"marshknute" (marshknute)
04/15/2016 at 10:55 • Filed to: None
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"marshknute" (marshknute)
04/15/2016 at 10:55 • Filed to: None | 1
| 25 |
This may sound strange coming from a carspotter who goes out of his way to photograph new supercars, but I have this really weird relationship with modern exotics. I appreciate their engineering and respect the artistry and craftsmanship that goes into them, but I have no desire to own any of them. Why? The automatic transmissions.
I wouldn’t pass up a test drive if it was offered, but they’re just road-going roller coasters: fun the first few times, but I’d get bored of them extremely quickly. Look, I completely respect the objective merits of modern dual-clutches, but I feel they comprehensively detract from the driving experience. For me, they turn a ceremonial event into a mundane affair.
Is this the last ever mid engine, manual transmission supercar?
Three pedals. Exposed shift linkage. Perfection.
It’s actually becoming depressing to think that there will never be another new dream car for me to lust after. How many new exotics have a manual transmission? There’s the Viper, the Spyker C8 Preliator...and...um...that’s it??? Sure there’s Corvette, Aston Martin and Porsche, but those are more sports/GT cars than true exotics.
Manual transmission only. The ultimate old-school supercar.
Can you guys think of any other obscure boutique supercars that still offer a manual?
PanchoVilleneuve ST
> marshknute
04/15/2016 at 10:58 |
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You say that like modern supercars are in any way about the driver’s experience and not just numbers generators.
macanamera
> marshknute
04/15/2016 at 10:59 |
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honestly, no
Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
> marshknute
04/15/2016 at 11:02 |
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how much of a drop in 0-xxx times (because that’s all supercars are meant for these days) would there be if shifting 700+ hp monsters with insane torque figures were left up to a human.
The idea of trying to keep up with how fast say a P1 accelerates AND change gears is more horrifying and intimidating than I’d want
jjhats
> marshknute
04/15/2016 at 11:02 |
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your best bets are corvette and viper. otherwise if you want ludicrous speed with manuals it will be a stripped down death machine like an ariel atom
Logansteno: Bought a VW?
> marshknute
04/15/2016 at 11:03 |
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If a modern “supercar” has a manual transmission, it isn’t a supercar imo. Yes manuals are more “engaging” or whatever, but from a technical standpoint they’re both slower and are a cause for human error, two things supercars and their builders repent nowadays.
djmt1
> marshknute
04/15/2016 at 11:03 |
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Depends on your definition of Supercar. For example is this a Supercar?
Steve in Manhattan
> marshknute
04/15/2016 at 11:05 |
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Much more mundane, but I am regularly made fun of by my SigOther - when we pass a BMW 3 series on the street I always peek in the window to see if it’s manual or automatic. I’d say 9 of 10 are autoboxes. And if you think driving a stick is a skill you lose, check out my latest driving escapade .
TheJWT
> marshknute
04/15/2016 at 11:05 |
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I don’t mean to sound like a dick, but do you have any experience driving modern supercars? From my experience, a manual just wouldn’t go with the character of something like a mclaren or a modern lamborghini.
BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest.
> marshknute
04/15/2016 at 11:06 |
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I could see Aston Martin making their next halo car with a manual, but there’s no reason to.
No one who is actually buying supercars wants a manual, so there’s no demand for them. Also, at this point manuals make cars slower and less fuel efficient.
Leon711
> marshknute
04/15/2016 at 11:06 |
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Do you even Noble M600 bro?
JustAnotherG6
> marshknute
04/15/2016 at 11:09 |
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I’m much more interested in a Super-Car* than I am a Supercar.
*some people’s Super-Car will differ from others*
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marshknute
> Leon711
04/15/2016 at 11:09 |
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Are Noble’s sold in America? Besides the Rossion Q1?
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marshknute
> djmt1
04/15/2016 at 11:12 |
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Eh, I'll count it. The Exige is borderline like the Viper: rare and super fast, but it doesn’t have that boutique pedigree feel of a Ferrari. Plus they’re not sold in America.
Margin Of Error
> marshknute
04/15/2016 at 11:13 |
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No for the simple reason that supercars, by design, tend to use the best available components to achieve supercar-levels of expected performances.
You will still see them in lower-end performance cars, where they still make sense by not affecting overall performance the same way it does on a supercar.
Even then, the last cars with manual transmissions will be small 32 hp diesel vehicles in Angola.
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Leon711
> marshknute
04/15/2016 at 11:16 |
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No, it is in the car buying free world though.
Another honourable mention is the Ultima Evolution available with between 350-1020hp but is a sequential manual.
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marshknute
> TheJWT
04/15/2016 at 11:17 |
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I don’t disagree with that assessment. But I’m not racing anyone, or getting paid to go fast. I’d much rather take in the experience and row my own gears. I know I represent an impossibly small minority.
I’ve driven a good handful of mid-late 2000's supercars (the tail end of the clunky single-clutch gearboxes) and quite a few modern Porsche PDK’s. The only supercar that stood out as special in my opinion was the Carrera GT.
MarquetteLa
> marshknute
04/15/2016 at 11:18 |
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This M400 was at a Cars & Coffee in Denver last year.
AfromanGTO
> marshknute
04/15/2016 at 11:19 |
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As a kit car it is/was.
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AfromanGTO
> marshknute
04/15/2016 at 11:22 |
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I remember years ago when Kobe Byrant cheated on his wife that he got her a Lambo. They had to convert it to auto so she could drive it. Plus she got a bigger diamond ring also as part of the apology. So I am blaming Kobe on this.
gawdzillla
> marshknute
04/15/2016 at 11:38 |
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I guess Aston Martin doesnt count :(
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marshknute
> gawdzillla
04/15/2016 at 11:46 |
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They’re like Porsche: they make luxurious sport-GT cars. I’m talking (mid-engine) exotics.
Sam
> marshknute
04/15/2016 at 12:01 |
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Exotics have become such finely tuned and engineered pieces of art, that it would almost be degrading to have something as archaic and ‘primitive’ as a manual.
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TheJWT
> marshknute
04/15/2016 at 14:25 |
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I’m lucky in that by the time I started driving high-end stuff, paddle shift gearboxes had stopped being clunky and awkwark! Don’t get me wrong though, I’m fairly certain every car I’ll own will be manual.
Niko's Work Account
> marshknute
04/15/2016 at 15:03 |
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VENOM GT
Nauraushaun
> TheJWT
04/16/2016 at 11:23 |
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Then I think they could/should make cars that suit the manual. If we’ve gotten so lost in our race for power and performance that the only way to drive the car is with an automated gearbox and a host of electronic nannies, I feel like we’ve achieved performance at the cost of actual enjoyment/engagement.
It’s not inconceivable that they could produce a slower car that’s more enjoyable. Something like what Alfa is doing with the 4C - it’s not expensive, nor will it set any world records. But it’s nimble, visceral and exciting. Isn’t that what matters? Pure performance is a child’s game.