# Sports cars with automatic transmissions **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 9, 2006, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-cars-with-automatic-transmissions/379656 "2006-11-09T03:22:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-cars-with-automatic-transmissions/379656/1 "2006-11-09T03:22:38Z")
[Probably not quite angsty-enough to Pit, but here goes] Now this I can’t quite grasp. In the parking lot today, I saw a Porsche Boxster. Naturally being the sports car nut that I am, I checked out the interior-only to spot an _automatic_ transmission where the manual stick should be. I can only guess that gremlins must have stolen his original transmission and switched it with a lame-o automatic, because I can’t for the life of the imagine why someone interested in a Boxster would also get an automatic tranny (“granny tranny”) as well. Now if you want an auto for your Cadillac, that’s no real problem I guess. But for something sporty, why cheat yourself? After driving an auto Civic for 10 years, I am hugely enjoying my new manual Civic SI. Yes this is the US I’m talking about of course. Luckily, the Mazda Miata next to the Boxster had a manual, so at least **someone** is clear on the concept. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-cars-with-automatic-transmissions/379656/2 "2006-11-09T03:31:07Z")
The thread title is oxymoronic. Except for Formula One cars. And WRC cars. And some high-end “paddle” shifters. :smack: Damn automatics! ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-cars-with-automatic-transmissions/379656/3 "2006-11-09T03:38:55Z")
Just more crap to break… ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-cars-with-automatic-transmissions/379656/4 "2006-11-09T07:04:15Z")
[QUOTE=Gatopescado] The thread title is oxymoronic. Except for Formula One cars. And WRC cars. And some high-end “paddle” shifters. :smack: Damn automatics! [/QUOTE] Feh, no less of an automotive authority than Jay Leno has said that paddle shifters do not a sports car make, and I quite agree. A sports car should have the bare minimum of components between the driver and the road. Don’t hand me this crap about how fancy dancy computer controls, etc., give the driver more control over a car, a sports car _isn’t_ about being able to take a hair pin curve at 140 MPH without having to touch the brake, it’s about being able to take a bunch of mechanical parts and push them to their limits, _using just the driver’s skills!_ If high speed, and fancy gizmos were what made a sports cars, then original MGs would _never_ have been worthy of the title (nor would they be considered so fun to drive by people like **Johnny LA** , who’ve also driven Porsches). Years ago, I saw a BMW 2002 for sale fairly cheap that was in perfect shape and I considered buying it until I saw that it had an automatic. If I’m going to buy a 2 door Beemer, it’s going to have a manual, otherwise, there’s no point. (I wish my Prelude had a manual, because she’s pretty fun to drive with an auto, I can only imagine that she’d be an absolute blast with a manual.) ---
**Author:** ![looking\_busy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3be4f8/32.png) [@looking\_busy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/looking_busy)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-cars-with-automatic-transmissions/379656/5 "2006-11-09T09:44:33Z")
[QUOTE=John DiFool] [Probably not quite angsty-enough to Pit, but here goes] Now this I can’t quite grasp. In the parking lot today, I saw a Porsche Boxster. Naturally being the sports car nut that I am, I checked out the interior-only to spot an _automatic_ transmission where the manual stick should be. I can only guess that gremlins must have stolen his original transmission and switched it with a lame-o automatic, because I can’t for the life of the imagine why someone interested in a Boxster would also get an automatic tranny (“granny tranny”) as well. Now if you want an auto for your Cadillac, that’s no real problem I guess. But for something sporty, why cheat yourself? After driving an auto Civic for 10 years, I am hugely enjoying my new manual Civic SI. Yes this is the US I’m talking about of course. Luckily, the \*\*Mazda Miata \*\* next to the Boxster had a manual, so at least **someone** is clear on the concept. [/QUOTE] Huh? Mazda Miata as a SPORTS car, exactly what concept would that be. Granted on the granny tranny, but a Miata as a sports car? WTF - by what definition? ---
**Author:** ![slaphead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9bcb4/32.png) [@slaphead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slaphead)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-cars-with-automatic-transmissions/379656/6 "2006-11-09T11:04:56Z")
[QUOTE=looking busy] Miata as a sports car? WTF - by what definition? [/QUOTE] Small, light, 2+2, pretty impractical, goes round corners without falling over, fun to drive. What definition do you use? ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-cars-with-automatic-transmissions/379656/7 "2006-11-09T11:50:52Z")
