Originally Posted by
cogdoc
Hi Russ,
I'd have to add my 0.02c.
I chose the manual GT and that was stepping out of a 4 speed auto BA GT. Whilst you sure have to actually "drive" the manual diesel, I hate to tell you that there'd be nothing between your current XR6 and my weezy 2.0 diesel in a traffic light drag. Sure I have to drive the ringer out of it to match the current auto 6 packs, but I've found through repeated attempts that these things are "about" the same speed as the 6 cylinders in a drag, and make even the 8's and similar beasty cars look silly in the twisty, hilly stuff. About the only difference is the transition to FWD, wheel hops at the lights, and power on understeer, which is all to easy with a genuine 350nm at the wheels!
Having had Ford Auto's for the prior 7 years, it's been a breath of fresh air to get back into a manual. The downside for me is that I can't really just "cruise" elbow out the window style as I'm ALWAYS changing gears in traffic, but the upside is I get to choose what the car does in the hills and odd squirt in the twisties. THAT for me is the winner. I'm sure DSG is 99% as good as previuosly mentioned.
I've not lived with a DSG though, so perhaps once a few of the DSG oilers chip in, you'll get a good idea of the real story. Also, sadly, Jaymz on here is looking to sell his as new tricked up GT, so in your shoes I'd be checking out that option in the "For Sale" section. I've driven it, and it just rocks.
You won't miss much about the Ford, whatever way you go, trust me!! :biggrin: