Can You Name ONE Car That's Stuck With A DCT But Would Be Made INFINITELY Better With A Manual?

Mustang GT500 and C8 Corvette. May be slower but much more involving.

1,000%!

Every car. I really don’t care about saving a split second on the track, but want the manual experience on the twisty backroads I take to work.

Good on ya, Jeff!

There are these things called paddles and they shift far faster than your arm, not to mention in most cases now there are more cogs. The bullshit of "I need a manual for the backroads I take to work" doesn't hold water. Automatics today are simply far better.

Audi S4, S5, RS5, S6, S7, RS7
BMW M5, M6

Audi A3/S3
Audi A4 allroad

None at all

You may PREFER driving a Manual (There was a time I did) - but there is no way a human can shift as quickly as a DCT - so to call something that reduces performance as INFINITELY better is a HUGE overstatement. It is a different experience. I always thought I - whose first car was a three speed on the column 1939 Chevy Master - would never prefer a DCT.

I have now reached an age where my body just no longer allows me to compete with a DCT (Even if I would lose) happily - but I still have great fun driving My Ferrari 812 Superfast. Those of you that still can(Likely without a hip or knee replacement) - enjoy it while you can. But the days of manual transmissions are in their last gasp - and while there are enough out there that could be swapped out - that is no longer something easy to do - and sales have not justified doing it (Or they would do more of it)

Tom, I think we're actually in agreement.

We're talking about around town/spirited driving on country roads/being a driver/engaged. I completely agree that we can't keep up with a DCT, it's not even close.

Last I checked though, none of us are Michael Schumacher or Lewis Hamilton, competing for a championship.

Every modern Ferrari

Theres a reason gated 6 speed Murcielagos pull like $800k at auction nowadays.

Better question: Can you name any car with a DCT that would be better with an automatic?

Answer: ALL

The only transmissions worse than DCTs are CVTs.

Slushboxes and torque converters better than hard clutches? On what planet?

Better yet question, if your powertrain requires dozens of gears complex power and performance sapping transmission isn't it time to get a better powertrain, go all electric?

Excellent point, Matt.

The new eight-speed ZF transmissions are fantastic and, frankly, I don't see the need for DCTs much longer at this point.

That's why we're seeing some manufacturers move away from DCTs.

"Slushboxes and torque converters better than hard clutches? On what planet?" On the modern planet. @vdiv From yiur posts we can easily see that you have no contact with modern cars.

None, much like Tom above, it's great that manuals are an option for those that want one, but most of the time I no longer want one. I do have a decent amount of stop and go traffic in my commute, and I also live in a snowy environment where having the car manage wheel slip is valuable. What's sad is that it seems that many of the guys I see around town that are obviously driving a stick are just not very good at it. I see missed gears and poorly timed shifts all the time. Maybe only 1 in 5 of those with a manual are really good at it. I mentioned heel and toe shifting to a friend who only drives a stick, and he had no idea what I was talking about! Anyway, to each his own, but I'm happy with modern, smooth, fast shifting autos.

Good points!

Funny you mention the lack of skill. One of my dear friends and I love watching folks pull into Cars & Coffee. A LARGE % have tremendous difficulty parking their rides.

It all depends on whether you enjoy navigating your car or actually want to drive it. The manual may be slower but it is so much more involving that it really lets you appreciate the workings of the car. There are many who don't want to give up the performance loss with a manual and I get that, however, if they're not taking their car to the track and trying to extract that extra speed on public roads then you're pretty much an a33hole. As far as the slush boxes go, they are way better than ever but still not quite the same feel as a DCT.

Lets be fair - I agree that most people cannot compete with the best of racers - and some can still get fun from driving a stick.

However - I am lucky that I can actually move my leg enough to move the clutch pedal and getting into and out of my car - while made better by moving the seat back - still takes some time. Frankly, I am happy that I am still able to actually drive a car - and while I would like that magic pill - alas it does not exist. However - driving the 812 Superfast is a BLAST - one that always brings a smile to my face- and yes - it is not the same feel as a true manual - but You have to make do with what you can do - poor me - having to settle for a Ferrari 812 Superfast - and Frankly - that it has a DCT is not something that means anything to me now.

As a former manual driver and current DCT driver, I do not in any way miss the involvement of my L leg in the process. When the car is started it defaults to manual mode and I only let it select the gears automatically about 5% of the time- usually stop and go highway traffic. Years ago, BMW M division said they would never offer a slushbox in an M product, but now the M5, and various X-M's offer an 8 speed torque converter automatic. I haven't seen any technical info comparing energy loss using a fluid coupling vs. actual gears, but I assume the engineering has now progressed to the point that this makes sense in a motorsport oriented product. I would be curious to see a modern comparison between DCT/DSG and these modern torque converter boxes. Haven't yet driven one, but all reports indicate that they shift on demand with the immediacy of DCT in the fastest settings.

None

If you wanna feel involved just flip to manual position, as that's what manual is about - determine which gear you want

Wanna get your legs involved? Well, run!

Nail a corner perfectly rev matched with heel and toe and you'll understand the joy it brings over hard braking and flipping paddles.

On the street, there aren't many places to legally enjoy most cars, so a slower and more analogue experience is preferred for a sports car.

Here in Ontario, Canada, you'll have your car towed and impounded for a simple drag race from a lights. That takes no skill now. If you are a car enthusiasts it's about driving, not collecting and being seen in the most expensive car while sipping coffee.

I'd upvote you a hundred if I could. You hit the nail on the head!

(1) This: "Nail a corner perfectly rev matched with heel and toe and you'll understand the joy it brings over hard braking and flipping paddles." is purely fantasy bullshit talking.

(2) This: "...so a slower and more analogue experience is preferred for a sports car" is hardly a universal truth.

Yes, I enjoy a good stick shift, BUT the FACT is that nailing a corner with paddles is far easier to do and therefore less hair raising and more enjoyable.

@focal nice try at using your alter ego "deaHelkcunK" to validate yourself.

Life isn't about easier, it's about living and being more involved. A hair raising "oops" at missing a shift or poorly timed braking point is JOY with this driver. It's not about success but how well you recover from failure that builds character and improves skills.

Until I master driving a slower car, I don't want to go faster in an easier car because I'm not on the clock.