[QUOTE=slaphead] Small, light, 2+2, pretty impractical, goes round corners without falling over, fun to drive. What definition do you use? [/QUOTE] Tight, rock-hard suspension so you feel every cigarette butt you run over: I wanna _feel_ that tarmac. Pin-sharp steering: never mind power assist, I wanna _dance_ it round that hairpin. Two seats. No creature comforts. No roof, ideally. As little as possible between me and the road. God, I miss my old Mk II Triumph Spitfire: no power, handled like a bitch at speed - given half a chance the back end would come wandering up to see what the front was doing {for _real_ handling, corner a Mini 1275 GT with twin Weber carbs on a twisty bush back roads} - but by God winding it up it felt like _driving_, not some pussy nerfed simulation. My dream project is to do up a GT6 - similar to a Spit, but a 2 litre V6 with a fastback roof, like a baby Aston Martin - tighten up the shocks and suspension, and then let 'er rip up the Scenic Drive. ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-cars-with-automatic-transmissions/379656/8 "2006-11-09T12:02:00Z")
Automatic transmission would turn them from sports cars to GTs. I despise my boss for having her partner buy her a Mini Cooper, but with an automatic gearbox. Owning such a car simply to say she owns it, not to enjoy its peformance :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-cars-with-automatic-transmissions/379656/9 "2006-11-09T13:16:57Z")
There’s really nothing more tiresome than transmission snobs. Ooh, I’m going to look down on someone (or despise them) for preferring the “wrong” transmission in their car. If you’re driving on the same roads as I’m on, I’d rather you not take ANYTHING to the limit and I don’t want you DANCING around any turns either. Just keep your car in the lane and going a safe speed, until you get to the track, thanx. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-cars-with-automatic-transmissions/379656/10 "2006-11-09T13:44:45Z")
[QUOTE=Cheesesteak] There’s really nothing more tiresome than transmission snobs. [/QUOTE] 😛 I remember when Porsche introduced their Tiptronic transmission. An article I read in _Excellence_ said that in the hands of a professional driver the car was even faster than one with a manual transmission that was being driven by a professional driver. Still, for me part of the appeal of a sports car is changing gears. Having an automatic transmission gives me the impression that the owner wants the image, but doesn’t have or want to have the skill to shift properly. Just my opinion. > [@looking busy](#): > > Huh? Mazda Miata as a SPORTS car, exactly what concept would that be. Granted on the granny tranny, but a Miata as a sports car? WTF - by what definition? From an [earlier (September '06) thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=386629): > [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > From the September 1967 Road & Track: > > > [@](#): > > > > They also meet the most important all-round requirement for a sports car – responsiveness. If a sports car is anything, it is responsive – with steering that is quick and accurate, clutch action that is crisp, a gearbox with a responsive feel, brakes that can be used hard and often. All-out performance is far less important than the feeling that you are in complete control and directing the machine rather than holding on and trying not to do anything foolish. > > > > There are still more characteristics. In a basic sports car there should be an awareness of things mechanical going on under hand, foot and seat. A bit of row under the hood when the accellerator is depressed, for instance; a businesslike exhaust note; even a little gear whine isn’t unacceptable. There should also be instruments… > > > > Perhaps not strictly necessary but nonetheless acceptable in the basic sports car are certain minimum standards of habitability… And even something out of date, like a non-synchromesh first gear, can be tolerated simply because it makes the driver a part of the great tradition. It’s appalling to think that there are millions of drivers who’ve never known the satisfaction of a perfectly executed double-clutched downshift into a non-synchro first gear. > > So in a nutshell, a sports car doesn’t have to have high performance; but it must have superior handling. This is the most important requirement. It is at least implied that it should have a standard transmission. It must have instrumentation so that the driver can see what’s going on with his machine. And there must be ‘feel’ – sounds, vibrations, etc. so that the driver can tell what’s happening without referring to the instruments. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-cars-with-automatic-transmissions/379656/11 "2006-11-09T13:58:01Z")
