Just curious how much difference is between the two. Is the AutoStik faster than Manual or what?

 

I know people want to know cause this post has been viewed over 40 times and not one reply. Someone here has got to know!!! So share with the rest of us!

 

A Manual, since it is a direct connection to the wheels (using a clutch) should produce more horsepower to the wheel vs. an Automatic (which uses a torque converter, a.k.a. slush box). So if you notice when you drive auto, you push the pedal a certain degree, and the RPM's slowly rise until it's steady (that's if u force the gear to stay and not change), whereas the manual will jump towards the RPM instead of slowly rising to it.

What does it all mean then? Well an automatic should have slower pickup vs. the manual, however with new technology, that gap has been closed. The other thing you have to deal with when comparing auto and manual is the driver. If the drive can't hit the shifts and doesn't know how to launch, then the point is moot.

However Daimler-Chrysler claims that the CrossFire is the same pickup regardless of the tranny.

 

Great info and I appreciate it! As far as the AutoStik, is it as fast as the manual tranny or even faster? One more sort of stupid question, the AutoStik only has 4 gears and manual has 6 correct?

 

The Mercedes Auto transmission used in the Crossfire is known to be very reliable and proven. The manual has the spotted past from what Ive read in reviews and forums. Ive had a ton of manual cars and raced them but I would hate to thrash a nice car like the Crossfire by clutch-poping to get a quicker start. Love the autostick and im sure many other do also. Nothing against manual but it just seems un-luxury for a nice car like this :wink: and besides Auto gets better gas milage on Crossfire

 

My feeling on this as you can tell from my sig, is that this is not a luxury car. A luxury car has at least four seats and lots of cushy room. This is a purposely built sports car, not unlike a Porsche or BMW Z3/4. If you had any of these cars with an automatic you are doing yourself a serious injustice and missing out on the pleasure of rowing this smooth tranny through it's six finely spaced cogs. Everytime I get on a highway ramp or take off from a light I giggle like a schoolgirl at the shear joy of listening to this musical engine rev out and shift at my command. Sure it takes more concentration and attention to drive a stick, but thats not really a bad thing is it. Anyway, that's just my feeling.

 

But thats what this forum is good for.... Ideas, Opinions and Info

 

I too enjoy going through the gates... but a smooth transmission it's not. Mine is pretty clunky as most of the reviews have said. Still wouldn't trade tho... :wink: :wink: :wink:

 

Check out this thread.

https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...pic.php?t=1263


Dallas

 

The Auto is a 5 speed.

 

Significantly so per the specs. If you're a daily driver, this could be THE determining factor with gas prices what they are and this thing requiring Premium fuel. The Auto is FUN (not that the Manual wouldn't be FUN too), so I don't think you can go wrong with it.

 

Thanks to all for the great input!!

 

Note both models get about the same on the highway, the top two gears on each have nearly identical ratios (1.000 and .838 man v. 1.000 and .833 auto) but I agree with David, and even tho I love my manual trans I'd say if you live in an urban area think twice about all the shifting in stop-and-go.

Personally I think the lower MPG for the manual is due 100% to the fact that any driver who gets behind the wheel of the Crossfire manual trans succumbs to irresistible temptation to take revs a little higher than optimal. This car just sounds too good in 1 and 2! But the real reward comes in 3 IMHO.

As to the "clunky" shifting, it's like catching fly *****, it gets a lot easier after the first 1000 or so. But between the somewhat deceptive RPM volume and the initial awkwardness of the shifter/clutch combo, that probably accounts for a fair amount of the fuel consumption as well as some slow times out of the blocks.

 

For me, it's the total driving experience of both the clutch and the stick that makes all the difference. Feathering the clutch just right till it's perfect is like playing your favorite sport...usually room for improvement, but sooooo sweet when it's a perfect execution.

I learned to drive with a 3 speed 66 Mustang, and although I've driven (pseudo) luxury cars that were automatics, just being able to change gears, and not find that sweet spot on the clutch, on the Crossfire autostick isn't enough (for me, anyway).

As a person who likes to challenge the guys in their Vettes with a little game of Off the Line at lights, I'm not real happy with the clunky transition from first to second, but once you're reving into third, it's pure heaven and wayyyy too much fun!

I'd never go with anything less than a manual on any sports car (I can't believe some don't even offer the manual option). And I drive in bumper to bumper traffic every weekday morning for an hour...its worth it!

Just my 2 cents

 

Will you marry me?

 

Oh yes. Third on the manual can be like the Batman ride at Great America, or that feeling you get on horseback when you and the horse both realize you want to go fast and horsie kicks it into gallop. 4th pretty much the same. A little "down boy!" usually required to stay within civilized (and legal) bounds....

 

ops: Wow, I've never had a guy propose because of how I handled a stick...er...at least not how I handled a stick shift. ops: :twisted:

Sorry, couldn't resist...thanks for the laugh! :wink:

 

Perfectly said, cowboy!

 

LOL that is frigin hillarious!