come out and admit you hate paddle shifters, whomever you are stand and be heard

you're not taking this far enough...really go backwards further, why the #$@! do we have electric starters?? I want a CRANK like the good 'ole days! and these fancy pneumatic tires and metal wheels...just longing for the days of SOLID rubber on WOODEN wheels. Yes my friend, that's the way it should be.

 

Devil's advocate: The anti-paddle shifter crowd are elitist luddites.

 

Actually, they ruined it with the rubber on the wheels, IMO. Back when I was growing up...

 

i know i'm a noob here but i whole heartedly support paddle shifters. yeah it may not give you quite the...oh whats the word...connected feeling as a standard 6 speed, but it does let you focus more on the driving aspect of the road and it is more practical day to day. I'm a lover of the classic 6 speed (maybe in part that i dont have one day to day) but i see the practicality and usefulness of the paddles. I think they are quite fun too.

 

Next you're going to say that cars were better when they were made of WOOD

 

Oh god I foresee a wooden F50 coming to this thread soon

 

You mean like a Morgan from back in 2007?

 

If it's good enough for pretty much every professional race team today, it's good enough for me.

Some days I do miss double clutching for the pure thrill and full involvement of driving!

 

Paddles suck !

 

Sequential beats both.


Oh oh...

 

Ouch, now I know I'm an old fogey. First I think paddles suck and now 6-speeds are standard. I'm not sure I've ever even driven a six speed, let alone own one. I thought five-speeds were "standard." And really a whole lot of cars I'd like own only have four-speeds (but some with an over-drive button).

But I would like to keep the electric starters...

 

I don't know if it's cut and dry. I've driven both, still prefer the manual Ferrari. Paddles have their place and thankfully, are an option. If there ever comes a day when any of you can no longer push a clutch pedal in, I know you'll remember my post.

 

The gated shifter goes back to the start of Ferrari. I think that without one it just wouldn't be the same.

 

Pro Stock agree 100%. The first Ferrari I ever saw had that metal gate and I think something is missing when I see a console of a F1 trans car. The one thing I worry about, is that Ferrari will one day, go just with the paddles, and do away with the manual.

 

I don't have a problem with the paddle shifters. If a modern race car uses it, then why not? Ferrari's have always had a direct connection between the road cars and the track.

I could argue that traction control also damages the classic "Ferrari" experience. Or ABS brakes. Or modern fuel injection. Or disc brakes. At some point, it gets a bit silly.

If paddle shifters were replaced on the track with something better, I would advocate that this new system be added to the latest cars. Perhaps that will be KERS sometime in the future.

Now, does the "experience" of driving the car differ when using a gate or paddle? Yes, but not just on the level of reaching around to find the gear. It's very much like apples and oranges. The paddle is remarkably fast and efficient. The gate does have that extra level of car imput to make it go fast that is certainly rewarding when done properly.

So, my thought is that there is room for both depending on who you are. One point is that it's derived from racing and is certainly the fastest way to get around a track. The other is that the personal satisfaction of inputing the proper gear, throttle, and clutch control correctly makes up for the rather "old fashion" way of doing things.

I have to admit that when I hit the paddle at about the redline and the engine makes that incredibly quick change to the next gear, it makes my hair stand up on my head. It's not just the sound and the fury but the tires instantly leaping to push the car forward that get's your heart pumping.

Paddles do have their place.

 

Does the wooden F50 boat have paddle shifters?

 

Hate 'em. Had 'em, hate 'em.

But I do like most of the other modern stuff and guess at some point will be forced into accepting the paddle shifters.

I did drive a VW R32 that had the smoothest paddle system I have ever driven. (Better than the Maserati or BMW.) I could come to like them in a semi-performance car.

But, it stikes me as not dissimilar to the Corvette with an automatic transmission. Always wondered why anyone would buy a sports car with an automatic. Now EVERYONE does.

Well, except me.

DM

 

I hated them too . . . until I actually drove a car that had them (Lambo Gallardo)

 

It will be coming!!! Paddles rule!!