There are many threads arguing this issue, and most end up digressing into personal attacks or assaults on one's manhood. Most claims made are baseless and purely emotional. Let's examine why.
I have been a manual driver and proponent since before I had a license. Manuals have traditionally been the only choice for anyone who considers themselves a driver, or for anyone who desired to extract the most performance possible from their vehicle. Manuals were always, without exception, faster than the same car equipped with an automatic. I used to peek into BMWs or Porches parked in lots and the first thing I would do would check out whether it was a manual. If not, I immediately knew the owner was not a serious driver and had no knowledge of his/her car and simply wanted to be seen in a fancy car -- "Jewelry" as some have said.
When I was shopping for my first Audi, (2000 A4) I fell in love with the manual version. My wife wanted the automatic, but it was such a slushbox I considered it almost un-drivable. They were two completely different automobiles. It was clear that Audi designed that A4 to function well with the manual, but the automatic was bolted on as an after-thought so that they could sell cars to people like my wife.
It saddens me to say this, but those days are over. In fact, the tables have turned.
When shopping for my 2013 S4 a couple months ago, I was startled to discover how much things have changed. The entire car was clearly designed with the DSG in mind, and the manual is now the afterthought. Small details, such as the placement of the cup holders, confirm this. In my 2000 A4, the cup holder was ridiculously located above the stereo and was barely suitable for a beverage. The advantage, however, was that the drink was well above the shifter and I could run through the gears in an ergonomically appropriate way. The 2013, however, has the cup holders placed in precisely the most obtrusive place between the armrest and the shifter. If I put anything taller than a 12oz can in the holder, shifting a manual would be awkward and uncomfortable. This never would have been allowed by Audi engineers (and drivers!) of old. The angle of the shifter is slightly above the level of my elbow when resting on the armrest, which is a very awkward position.
Furthermore, the performance and efficiency advantages have shifted to autos as well. Thank "dual-clutch" advancements and very fast computer processors for this. The car shifts faster than any manual driver could achieve, and has another gear as well. Gas milage is better, as is acceleration. Safety is another advantage to DSG. Reaction times are faster, thus improving accident avoidance etc.
What about the fun factor? I still love driving manuals. But for the first time ever, after driving both a manual S4 and a DSG, I felt that the DSG was more fun. Again it's the little things, but the overall feeling I had was that the car was designed for that drivetrain and felt more complete. Note this is the exact opposite of how things were in 2000.
The manual now feels like the oddball and exists only to sell cars to a shrinking minority.
This reality saddens me to some extent, as I love driving and love the old feel of mastering a manual and the feeling of superiority it offered over those who could only drive a slushbox. But progress has allowed for the automation of that lost art to a level beyond what humans can do, and I'm moved beyond trying to achieve feelings of superiority through an automobile.
So if someone has the opinion that a manual is more fun to drive, then by all means enjoy it. The "fun"factor is purely subjective and one's opinion cannot be denied. However, If one tries to argue that there are still objective reasons why a manual is superior than a DSG, or that DSG drivers are not "true" drivers etc., there is no defendable argument for that position anymore. Not in 2013, and not ever again.
Just my $0.02.
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Originally Posted by integroid
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