manual transmission. MIA?
#21
I admire your car ownership, and also your ***** for driving the RX7 hard. Those cars (as great as they are) rev so quickly that they'd have to be a prime candidate to redline in every gear. One of my business partners had a semi worked RX8, we used to think he'd end up with his left arm twice the size of his right because of all of the gear changes (our shift is on the left). And I suppose that might be another thing, we shift with our left hand which leaves you with your right on the wheel. The way that nature intended, and probably a bit safer having your dominant hand steering.
The RX-7 has a standard audible alarm when you hit 7500 RPM, to warn you that you are a fraction of a second from passing the stock 8000 RPM redline. It actually helps. Of course, you can always use an aftermarket rev-limiter that will work much more reliably for up-shifts than one's senses.
Albert
#22
Very true. In certain ways, driving a car with a proper Auto transmission (ZF, DCT) is more engaging and more fun as you can keep both hands on the steering and focus on placing the car where it needs to be.
We are all very good at multi-tasking, but something as small as talking on the phone and driving takes away concentration by 16-19%. I would imagine driving a manual on the track would have bigger significance as it requires quite a bit of involvement.
We are all very good at multi-tasking, but something as small as talking on the phone and driving takes away concentration by 16-19%. I would imagine driving a manual on the track would have bigger significance as it requires quite a bit of involvement.
How do we get from a manual trans to talking on your cell phone? First I don't talk on my cell phone while driving. It takes a way from the experience! On top of that its dangerous as hell! I strongly believe it should be a zero tolerance offence. NOTHING you have to say or do is more important than your life or anyone else's, but that's another thread.
I agree that manual was more fun to drive and made you feel more connected. But most people can't drive manual anymore (which is sad). To sound repetitive I grew fond of being able to spend more time focusing on driving and having fun in the twistys. Again I love how the car does not change the gear when in the turn like most autos. It keeps the RMP where it should just like you would in a manual. Way better than a manual that I don't have to constantly change a gear every second or two while going through the twistys. Not having to worry about a missed shift or wrong gear is great! Also if an accident is going to happen having to change gears quickly to avoid it vs how quick at least the Jag shifts I would take any day.
It's going away for the good in my opinion. People are getting to selfish to drive a manual. Playing games and talking on their cell phone at the same time while reading the newspaper with a dog in their lap drinking coffee and for some putting on makeup. Last thing we need is someone having to worry about a shift.
#23
How do we get from a manual trans to talking on your cell phone? First I don't talk on my cell phone while driving. It takes a way from the experience! On top of that its dangerous as hell! I strongly believe it should be a zero tolerance offence. NOTHING you have to say or do is more important than your life or anyone else's, but that's another thread.
Engaging drives can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people. As stated by some, engaging drive is not necessarily driving fast and pushing the car to the limits, but simply switching gears and stepping on the clutch.
I personally do not care for manual transmissions as i actually think it takes away from your performance and concentration. That's why i made the analogy regarding speaking on the phone and driving, because something as simple as that splits your concatenation quite a bit (also stated by you). Having to think about placing the car where it needs to be, stepping on the clutch, switching gears, making sure you are in the right RPM range and paying attention to the everything else around you, would only make things worse, therefore wouldn't make for a truly dynamic driving experience.
The ZF transmission in today's luxury cars are a masterpiece. Whenever i am spiritedly prowling the cat, it acts as if it's relayed to my mind. It's puzzling as to how good they are.
It knows exactly what to do and when to do it, in all conditions. Makes the 4200 pound sedan feel like a sports car.....lot of fun.
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axr6 (01-15-2014)
#24
I am very confused by some of the posts here. Taking out all of the required thinking and skill out of driving is making your drive more engaging?
To me, this whole debate is analagous to baking a cake. You could just buy a cake, or make one from a box mix--both of which could give you better results than making one from scratch. But which is most satisfying? Do you want to be a central part in the process or just get the most delicious cake you can get? There is nothing wrong with just wanting the best cake, but I'd have trouble believing you if you said you're as involved with the baking process when you just pick up a cake from the store versus baking it yourself.
