I can't keep up with the times.

"The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL" (tokyobayaqualine)
05/05/2014 at 19:11 • Filed to: Rant, old man, TokyoBayAquaLine, racing, manuals, transmissions, automatic, speed, soul

(A lot of people won't agree with my ideology. That's okay. Just don't harp on me about it. I live in this bubble mindset, a long with a few other people. We like it in here. We'll send you a postcard sometime.)

I'm getting old. I think.

At 25, I know it's as ridiculous as saying the earth is flat, but it's true. My ideologies, my theories, my mindset, and my juxtaposition on everything around me remains the same as it did 5 years ago.

5 years ago, I wanted to date a model girlfriend. So I got one. Actually, a couple. I wanted to travel the world. So I did. I wanted to drive my dream cars. So I made that come true. And I wanted some beautiful and timeless memories along the way.

I got those also.

But in recent years, I've seen the world change. And I just can't come to terms with the change. Stuff I can't deal with includes...

Automatic, dual clutch transmissions.

Why?

Oh, because it's faster. But to me, racing isn't about the car going faster. It's about being fastest among a league of equal peers, am I right?

Not that there's anything wrong with progression, and advancement in engineering. But must we replace something that gives so much tactile feedback to the driver just for the sake of a few seconds per lap that everyone else will eventually be on par too?

Advancements in race engineering and how they're utilized on the track is awesome. But how about instead of just cramming all of them into a car, we cram a driver into all of them, and do the best with what he's got?

F1 has in recent years tried to do this, but they've been core focused on speed and outright lap times. Which is fine. But racing used to be more than that.

It used to be the marriage of finesse, and connectivity with the road. It used to be a challenge not because of how much counter steer you engaged, but for how well you knew your abilities as a driver to reign it in. Not in how confident you were to have your car reign them in for you.

Racing required maximum concentration and true knowledge of the conditions, the area, and the drivers around you. Most of all, the driver was the most pivotal part. It's how he manhandled this brutal box of barely confined, flammable shrapnel. It's how hard he wrangled it in, like a wild horse, bringing it's ability out into the forefront.

In modern day racecars, we know what we're getting into. We know it's capabilities, it's strengths, and it's weaknesses after fewer than 10 laps. We have no interest in "finessing" to the car. Only to getting the most out of it, and moving on.

That's why I personally believe that automatic paddle shifted transmissions are useless on new road cars. I can see their ability to produce a faster car. But I'm not getting into my Ferrari to drive to the bank in the shortest time possible. Chances are high I have to stay in the Ferrari for a short while. I have to feel my surroundings, and feel my cars powerband. I have to adjust to it's on-road capabilities.

But I can't. Because it's racetrack proven capabilities are adjusting to me.

There should be something dynamic and engaging about the aspect of driving itself. I'd rather we didn't try to adjust the faults of certain cars behaviour, and instead left all the technowizadry at home. A real sports car should have soul, and a rebellious side is part of having so much character.

Otherwise, I just don't see the point.

But it could be that I'm just getting old.

DISCUSSION (36)

Garrett Davis > The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL
05/05/2014 at 19:19

Serious question...

Were you expecting a lot of backlash on this? This is one of the core tenets of Jalopposite lock.

davedave1111 > The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL
05/05/2014 at 19:20

I got those also.

I really thought you were about to sell me a pyramid scheme.

The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL > Garrett Davis
05/05/2014 at 19:21

Yes, I was and still kind of am haha.

The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL > davedave1111
05/05/2014 at 19:23

I was, but then I changed my mind.

signintoburnerlol > The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL
05/05/2014 at 19:26

It's all about going faster and pushing the limits, hence the need.

If we have to sacrifice purity and interaction to get it, then by all means.

desertdog5051 > The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL
05/05/2014 at 19:28

You make good points. It is the inevitability of progression. It is sad, and I am a bit older than you, and I remember the days of the manual and they were not as sophisticated as they have been in the last 15? years. Racing depends on the manual/paddle shift and it is understood why. Consumers want to get into their cars and drive unbothered. Sad, but that is what is has come to. I think the mfg. of performance cars are doing a reasonable job to keep the manual. The luxury/performance car makers are not catering to the other part of the spectrum.

The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL > signintoburnerlol
05/05/2014 at 19:30

That's the problem right there.

davedave1111 > The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL
05/05/2014 at 19:30

Oh yeah, I just realised who's writing. Having read your Mid Night Club articles, I have an idea how you financed it. As far as I'm concerned if you stayed out of jail and didn't hurt anyone, good luck to you.

Brian Silvestro > The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL
05/05/2014 at 19:30

I still think dual clutch transmissions should only be available on the fastest of supercars, because those are the cars that can really utilize them. Every other car should have a manual. Period.

signintoburnerlol > The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL
05/05/2014 at 19:30

Then you don't understand the want or need to go fast..,

Garrett Davis > Brian Silvestro
05/05/2014 at 19:34

I agree with that from a purist's standpoint, but honestly, it's a free market, and most people don't give a shit about the essence of driving dynamics. They just want to comfortably get from A to B, and if that means have two pedals instead of three, who are we to argue.

Saracen > The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL
05/05/2014 at 19:34

You're preaching to the choir here. I'm completely with you on the flappy paddles.

The "it's faster" argument has no place in regards to street driving. It's all just excuses instead of just admittingly saying "I'm too lazy to use a clutch pedal".

Unless you commute through L.A., in which case it is excusable. Mostly. Somewhat.

Brian Silvestro > Garrett Davis
05/05/2014 at 19:38

Let me correct myself:

All cars should have a manual option , or at least ones that clearly can/should have one available.

