manual or automatic DCT?

[marabdl86]

Which one is more fun to drive and gets the best real world MPG?

[AtlantaVeloster]

Manual..with this type of engine you can really squeeze out every bit of hp using a manual vs a DTC. IMO.

[smallfun]

I've been told that manuals are more fun to drive because you have more control and involvement with the way it performs. I think they get better real world mileage too because they usually weigh less than autos.

[Velosteraptor]

I'm always a bit suprised when this question comes up. I thought there were two types of drivers out there- those who drive sticks and those who don't/won't. But I guess if you know how to drive a MT, then you always have a choice.

The V seems to be pretty comparable all around between the two transmissions. I've read some reviews where the DCT was preferred, others where the MT was favored. The mileage on each is basically a wash. So in this case, it probably comes down to what you want to drive.

Why don't you test drive each and compare them yourself? That would be the ideal thing to do, if you can.

[Hegg]

It's going to be opinionated either way you look at it.

The EPA says they both get the same (combined) MPG. Real world MPG will always vary depending on your driving style.

I drove both. I got the DCT. This is my first non-manual car I've had in 10 years that's been just *my* car (not sharing with my wife).

If you like shifting manually and have a lot of fun doing that, then that will be more fun for you. If you like to drive hard and still shift fast, but want to keep your hands on the wheel and have fun doing it, then the DCT will be more fun for you.

I love my DCT Veloster. I bet everyone with their manual Velosters love theirs. You can't lose either way.

[SkyriderAR]

If you enjoy shifting, you can't go wrong with the manual. It has an easy clutch, the shifter is sharp with a reasonably short throw. I was hesitant, too, but 10 minutes with the car and I was hooked.

[powa]

I drove sticks shift for 12 years. I've my cars just for myself and not share with anyone else. I've tested manual shift Veloster but not DCT. Though because I am getting marry in the near future, which is the reason why I buy Veloster and auto shift to share the ride with my wife.

Veloster manual is alright, though it's really up to if you want to be comfortable or you want more control of the car. It's inevitable that manual will chok once in a while even if you are really good at it, and it also is an issue when there are traffic jams (though this isn't a big issue to me). With DCT, the transmission shifts it smoothly for you, and you don't have to worry about embrassing if you are driving someone and keep choking (worse case senario that people will want to throw up because you are bad at shifting).

[lsrothstein]

I have always chosen stick shift on low hp cars. Felt I had a lot more control over upshifting and downshifting and hated the little shift now light on my 2004 ION. In the past, automatics had no where near the response the modern DCT has. Besides, a sports car just has to have a manual.

However, at 62, with a bum left leg, the clutch was just too much, especially in stop and go traffic and when stopping on a hill. I have found the Veloster's DCT gives me the best of both worlds, automatic when I need it, and paddle shifter for extra power when I am in a tight spot and need acceleration. As already stated, its up to your personal taste, but again I think you'll be happy with which ever you choose.

[marabdl86]

thanks for the responses guys. I will test drive both but I'm leaning DCT

[dskoo65]

best real world mpg-manual...unless you dont know how to shift efficiently.

better 0-60...manual

more fun...if you need to ask, probably best to just buy the automatic...errr....DCT.

my dad, who is 79, drove my car last week and quite enjoyed it.

i suppose if i had a commute where i literally sat in parking lot traffic for 80% of the time, i might consider the DCT.

[Hegg]

We really need to get two identically equipped cars together for a 0-100 drag race; a DCT vs. Manual. There's not any official information on either, and some claim one is faster than the other.

And.... it'd be fun.

[powa]

You know, when people say manual transmission is faster than automatic, that only apply to 2% of the people that drive stick shift. You have to be good at it to be faster. Besides, DCT should shift even faster than traditional auto.

The only reason that driving manual over DCT is that you can control the torque RPM. You can keep the engine on high torque RPM to maintain better power. Anyways, manual shifting isn't fast, unless you are a F1 driver. So when people say they want a manual tranny because they are faster, they don't know crap.

[parsonsmatt]

You know, when people say manual transmission is faster than automatic, that only apply to 2% of the people that drive stick shift. You have to be good at it to be faster. Besides, DCT should shift even faster than traditional auto.

The only reason that driving manual over DCT is that you can control the torque RPM. You can keep the engine on high torque RPM to maintain better power. Anyways, manual shifting isn't fast, unless you are a F1 driver. So when people say they want a manual tranny because they are faster, they don't know crap.

Don't traditional automatic transmissions also have significant power loss due to transmission? I remember reading that an automatic loses 20% of bhp to whp, while a manual only loses 10%, or something like that.

