Unpopular Opinion.../Loopy Thoughts

"K-Roll-PorscheTamer" (k-roll390) 01/23/2016 at 15:16 • Filed to: Unpopular Opinion

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I have the strangest desire for having an auto in whatever car I get next. And for some messed up reason that goes beyond what I’m comfortable with, it’s the car in the picture.

I’ve already got two manuals in the garage, and I’ve enjoyed every new auto I’ve driven, which is only one...(Challenger Scat Pack)

Anyone who knows me knows I hate large, heavy, and non-nimble vehicles, especially since I discovered the fun of AutoX last fall. All of my primary vehicles have been shorter than 180 inches, less than 3500lbs, and 2 of the 3 have been FWD. But there’s something I can’t put my finger on in Challengers that just makes me feel quite right inside one when I sat in them at the auto show this week, even if the only things I like about it are the extreme retro-ness, the nice and spacious interior (the nicest of the three pony cars), the fact that I can see quite clearly out of it like the other 3 pony cars, and having 2 doors. I’m a sucker for retro old things.

So, It appears I finally found the car that I shouldn’t like, but for some messed up reason, I do. I can’t wait to drive the new Camaro and drive a Challenger again in the future.

mazda616 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 01/23/2016 at 15:17

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An automatic is not the detriment Oppos make it out to be. I’d lose my mind with a manual in my daily commute.

Spoon II > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 01/23/2016 at 15:22

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Are you tall, because I’m very tall and it’s part of the reason that I love the Charger and Challenger so much. Fitting in the other muscle cars is more like a dream than a reality. The manual shift option on those autos is hilariously fun too.

bob and john > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 01/23/2016 at 15:26

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what wrong with an auto again? dude I love our autos.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Spoon II 01/23/2016 at 15:27

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I’m 5'7.5, so I’m average height I think. I can pretty much fit in any car comfortably without much difficulty, the pony cars easily. The only one with some trouble is the 2016 Camaro ONLY if it has a sunroof, because in the seating position that allows me to see out the car, my head is about an inch away from the roof and any movement I make has me scraping the roof with my head.

AndyG_UK > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 01/23/2016 at 15:27

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I think both of our next cars will be auto’s, modern ones are just so good. Every car myself and my partner have ever had have been manuals, had enough now.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > mazda616 01/23/2016 at 15:32

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I’ve been daily driving manual for almost 2 years now. I know it’s not the detriment Jalopnik and Oppo makes it out to be. But I’ve experienced rush hour traffic and bumper to bumper in manual cars from the 70s, 80s, and new ones. Auto is definitely better for those instances, but I don’t know how they’d do in AutoX. But between the 3 pony cars, the Mustang has the worst auto for enthusiasts, the Challenger and Camaro have better ones, but I’d much prefer a manual in a car as small as the Camaro, and an auto in a car the size of the Challenger.

JGrabowMSt > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 01/23/2016 at 15:32

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Can confirm, HEMI + Auto isn’t all that bad, and the NAG1 is quite robust. Eerily robust. It feels like it’s dying, but it’ll take a downshift into 3rd and get you around a turn like nobody’s business.

With KW V2's and good tires, that is.

fhrblig > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 01/23/2016 at 15:34

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When you check out an automatic, take it on an extended test drive and make sure it doesn’t drive you nuts. I’ve lost count of how many automatic transmissions I’ve hated because they shift weird or at the wrong times. I absolutely loathed the 4-speed auto box in my partner’s old SX4 because it refused to behave. It was definitely geared for mpg, and trying to get it to downshift and stay in a lower gear was like pulling teeth. The CVT in his Juke was infinitely better, and in fact the CVT that Suzuki put in the SX4 later on was better too (my mother-in-law bought one).

I’m liking the 6-speed unit in my Optima, and I guess we’ll see about the 6-speed auto in his new Elantra, not sure if it’s the same gearbox.

Bytemite > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 01/23/2016 at 15:36

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No bro. It’s a whale of a car. Come on.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > bob and john 01/23/2016 at 15:38

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I even liked the auto in my Saturn! I think when I got the ST and started reading Jalopnik more, I kinda got on the anti-auto bandwagon more than I thought. But I’m not one to bash autos like hellspawns. Just certain makes that I’ve driven either have fun or boring autos.

Wobbles the Mind > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 01/23/2016 at 15:38

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Get the auto. Manuals are fun when you actually get to use them. Oppo forgets that most performance cars will exceed even highway speeds in 2nd gear and have so much torque that you don’t even need to down shift for any passes. Even track days become just downshifting into brake zones and then shifting back into 3rd (if there is a big straight you might get to touch 4th for 5 seconds).

I’m a firm believer that there is no need for the Cayman GT4, Viper, or Z06 to be manual vehicles anymore since they end up being driven like autos.

Now getting to hit a paddle three or even four times to downshift into 3rd from 7th is a great feeling. Same with upshifting, you are so much more engaged and have so many gear options that autos make high performance cars feel great.

Manuals are for vehicles that need to go into 4th gear to hit 90mph, or engines that lack power or have a flat spot in their power curves and need to be forced into the 5000rpm and above range or kept below the turbos or vtec kicking in. Or convertibles or loud exhaust systems, that way everyone can see/hear that you are driving a manual.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > JGrabowMSt 01/23/2016 at 15:40

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Not that auto. If it’s the same in our 2.7 Magnum, that’s one of the autos I don’t particularly like. The Torqueflite 8-speed though....I LOVED THAT ONE.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > fhrblig 01/23/2016 at 15:43

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The auto in the Mustang is the same as the one in the Fusion, and I hate it. I’ll definitely take them out on extended test drives when the time comes.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Bytemite 01/23/2016 at 15:46

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I know. I’ve driven two, and they were only fun in a straight line. But they still felt at home for me. Because the 2009 RT was closest to the driving characteristics of my dad’s Magnum, and the 2015 was just a different kinda fun for me that I’d never experienced before.

