verde2002

I don't disagree whit you at all. This is my opinion and what I feel is better. I opened up this conversation on this forum to get differing points of views and also some that agree with me. I guess I have a really strong opinion on sports cars being manual.

Love the car, I am on my 3rd EVO already. The only other car I have owned that I felt was more of a drivers car was my Honda S2000. Underpowered but the handeling and road feedback was amazing. It's kind of ironic I feel this way since I hate convertibles. A RHD Evo would be sweet, especially the FQ400 they offered in England.

LMAO. Good one.

Burton, Yes, I was looking to purchase the newest gereration Lancer Evolution MR before its debut but when I found out it was an autostick I purchased the previous generation MR which had a proper 6-speed manual transmission. Many had the same complaint when the last generation BMW M5 was introduced until a year or two later BMW decided to offer the manual variant.

I do think a proper sports car should be manual just as a proper suit should me made of wool and a proper engagement ring should have a real diamond in it. If I suggest a proper sports car should have lower profile tires will everyone agree or will people suggest higher profile tires are better because they have a softer ride? There is no absolute for anything but time and experience has taught us some things are better a certain way.

I think people might be missing my point. You should be in complete control of a sports car and feel as one with the car. I feel an auto takes that experience away from it. Auto is easier and takes less effort, I agree but softer suspension is more comfortable and higher profile tires have less road noise, with this logic we lose the true meaning of what a sports car is. You want to feel as one with the car and things being done automatically for you by the car take that experience away.

Never bitter, always positive.

An auto has never or will ever shift faster than a manual transmission car. Auto meaning with a torque converter. I think you are reffering to the SMG type transmissions that actually have a clutch and not a torque converter except the clutch is depressed by a computer rather than a clutch pedal. We are discussing street driven cars. I hope you do not bring up the point of a top fuel dragster or a funny car to prove your point of an auto shifting faster.

Burton, I will have to disagree that only 10% or so are auto. I don't have the exact figures but I wouldn't be surprised if 30 to 40 percent of the US market Porsches sold are auto. The M5 a few years ago was introduced in Auto only until they introduced the manual a year later. Another tragic example is the new Lancer Evolution X. The top of the line MR model ( Mitsubishi Racing) is only offered in manustick and not a proper manual. This is a US only phenomenon. If iot wasn't for the US demand of automatic sports cars I don't think most companies would manufacture them. And here we wonder why the rest of the world sees us as fat and lazy.

There ar always exceptions to the rule but as a general thought I still feel the way I feel.

I might be old school but I hate seeing a great looking sports car only to find out it has an auto tranny upon closer inspection. A Porsche 911 turbo with an auto???? Give me a break. It is so senseless. Why build a great car and handicap it with an auto? If you don't want to put in the effort to get what a proper sports car has to offer then go buy a Buick and cruise that along. The excuse that it is annoying in traffic to drive a manual is just that, an excuse. I live in LA, we have the worst traffic and I have no issues with driving a manual. The only automatics I can remotely tolerate are the BMW SMG type or Ferrari F1 type transmissions that are in essence manual minus the clutch pedal. To be very blunt and honest I don't think the Starion should have ever been offered in auto. If you want to enjoy a sports car properly take the time to learn how to drive a manual car and enjoy it the right way.

Its Automatic!!!!!!!!! What a waste.

Wheels sold!!!!!!!!!!!

Bump

In my other thread which I have the link on my original post you can see the front wheel installed. If you are local you are more than welcome to bring your car and test fit it.