[fatnfly]

**** it its not a race car lol who cares for tha 1-2% power differnce.

IMO ive drivievn both - i took MT cause i have 50/50 city/hwy driving but if ur in the city constantly bumper to bumper avoid it. i hate Bumper/Bumper with MT. thats how i see it. regardless both seem the same to me althoguh i enjoy MT more (sort of like a video game being able to redline ur car and being able to throw the gearshift)

[dskoo65]

it is not all about the actual time to shift. dont forget, going from 0-60 requires few gear changes.

most people that have always driven sticks are good at it.

of course, if sally smith soccer mom down the street does a 0-60 in her automatic then tries in a stick im sure she will fare better in the automatic.

i will agree that in buying the veloster the 0-60 times were not a factor for me, but if someone wants to know which is faster, my answer wouldnt change.

if someone wants a relatively fast small engine displacement car (say 7.0 or faster) then this veloster isnt it. im not even sure the turbo will do that.

[SmartiesQc]

I like the comment of DSK0065. Is right. It's not a sports car. I have driven sports car and it's not build to be a sports car. If it would, it would be higher price, higher in power and a better suspension. In life you need to buy with your needs. I have driven stick my whole life, tried the DCT and didn't like it. So I bought the manual, but I'm sure in everyday use I will be able to control better the performance the car can give me than the automatic. In my life I mostly used the power band between 60 km/h and 120 km/h. Yes 0-100 is important but it's not the only criteria to choose a car.

[Hegg]

You know, when people say manual transmission is faster than automatic, that only apply to 2% of the people that drive stick shift. You have to be good at it to be faster. Besides, DCT should shift even faster than traditional auto.

The only reason that driving manual over DCT is that you can control the torque RPM. You can keep the engine on high torque RPM to maintain better power. Anyways, manual shifting isn't fast, unless you are a F1 driver. So when people say they want a manual tranny because they are faster, they don't know crap.

I think the comment about controlling torque is true with a traditional torque converter automatic transmission. But wouldn't that be false for a DCT? In a DCT, it's just like a clutch driven transmission where you don't have the slip and mush you get with the torque converter. You just put it in whatever gear you want at whatever revs you want, just like a regular manual transmission. You can keep the engine on high torque all you want.

Technically it should be possible for the DCT to shift faster than a manual, but I don't think that applies to the economically-oriented DCT in the Veloster (compared to, say, a 458 Italia). As for me, I love my DCT and think it shifts adequately fast for my purposes. It's faster and smoother than either a manual or a torque converter automatic for me. This isn't a race car.

Don't traditional automatic transmissions also have significant power loss due to transmission? I remember reading that an automatic loses 20% of bhp to whp, while a manual only loses 10%, or something like that.

Usually traditional automatic transmissions do have power loss, due to the viscous coupling with the torque converter. You have some power loss when you transfer the torque between the two units. However, automatics are getting better and better, particularly with the advent of transmission lockup. The other disadvantages of the automatic include weight and speed/smoothness of shifts (although those drawbacks have also improved a lot over time).

The actual percentage losses will be different for each transmission, but in general you would expect (a few) more WHP in a manual compared to an automatic in otherwise identical cars.

it is not all about the actual time to shift. dont forget, going from 0-60 requires few gear changes.

most people that have always driven sticks are good at it.

of course, if sally smith soccer mom down the street does a 0-60 in her automatic then tries in a stick im sure she will fare better in the automatic.

i will agree that in buying the veloster the 0-60 times were not a factor for me, but if someone wants to know which is faster, my answer wouldnt change.

if someone wants a relatively fast small engine displacement car (say 7.0 or faster) then this veloster isnt it. im not even sure the turbo will do that.

I agree - you shouldn't be buying the Veloster based just on 0-60 times. This isn't a race car, but it is a very good economy car. If the manual were 1 or 2 or 3 seconds faster to 60, I would have still got the DCT. I bought what I like and what I want and that's what matters. I don't think you should be buying a car based on what others like better.

[Drifter]

I bought what I like and what I want and that's what matters. I don't think you should be buying a car based on what others like better.

Exactly.

[only1db]

manual gear box for me is more then just 0-60 times. its about ME having control. Granted the DCT is a good tranny (and it doesnt suffer from the same crap that an auto does..its a MANUAL gear box, just something else does the shifting for you) but for me its about being involved in the experience of driving.

its the entire act...not just numbers. Something about a heel toe while going into a corner or blipping the throttle and rev matching as you go into corner.

[dskoo65]

DCT is a good tranny (and it doesnt suffer from the same crap that an auto does..its a MANUAL gear box, just something else does the shifting for you).

exactly. something else shifts for you...and it does so automatically.

so i will still call the DCT an automatic in general terms.

my saleman kept saying "the DCT is a manual, it just shifts for you".

well, there is nothing manual about it then, is there?