Garrett Davis > Brian Silvestro
05/05/2014 at 19:39

Unless the manual option doesn't sell, and the manufacturer would make more money by selling just an automatic version, because again, free market, and they don't owe anyone any favors.

Enginerrrrrrrrr > The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL
05/05/2014 at 19:41

This reminds me of when I told my GF's dad that F1 has been using paddle shifters since the 70's. His mind exploded with basically your sentiments.
Let me be clear, I understand the connection between driver and car, but this is just the way things go with racing. With us pushing so much of the limits with racing, technology seems to be the only thing left with pushing a car to its maximum capabilities.
At the same time, racing is so encompassing that you can find your specific niche that checks all the boxes you want in a racecar. Sure, you may have to go back to stuff like Le Mans classic to get your standard manuals, but it's there and I foresee it staying.

I am with you that it's a shame that so many manuals are dying in the sportscar world, especially with rumors that Lamborghini, one of the last supercar makers with it, is going to axe the manual in the Huracan (probably?).

It always seems Jalopnik is the minority in the car world, with us coveting only the rarest cars on the market that tick our boxes. It's the damned majority who want their car to be like a real modern racecar that are ruining it for the rest of us, and the car makers are enjoying their slightly higher profit margins because of it.

I'll see you around; I'll be the guy in the FFR Cobra with a 427 and a 6spd manual...in some years from now...
/btw, as a 26-year old I find myself having more in common with 40-year olds than 21 year olds. It's weird...

Kinja'd!!!

OkCars- 22k Crossroads > The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL
05/05/2014 at 19:44

I do understand you, thats why the GT500 and the C7 corvette is our friend, they still offer the 3rd pedal. Jay Leno and Jeremy Clarkson also say, that european manufacturers should still offer a manual transmission on their cars.

The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL > davedave1111
05/05/2014 at 19:45

I financed it through saving money from full time jobs, then taking the other half year off. It's what I've always done.

PushToStart > The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL
05/05/2014 at 19:58

Yes, this exactly.

In the end, I guess it's completely a matter of opinion, because some people do really believe that paddle shifters are superior in all contexts, and I doubt that there's much anyone can do to change their mind...

Also, *whispers* You say you have a Ferrari, eh? That's cool, what kind?

davedave1111 > The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL
05/05/2014 at 20:01

Uhuh. Of course. Can't be too careful. These days the NSA watches everything.

The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL > davedave1111
05/05/2014 at 20:04

I'm dead serious lol.

The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL > PushToStart
05/05/2014 at 20:05

Oh. It's metaphorically speaking. But I drove my dream Ferrari a year and a half back - an F40 at full boil. That was a life goal for me.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Garrett Davis
05/05/2014 at 20:09

I have to say, I own three cars with manual transmissions (4spd, 5spd, 6spd!) and one auto. I am all for manuals and the joy of driving, but OH LAWDY, sometimes I just want to get in the auto and do nothing. It's a pleasure to drive when in the mood; auto hill-hold, crawl, no real thought process other than go/turn/brake.

For the people who don't wish to feel every gear change, rev-match on the downshift, or stamp on it out of a corner, I am in complete understanding of the automatic. We may be 'car people' o'er here on Jaloppositelock, but we are the absolute minority among car buyers.

davedave1111 > The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL
05/05/2014 at 20:10

Any further protestations of innocence just make you look more guilty...

I was 90% just setting up that NSA joke. That last 10%, though? Now you're making me wonder.

Oh, wait, smiley. :)

Garrett Davis > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
05/05/2014 at 20:12

Cochise must be a synonym for concise. Well said.

PushToStart > The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL
05/05/2014 at 20:14

Ahh ok, but that's badass that you got to drive an F40, that's my absolute dream car. I actually haven't ever seen one in person (at least that I can remember, I might've when I was pretty young) but I've always wanted one, one of the last of the true greats.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Garrett Davis
05/05/2014 at 20:15

Almost an anagram! Thanks

The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL > davedave1111
05/05/2014 at 20:18

Well let's just say that now I'm going after my big ticket item: Wealth.

Once I get that, then I'll have all I need for the rest of my life. And who knows, maybe even that Ferrari and model girlfriend, every day. ;)

Leadbull > The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL
05/05/2014 at 20:25

I'm with you. Technology is developing faster now than it ever has in the whole of human history. I think it's amazing and exciting, but it's also very hard for people to keep up with the change.

davedave1111 > The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL
05/05/2014 at 20:36

Girlfriend? Singular? Why aim so low?

For what it's worth, my experience is that models and dancers aren't worth the bother. They're all image-obsessed. You're much better off with the girls who look like that but have other strings to their bow as well.

D > Brian Silvestro
05/05/2014 at 20:40

should

You keep using this word. It doesn't exist in the business world.

money

this one does

Brian Silvestro > D
05/05/2014 at 20:44

WHAT

I CAN'T HEAR YOU (the auto enthusiast) OVER ALL OF THIS MONEY WE'RE MAKING

D > Brian Silvestro
05/05/2014 at 20:46

I try but I cannot decipher this comment

Brian Silvestro > D
05/05/2014 at 20:48

I'm representing myself as large automotive companies.

scoob > The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL
05/05/2014 at 20:58

If you want car companies to listen to people like Opponauts, you'll have to be insanely rich so you can get a company like Ferrari to make you a special one-off where you'll demand a gated 6 speed manual.

The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL > scoob
05/05/2014 at 21:35

Don't worry, I plan on making that happen.

The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL > signintoburnerlol
05/05/2014 at 21:37

No, I only understand the purity and the connection with the machine. You're correct in stating that.