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Nothing on earth knows better than my own mind when I want to shift or if I change my mind and want to retain the original gear. True, but the microprocessor can know what you need at any given time based on speed, throttle position, brake position, lateral G loading, wheel slippage etc etc, and with shifts in 10th of a second, it can get you to the gear you need faster than you reacting.
The days of the 5/6/7 speed manual are numbered. The near future for sports cars is SMG semi-automatics.
BTW, in my garage are 2 cars at opposite ends of technology, a 5spd and an eCVT.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
I did check the online inventory of a nearby dealer selling Jeeps (since the Liberty was mentioned) they had 38 vehicles listed and 8 were 2WD (21%). I can give the name and link to their site if the hosts allow it.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
I would however ask for a potential enhancement from Edmunds - perhaps you could install an ignore button? :shades:
I have a question for you RB or any one else (there are quite a few knowledgeable people around) who would like to offer an opinion. I can understand paddle shifters for a racing car. But, what fun are they really in a private vehicle? I can understand if you like speed I suppose, but would it give a person who use their cars for work and pleasure much enjoyment?
I like shifting and using a 6 speed...I can't believe we were satisfied with 4 speeds before. But, I don't think paddle shifters sound like they are much fun. Maybe, for people who really want an automatic, but just want to shift for themselves once in awhile...or if you want to drive at the max? :confuse:
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Eschew: Avoid or shun is the formal definition.
The Edmunds definition is: Quit bitc---- or we will shut your [non-permissible content removed] down! I tend to prefer this more direct form of explanation.
Richard
On another forum I frequent, when a thread gets out of hand it is moved to the "The Battlefield" an un-moderated section where anything goes. The conversations are not allowed to spill over into the other threads and it works pretty well. Just a suggestion.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
Richard
Richard
When I got my Passat the salesperson said that the car had bluetooth and could play MP3's. I brought a disc with MP3's and I tested it. But I didn't test the bluetooth b/c I could see the little phone icon on the steering wheel.
Fast forward to delivery, right before signing it comes up in the conversation that the phone button is present, but it's not active. Ugh. Got a $250 discount, which I thought was fair.
The next day I discovered that the stereo didn't play MP3's. My car had the upgraded stereo. The base stereo played MP3's, but the upgraded one didn't. :sick:
Richard....sorry, I did get your Chryco and Caddie stereos confused. Mea Culpa! I must from now forward eschew skipping posts so I know who's talking about what. :P
driver....I've got a paddle shift on my TL. I actually like it, quite a bit. I don't use it all the time, but I do use it often. Mainly when I'm looking for compression braking going around a corner (which the SH AWD does very well), and so I can come out of the turn in a lower gear for better acceleration. These auto/manual trans in cars have become quite good.
I used to be a huge proponent of "no auto trans for me....ever". But, the auto trans have become so good, it's hard to best one if you're looking for more performance vs a manual trans.
I've heard (no experience with them) that SMG dual clutch set ups are either really good (as the ones in Audis) or really bad (as in BMWs).
Really bad in a BMW? Are you sure...how could that be?
I appreciate your comments about your experience with paddle shifters in your car.
I enjoy the 6 speed manual but I don't know how many more years I will want to do shifting, seems the paddles could be worth considering.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
That really sucks.... hopefully your car has an Ipod input or a USB input. It makes CDs truly a thing of the past in the car. I loaded up a 16 GB thumb drive with most of my Ipod library and leave that plugged into the car. Only on rare occasion I want to listed to somthing not on the thumb drive I bring a CD into the car. I also sometimes hook up my phone to the car and listen to Pandora internet radio. So many choices available to us today.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
OMG!!!! BMW does something poorly! The horror! Just ask those people with 5 series and bad fuel pumps.
Just breaking stones Driver...
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
I was always in the "It's either a manual, or it's not" crowd. The only transmission available in the R32 is the 6 speed DSG, so I had no choice. If a full manual was available, I would have gotten one.
