Everyone Hates Flappy Paddles...

"Skif6996" (Skif6996)
05/06/2014 at 18:47 • Filed to: Transmission Submission

What if you're all wrong?

I know, as Jaloppos, we all have to hate flappy paddles. I understand the whole "manual transmission is the only transmission" feel. I drive a manual every day. I am getting a little bit older now and my situation has changed. The majority of my driving is to work and back. However, aside from that, I rarely go anywhere but short trips from my house. There is very little enjoyable driving for me, at the moment. My knees also aren't what they used to be. I spent a few years as a paratrooper and that wreaked havoc on my joints. By the time I reach my driveway each night, my knee is popping and locking and twerking. Driving a stick has become unpleasant for me. I wouldn't mind a weekend car that had a manual so I could "connect" with it. I just don't want to deal with it every day.

A lot of people say the DSG and paddles are an awful replacement and manufacturers hate enthusiasts. I will partially agree with that. While they aren't necesarily a good replacement, they are a nice option. Think about it this way. Would you rather have an old, slow, hateful, traditional autobox? Or would you like for the manufacturer to try making a more engaging, accessible to everyone, enthusiast-oriented, automatic transmission?

I, for one, am excited to see cars offered with a more sporty automatic. This means that, even though I'm not very willing to work a clutch pedal anymore, I can still enjoy selecting the correct gear for the upcoming sweeper.

DISCUSSION (38)

HammerheadFistpunch > Skif6996
05/06/2014 at 18:50

long story short - paddles faster, pedals better.

Brian Silvestro > Skif6996
05/06/2014 at 18:53

Anyone who's driven a car with paddles knows they're not AS fun as a manual, but they're still pretty damn fun to use.

But that's because we're basically all children, and we like to play with toys.

ly2v8-Brian > Skif6996
05/06/2014 at 19:09

This is absolutely correct.

Skif6996 > ly2v8-Brian
05/06/2014 at 19:12

Thank you!

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > Skif6996
05/06/2014 at 19:17

Sure, but I just don't want car makers to go, "hey, our cars have flappy paddles, they're sporty!" without actually doing anything to make the car better to drive.

Makoyouidiot > Skif6996
05/06/2014 at 19:24

I like flappy paddles....

feather-throttle-not-hair > Skif6996
05/06/2014 at 19:26

It's not the flappy paddles I hate, it's the lack of foot clutch. The BAC Mono has flappy paddles and a third pedal and I think that thing is the tits!

Seriously though, I can understand why an automatic gearbox makes more sense for the vast majority of people in this world. It is slightly heartening that some of those people want more engagement than just pure auto mode.

It's not that flappy paddled automatically shifting transmissions are bad in and of themselves, it's just that I do harbor some resentment about how their ubiquity and popularity is killing off a transmission type that I love.

But ultimately, when you're dropping a whole fuckton of money on a new car (because lets face it, cars are goddamn expensive) you gotta go with whatever you're most comfortable with and just forget the peanut gallery.

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
05/06/2014 at 20:02

For once you are wrong!

You can't say that paddles are less fun 100% of the time.

They're just less fun the majority of the time.

But I would say that in about 20% of driving situations paddles are moar fun than stick.

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
05/06/2014 at 20:04

That's probably true. Pulling the down paddle twice then flooring it is really fun.

Manuél Ferrari > Skif6996
05/06/2014 at 20:04

I think variety is the spice of life.

I feel very lucky to have both types of transmissions. Each has its pros and cons.

If my knees were hurting I would have zero problem going paddles only. I would give negative 100 fucks about losing my Jalop card.

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
05/06/2014 at 20:05

Setting an exotic with nearly 500 HP to race mode and pulling the upshift paddle at WOT is a religious experience. Everyone must try.

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
05/06/2014 at 20:23

AVENTADOR

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
05/06/2014 at 20:25

WE NEED TO STEAL THEM!

WE EACH NEED ONE IN BLUE, WHITE, BLACK, GREY, AND ORANGE

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
05/06/2014 at 20:26

For every occasion!

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
05/06/2014 at 20:31

Kinja'd!!!

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
05/06/2014 at 20:32

We'd look like such douches, but who cares! We have Aventadors!

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
05/06/2014 at 20:33

I would give negative one million fucks

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
05/06/2014 at 20:33

Exactly. Once I hear that intoxicating exhaust note, nothing else in the world matters.

