On Lexus IS300 the auto shift.
 

What is D-M on the shift?

Drive and when you throw it into the gate it becomes manual

Ah i see! It fun to drive! Hehe! ;)

I'll never get why people buy those dual gate "shift on the fly" automatics. I haven't driven the Lexus, but most are really mushy and act like they're searching for the right time to shift. Give me a good paddle shift any day.

The SMG-II system on the E46 M3 is the only paddle shifters that I have personally driven and enjoyed... All others are just crap slushboxxes (with the exception of a few other high-end cars). America demands automatic transmission. I read something like 80% of cars sold last year were auto.

-Ducky

most of those "slushbox shifters" will actually automatically shift for you.. imagine that? whats the point then .. :P

that is.. refering to the "sport-shift" feature found in some cars today.

I don't know, there's been times driving the Mercedes were I will space-out that I should shift the slushbox, and it bounces off the rev limiter a few times before I figure out what's going on. Also, I've been able to hold burn-outs and donuts in 1st gear, so on the MB, at least, you have some control over what gear you are on...

Also, the Mazda6 slushbox didn't feel too bad, it did shift up pretty quick, but was still slow on the downshift.

-Ducky

The Mazda6 automatic blows goats, it's a horrible tranny even for an auto. It feels like it has turbo lag.... :(

The IS300 tranny is pretty quick, as far as automatics go. There's still a delay before the shift after you push the button (assuming you're in "manual" mode), but that's to be expected of ALL automatic transmissions.

Of course the SMG in the M3 is nothing like an auto tranny. I hear the SMG in the MR2 Spyder is pretty damn slow, but I hear Audi is working on an SMG that's supposed to be pretty slick.

b

so basically the solution to this is to get an manual to start off with :yes:

Is there any other way? :)

I wouldn't mind a good SMG though. I like the idea of a super speedy shift.

b

There is a system available in the aftermarket for some TOP end jap cars that makes a standard a clutchless auto... it's a button on the gearshift that engages/disengages the clutch... but it's like 500 bucks plus the 1100 dollar clutch that you need to make it work...

I'll dig around and try to find a link.

You mean it would make a manual transmission into a clutch-pedalless manual transmission. It won't be clutchless, nor will it be an automatic transmission.

Yeah yeah, I know, anally pointing out details.... ;)

Ferarri was working on a system that would detect when you wanted to shift. It's still a regular manual transmission except for the lack of a clutch pedal. Depending on things like throttle position and pressure on the shift stick it would engage/disengage the clutch for you.

b

As long as the old skool way of manual shifting does not go away, I'm happy.......

I dunno man, it seems to me like we're rapidly approaching the point of the manual transmission becoming merely a specialty item. So many cars are available in automatic-only configurations, especially for the engines/cars worth owning (such as the way Honda does it.....manuals on the V6 only in the coupe, such BS!). And many of the higher end cars are either automatic transmission only or are switching to SMG systems.

Of course I'd be happy with a good SMG, but there still is much fun with a manual transmission. I'm not a big fan of automatics. But I must admit, when driving in rush hour traffic quite a bit, an automatic is so much better......I've seen some die hard manual fans switch due to that fact alone. If that's most of your driving, then it kinda makes sense.

b