To answer your question above, I usually just keep it in full auto mode. When I first got it, I played around with driving like a manual, but now, I just stick it in "D" and drive.
A couple cool things about this transmission: It has a "sport" mode, which still keeps it in full auto, but delays the shift points for faster acceleration, and, it has "launch mode".
For the fastest launch and acceleration, and after the car is fully warmed up, you turn off the traction control, hold the brake pedal with your left foot, put the transmission in "S" (sport), and floor the accelerator pedal with your right. The computer brings the engine RPM to 3200. Let go of the brake and hold on! If you keep your foot on it, it will take you all the way to 155mph. (so they say) It's a hoot.
Re: the ignore button feature -
I've worked in a Forum with just such a feature, and you know what? It doesn't work. A member "ignores" another member, and then sees others responding to that member... then can't resist, and un-ignores just to see what the fuss is about... then re-ignores. It's no more effective than using the same self-discipline required to scroll on past.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
Great answer! Now, if you could get a 6 speed manual in an R32 (Like Mako, I am curious about what that is), would you go back to a real manual, or is this what you prefer?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
A word of warning regarding foul odors in your vehicle. DO NOT take any of the protein/low carb energy bars along as snacks on a long road trip. Mrs. Jay took mine to the local food pantry after a recent journey. :shades:
How about just a "You are a Moron" emotorcon. That would mean you don't have to actually reply, and it gives the message.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I think I must have misspoke; the BMW SMG is not a dual clutch design; the BMW DCT is a dual clutch design. I really, REALLY liked the DCT equipped M3 that I drove; you can adjust the shift speed from Buick/Lexus smooth to so fast that the tires chirp on upshifts...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
My sister and BIL, who live in San Diego, have a 2WD Navigator. I don't expect they will ever need 4WD.
Here in Colorado, one of my wife's friends has a 2WD Hyundai Santa Fe. In fact, they've had two SUV's - both FWD. And, they moved here from Chicago. Go figure.
Our VUE is AWD .. in fact, all the SUV's we've owned (Expedition, Explorer, 2 VUEs) have been AWD / 4WD. While there are probably only 10-15 days a year where you really, truly need that capability, it's nice to have on those days. We're OK with taking the hit on MPG the other 98% of the time.
While working in Italy I had the chance to sample the early DSGs Volkswagen released in the TDI golfs, and they were decent. Traffic and hard launches would exhibit a little stuttering, but considering how new the technology was/is, I'm sure it'll be perfected down the road if VW hasn't already. I test drove some of the first US VW DSG units and found the same behavior in traffic. Hard launches seemed to be fixed, though.
While I used to be an ardent proponent of manual transmissions for a multitude of reasons, the progression of the automatic, DSG and CVT transmissions has taught me there are many valuable options, each with a slightly different advantage to suit a variety of preferences.
So maybe 4WD isn't as important as an area with hills?
Personally, I would get a full manual transmission. You can't beat the speed that the DSG shifts, but a good ol' manual transmission is way more fun IMO.
isell- I agree with what your saying. It seems like it would be hard on the car using launch mode. The procedure is in the owners manual though, so VW must be confident that it's not too hard on the car. I've only used launch mode three or four times since I've had the car, usually just showing off the "G whiz" factor to friends. As you know, there aren't too many areas in Seattle that you can just let 'er rip!
Yes, based on the VW Golf. It's sort of a GTI on steroids. It has a version of the Audi all wheel drive system, and the cast iron block version of the Audi all aluminum 3.2 liter V-6.
It is and was a limited edition car. They were only produced, at least for the US market, in 2004 and 2008. For each of those years, only 5000 were imported. They are numbered, mine being 2719 of 5000. The only options were Summer or all season tires, and nav.
I think nycarguy is north of the city which can make a big difference in winter weather once you get away from the ocean.
BTW, if dad wants to get rid if that Jeep I'm only about a 100 miles north of him and I don't mind driving a 2wd in the snow (done it all my life). Of course I'd have to check the undercarriage for rust after it being driven on NY state "salt roads".
