nouse4aname
Go Kart Champion
Saying you'll never go back is flat our false.
I think he was referring to there no going back to a traditional automatic or cvt.
Saying you'll never go back is flat our false.
.............Then there's the new eternal argument, DSG versus plain old manual. A couple of facts we learned about GTI transmissions: Interestingly, unlike most cars sold in the U.S., a full 50% of GTI buyers opt for the manual (as opposed to the 90% slushbox rate in VW's other offerings). The fast shifting dual-clutch unit weighs 22.4 pounds more than the manual. That might seem like nothing (in fact, other journalists laughed at our question once the answer was given), but remember that people pay big $$$ for a Porsche GT3 RS fitted with a lithium-ion battery that saves... 22 pounds.
While largely carried over from the old GTI, the DSG now features launch control, and it's incredibly easy to use: Disengage the traction control. Flop the transmission over into Sport. Push the brake pedal in with your left foot. Floor the throttle with your right and watch as the tachometer climbs to 3,200 rpm. Then, simply dump the brake. You are treated to a bit of wheelspin and a slightly faster jaunt to 60 mph. It should be noted that you can get a whole bunch more wheelspin by dumping the clutch with the manual, though Volkswagen claims this way is slower.
So, which transmission to get? Call us Luddites if you must (Luddites!), but if your desire is a satisfying driver's car, then there is no question that the six-speed manual is the box to get. It's just more fun. Oh yes, we know that the DSG can change gears faster (VW claims 1/10 of a second) and all that, but it feels artificial. While there are dual-clutch transmissions that float our boat (hello, Nissan GT-R), in the case of the MkVI GTI, the manual transmission is the enthusiast's way to go. Which is no doubt why Volkswagen sells so many row-your-own GTIs. It's cheaper, too.
Otherwise get the manual. In a performance car like the GTi a manual is a must. Plus you also need to factor in the maintenance costs of the DSG in 10k miles since DSG fluid service is at 40k.
I don't understand this. You can get more performance (read: results) out of a DSG over a manual. Also, you bring up the maintenance costs of the DSG...but if you plan on tuning the vehicle...you have to buy a better clutch for the manual. Something you do not need to do with a DSG.
edit: I'm not against manual. My next car will most likely be manual. But that because the DSG has jaded me. It is an amazing transmission. I just want to be engaged a little more.
I was debating the same thing a couple months ago. I ended up going with a manual even though I'd never owned a manual car before (been driving 12 years). I think it'll get better, but I'm still having some trouble getting used to it. I don't drive much (only 200 miles on the car in a little over a month), but I do live in downtown Austin and traffic is more of a bitch than I thought it would be.
I test drove an automatic but I didn't give it enough of a chance - I didn't try manual mode at all and never even got it over 40mph. I did enjoy the interaction of the manuals I test drove but that interaction is required all the time. Sometimes I don't want to have to worry about it. I'm dreading my next drive up to Dallas, half of which usually ends up being traffic. I think I'm still getting used to the stick, but I kinda wish I had just gone with what I knew instead of thinking I needed to go manual "because racecar".
Haha I don't drive during SXSW - got a bike for that. I work downtown and live 2 miles away I actually enjoy all the traffic that week because I don't feel like I'm always about to get hit when I'm biking downtown!
Agree with above statement I've had a passat dsg and it was fun....but I like my manual better even in rush hour traffic it doesn't bother me to much maybe bc I'm used to it. IMO dsg is actually better performance wise until k04, example my friend has a Vw cc apr stage3+ dsg and I'm k04 manual and I can keep up with him pretty good bc he hasn't flashed and rebuilt his dsg to make it capable of holding that power. Shop told him to completely redo tranny to make it worth it was about $8,000. For me it's &2,000 you get the picture???