I've driven paddle-shift on a BMW M3 on a road course.
What a snore that was, but I understand that BMW's equipment is far from the best....
The only way I could figure somebody would get giddy about it, is if they are simply so impressed/dazzled/starstruck by the technology and how much easier it makes their driving experience, and they never really had much of a love affair, or aptitude, for directly controlling torque conversion mechanically with their left foot in the first place.
But my experience screamed "more efficiency, FAR LESS FUN.."
If you're not in a money-race, then "fun", to me, is the TOP reason to own a Porsche. The fact that they are practical, refined, and all that good stuff, just enhances the car, and leaves you to be able to enjoy the fun yet even more.
I have no plans to buy a robot to have sex with my wife (I'm sure the robot could do it more "efficiently" and maybe even faster...., and certainly would represent technological progress..)
I have no plans to cancel my snow ski vacation in favor of a "virtual reality" computer game.
I have no plans to quit drinking beer, and opting for a much faster and more efficient pill to get me a good buzz.
And I have no plans to own a DSG equipped car.
One of the most visceral parts of driving a performance car, is being the solitary link between the horsepower and the road.
It's like holding a bat, and striking a ball, and feeling the power all through your body, and having the satisfaction of having made a sweet shot. DSG is like strapping a mechanism to your chest that holds a bat, and you press a button to swing it, and it nails the ball perfectly every time. More efficient, more modern, technologically superior, and absolutely lame if you're out on the field to have fun and test your skills.
I understand progress and technology, but there's a point where it REPLACES experience, rather than enhancing it. Technology should enhance and improve the overall experience. Otherwise, it's just gee-gaw stuff for folks who get a woody over such things.
O.K., that's my morning rant. Happy thoughts for the rest of the day!!!