Leon711 > AndyG_UK 01/23/2016 at 15:51

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Until last year I’d only had manuals, I was looking for a mk5 Golf GTI and couldn’t find any good manuals so I tried a few autos. I’m loving the DSG.

Urambo Tauro > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 01/23/2016 at 15:59

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Having more than one car allows you to inhabit both worlds. Nothing wrong with, say, an auto daily driver and a manual second car. I take it you’re considering replacing the FoST?

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Urambo Tauro 01/23/2016 at 16:01

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In a year or so, I plan on replacing the ST with something else. I just don’t know what yet.

JGrabowMSt > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 01/23/2016 at 16:01

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The NAG1 or the slightly beefed up Viking unit is an incredibly robust trans.

Your 2.7L Magnum probably has the 4 speed (42RLE), and yes, it’s a POS.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 01/23/2016 at 16:05

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I’ve driven a ‘15 Scat Pack challenger and have to say that I really really want one. The 8 speed is so good, and the engine so full of torque, and being 6-3 and built big it's comfy.

e28m5isbetter > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 01/23/2016 at 16:07

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i have the challenger SXT as a rental right now and love it. i can’t believe how much i love it. normally would hate most anything from dodge and still dont love the overall look of it, but its a great car and that v6 is fantastic. i do love that is an all white cop car looking thing and at least 70% of people seem to see me coming in their rear view and move the heck over. the all wheel drive plows like hell but still been a fun rental - especially in this snow we just got.

Urambo Tauro > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 01/23/2016 at 16:29

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It’s good to give yourself some time like that and plan ahead.

My sister’s grown quite fond of her old AE94 Corolla, but will be selling it soon. It just so happened that I was putting my Thunderbird up for sale, and she got first dibs. She’s not a big fan of heavy RWD cars, but this is really due to her experience with driving my parents’ Town Car. She was apprehensive at first, but has quickly fallen in love with the ‘Bird. It handles so much better than some big ol’ Panther and it really puts her mind at ease about the whole RWD thing.

At any rate, if you feel a special bond with the Challenger, go for it. Doesn’t matter what the haters say. The “fits like a glove” sensation is a huge plus when driving, helping you to get “in the zone”. When a car feels like that, it’s a keeper.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > JGrabowMSt 01/23/2016 at 16:34

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How much different does the former drive?

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 01/23/2016 at 16:35

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I’d probably settle on an RT honestly. I’m not made out of $$$$$$$$. Probably a used one as well when the time comes. But that 8 speed is amazing.

JGrabowMSt > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 01/23/2016 at 16:42

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The NAG1 is a Mercedes transmission. Need I say more?

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Urambo Tauro 01/23/2016 at 16:48

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It’s not like I feel a special bond or anything like that. It’s just something that I feel comfortable in. But I also feel comfortable and fit like a glove in many vehicles. The 3 pony cars, I’ve that feeling in all of them, but not the Charger.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > JGrabowMSt 01/23/2016 at 16:49

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Nope. I know Mercedes transmissions. The 928 auto is a Mercedes trans; and if it’s anything to go by, it’s probably bulletproof and fantastic.

El Rivinado > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 01/23/2016 at 17:04

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I haven’t driven a Challenger, but I’ve ridden in one. I think that if you want to go automatic, go for it, there’s no stopping you. I will also say that the Challenger is easily very practical, the trunk is cavernous as all get out, the ride’s not super harsh (not sure if that matters to you or not), and for a two door car, it’s got a ton of generous backseat space, especially if you're a 6'3 giant like myself.

Sam > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 01/23/2016 at 17:21

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DCT DCT DCT

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Bytemite 01/23/2016 at 17:30

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I know it is, but there’s something about it that I can’t explain why I want one.

My bird IS the word > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 01/23/2016 at 17:51

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My problem is I haven't driven an auto with serious power behind it. Do the new ones still hesitate downshifts? My trans am has an auto but it is only a three speed so it is actually quite nice. I just can't stand hesitation in power delivery it drives me crazy.

Keaton Belliston > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 01/23/2016 at 19:13

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At least the + and - are correctly laid out!

AndyG_UK > Leon711 01/24/2016 at 04:23

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We are similar in our thoughts then, I have never driven a car with a DSG box that I didn’t like so next year when both our cars are due to be changed (Abarth 500 and Citroen DS4) my current thoughts are Seat Leon Cupra 280 with DSG (I won’t 3 even consider a manual) to replace the Abarth, to replace the DS4 (which is the car my partner uses the most) the current runners are Ford Mustang 2.3 auto (I’m not sure about this but luckily they are very thin on the ground in the UK with huge waiting lists and people selling nearly new ones for massively over list!), Range Rover Evoque (my personal favourite, petrol, 3 door) and Mercedes GLA (again petrol, AMG Sport trim), all autos of course!

Leon711 > AndyG_UK 01/24/2016 at 07:25

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Sometimes I miss a manual but on the daily grind the DSG is so easy, also the farts on full throttle up shifts make me giggle.

AndyG_UK > Leon711 01/24/2016 at 08:14

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I honestly don’t think I will, plus flappy paddles more than make up for it. One of my friends has an M135i (current shape) with the duel clutch box, the flappy paddles are just all sorts of fun, plus fart noises on upshifts! :)

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 01/24/2016 at 08:18

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Yeah... It's expensive. But damn if it isn't appealing.

Leon711 > AndyG_UK 01/24/2016 at 10:53

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Well I think I miss manuals because I came from an mx5 and that is hands down one of the best feeling shift actions out there. People do dismiss autos unfairly.