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
That's like a cashew only not as tasty, right? :confuse:
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
A similar story: I followed a semi with open sides carrying hogs on I-75. The effluent from the hogs was being washed by the slow rain and was in the mist behind the semi. Coated the air intakes for about a week. I used water spray and Lysol to try to neutralize it.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Salesman may have subordinated the things missing by saying, "We have one on the lot that has MOST of what this one does but for LESS MONEY if you're interested."
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Maybe a counter that tabulates the number of times the poster has been "Moronized"? Sort of like the "like" and "dislike" counts on some blogs.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
On the other hand, when a friend was buying a Pacifica and choosing 4WD vs FWD I recommended the lighter weight and better gas mileage of the FWD. They were in N. Ky (Cincy) and on a street with a fair slope to connect up the hill to a level street. If there was enough snow or ice that the FWD wouldn't do it, they probably didn't want to out and going anywhere until a plow truck with salt came through. They had the option of working from home.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Hmm. email = electronic mail so eschew = electronic cashew?
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
In all seriousness won't happen from this poster again! :shades:
With 4 snow tires (minus 1 sized), my '01 Prelude can run with anything out there when the white stuff starts falling.
Oldfarmer - I moved out of the city back in 2004. After the city, I moved up to Westchester, then to CT this past summer.
Stick vs. Auto. I'm on the stick side of the debate. My '01 Prelude Type SH is a 5 speed manual. I think it is important for my sons to see me driving stick. The auto in my wife's TSX is fantastic. It will hold a gear for me until I say upshift. As good as it is, I never use it. It just feels artificial, like Im damaging the torque converter or something.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Pros
Muscular V6, fantastic automated manual transmission, comfortable and quiet cabin, excellent steering feel, everything except a nav system is standard.
Cons
Hefty curb weight dulls handling on twisty roads, choosing the optional nav system deletes the CD changer, pricey for a compact hatchback.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Thanks, you confirmed what I was thinking. Helpful information for when I am ready to trade in. Maybe I'll try a Lexus or a Caddie next time!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I considered a CPO R32 but my less than enjoyable dalliance with a Mazdaspeed 3 has convinced me to stick with BMWs from now on(with the exception of my beloved Wrangler TJ). There are no decent Mazda or VW dealers in the Louisville area and at the advanced age of 53 I'm no longer interested in experiencing/learning the foibles of other brands. Although a nice 911 or Cayman could make me eat my words- as could a 2011 Boss 302...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Errr, might one say "some of our children were fast becoming delinquents." That's an awful big brush to include all our children.
On to more pleasant posts.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Did you read the article that was posted on the new Boss 302? WOW!
Of all the cars I've driven and owned nothing makes me stop in my tracks like an original Boss 302. Only made (if I remember) 69, 70, 71. That hi-revving 302 was sweeeet. Staggered shocks and meant for the rally track.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
It sounds like the perfect daily driver/track toy. I think the side mount exhaust "cut-out" capability is a nice touch, as is the "Track Key".
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
It was very impressive and the outcome not what I had expected.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Florida Dealership Will Give You A Free AK-47 If You Buy A Truck
If you’re looking for a new truck, you might also be in the market for an assault rifle. That’s the idea behind a new promotion at a truck dealership in Sanford, Florida, which gifts all new truck buyers with a $400 voucher to a local gun shop.
The Associated Press reports that once customers pass a background check, they have the option of using the voucher to purchase an AK-47 or another firearm. Alternately, they can request a $400 check instead. The promotion began—when else?—on Veteran’s Day.
According to Nick Ginetta, the dealership’s general sales manager, the deal has so far been a great success—in the last four days, his business has more than doubled. And though the AP writes that the dealership “has fielded some complaints about the deal,” Ginetta assures that the right people aren’t offended by it: “My buyer is absolutely a gun owner, no question,” he says.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Richard