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
05/06/2014 at 20:35

When you think about it every single sports car carries some level of doucheyness. So who cares...

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
05/06/2014 at 20:36

I just won my first eBay auction.

Old man was on the road and had me bid $121 10 seconds before the auction closed.

That was exciting.

Kinja'd!!!

CPT Speedbump > HammerheadFistpunch
05/06/2014 at 20:38

Not better, the best F1 driver ever, CHOSE to drive a manual NSX. Js

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
05/06/2014 at 20:43

For some reason that made me laugh. You've never used eBay before? It's so fun. You'll be addicted so once you find eBay Motors.

I'm just going to leave this here.

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
05/06/2014 at 20:44

No I've never used it for some reason.

Whoa. Much Alfa

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
05/06/2014 at 20:47

We're only just scratching the surface.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Porsche-35…

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-2002-T…

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
05/06/2014 at 20:48

omg don't show me these things

too dangerous

Skif6996 > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
05/06/2014 at 20:51

One could argue that simply offerig a manual transmission does not make a car sporty. Sure, you get to shift it with a clutch pedal and that can be fun. It doesn't definitely make it more sporty. A shitty manual gearbox isn't fun.

Skif6996 > Manuél Ferrari
05/06/2014 at 21:01

I have never really been behind the manual-only mentality. If you don't mind paddles, or you don't care to row your own, you can still be a car guy. I'm secure in my Jalopuality.

Manuél Ferrari > Skif6996
05/06/2014 at 21:03

It's scary how many people think that you must have a manual or you're not a Jalop. It is a lot like how hipsters think bikes MUST be fixed gear, haha

Skif6996 > feather-throttle-not-hair
05/06/2014 at 21:05

What is sad is that I don't think paddles or autosticks or whatnot are killing the manual. In supercars, sure. In real world cars, though, the automatic transmission, in general, killed the stick. Most people don't care about cars and don't want to be bothered by actually driving them.

Skif6996 > CPT Speedbump
05/06/2014 at 21:07

I honestly don't know this... Did the first gen NSX come with paddles? I thought it was too early for those.

CPT Speedbump > Skif6996
05/06/2014 at 21:33

No, but the still drove a manual :P

Skif6996 > CPT Speedbump
05/06/2014 at 21:51

He did. He just didn't choose the manual over paddles.

Skif6996 > HammerheadFistpunch
05/06/2014 at 21:58

For you, this may be true. It is not true for everyone, all the time. I don't like paddles because they are faster. Honestly, I doubt they are much faster in typical production cars. I like them because they give me another option. I can drive a car with paddles or a manumatic and not be in pain the next day. As much as I have enjoyed my manual, a shiftable autobox is "better" for me.

CPT Speedbump > Skif6996
05/06/2014 at 22:01

I'm sure he would of though. I'm about to be driving a very awful manual to drive for work, and already can't wait to get a automatic. But only for work, lol

Skif6996 > CPT Speedbump
05/06/2014 at 22:05

That's how it starts...

CPT Speedbump > Skif6996
05/07/2014 at 00:22

I wouldn't be so sure, only want a manual because the job is 100 percent driving all day, in a large, very easy to crash into things truck, and the job is about getting things done quick. Having a auto would make it safer and alot easier, but that said - allooottt of the money i make will go into my track car, which is of course manual ;) and a truck to tow it..which i'd prefer in manual but arent many trucks that can tow my car in manual -.- and I'm keeping my first car still, which is a manual

tromoly > Skif6996
05/07/2014 at 00:40

Paddles are a must in open wheel vehicles with sequential transmissions, or Prototype-style vehicles (I'm looking at you, DSR race cars).

A Touring car (WTCC, BTCC) needs a sequential stick, no paddles.

On a road car, whatever is most convenient to make the vehicle operate.

BondoSpecial > Skif6996
05/08/2014 at 15:57

Yep. I have owned a lot of cars, some manual, some auto. I still own one manual car, just to give me something different to drive when I feel like it (E39 M5). But I generally prefer automatics (when they are GOOD automatics). I do a lot more mechanical work on engines, differentials, transmissions, etc as a hobby than most self professed "car guys", but I definitely don't buy into the "manuals only" thing anymore.