ClutchDisc's new ride

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ClutchFork
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Re: ClutchDisc's new ride

Post by ClutchFork »

He tried a Pontiac Vibe and really liked it a lot (would have taken it home yesterday) but it would not stay in 4th gear.
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theholycow wrote:Why in the world would you even want to be as smooth as an automatic? Might as well just drive an automatic...
tankinbeans
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Re: ClutchDisc's new ride

Post by tankinbeans »

That's no bueno. A friend and his lady are looking to replace her agéd Escort with pretty severe frame rot in two spots and a Vibe/Matrix are in the list. Though she's not keen on a manual as a daily driver. She can drive them, but prefers not to.
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ClutchFork
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Re: ClutchDisc's new ride

Post by ClutchFork »

I am coming to the conclusion that all newer automatics are bad. I grew up on the old vacuum modulator shifting automatica and every one of these new electronic autos drives me nuts. I cannot get them to do what I need. I mash the pedal and instead of going it has to do a jig, rev out, then double shift. Never happen in a manual. As for paddle shifters--totally worthless IMO. It is bad enough to drive an automatic, but to play with it? No thanks!
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theholycow wrote:Why in the world would you even want to be as smooth as an automatic? Might as well just drive an automatic...
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Re: ClutchDisc's new ride

Post by tankinbeans »

I will say that once electrics are a truly viable solution to everyday driving needs and not just a niche product for those who can afford multiple vehicles the one stage electric motor/transmission is pretty dope. Having driven a Tesla Model S P95 (I think, can't quite remember) I was impressed by the number of torques straight from 0.

That said, they're a ways off.
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theholycow
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Re: ClutchDisc's new ride

Post by theholycow »

ClutchFork wrote: Sun Jul 29, 2018 11:34 am I am coming to the conclusion that all newer automatics are bad. I grew up on the old vacuum modulator shifting automatica and every one of these new electronic autos drives me nuts. I cannot get them to do what I need. I mash the pedal and instead of going it has to do a jig, rev out, then double shift.
That sounds like a "too damned many gears" issue as much as it sounds like a behavior issue. With only 3 gears, it's almost a sure thing that it's going to have some room left on the tachometer once it gets into the lowest usable gear. With 6+ gears (or with a CVT pretending to be a dozen gears) when it downshifts to the lowest usable gear it's very likely to be almost at redline and need to shift in just a moment. Of course with a 6 speed manual you would skip the gratuitous shift into the marginal gear and go straight to the good gear.

I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for that to be engineered out, though; it probably sells excitement to people who don't really understand gears and shifting, the same way simulated engine noise is programmed into stereos to prevent a vehicle from being too boring to sell.
As for paddle shifters--totally worthless IMO. It is bad enough to drive an automatic, but to play with it? No thanks!
Paddle, column, console, knob, whatever; why doesn't pre-downshifting work well for you? If it's reasonably obedient then you should be able to select a gear and floor the go-pedal without it then downshifting unwantedly to the useless marginal gear...if not then you'll need to control your foot to make the best use of it.
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Re: ClutchDisc's new ride

Post by tankinbeans »

I am completely confused by the use of faked step gears in a CVT. Does it actually alter the RPM of the engine at any given point; does that not completely defeat the porpoise of a CVT?

I've driven the Chrysler with 3.6 8AT and paddle shifters and found the paddle shifters were just annoying and sport mode was a joke (it just revved super high for several extra beats before shifting). Meanwhile if I was caning it, as much as 4500 pounds can be caned, in normal driving the shifts were imperceptible aside from a mild change in engine note. Letting that car do its thing was just fine and the gearing seemed just right.

All that said, and you can call me a doofus if you want, but I'm legitimately curious to try a car with automatic rev-matching as is in certain trims of the current Camaro and I think the GTR. I'm curious how it's "supposed" to feel versus my jiggly, footbased rev-matching.
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Re: ClutchDisc's new ride

Post by IMBoring25 »

I do find the fully manual gear selection to reduce a lot of my frustrations with automatics. The ability to dial up engine braking or pre-shift before needing power the way I would in a manual makes a lot of difference. Definitely not the same and not as enjoyable, but also far less painful.