[QUOTE=Johnny L.A.] 😛 I remember when Porsche introduced their Tiptronic transmission. An article I read in _Excellence_ said that in the hands of a professional driver the car was even faster than one with a manual transmission that was being driven by a professional driver. Still, for me part of the appeal of a sports car is changing gears. Having an automatic transmission gives me the impression that the owner wants the image, but doesn’t have or want to have the skill to shift properly. Just my opinion. From an [earlier (September '06) thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=386629): [/QUOTE] Its a form of prejudice, I know, but to me ‘automatic transmissions’ always bring to mind the picture of an old Monte Carlo with a column shift…complete with driver holding a cigarette out the window with two fingers while jamming the accelerator to the floor with their right foot… and calling themselves a ‘sports car’ driver. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-cars-with-automatic-transmissions/379656/12 "2006-11-09T14:09:16Z")
[QUOTE=Cheesesteak] There’s really nothing more tiresome than transmission snobs. Ooh, I’m going to look down on someone (or despise them) for preferring the “wrong” transmission in their car. If you’re driving on the same roads as I’m on, I’d rather you not take ANYTHING to the limit and I don’t want you DANCING around any turns either. Just keep your car in the lane and going a safe speed, until you get to the track, thanx. [/QUOTE] I agree in a way. On the other hand, I love a manual transmission because it is _fun_. I want a certain fun quotient in a car, and I can get it in a bog standard suburban econobox with a manual tranny. For an automatic to have the same fun levels, I’m looking at a V8 or something else which is arguably more dangerous. Fun doesn’t have to be about pushing things to the limits. Next time you do your mundane commute, try “chaffeur driving” for fun (I saw this recommended in a motoring book once). You don’t have to speed, nor do you have to push anything to its limits. Just imagine you have the world’s most important person in your passenger seat (in this case a nun in a neck brace). You have to get her to an appointment on time, but smoothly. Silky gear changes, safe lane changes, etc. It’s actually really enjoyable driving, and a manual tranny makes it even more demanding. Sometimes you can push the envelope without compromising safety or without a passing cop giving you a second glance. ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-cars-with-automatic-transmissions/379656/13 "2006-11-09T14:24:11Z")
[QUOTE=Cheesesteak] There’s really nothing more tiresome than transmission snobs. Ooh, I’m going to look down on someone (or despise them) for preferring the “wrong” transmission in their car. If you’re driving on the same roads as I’m on, I’d rather you not take ANYTHING to the limit and I don’t want you DANCING around any turns either. Just keep your car in the lane and going a safe speed, until you get to the track, thanx. [/QUOTE] So, do tell, what exactly is “transmission snobbery” and does it have anything at all to do with the second paragraph? 😕 Would you not feel it a waste when someone buys a masterpiece painting or expensive jewellery and then locks them away to never view or use them? Enjoying driving is not about “dancing” around any turns or breaking the speed limit, no matter what chavs and ricers think :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-cars-with-automatic-transmissions/379656/14 "2006-11-09T14:59:20Z")
[QUOTE=Pushkin] So, do tell, what exactly is “transmission snobbery” and does it have anything at all to do with the second paragraph? 😕 [/quote] They are actually separate issues, I’ll clarify further down > [@](#): > > Would you not feel it a waste when someone buys a masterpiece painting or expensive jewellery and then locks them away to never view or use them? I do. I know of people who buy gorgeous classic cars only to leave them under a cover 99.9% of the time, and I think it’s a shame. I’m not, however, of the opinion that a $25,000 Mini Cooper is a masterpiece being shuttered away just because it’s got an Auto. I have a bit invested in that concept since I was considering a Cooper and would wind up buying an Automatic. Why? Because my wife does not know how to drive a manual, has no interest in driving a manual, will not find a manual better or more enjoyable, and loves the Mini Cooper anyway. I don’t think it’s cool to look down on people just because their driving interests don’t match up exactly with yours. > [@](#): > > Enjoying driving is not about “dancing” around any turns or breaking the speed limit, no matter what chavs and ricers think :rolleyes: Tell that to Tuckerfan and Scissorjack, it was their posts that got my dander up about pushing the limit, dancing around turns and letting 'er rip. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-cars-with-automatic-transmissions/379656/15 "2006-11-09T15:18:02Z")
