The cars and bikes thread!

[Raza]

You're thinking of cars like the Miata. And no disagreement here that a manual trans is appropriate there.

-- Wayne

And you’re thinking of a race car and not a performance car. Not even a track car; unless you’re a professional race driver, the nanoseconds you save in shifting an automatic transmission doesn’t really count for anything.

Like I said, any car can be fast. I saw a Nissan Patrol SUV absolutely bltiz a Porsche 918 in a straight line. So what? Any car can be fast.

I’d go further and say that performance isn’t even the most important part of a performance car. These newer super cars aren’t even cars anymore. They’re just boasts for spec sheet racers. And they have automatics so the retirees driving them can text their wives while driving their girlfriends slowly around town.

They’ve forgotten what driving is all about.


But that’s all beside the point anyway. Even if I were to concede that the upper echelon of GT car is better off with an automatic, the Corvette is nowhere near that upper echelon. The Challenger, Camaro, and Mustang all still do offer manual transmissions in some form or another, if not in their most powerful trims. The 911 range is offered with a manual in most trims. The Boxster and Cayman have manuals. These are Corvette competitors. Not the 918s and McLarens of the world.

[Raza]

I haven't driven the Alfa or Lotus, although I do lust after an Exige, but have driven many years of Miatas. They are great cars and a a riot to drive, a friend even ran the Spec Miata racing series.

I’ve driven a Lotus Elise—S2, naturally aspirated—and it’s quite simply the best experience I’ve ever had behind the wheel of a car. And I’ve driven a Ferrari 430 on a track. To me, the Ferrari only did one thing better than the Lotus—it was better looking (well, it was more comfortable too).

[Raza]

https://youtu.be/Gg140WolsZk

I see absolutely no point in that, to be honest.

[tribe125]

Thinking back, I started to go off manual transmissions when they went from four gears to five. I drove plenty of five-speeders (because autos were significantly more expensive in the UK) - but six? No. Too much stirring the pot. And the Aston that’s been mentioned - seven? I understand driver involvement, but it started to look like masochism with six gears.

[happyscrappyheropup]

And you’re thinking of a race car and not a performance car. Not even a track car; unless you’re a professional race driver, the nanoseconds you save in shifting an automatic transmission doesn’t really count for anything.

Like I said, any car can be fast. I saw a Nissan Patrol SUV absolutely bltiz a Porsche 918 in a straight line. So what? Any car can be fast.

I’d go further and say that performance isn’t even the most important part of a performance car. These newer super cars aren’t even cars anymore. They’re just boasts for spec sheet racers. And they have automatics so the retirees driving them can text their wives while driving their girlfriends slowly around town.

They’ve forgotten what driving is all about.


But that’s all beside the point anyway. Even if I were to concede that the upper echelon of GT car is better off with an automatic, the Corvette is nowhere near that upper echelon. The Challenger, Camaro, and Mustang all still do offer manual transmissions in some form or another, if not in their most powerful trims. The 911 range is offered with a manual in most trims. The Boxster and Cayman have manuals. These are Corvette competitors. Not the 918s and McLarens of the world.

Yes, I'm thinking of racing. That's why many of these cars were developed. I race a manual transmission C5 Z06. It would be a better car with a good sequential/DSG, there just isn't a great solution to that problem for under $10k-$20k USD

Modern Z06/Z07/ZR1 Corvettes compete with supercars, not with Caymans and Boxsters. I'd argue that the ZL1 1LE falls into that same category, but they kept the manual in that one. Just don't try to drive it on the street much with those dampers and tires

The right tool for the right job, there's no single answer - for a lower HP/TQ street/track/fun car (less than 500hp), manuals are great. No clutch issues and generally traction at high speed isn't an issue.

[happyscrappyheropup]

Thinking back, I started to go off manual transmissions when they went from four gears to five. I drove plenty of five-speeders (because autos were significantly more expensive in the UK) - but six? No. Too much stirring the pot. And the Aston that’s been mentioned - seven? I understand driver involvement, but it started to look like masochism with six gears.

The Aston and Corvettes use the 7spd manual gearbox. I have rebuilt a handful of Tremec 6spd manual transmissions, I'd like to see how they package the extra gearset for 7th.

[happyscrappyheropup]

I see absolutely no point in that, to be honest.

They don't go, stop, or turn well. They are engine stands and noise makers, but some people enjoy them.

On our Hayabusa forum they were called out after making performance claims, but the owners and builders were not interested in racing the bikes to prove their unrealistic performance numbers.

[mlcor]

And they have automatics so the retirees driving them can text their wives while driving their girlfriends slowly around town.

OK, for the record, I neither text while driving nor have a girlfriend.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mlcor]

I’ve driven a Lotus Elise—S2, naturally aspirated—and it’s quite simply the best experience I’ve ever had behind the wheel of a car. And I’ve driven a Ferrari 430 on a track. To me, the Ferrari only did one thing better than the Lotus—it was better looking (well, it was more comfortable too).

I had my Elise (with an aftermarket supercharger) on the track several times, and that’s what the car was made for. Just amazing. However, at my age (ahem) I eventually decided I needed a touch more practicality, not to mention easier ingress and egress.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[happyscrappyheropup]

I wondered why he was going after you.

OK, for the record, I neither text while driving nor have a girlfriend.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk