There was a reference in one of the posts about the automatic giving you the better sprint versus the manual. While I haven't driven manual for a few years (I currently have a G35 auto sedan) and automatic trannys may have improved, I always thought (and still do now) that the automatic is substantially (or visibly) slower than a manual. I posted this question here because the coupes have a higher percentage of manuals than the sedans and I'd be interested in your opinions ....

 

If both drivers are of equal ability, the manual will be quicker every time. But, I still love my auto! Drive both if you can and see.

 

Does that hold true if both drivers equally suck at driving a stick? [img]/w3timages/icons/cool.gif[/img]

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

 

No a sucky stick driver in a 6mT will suck even worse!

 

i'd be curious to see a manual and an automatic G race, both with good drivers and good launches.

most people view the auto as slow, but if both are done under ideal conditions, the auto should only be about .1 slower in the 1/4 (e.g., fastest 5-spd. mustang gt time stock is 13.8, for an auto it's 13.9 )

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MT's are always faster than auto's man, thats if the driver is experienced enough with the gearbox
The only auto trans that would come close to an MT is a CVT transmission (on the skyline in japan)
an m3's SMG comes even closer to a manual

<font color=green>-Ramb0</font color=green>

 

not true; generally LS1 autos are slightly faster than the manual version. besides, like i said, it's only about .1 slower in the 1/4, even on a horrible tranny like the mustang has (major shift lag)

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Yeah, a auto vette with the peformance axle ratio can beat a stock 6 speed vette, but put the same ratio in the manual and the stick would be back on top.

Again, a LOT has to do with the launch. I would think the given 100 timed runs, the auto's average might be less.

 

Any driver driving an AT can get the most out of an AT car, “JUST FLOOR IT”! So for example a guy driving an AT G35 can beat a inexperienced S2000 driver. It all depends on the driver’s experience driving a MT.

 

Not totally true either, because if you really want to launch you have to know what RPM to launch at with the auto. Our cars, though no where near as bad as an s2000, really don't come to life until about 3,000 RPM. You can hear the variable valve timing kick in as the tach nears 4000.

 

Well you still get a lot of HP robbed by the torque converter but like people have said, I think it's going to come down to the driver in most cases. With the same driver, the MT will probably be up to .3 sec faster to 60 which really isn't consequential unless you race at the track.

 

Interesting ... So, it looks like a manual is not necessarily faster than an automatic. From my old school of thought, this would have been almost a laughing matter, with the manual being the king over the automatic in any sprint and acceleration.

 

Remember that the times are posted by professional drivers with a lot of experience, most of us would lose so much time shifting that a whole second would be lost just by not reacting properly.Even the tiptronic feature takes a little time geting used to, in any event practice for both manual and tiptronic may save you embarrasment in a real race situation, in full automatic with the pedal to the metal its very consistent, enjoy!!! and be safe. VDC can not allways save your behind.

 

It's been proven the manual has the advantage having better gearing in tranny ratios and rear end ratio (stock). Having a clutch is an advantage too, allowing launches at any rpm's, and allowing slippage.
But as many have said, you have to be a good shifter. One miscue and you lose. [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

<font color=red>GSM</font color=red>

 

an m3's SMG comes even closer to a manual

An M3's SMG is a manual, it's just that there's not a pedal for the clutch. It's probably faster than a good driver with a regular manual, too. I think it can execute a shift in 0.08 seconds.

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter