SMG/DSG/PDK gearboxes for true manual lovers, thoughts?
Beyond reliability and cost to replace concerns, there are two main things that I think about when pondering whether I'd like to switch to one of the newer gearboxes in a future car.
First of all, do these things work perfectly? I mean REALLY perfectly. For instance, I remember watching a video of Top Gear's (now fifth gear's I suppose) Tiff driving an Enzo and reminding himself not to downshift until the last possible second. I'm assuming if you downshift too early it somehow upsets the car. If I really wanted to I could double clutch and heel toe into a lower gear when in that lower gear I'd be close to redline and the shift would be smooth. If an SMG won't do a perfect blip for me or electronically wouldn't allow such a "big" downshift, then it's no good to me. If you've played racing video games on manual mode where you can press a button and fly up and down through the gears, this is what I want although possibly with a small pause during shifts.
The first part basically addresses what I call the control aspect. If you can rev match well, you have complete control over a manual transmission. If an SMG won't downshift smoothly in every situation, then you're loosing a bit of control. The other part is enjoyment. I enjoy shifting, it's challenging and rewarding. I don't go to clubs often, but put me in a car with a manual transmission and I'll dance all night. However, I think that I could be happy with a perfect SMG on a racetrack since I could concentrate more on driving. I'd still have an old manual so I don't get bored commuting. But, I may start to miss the old "dance." For those who aren't interested in SMGs, is it because you think they won't give you as much control or is it that you'd miss the satisfaction of matching your own revs?
First of all, do these things work perfectly? I mean REALLY perfectly. For instance, I remember watching a video of Top Gear's (now fifth gear's I suppose) Tiff driving an Enzo and reminding himself not to downshift until the last possible second. I'm assuming if you downshift too early it somehow upsets the car. If I really wanted to I could double clutch and heel toe into a lower gear when in that lower gear I'd be close to redline and the shift would be smooth. If an SMG won't do a perfect blip for me or electronically wouldn't allow such a "big" downshift, then it's no good to me. If you've played racing video games on manual mode where you can press a button and fly up and down through the gears, this is what I want although possibly with a small pause during shifts.
The first part basically addresses what I call the control aspect. If you can rev match well, you have complete control over a manual transmission. If an SMG won't downshift smoothly in every situation, then you're loosing a bit of control. The other part is enjoyment. I enjoy shifting, it's challenging and rewarding. I don't go to clubs often, but put me in a car with a manual transmission and I'll dance all night. However, I think that I could be happy with a perfect SMG on a racetrack since I could concentrate more on driving. I'd still have an old manual so I don't get bored commuting. But, I may start to miss the old "dance." For those who aren't interested in SMGs, is it because you think they won't give you as much control or is it that you'd miss the satisfaction of matching your own revs?
If you tell me both, then what you are telling me that performance is not a priority. If that is the case, why bother with a high performance sport car? 
You can easily H&T in a Miata, Honda Civic, Ford Focus and have a ball at a fraction of the price. 
), on other cars, it MUST be 6speed (GT3 
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