Manual V Auto

[Gareth]

I've just ordered my XR6T and read a few reviews suggesting the Auto was the pick. I'm wondering if anyone has any performance comparisons? You would expect the Auto to be a little slower, but then you are always on boost, so this might compensate?

[ENVY-T]

Off the line the Manual is the quicker car. In gear acceleration is better but not very noticable. And because the car runs so little boost, there is no real lag at any speed. So the manual can be just as quick, depending on your reaction speed when changing gears. I know that the V40 T4 turbo OVLOV that my missus and I drive is slower by more than a second over the manual version.

that's why we are ordering the 5 speed XR6T. After driving both all she said was, "I can see why he wants the manual". Sorry I don't have any numbers just the feeling you get when driving. The salesman told me that he and another salesman ran the CVT and manual side by side up princes hwy and the manual was quicker on all occassions.

[OwnaXR6T]

Did he say the manual was much quicker.

[Guest Andrew]

I guess like everything it really depends what your after if you want accelleration off the mark maybe the manual is the way to go, it also maybe a little more fun but that's also debatable,for me I went the auto as I thought the tiptronic to be a good compromise, I was told it was smoother and possibly more reliable. A lot reviews the mags did suggested the auto the way to go, as the manual was a bit notchy & brash. The other thing is you don't have to replace the clutch. For me it was the hardest decision to make, manual or auto, if the manual box was better, the choice would have been easier. Good luck & don't worry to much cause once you start driving it, manual or auto, you'll love it any way.

[Gareth]

I currently drive a Honda S2000 and the manual box felt pretty ordinary in comparison! I also agree that changing the clutch is an issue, particularly if you tow something from time to time.

I guess a few performance modifications might make up for any slight power shortfall!

In fact I understand the power & torque was limited so the manual box could cope.

[Lightning]

I currently own a manual AUII XR6 VCT. My previous car was an auto EL Futura. I drove the BA XR6T auto on Tuesday and was more impressed than I thought I would be. I loved the Sequential Shift Swhatever.

But, I drove a manual last night and, as per my posts on FF, it only took me a couple of minutes to decide to get the manual.

Why? (These are my opinions only and should be treated as such, your views may vary of course) Because it's more fun. Because the clutch is lighter than the AUII. Because the gearbox feels better. Because I, in the back of my mind, prefer a manual. Because I enjoyed it more. Just because.

Simon....

[Ninka]

I currently own a manual AUII XR6 VCT. My previous car was an auto EL Futura. I drove the BA XR6T auto on Tuesday and was more impressed than I thought I would be. I loved the Sequential Shift Swhatever.

But, I drove a manual last night and, as per my posts on FF, it only took me a couple of minutes to decide to get the manual.

Why? (These are my opinions only and should be treated as such, your views may vary of course) Because it's more fun. Because the clutch is lighter than the AUII. Because the gearbox feels better. Because I, in the back of my mind, prefer a manual. Because I enjoyed it more. Just because.

Simon....

I like the comfort of automatic in daily city driving, but find the sequential shift a good comprimise when I want to play!

A manual is probably quicker off the line, but in all but expert hands I believe it will lose out to the auto on gear changes, as the auto is just a rush of torque with very quick changes, and no loss of boost between gears.

[Guest DZ.]

I've driven the auto XR6T and although I haven't driven the manual XR6T I own a manual S15 200SX so I thought I'd take the opportunity to add my 2 cents worth.

Firstly, this entire thing about an auto having an advantage because it's never off boost - I'm curious. Turbos spin at high RPMs why so would their be a significant drop in boost when changing gears in a manual? They don't just stop spinning when you kick the clutch in. I've never noticed any detrimental effects when changing gears when driving in the boosted range of the 200SX.

Secondly, with my drive of the SSS there were a number of times when I tried to downshift twice quickly and found that it had only downshifted once. On the odd occasion I would attept a shift and "miss" if you like - either I didn't push the lever far enough or it wouldn't change for me for whatever reason. I was driving through some windy bits at the time so I wasn't too impressed.

Having said that, for someone who wants to have a relaxed driving experience with the option of changing gears occasionally, it's the best auto box I've found - definitely superior to the Mitsubishi tiptronic (not to mention having the changes in the right way around). There's really minimal lag when you want the car to change gear which I was surprised with and it would be very easy to live with in normal day to day driving.

However if I had to choose between taking an auto and a manual over the Great Dividing Range, the manual would win hands down.

Incidentally seat of the pants feel of the auto XR6T is very similar to the manual 200SX (0-100 in 6.7s).

[Guest esky]

I've driven both. Both were press cars and both abused very badly .

IMO the manwell is the better car. Sure the mags say the auto is the one to get, but that's because they have been driving press XR6T that have been trashed so bad.

If you treat your car like its stolen, like the press cars get driven, then get an auto. But if you have some respect for your car, get a manual.

esky

[Guest raoulc]

I bought a manual and love it. If you get an auto you will drive an auto even with a Sequential transmission. After the frist week you'll keep it in drive and that's were it will stay.

For me - manual was the way and I am more than happy.