Why in the hell would they make a performance version of the crossfire and only make it in an automatic...
I'm stumped.

 

The SRT6 is essentially a Mercedes SLK32 AMG.
All AMG cars are automatics.

 

I think that most of the people who can afford the car when it first came out (45K for Coupe and 50k for the Roadster) have mostly outgrown driving a manual transmission. Besides, today's autos tend to give better performance (other than off the line - unless you transbrake).

 

Good things about Auto's:

1. nicer in traffic
2. lighter than manuals
3. more consistent when racing
4. worth more {cars with auto vs manual cost more}
5. your wife or girlfriend can drive
6. still can drive like manual...

 

The automatics in these cars are incredible. Mine seems to be able to read my mind. The way it holds gears and down shift for optimal corner exit is uncanny. I seldom ever find the need to shift it manually, its that good.

I felt the same way about it at first until I drove one at the SRT Track Experience, and that is why I own one now. Driving is believing. I honestly can see how a Manual would benefit the car any way.

 

Couldn't of said it any better man...I bracket race and even if it did come in manual, i would still go auto. It's actually not a bad bracket car believe it or not. As long as you keep the temp consistent, the car pretty much stays within 3-4 hundredths (depending on other variables) which isn't too bad. Been a few rounds with it too although it's really difficult to hit the tree in. Lol.

 

Frankly, I'm also surprised that the SRT-6 is only offered with an autostick. I'd think most performance car purists would be most hesitant to buy a car they can't tear up the place with.

Although I don't own an SRT-6, I'll tell you why I went auto...

After 35 years of only owning manual transmission cars, I decided at the age of 52 to give my left leg and right arm a break. So I was already auto inclined.

Then I started reading test-drive reports about the Crossfire by professional reviewers from a variety of sites out there. Most, if not all of those that had access to both transmissions preferred the autostick. To be honest, this surprised me a lot.

That cinched it and I have zero regrets. Though I still need my car to be agile and quick, I'm not looking to showboat anymore. And my 215hp autostick does very nicely, thank you.

 

The easiest way for you to understand is to go test drive one...then you'll wonder why the hell anyone would want a manual... This aint no mini auto btw.

 

Sorry guys, but I totally disagree. I would love to have a manual transmission in my SRT6! While it is nice not to have to shift while just cruising around, I find that when I want power, I want it right now. And the delay in the auto's shifting is infuriating. Now I know some of you will say that it probably takes just as long to shift manually as the auto takes, but it SEEMS like forever. And don't even talk to me about the tiptronic BS. I've really tried to give it the benefit of the doubt and tried to learn to use it. But again, the delay in shifting drives me nuts. I want it to shift as soon as I tell it to, not when it gets around to it. Maybe I've been driving manuals too long, or I'm expecting too much out of this tranny. One of the biggest things I hate loosing with the auto is the control. I drive pretty spirited. In cars with a manual, I also tend to keep the engine in it's power band. With the auto in the SRT6, it seems like the tranny keeps the car in as high a gear as possible - keeping the revs as low as possible. That probably saves gas, but frankly I could care less about gas. I hate it that I've got 350 horses under the hood, and when I want a little power, I have to stomp the gas pedal and WAIT, or shift down 2 gears. That takes forever in my mind. In a manual, that power would already be on tap, because I would be in the gear that I wanted to be in, not the gear that some German engineer thought would save me a euro on gas. Anyway, I'm ranting. But the long and short of it is that manuals are all about control. I take pride in my skill as a driver, and an auto detracts from that. Sure the auto will shift "perfectly" every time, and I -being human- won't. But it's a lot more fun when your driving and you hit that perfect shift yourself. It warms my heart like a box full of kittens to a kindergarten class.

Now I don't plan on driving my SRT6 in the snow, but I think it would be very manageable with a manual transmission. With the auto? I don't think so - even with the auto in W mode.

While I'm on the subject, does anyone know how to reduce the delay in the auto between when you tell it to shift and when it really does shift?

 

Bad things about autos:

1. Your wife or girlfriend can drive.

Seriously though, This is the first automatic vehicle I have ever owned! I was hesitant, but I went for it. I'm actually very pleased with the transmission except for the times when it seems to have a mind of it's own. I would still like to have a manual, but this is a good compromise.

 

Get the sprintbooster. That will fix it.

 

I agree 100%. I love the car as is. I don't need to race people anymore, but I still wanted something with some zip. The Crossfire is perfect.

 

To all the people with autos that hate the lag time, buy the sprint booster as suggested earlier. I thought the same thing as you before. Trust me when i say you won't be disappointed.

 

I'm happy with the transmission in my SRT-6. I'm not sure, but I vaguely remember reading something from Mercedes or AMG about not being able to get a reliable manual transmission that could handle the amount of torque that's being displaced by their vehicles. Now, I would love to have one of those new 7-speed autos in my SRT-6. That would be nice!

 

Now that I can agree with, apart from dropping down the box for corners the autostick is quite useless. As an example, if your foot is flat to the floor and you tell it to change it will ignore you and change at the redline.

Anyway the thread misses the point which is not manual or auto - auto is probably the future for most cars but DSG not a torque converter... why aren't MB using a DSG type box?

(Or are they now, don't forget the Crossfire is not cutting edge MB, not to knock the Crossfire but what we have is what MB let Chrysler get hold of, like the 300C being based on a E Class floor & suspension, personally I am happier with the Crossfire than the new SLK, like the 3.2 NA more than a supercharged 2 litre etc but we have to realistic about the lineage).

 

Will the auto tranny in this car it is not possible for a manual shifter to change gears that fast. Also most manuals are not nearly as quick on the top end. Obviously gearing is an issue but top end to 200 mph and quick at the bottom are difficult with a stick. Many drag cars run auto as well due to the speed of shifting. Even power shifting my stang is longer than the lightening shifts my srt6 achieves.

leadfoot

 

I'm not sure I buy the whole "faster than a manual trans thing". I believe a skilled driver would be able to hustle a manual Crossfire around a road course faster than a auto version. You can use the trans for engine braking, feather the brake, and stomp the gas through the apex without ANY delay, provided you were in the right gear!

In a straight line, yes, the auto is probably faster...but not by much.

As far as sprintboosters go...I don't need to buy anything for my car to make it accelerate faster...just rev it up, dump the clutch and go!