Automatic w/Paddle Shifters

nestillo370z

My z was manual and I had an accident and is very difficult for me to drive manual again. I have a 335i with paddles and I love it. I think the new auto trans with paddles allow people like me who love manual trans, but cn't drive them to continue enjoying fast cars with the best of both world

Banana29

I test drove a Z with paddles last night. I was reluctant and hesitant to try it out because, well my 350Z was stick and I loved it...and even tho the synchro rev match is a newbie feat, it's so cool when you try it out! But back to paddles...it was different. Very different actually. I don't know whether or not I like it more than stick, but I couldn't sleep last night just recalling on the experience. It definitely did feel like I was playing Gran Turismo on my Logitech steering wheel with paddles. I felt a higher tendency to speed. I wondered if I might accidentally downshift on a high speed corner, which would get me to slide, because the paddle is so near the wheel. Even if you are a pro racer, it's going to be rough consistently shifting faster than paddles (~0.2s shift time). There's a reason why Lamborghini and Ferrari have gone with paddles. On the freeway it wasn't too much different than a stick, since most people chill at 6th gear anyway...but I missed down shifting on a stick when I wanted to switch lanes and go past a car...I don't know what I like more. It's a really hard decision. I don't want to sound old fashion...and performance wise, stick is not the best choice, but when i'm at a red light, i want to be able to rock back and forth, i want to feel like i am the car and not just someone driving it...i like the fact that not too many people can drive stick and therefore can't drive my car...i like the rumble on the clutch...i like popping the clutch...but I can't but seeing as paddles as more...elegant? Classier? How cool would it be to go on a date with paddles and make her be like, woah...high class guy. And then when i'm holding my gfs hand i can just set it to auto without having to let go all the time...i dunno, it's these things I think about too.