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re: Semi-automatic gearboxes
<<Before people condemn the new-breed of "semi-automatic" gearboxes,
one should have the opportunity to drive a car with these installed.
Semi-automatic gearboxes or sequential (their proper name) name have
been around for quite a while now. >>
<<snip excellent description of a true 'semi-automatic' gearbox>>
Gerry: Correct me if I'm wrong, but nobody is condemning the type of
gearbox you describe. What the general population calls a "semi-
automatic" gearbox is the Tiptronic and the Chrysler auto-stick. These
are little more than a modern (electronically-controlled) conventional
(torque converter-equiped) slushbox with some manual control. I have no
problems with continuing to "condemn" these transmissions. IMO, They're
really more of a marketing gimmick than an engineering feat. (Again,
apologies to Tiptronic owners on the list.)
I won't even go so far as to say a manual always offers better performance
(some cars, like the old 300ZXTT are actually faster with an auto and the
current crop of Camaro/Firebird is also.... in the hands of an average
driver). It's just that I (and a lot of other enthusiasts) prefer "rowing our
own".
Frankly, I see it as a "good thing" that most people drive automatics....it's
one less thing for the average driver to "screw up" ..... but
the obvious downside is that cars (new and used) with manual transmissions
are becoming much rarer for those of us that prefer them.
Bill Elliott
Lake Mills, WI