicle speed..i can sense and feel inertia..strangely enough I have less than stellar hand to eye co ordination..(lousy pool player)..but the workings of a manual trans becomes instinctual..its like blinking to me.. Its not a thought process..this is a lousy explanation...but if you get it..you get it...not everybody does

 

[Old Mopar Guy]

I never drove the auto, but since my other toy car is an auto, I had to have a manual is this car, so I don't know what Im missing in the A8. Since my philosophy has evolved into the “there will always be someone faster” I put more value on my satisfaction in interacting with the car rather than being along for the ride. Same reason I went from a V-twin cruiser to a sport bike. Its working the machine where I get satisfaction, besides, being a “retro” car, I felt paddle shifters were out of place. Good luck either way, Im certain you will be satisfied.

 

[Hickster]

With the stick I don't even have to look at the tach. Listen and instinct. Up and or down the response is mine. All control. Drove a auto Red Eyed critter and El Rico had to tell me when to shift. In my 6 I can do it with my eyes closed and just my ears. Up or down. Like having sex, know when to go up or down. Cums El nat u ral.

 

[Jimmy N.]

Since I have four shifters in my Jeep, I feel justified to have a few automatics, too.

 

[72 440 Barracuda]

I have always had autos in my muscle cars and always lusted after a manual in one - just because of the fun factor. Raced my big block Barracuda getting it in the low to mid 12's, but always wanted a manual even went as far as converting my small block. Manual 4 cylinders are better than autos and that is based on driving a manual 4 banger - Hellcat manual is where it's at and the Hellcat doesn't disappoint...

 

[Hickster]

I agree 6 pages back,,, can't believe this thread has gone 13 pages. Sumtin I learned how to doo when I was a teen ager, just to be able to do. You CPL critters know and others with little letters beyond your license #s. I don't think been touched on. Can and will you paddle smoozers willing and be able to shift a man u el. You gals also. With out engaging the clutch??? A true and valuable lesson to learn. Takes listening, knowing the vehicle, and the tranny to be able to do this. If you know how to do 1 or2 you can manage to manipulate other vehicles to work. You have to be good at it, but a paddle snooper,, no way in hell are you going to master this in a month and a few clutches and or gears. Even harder on bikes, hu Bob,??? Got that steak yet. Ate at Out Back the utta day. No steak but thought about a ya on Rt 66. One of the ex's will be out there in a couple weeks and I will be there when the, no pun intended,,, knuckle headed nephew, will be getting married out younder. Younder is a big place, but I have never been to Cali, smili, know it all li, what ever iee. So, when I due come I will be spending some time there. Like riding the snow plane from Florida to Anchorage. $$ wise and time wise is what it takes to get back and forth, so may ass well stay. I will be traveling. Ups and downs, so maybe coming to a town near you. I will make a point fer it.... So challenge to ya paddle snifters, find a person that loans a loaning to let you drive a vehicle to shift a vehicle not using the clutch. Challenge from a Challenger.

 

[Kat von Himmel]

Only two words:

Remote.
Start.

Literally the only regrets I have about having a manual transmission.

 

[Hickster]

If you are that lazy, take the bus.

 

[Jimmy N.]

Can and will you paddle smoozers willing and be able to shift a man u el. You gals also. With out engaging the clutch??? A true and valuable lesson to learn. Takes listening, knowing the vehicle, and the tranny to be able to do this.

Completely agree, Hicker. It's one thing to know how to drive a stick, but doing it correctly is a different matter.

My girlfriend always wants manual cars. I tell her that she can have one when she learns how to drive one.
She then says "I've driven sticks all my life", to which I respond "Like I said, you can have one when you learn to drive it."
This has been repeated numerous times over the years.

To drive a manual correctly, I think you should be able to shift it without using the clutch. And it really should be a non-synchro trans.
Then you can start cheating and drive a synchronized tranny and using the clutch. Otherwise it's a bit like saying "I can drive", but rely on adaptive cruise control, lane assist, parking assist, etc. to do it.

 

[motorhead]

Completely agree, Hicker. It's one thing to know how to drive a stick, but doing it correctly is a different matter.

My girlfriend always wants manual cars. I tell her that she can have one when she learns how to drive one.
She then says "I've driven sticks all my life", to which I respond "Like I said, you can have one when you learn to drive it."
This has been repeated numerous times over the years.

To drive a manual correctly, I think you should be able to shift it without using the clutch. And it really should be a non-synchro trans.
Then you can start cheating and drive a synchronized tranny and using the clutch. Otherwise it's a bit like saying "I can drive", but rely on adaptive cruise control, lane assist, parking assist, etc. to do it.

You haven't lived until you have lost the use of a clutch in traffic.

As an aside (but still related), many years ago, I lost fuel pressure (it was the fuel pump going out) in my Turbo Dodge Sundance in rush hour traffic. I was Eastbound on the 401 by Allen Road just off the Yorkdale Mall, if you know the area that is NOT the kind of place you want to have a disabled car. I managed to get the car limped off the highway and into the mall parking lot by leaving the car in gear and using the starter to drive the engine which was mechanically linked (via the clutch to the trans) to the wheels which gave some forward motion. Try doing that with an automatic.

Most people have so little mechanical sense they don't even check their own oil or pump their own gas.

 

[72 440 Barracuda]

Completely agree, Hicker. It's one thing to know how to drive a stick, but doing it correctly is a different matter.

My girlfriend always wants manual cars. I tell her that she can have one when she learns how to drive one.
She then says "I've driven sticks all my life", to which I respond "Like I said, you can have one when you learn to drive it."
This has been repeated numerous times over the years.

To drive a manual correctly, I think you should be able to shift it without using the clutch. And it really should be a non-synchro trans.
Then you can start cheating and drive a synchronized tranny and using the clutch. Otherwise it's a bit like saying "I can drive", but rely on adaptive cruise control, lane assist, parking assist, etc. to do it.

Does that include speed shifting under acceleration?