Manual vs Auto tranny performance (was Re: V8 Stuff)

[ejfluhr@austin.ibm.com (Fluhr)]

The inestimable Unka Bart pronounceth:
>The autobox isn't even in the same ballpark.  It's hard to
>believe that these two cars differ only in the tranny!  In fact, I'd
>suspect that there is probably different firmware in the ECU, but no
>matter, they definitely have *completely* different personalities!

These were my exact sentiments when test driving the '97 A4 1.8t with
auto tranny vs. manual.  I was severely disappointed in the performance
of the FWD A4 1.8t auto that I test drove.  The manual transmission
changes the character of that engine/car completely, IMO.  With the
manual tranny, the car lives up to the hype and hoopla about it.  The
auto is nice and comfortable, but just isn't any **FUN**.

Slushbox is truly an accurate description...

Later,
Eric
---
Eric J. Fluhr                                Email:  ejfluhr@austin.ibm.com
630FP Logic/Circuit Design                   Phone:  (512) 838-7589
IBM Microelectronics Div.                    Austin, TX