Meh, I’ve got a Porsche with the Tiptronic and there’s good and bad to it. It really is set up well performance wise (as mentioned above) and is easily engagable either through the “paddle shifters” on the steering wheel or you can slide the center column shifter to the left and bump it up or down as desired. After 8 seconds, it’ll revert back to an automatic mode. Plus, it’s smart enough not to let anyone over do it rev wise. It’ll mandate a shift before it lets anyone overrev. My only complaint really is that it’s easy to lose track of just which gear you’re in if all you’re doing is either pushing a levered pad or moving a stick in a straight line. It’s listed on the dash but if I’m hugging corners it that’s not where I want my attention diverted. With the conventional “H” you’ve no doubt just what gear you’re in. So basically, yeah, it’s not near as sexy but it is very efficient. My question is… what red blooded male would buy a Boxster? ---
**Author:** ![brewha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@brewha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brewha)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-cars-with-automatic-transmissions/379656/16 "2006-11-09T15:56:21Z")
That is one thing that the MOPAR guys got right. They don’t offer an automatic tranny on the Viper. I still remeber the first time I saw a Corvette with an auto. Up until then I didn’t think any sports cars offered an auto trans. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-cars-with-automatic-transmissions/379656/17 "2006-11-09T16:03:59Z")
[QUOTE=Johnny L.A.] 😛 I remember when Porsche introduced their Tiptronic transmission. An article I read in _Excellence_ said that in the hands of a professional driver the car was even faster than one with a manual transmission that was being driven by a professional driver. Still, for me part of the appeal of a sports car is changing gears. Having an automatic transmission gives me the impression that the owner wants the image, but doesn’t have or want to have the skill to shift properly. Just my opinion. [/QUOTE] That was my original point. It just demonstrates that the driver is a wannabee, not willing to go the distance and _really_ get into the driving experience. For me that’s what it is all about (and not the status-seeking, or the chick-magnetism, etc.). ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-cars-with-automatic-transmissions/379656/18 "2006-11-09T16:07:35Z")
[QUOTE=Cheesesteak] Tell that to Tuckerfan and Scissorjack, it was their posts that got my dander up about pushing the limit, dancing around turns and letting 'er rip. [/QUOTE] You _do_ realize that for cars like the MG, 80 MPH’s _the limit?_ A car doesn’t need to be capable of doing 190 MPH+ to be considered a sports car. Nor does one need to engage in risky or illegal behaviours to “dance around a curve.” Simply hugging the white line while you go around a curve at the speed limit can be a great deal of fun in the right car. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-cars-with-automatic-transmissions/379656/19 "2006-11-09T16:21:54Z")
I drive nothing but manuals (I’ve been though a 78 MGB, 76 Fiat 124 Spider, 90 Mustang GT, 98 Ford Contour, and a 91 Mustang GT), but I could still see the appeal of a powerful car with good handling that has an automatic transmission, especially if it’s a daily driver in traffic. Like the Dodge Magnum SRT8, I’d drive it even though it’s only available with an auto transmission. If people didn’t want automatics the manufacturers wouldn’t keep making them. No doubt Dodge loses some sales for not offering an automatic transmission in the Vipers. Of course it works the other way too. Manufacturers like Ford and GM won’t hardly ever put a manual transmission in a V6 car, especially in the USA. Finding my V6 Contour with the 5-speed was difficult, they’re rare. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-cars-with-automatic-transmissions/379656/20 "2006-11-09T16:22:30Z")
[QUOTE=brewha] I still remeber the first time I saw a Corvette with an auto. [/QUOTE] Yeah, that [Powerglide](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Corvette_C1) was all the rage back in '53. 😉 Seriously, automatics could be found in just about any non-exotic sports car line out there. If the line can afford to spend the R&D money on an automatic, they pretty much will. Tuckerfan, would you say that a person can’t enjoy driving their car if it has an automatic? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-cars-with-automatic-transmissions/379656.md?page=2)