To me, this whole debate is analagous to baking a cake. You could just buy a cake, or make one from a box mix--both of which could give you better results than making one from scratch. But which is most satisfying? Do you want to be a central part in the process or just get the most delicious cake you can get? There is nothing wrong with just wanting the best cake, but I'd have trouble believing you if you said you're as involved with the baking process when you just pick up a cake from the store versus baking it yourself.
#25
I'm another "no, thanks" but I can see why some may want a manual. Don't any of the specialist places offer one? It's gonna cost of course but has anyone even asked.... (You probably DO have to ask, don't expect it on a web site already.)
I doubt jag would sell enough to make it worth their while.
I doubt jag would sell enough to make it worth their while.
#26
To be honest, I love the XKR and F-type but, at least for the time being, can't see myself buying one. Same with the Gran Tourismo. All are stunning cars with more than adequate performance. They each have the look and feel of a special car. However, the lack of a stick shift kills it for me. To those that argue an automatic is faster around the track, the canyons, or wherever, so is a GTR, Z06, etc. However, I suspect most here are not lining up to buy those. Most of us chose jaguars for the experience and beauty, not outright speed. For some of us, a large part of that experience involves the third pedal and will always do so. Unfortunately, it seems that relegates those people to fewer and fewer options. On the bright side, honey, I really do need the DBS because it comes with a stick!
#29
I agree jaguar probably would not sell very many. I wonder if any of the race teams would be able to fit a manual box. That could be an interesting option.
#31
#32
I had a manual transmission on my 997, and I thought I'd miss it but I really don't.
The ZF transmission on the F-Type is a terrific transmission and a perfect match for the car. Either way, I have to think the market for a manual on these cars is somewhat limited. Would be great to have a choice, but if Jaguar thought there was a market for the manual I'm sure they'd offer it. Maybe that will change with the Coupe, but I really can't see that many actually taking up the option if a manual were offered with either version of the F-Type.
The ZF transmission on the F-Type is a terrific transmission and a perfect match for the car. Either way, I have to think the market for a manual on these cars is somewhat limited. Would be great to have a choice, but if Jaguar thought there was a market for the manual I'm sure they'd offer it. Maybe that will change with the Coupe, but I really can't see that many actually taking up the option if a manual were offered with either version of the F-Type.
#33
I really think this is a case where whoever wants a manual box just needs to pay to have it done. Solved.
#34
#35
#36
If Jaguar wants to become a true performance/sporting brand, they need to align their customer base with the likes of Porsche, Audi, etc. Even given Jaguar's recent advances, they still have huge reputation problems among the general populous who still thinks they are 1) unreliable, 2) for old folks, or 3) Ford clones/badge jobs. There are many ways for them to reform their image, and offering a manual transmission could only help.
If somebody came up with some sort of kit to install a manual transmission on the car relatively affordably, I'm sure a few people would do it. But more likely, anyone who really wants a stick will probably just abandon the Jaguar brand.
#37
for those who are skilled in the art, there is barely any thinking at all ... it's like breathing ... it just happens.
it can even be done with a coffee in the left hand on the wheel and a cigarette in the right hand on the gearshift as long as it is only city traffic and not an all out run.
and one more thing ... with a true manual gearbox there are no torque reduction strategies built into the ecm/tcm combination. those algorithms are intended to preserve the gearbox and you have no choice if the vehicle is programmed to do it. with a manual gearbox, if you want to bang shift to break the tires loose then you bang shift and there is nothing to prevent it.
#39
and one more thing ... with a true manual gearbox there are no torque reduction strategies built into the ecm/tcm combination. those algorithms are intended to preserve the gearbox and you have no choice if the vehicle is programmed to do it. with a manual gearbox, if you want to bang shift to break the tires loose then you bang shift and there is nothing to prevent it.
#40
If you are among those romantics that feel the manual gear box is an integral and indispensable part of your enjoyment in driving a sports car, and it certainly seduced generations of enthusiasts over decades, then embrace that and seek out the perfect car. There are a great many who share that passion, and more likely to find them on a brand's forum that actually offers a manual
Perhaps the ideal would be to enjoy a gorgeous Jaguar and a sports car with a stick!
Perhaps the ideal would be to enjoy a gorgeous Jaguar and a sports car with a stick!