The stepped mode in CVTs is a consequence of consumer testing of early prototypes that were designed to shift optimally (i.e. continuously). Apparently, people found the constant-RPM engine note and lack of shift-shock disconcerting, to the point that they believed something was broken. Rather than educate the consumers, they accepted some performance and economy penalty for a more familiar sensation.
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Re: ClutchDisc's new ride

Post by potownrob »

Why are we talking about automatics and fake manuals now? Is clutchdisc getting an auto after the accident?? My vote would be for (manual) Mazda 3, 6, another Focus, Subaru Impreza (are you allowed to have import cars up there??) or pretty much any Honda (fit, civic, accord).

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Re: ClutchDisc's new ride

Post by ClutchDisc »

Definitely not going with an auto... Im looking for something small with a 4cyl and a manual.
09 Mazda 5 2.3 5-speed manual 171k
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Re: ClutchDisc's new ride

Post by tankinbeans »

ClutchDisc wrote: Wed Aug 01, 2018 8:34 pm Definitely not going with an auto... Im looking for something small with a 4cyl and a manual.
Are there specific pricing requirements? We can try to crowd source from there

An Escort ZX2, or sedan may fit the bill. Engine's related, it's coupeish, and should return decent smileage. They're old enough to be dirt cheap and can take some abuse.
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potownrob
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Re: ClutchDisc's new ride

Post by potownrob »

ClutchDisc wrote: Wed Aug 01, 2018 8:34 pm Definitely not going with an auto... Im looking for something small with a 4cyl and a manual.
hmmm....small...4 cylinder....manual....

mini cooper s
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honda fit sport
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chevy cruze (not sure how these are to own/drive)
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yaris...
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ClutchFork wrote:...So I started carrying a stick of firewood with me and that became my parking brake.
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Re: ClutchDisc's new ride

Post by tankinbeans »

The 1.8 Snuzes are bad to drive in my opinion. Bouncy clutch, no feedback, hard to modulate. I'm not sure if the 1.4 Snuzes are any better. My sister in law a Snuze Eco (1.4T 6MT with some fuel saving bits added) and liked it, but she's a diehard Chevy person so...

I'm going to hate myself for saying this, but basic small car with a manual and reliability to boot would be a Corolla. They're roaches, and dirt cheap if yoi get one that's the right age.
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Re: ClutchDisc's new ride

Post by potownrob »

tankinbeans wrote: Thu Aug 02, 2018 7:44 am The 1.8 Snuzes are bad to drive in my opinion. Bouncy clutch, no feedback, hard to modulate. I'm not sure if the 1.4 Snuzes are any better. My sister in law a Snuze Eco (1.4T 6MT with some fuel saving bits added) and liked it, but she's a diehard Chevy person so...

I'm going to hate myself for saying this, but basic small car with a manual and reliability to boot would be a Corolla. They're roaches, and dirt cheap if yoi get one that's the right age.
eye believe redline reviews guy liked the newer corolla Manuel. He was pleasant lee surprised. Ewe can get a mid 2000s corolla for fairly cheap these days. Eye would try to avoid the late 2000s generation though. Ugly mugly.
ClutchFork wrote:...So I started carrying a stick of firewood with me and that became my parking brake.
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Re: ClutchDisc's new ride

Post by ClutchDisc »

Well I don't want to spend over 5k, would love to stay under 4k. Would consider midsize car with a 4cyl and a stick too.
09 Mazda 5 2.3 5-speed manual 171k
11 Subaru Forester auto :( 113k
92 Ford Mustang LX 5.0 5-speed manual 151k
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Re: ClutchDisc's new ride

Post by tankinbeans »

ClutchDisc wrote: Thu Aug 02, 2018 6:50 pm Well I don't want to spend over 5k, would love to stay under 4k. Would consider midsize car with a 4cyl and a stick too.
Do you want to stick to a specific age? An 03 Accord coupe with a manual should be doable and the mileage, given your driving career, should be pleasantly surprising. I had an 03 Accord coupe and regularly got 27ses, but that was mixing more city(suburbs) than highway. It was also an auto so...
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InlinePaul wrote:The driving force of new fangled features to sell more cars [is to] cater to the masses' abject laziness!
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