Topic: My first-hand experience with DSG

[The Mighty Duck]

Yea, F1 cars must not be terribly engaging to drive because they have paddles....

Neither the GTI nor the Lancer are F1 cars, last time I checked.  Maybe you're thinking of the Outlander?   

[Snowman]

Technology numbs us into laziness IMO. Fun for me is overcoming the difficulty of a task, not looking for the easy way.

[Iso Octane]

First impression:  This thing can shift better than I ever could. ... If objective performance was a priority for me, I'd never buy another type of transmission, ever.

Second impression:  The disconnect was palpable.  I was thinking that if I quit thinking "this isn't a traditional manual" and just approached it with an open mind, it'd be at least as enjoyable as a traditional manual, perhaps more.  It wasn't.

1) Strongly agree.
2) Strongly agree.

Your experience echoes mine exactly.  The DSG (and I imagine other DSG type trannies) is amaaaaazing.  It completely owns me.  Heck, I've figured out that about 1/5th of my daily heel-toes are lurchy, whereas the DSG downshifts perfectly every single time.

After I was done experimenting with it on my test drive, I just put it in D for the drive back.  The reality is I just can't see myself using the manual shift much if at all for regular driving, but the real benefit is not having a torque converter.

[Mitlov]

In terms of satisfaction level, if a first-gen TSX's manual is 100, I'd say a traditional automatic is 20, a traditional automatic with manumatic shifting is 30, and DSG is 75.  I was expecting 120, but 3/4 as satisfying as a great manual still is nothing to sneeze at, and a huge upgrade from a traditional automatic.

[Mitlov]

  I disagree - I've no doubt it's fantastic from a speed-to-shift point of view, but in terms of driver engagement, it's no better than a traditional automatic with paddles...

Yea, F1 cars must not be terribly engaging to drive because they have paddles....

Demo said the transmission wasn't engaging, not that the car wasn't engaging.  A Sienna with an S2000's shifter would still be boring as a whole, and an F1 car with even a traditional automatic would still be badass as a whole.  But I agree with Demo--while I'd be slower around the track in an F1 car with an S2000 shifter than in a normal F1 car, I'd certainly have more fun in the process.

[safristi]

Geez Uncle Miltie ya inta the FireWATERWORKS already.............have ya taken Crazy Mo_FO  David COULTHARDS seat in tha RED BULL ship..........   F1 dreamin...............i once had a paddle BOAT but it wore my lil knees out....wot is the "premium" for a dsg...coupla GRAND???   regardless at a thereaboot 75% satisfaction ratio,then those with a semi circuitous commute could be circumspect in this choice.....those wif a BORING 99% Hi_way "LIFE!!!"..stay trad....those close to a few twisties and tha BALLS/OVARIES ta use them stay wiffa STICK..if it is Lotus/Miata /S2000 class..if'n it's a notchy/gated abomination like my 3 FERRARI's...well that's another story....

[The Mighty Duck]

Demo said the transmission wasn't engaging, not that the car wasn't engaging.  A Sienna with an S2000's shifter would still be boring as a whole, and an F1 car with even a traditional automatic would still be badass as a whole.  But I agree with Demo--while I'd be slower around the track in an F1 car with an S2000 shifter than in a normal F1 car, I'd certainly have more fun in the process.

Exactly.  No matter how fast it shifts, if it's shifting automatically it's simply not as engaging as a clutch and shift gates.  Even with paddles, it's not nearly the same.  And in that respect, a DSG is little different from a regular automatic with paddles in terms of driver engagement.  It might be better in every test, but in terms of smiles per mile, it doesn't compare to a real manual.

Still, I won't argue that a DSG is better than a traditional slushbox.  As automatic gearboxes go, it's certainly the one to have, if you must have an autobox.

[tpl]

I think I agree with the above posts.   To my amazement I find myself just putting the GTI in automatic drive and not bothering to use the manual mode.  It makes the whole car seem slower and more sedate.... gives me time to look out of the windows and admire the scenery.   

[Ex-airbalancer]

I think I agree with the above posts.   To my amazement I find myself just putting the GTI in automatic drive and not bothering to use the manual mode.  It makes the whole car seem slower and more sedate.... gives me time to look out of the windows and admire the scenery.   

All you need is a sawall and take the top off and enjoy the sun

[safristi]

..GU(E)LP..H.a........tpl must be gettin' laid back...........after leaving the BIG SNAPPLE T.O..... ..............get some safety wheels on yer grocery cart-MAN...

[Mitlov]

I think I agree with the above posts.   To my amazement I find myself just putting the GTI in automatic drive and not bothering to use the manual mode.  It makes the whole car seem slower and more sedate.... gives me time to look out of the windows and admire the scenery.   

All you need is a sawall and take the top off and enjoy the sun

Yes, the Eos has DSG available with the 2.0T and standard with the VR6.

[tpl]

Funny that... I saw one with the top down same colour & wheels as the photo above at the St Jacobs market at 7:15 this morning.   No interest in a convertible but if I did it would be either a Boxster or a Miata.

[Serniter]

Technology numbs us into laziness IMO. Fun for me is overcoming the difficulty of a task, not looking for the easy way.

Do you crank-start your engine?