There is no doubt that manual transmissions are slower on the track. There is no doubt that manual transmissions are more engaging to the back road driver. And, in general, there is no reason a street car should be able to go more than 150 MPH. {Nearly 2× the legal limit of any state here in USA} Feel free to argue. Also note: modern car thieves don't know how to drive manual transmissions either. I keep my manual F355 because it is a manual. {{Funny story:: a few weeks ago I was driving around in my F355 when I noticed that it was the first car I had driven in a while without a big GPS display visible from the drivers seat. I further, noticed that I had forgotten several paths from hither to yon and had to stumble over a few wrong turns, before guessing correctly. I had more fun that day that I had had in months--all because of LACK-OF-TECHNOLOGY !! Lack of technology made the whole experience BETTER !! }} I keep thinking I should get out my Fiat X1/9 chassis, and put a 1 L 200 HP motor- cycle engine in it with a new subframe,... If ever there were a chassis needing more that factory HP levels, that was it. Imagine 200 HP in 1600 pounds. F355 territory in lb/HP. ...
"Horses for courses" like we say here. It's all depend what you want from a car. For a long time in Europe, automatics were considered "girly", and unsporty. About 15 years ago, there was an argument going on here in UK about police patrol cars procurement. Some coppers were saying it was essential to keep manual cars, others wanted to try automatics. The police held comparative tests in Wales with different brands (Audi, Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar and Volvo) and a variety of drivers. The automatics were usually quicker point-to-point on twisty roads, and more drivers were able to extract faster speeds than with manuals. In the end, many drivers changed opinion, and most constabularies adopted BMW series 5 auto. To me, manual gearboxes belong to the past, with drum brakes, rigid rear axles and leaves spring suspension.
I can cook my steak faster in a microwave but I still prefer the grill. Manuals might be slower but IMO they more than make up for this with their level of engagement and experience. Nothing, and I men nothing, feels as good as a proper heel/toe shift. All of the recent "advances" have made cars sterile and soulless in exchange for a performance advantage that can't really even be appreciated on public roads. Modern Ferrari's are indeed blindingly quick and impressive but they've lost that visceral connection.
I'm not surprised by any of this. Regardless, I would assume the difference is somewhat marginal, especially for driving on the street, and a manual gearbox is still the difference between driving and simply "aiming."
I prefer automatic trans when dealing with a modern performance car. To have an advance suspension, areo, brakes, etc. only to lose speed back in changing gears doesn't make sense. I've owned manuals since high school and driven them for a long time. Now I only own automatics. I prefer paddles now. As long as I can choose my own gears, I'm entertained. I don't recall anybody saying a 458 is not engaging to drive. Electric cars and cvt transmissions dulls the driving for me. I still enjoy or wouldn't mind owning a classic manual, like an 993, or Shelby cobra etc. So not totally against manuals, They just don't appeal to me with modern performance cars.
Heel /toe shifts on modern manual are basic and uninteresting compared to the proper double declutch needed by no-synchromesh gearboxes - all purity has been lost with these clinical synchros
I know you're kidding, but there is something special about driving those old mechanical boxes as well.
I agree both are better! I also love the 458 but off the track I still find paddles boring compared to rowing my own gears. Dinosaur status proudly achieved!
To the OP. Please, edit the title of this thread as the new chauffeur for Ferrari has decided to change his name because we all should care about how his mother is named. He/him/they/it/whatever is to be referred to, in the future, as larlabrunister, or something like it, I couldn’t bother any less to double check it. more details, https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/lewis-hamilton-legally-changes-name-34467034
Anything that draws attention to himself...jeezus. What's wrong with the current name he has?(If this name change is true)
You're all worked up over some fake/recycled news. This happened back 3 years ago when Lewis sought to honor him biological mum after after his Knighthood - was a sweet gesture. Slow off season, these "news" websites just create articles using old quotes to generate clicks and rage-bait, and the usual suspects just obliging lap it up. Anyway thanks for taking the time to let us know how little you care
I didn't even know of this. I come here for all the Sir Lewis Hamilton news man. The intel these guys have on him is unmatched. The other drivers are so boring, the news outlets have to use Sir Lewis Hamilton to get any views.
Did you even read what fer312t posted? Let me enlighten you: Do the words fake or recycled come to mind? How about "news" to generate "clicks and rage-bait" (these are his quotes). I posted in post #9785 in parentheses(IF this name change is true) because I know the Dailymail isn't the most trusted news media out there. So this so called "intel"(your words) isn't really intelligence nor intelligent. Also, there's news on other F1 drivers ALMOST on a daily basis but I just don't post them BECAUSE I SEE IT. So the "other F1 drivers are not boring."
I know. I don't care if its fake recycled or not. I'm just stating I wasn't aware of it until it was posted here. Ok I'll use kinder words..the other drivers are "less interesting".
Max is much more interesting. Especially when he’s in trouble The media just loves fanboying on all of Lewis’s fake, PC, DEI, enviro nonsense “statements”. Lol, he’s an HR department’s dream! Just wait till he comes out. It will break the internet
Looollll!!!!!!! Max is more interesting? where? Show me where Max is more interesting? Are we talking about Max the driver? Looooool!!!! I haven't seen much Max talk here at all, I thought he retired. There is little interest in Max. If it was, the media and fchat would be on him daily. But they are not. Look at the # of post here about Sir Lewis Hamilton vs Max. He is a good driver, its ok, he can't be everything.
There is a lot of talk too about unsavory characters in history, doesn't automatically make them popular or better than someone else. Max is not much interested in being popular on the internet, however. Being very famous is not a flex. It's a downside for most people as your privacy is gone. In the world largest motorsport survey ever conducted, Verstappen was voted as most popular driver. F1 fans vote Verstappen most popular driver, McLaren named favourite team
Max just did some sim racing and the 24hr at Daytona sim racing is coming up and he will be in that one as well....fyi.
Being an unsavory character notion is irrelevant here. Max will win that easily. The motorsport survey is a weak measuring stick to show interest of a driver. It changes. I'm sure Max wasn't the most popular 6 years ago when Sir Lewis Hamilton was at his peak. The survey most likely showed Sir Lewis Hamilton the most popular. I'm talking about globally in and outside of motorsport, Max has never gained nowhere near the interest. Max is less interesting, nothing wrong with that as long as he continues to drive great. No need for you guys to get emotional about this.
Really? Are we still at the point that suggesting someone is gay is seen as an amusing insult rather than a pathetic jab at both Hamilton and any homosexuals out there? It doesn't make your argument better, you paint yourself as an outdated schoolyard wanna-be bully trying to look cool by putting others down for perceived faults, that if true would still mean nothing.
I never said it was a bad thing did I? You just assumed it was an insult. In fact, I would respect Lewis more for having the courage to come out while still driving given the political climate of F1. As I said, it would be a news event like no other for the sport. Not sure why you automatically knee jerked and assumed I was taking a cheap shot at him?
Max is more interesting IMO because he is a loose canon and you never know what he is going to say. Even if you hate him he’s comical at times with his responses and controversial statements. All the other drivers have become corporate robots who just regurgitate the same PC, HR speak when interviewed so as not to cause trouble. That to me isn’t the least bit interesting.
