Spy pics new Polo GTI

[Sharkie]

Sure, some people still prefer manual (which I usually find is simply because they haven't driven a car with a sequential box, but none-the-less), but I can tell you now that this will be the direction that all performance cars move down within a few years.

I owned a 2002 M3 with SMG and it was terrible. Let myself be talked into it as the next best thing after owning a E36 M3 (manual) and a Z3 M Coupe. Worst BMW I have ever owned and I blame the SMG.

I have testdriven every new sporty VW since 2005 in DSG and have not liked a single one yet. Some people just like manuals more.

I am prepared however to give the Golf R DSG a chance to impress me though...in the Polo I have no interest in a DSG.

[break]

I owned a 2002 M3 with SMG and it was terrible. Let myself be talked into it as the next best thing after owning a E36 M3 (manual) and a Z3 M Coupe. Worst BMW I have ever owned and I blame the SMG.

Hrmm, I've had nothing but praise for the SMG (well, SMG-II, my experience with the SMG-I in the E36 was woeful at best).

Horses for courses I guess.

[Tim]

If nothing else, I think you'll hurt resale without the DSG, as is the case with the Golf.

This is not true. I payed a couple grand less for my manual golf and got a few grand more for it when I sold it because there were no other equivalent manuals on the market.

So all things considered I ended up close to 4k - 5k ahead of a lot of DSG owners.

[Sharkie]

Hrmm, I've had nothing but praise for the SMG (well, SMG-II, my experience with the SMG-I in the E36 was woeful at best).

Horses for courses I guess.

Have a look at any roadtest of a SMG equipped BMW and see if you can find 1 that was complimentary. Established view in the press is that the SMG was s**t ..... its the reason BMW ceased the SMG and replaced it with a DSG version.

In America it was so bad that the buyers refused to buy a SMG M5 and that it is the only market where a M5 was offered with a manual option.

This is not true. I payed a couple grand less for my manual golf and got a few grand more for it when I sold it because there were no other equivalent manuals on the market.

So all things considered I ended up close to 4k - 5k ahead of a lot of DSG owners.

Agree, Have a look on Carsales.com.au .... Manual Porsches & BMWs & VWs are sold at premiums over the autos .... .... true enthusiasts are not interested (yet) in auto's or DSGs .....

No D for dummy for me thanks, I'm not old enough yet ....

[Servo]

That was one of the reasons why I went with the Polo over the Golf. I couldn't get a new Mk5 Golf Gti in manual in Nov.

[noone]

I don't get it Break, why are you so sure that DSG/SMG/quick autoboxes are the only way forward?

Personally I would be wary of buying a used DSG as a gearbox problem could cost a mint to fix outside warranty...

I cant imagine there won't be a manual option for the GTI or R, just a matter of waiting to see.

[break]

I don't get it Break, why are you so sure that DSG/SMG/quick autoboxes are the only way forward?

Oh, manual will be around for a while yet, but it's only a matter of time.

To me, they are the balance between driver control, shift speed, shift precision, and everyday drivability that a manual box will just never have.

Yes, I love a good manual box too, I don't see the majority of the market staying with manual transmissions in the long run when a product that does more, better, is available.

[Timbo]

One of the reasons for the switch to DSG is that these gearboxes are set up to work with the engine ECU to maximise economy and minimise emissions...and regulations for both of these are getting progressively tougher.

I suspect manuals will be around for a while, but it's easy to see where we are headed

[philthy]

I suspect manuals will be around for a while, but it's easy to see where we are headed

Yep, headed for series hybrid electric/ TDI. 3 cylinder turbo diesel, li-pol batteries, a motor where the diff. should be and a single drive ratio... but not for a while.

I reckon the traditional ICE might die before the MT does. Maybe.

[R1 Crasher]

Oh, manual will be around for a while yet, but it's only a matter of time.

To me, they are the balance between driver control, shift speed, shift precision, and everyday drivability that a manual box will just never have.

Yes, I love a good manual box too, I don't see the majority of the market staying with manual transmissions in the long run when a product that does more, better, is available.

I can understand where you are coming from.But I am a bit old school.Manual craps allover a DSG in terms of a drivers car. I have a Golf Pirelli,DSG good car,if manual it would be a GREAT car.I also have a Polo GTI which only comes as a manual,This thing is absolutely fantastic to drive. I will definatley be getting a new Polo GTI,but only if it is available as a manual.If not I would consider another Renault Sport Clio.
Even though I own a DSG car,noooooo way can it compare to the CONTROL you have of a manual gearbox .

I actually believe that no matter which car, a manual will be quicker over a lap of whether it be your favouite road or a track lap of a race curcuit.

Gotta love a manual.

P.S. The BMW that just won the Bathurst Twelve hour was a manual.In fact I didn't see one DSG/Auto box shown there.