Maximos

It's not a matter of better performance, better times or more outright speed. Cars would be so much faster, especially on a race course, if they were completely automated and controlled by computers programmed by some geeks in a lab; but what enthusiast wants that ****?
It's about the man in the driver's seat, his skill, his mastery of the vehicle. Technology which takes the driver out of the equation, or which tends in that direction, misses the point, just as baseball players hopped up on steriods miss the point of the game. It's about skill and talent, not about engineered outcomes or reaping the rewards without the skill and discipline
Sometimes, technology really does miss the point; we ought to end the worship of science and tech for their own sakes - just because something can be done with tech doesn't mean that it should be done.

Psylence

*golf clap* More articulate than I, but that's what I was gettin' at

therm8

Personally I'm a firm believer in "to each his own." Therefore one person's idea of the "ultimate" driving experience is just as good as any other's. Some people just feel the need to try to impose their idea of auto enthusiasm on others. Now don't take this as a flame, because it's not meant to be. It just seems that some of the posts here are leaning toward this.
I love driving. Pushing the car to its limits is where it's at for me, Just me, the car and the road, that's all I need. Taking my hand off the steering wheel, taking my mind off the road ahead to change gears simply takes away from my driving experience (that and the occasional mis-shift ). I would like everyone to keep an open mind to others' opinions, and just drive.

Maximos

The idea of "to each his own" would be fine were it not for the fact that advocates of SMGs, as well as some of the manufacturers, have taken a "this is the wave of the future, and if you don't want to go along for the ride, you're a dinosaur, and we won't even trouble ourselves to provide what you want in a sports car" approach to the question. There has been a lot of talk of the inevitability of "progress", defined as convenience and scarcely detectable advances in speed, with the clear implication that those who don't agree with those values are ignorant luddites. When the debate has been framed in that way, no one should be surprised when driving purists and traditionalists react as they have.

Stras

Maximos..........your understanding of "the Driver" is well put,you put into words the freedom and the mastery of the game.

Speed and control ,limits and the shortest path on blacktop.

although you say the technology takes U out of the loop ,better engineering has always been very important to me.look at the cars of years gone buy and I love them but I also really truly love what 2004 has brought us ..a car that far exceeds what we had 25 years ago.

Don't look at technology as taking away.........
I am without a second thought farther along than my first ride a 67 camaro 250 six banger with a three speed gear box and bias ply tires driving at the limits(80mph) around that 1 mile curve leading to the same garage as I was on my 91 gsxr 1100 doing 145mph and now my 2004 RX 8 doing 125 mph

I still get the nuts off doin' it

crazy 8's boys
newer better faster more fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stras

r0tor

iTrader: (1)

i'm all for the optimal performance of a manual combined with a system that lets you keep both hands on the wheel and concentrate on your line at the track.

kristopher_d

Anyone who rails against technology fears technology. Anyone who fears technology is already extinct, they just haven't figured it out yet. I've only ever owned 1 automatic, and that only as a daily driver for 100mi round trip 7 day a week commute. When I want to have fun, I take one of my manual transmissioned sports cars out. So, Which argument is right? Easy, I don't drive a manual so I can take my hand off the wheal and have less control. I drive a manula for the control. The control however, comes from choosing gears, not from using the clutch. That leads us to the obvious conclusion that a transmission that easier to control yet yeilds all the benefits of a standard manual is by definition superior. A true driver is not defined by his willingness to shift. It is defined by his ability to control the vehical. A huge factor in controlling the vehical is chosing it. The best drivers drive the best cars. The best cars respond most precisely and quickly to the imput of the driver with the least effort.