<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by mg
Well, I guess it's just psychological. On the 5AT,
when I stepped on the gas, it downshifted and
threw me into the seat somewhat unexpectedly, which
probably gave me the impression that it was faster.
I guess I haven't driven a performance auto car for
quite a while. I actually found it kind of fun.
But one thing that I'm certain is that the sedan
did not have as much grip as the coupe. But the
steering did feel heavier, which I really like.
The sedan was a 2003 model, and my coupe is a
2004. Don't know if that makes a difference.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
I think this is it. I had a loaner 5AT sedan and when it would downshift it really felt like it was pressing me into the seat - but I think that's just because I was a passive participant in the process. My body did not know when the tranny would engage and was not "braced" for it so when it kicked in it was a "shock" and I went "wow, this thing really pulls!".
A good example of this is that most people who ride with me in my 6mt tell me about how it plants them in the seat - but honestly I don't feel it so much. I think this is because my body and mind are prepared for the acceleration just through muscle memory whereas the passenger has no idea when I am going to punch the throttle or shift. A good example of this is to just watch out of the corner of your eye how your passenger responds under normal driving conditions. Even when I make what to me feels like a very smooth shift, I see my passenger "lurch" forward a bit, then get pressed back. I don't feel this, but I think it's because the muscles in my back and legs and such "know" that when I'm dropping the clutch there will be a momentary loss of power, and as I let it out there will be acceleration and my body just adjusts to that naturally. For the passenger they are relaxed against the seat and the loss of power is a surprise so it takes their muscles a second to "respond" and by that time I'm on the throttle again and they get thrown back before they can respond so they "feel" the acceleration more than I do.
So anyway the point of this long boring post is that by the numbers the 5AT is the same (at best) or slower (not by much though) but it FEELS like it's really throwing you around because your body is waiting for YOU to shift and when you don't, and suddenly the tranny engages, you're surprised - just like your passenger would be when you are driving and shifting your 6mt.
-Chuck
| 04 Black/Graphite 6MT | Premium | Nav | Aero w/ Spoiler | XM | Z Tube |
|
