Tell me about your ideal automagic transmission

"yamahog" (yamahog) 09/20/2014 at 19:45 • Filed to: Autotragic

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Because I drove a 2014 Cherokee for about 8 hours this weekend... and let's just say I prefer the ancient 4-speed auto on my 97 XJ. At least that thing is consistent even after 245k miles, whereas with the new 9-speed, I experienced everything from chirping tires off of red lights to scary low torque after braking without any discernible pattern. Using the autostick did make it better IMO, and for everyone who keeps asking, 9th gear is really only usable around 100mph, and you're already in 6th by 40mph.

So tell me, what would you like to see in a perfect automatic?

jkm7680 > yamahog 09/20/2014 at 19:47

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1. Remove "Auto."

2. Remove "Matic."

3. Now there's a blank space.

4. Fill that blank with "manual."

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > yamahog 09/20/2014 at 19:47

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My preferred automatic?

That's a trick question.

illallowit > yamahog 09/20/2014 at 20:05

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Thou shalt have two clutches, no more, no less. Two shall be the number of the clutches, and the number of the clutches shall be two. There shall not be three clutches, nor one, excepting that thou then add clutch two. Four is right out. Once the two clutches be reached, then lobbest thou thy Holy transmission of Automatich beneath thy hood.

My citroen won't start > yamahog 09/20/2014 at 20:07

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yamahog > My citroen won't start 09/20/2014 at 20:16

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To save everyone else the reverse google image search: http://www.maseratilife.com/forums/quattro…

Steve in Manhattan > yamahog 09/20/2014 at 20:26

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My '87 300D had a 4-speed autobox, which worked fine. My '97 SHO also had, I belive, 4 forward gears. Later I drove a later E-class with, I believe, a 7 speed box. Did not feel any difference. Then last year got picked up in a newish S-class (instead of a Town Car, nice surprise) which has what? Nine speeds? The shifts were undetectable.

More ratios adds complexity and, I suppose, costs more to repair if the box fails. How many speeds does an autobox need? Similarly - I've never driven a manual box with more than 5 forward gears - and 6 and 7 speeds sound like a lot of work. And unnecessary.

ly2v8-Brian > yamahog 09/20/2014 at 20:38

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High stall converter, and a more aggressive shift kit.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > yamahog 09/20/2014 at 20:43

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Did you buy one?

yamahog > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 09/20/2014 at 20:47

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Oh hellllll no. I had to be up near Toronto for work Friday-Saturday and had the opportunity to take a new Cherokee instead of my personal car. My own dollar bills will be spent on something much more fun and much less practical.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > yamahog 09/20/2014 at 20:47

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The one I liked the most was the 6 Speed auto in my dad's BMW 3 series. if its in automatic mode, it starts off in 2nd gear, Manual mode allows to start in first. It made the car fun.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > yamahog 09/20/2014 at 20:48

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Miata? I will now show myself out for sudgesting you drive a tic tac.

Agrajag > yamahog 09/20/2014 at 20:49

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The 3-speed Turbo Hydromatic-400 in my '75 Suburban was delightful. I would like one of those again.

*fun fact-The V12 ones of these used that same transmission.

macanamera > yamahog 09/20/2014 at 20:51

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"Perfect automatic"

I literally don't understand.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > yamahog 09/20/2014 at 20:51

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The 8 speed in the Ram and Durango is pretty badass,

yamahog > macanamera 09/20/2014 at 20:53

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If you're looking for the MANUAL UBER ALLES circlejerk, let me direct you to every other thread on Jalopnik. Use your imagination if need be.

yamahog > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 09/20/2014 at 20:55

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If I wanted to drive anything with less than 6 cylinders, I'd get on my motorcycle :P

Sweet Trav > yamahog 09/20/2014 at 20:57

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I really like the 6F35 in my Fusion. Especially in sport mode. The 6F35 and GM 6T70E were co developed together, but I'm excited to drive the new 8L90E. While I love the inclusion of the sport mode, I'd like to be able to bounce off the rev limiter, instead of having the trans auto shift for me. Also I wish shift harshness was adjustable in regular mode, that would mostly be adjusted by line pressure. Essentially my ideal auto trans has 6-8 speeds, and a normal, sport and custom mode.

My citroen won't start > yamahog 09/20/2014 at 20:57

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Sorry, I forgot to specify it.

yamahog > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 09/20/2014 at 20:57

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I've driven a 2011 328xi and felt the same about that gearbox. Didn't trip over itself, did its job, with available fun option.

macanamera > yamahog 09/20/2014 at 21:00

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Ok sorry I didnt mean to incur your wrath.

The auto in my car is really good. Not perfect, but really good.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > yamahog 09/20/2014 at 21:00

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You are speaking the truth. 2 wheels FTW!!!

yamahog > macanamera 09/20/2014 at 21:05

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Oh don't worry, that's just sass, not wrath ;)

Perfect would basically require it to read my mind and react instantly.

Sweet Trav > yamahog 09/20/2014 at 21:07

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oh, If you're going to put flappy paddles. A turndial, or push buttons will suffice,

But no flappy paddles, please give me a PRND54321 or an auto-stick sequential thing. The fusion only has a toggle switch, which is quite substantial enough for my liking.

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > yamahog 09/20/2014 at 21:14

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If that trans wasn't reflashed then that would explain the erraticness, and yes 100mph is usually 9th gear, but 90mph or so you can get it to pop in.

Even worse is the dart double clutch, no one seems to be home when you first give it gas then it lunges into gear.

yamahog > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT 09/20/2014 at 21:21

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Given the build date, this one should have been reflashed. If not it probably would've just died on me somewhere like the one a coworker had to drive last fall :P

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > yamahog 09/20/2014 at 22:04

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Maybe they didn't relearn it properly? lol

I know everyone where I work is nervous about getting into ninth gear since you need to be going 100mph....and that really isn't a reasonable excuse lol

Cé hé sin > My citroen won't start 09/21/2014 at 05:19

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Aren't these things (Maserati/Graziano automated manual) supposed to be terrible?

macanamera > yamahog 09/21/2014 at 10:07

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Just another example in the long line of women having unrealistic expectations...

;) ;) ;)

blackjack666 > Steve in Manhattan 09/21/2014 at 12:05

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The new S still has 7.

I think 7 is around perfect, the best gear is always right available. In my opinion 5 is too inefficient and keeping the revs too high. Also, nearly no power these days is lost from the engine to the wheels, only 6-8%.

blackjack666 > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 09/21/2014 at 12:07

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It will also start off in first with sport or full throttle - similar across many other germans.

Stef Schrader > yamahog 09/21/2014 at 13:28

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A CVT tuned for track use would be hiiiiiilarious. Spool up quickly and stay up in revs the whole time, with as few interruptions in the engine's powerband as possible.

Steve in Manhattan > blackjack666 09/21/2014 at 13:52

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By "new S" you mean S-Class Mercedes? I would have thought they'd have upped to 14 or so ... 7 in an automatic sounds about right.

blackjack666 > Steve in Manhattan 09/21/2014 at 14:45

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Yeah, since 2012 all Mercedes S-Classes have 7 speed automatics and the generations before had it for pretty much all except the most powerful V12 version.

Thing with the 7 or 9 speed is the fuel efficiency at higher speeds and the comfort to always have the right gear available, so it actually shifts less.