LOL so only because its a ferrari or lambo you could accept it. A Manual is not available so.......

 

FWIW: Same feelings here, would probably feel antsy/off the wall if I didn't have a proper manual transmission car along with a semi-automatic transmission car.

Been fortunate to be able to have a proper manual car to go along with the semi-auto transmission vehicles. In the past: E46M3(SMG)/NSX(6-speed) currently: GT-R(DCT)/CaymanS(6-speed manual). The DCT transmission on the GT-R reminds me a lot about the SMG on the E46, the DSG on VW/Audi is a lot smoother and less abrupt in comparison. (Can't comment on the DCT on the e90 series M3, no experience on those)

If the GT-R had been available with a manual transmission I would probably have bought that instead of the DCT.

 

Driving a manual on the street is pretty much boring and a choir - no matter what car you have.
On the track, it's a different story. But, no matter how good you are, you're gonna have the occasional miss shift. That's where the dual clutch will kick ***. No miss shifting and the ability to shift gears while you're still in a corner. Now that is fun!!

Like it or not, manuals will eventually get phased out - just like carbi engines..

 

If you have to shift gears in a corner, then my friend you need to go back to learning how to drive, no offense, just shouldnt have to shift in a corner.

Also its a choir, if you are the type of person that looks at it like that. Honestly, when I had my Z in manual, their were times were my leg would hurt, but I would be back in my car an hour later the happiest man, b/c it just makes the car extra fun I say.

 

You know I find this very amusing.

No matter what topic the thread it always seems to get into a Transmission thread of some kind.........
It seems the die hard gear rowwers cant imagine a sports car with out a manual trans. I once was in that category to until really drove this car for an extended period of time. Like today for instance, I had a 2 hour drive to nashville. Most of it being on the freeway in auto mode. The car behaved just like any other automatic tranny and in bumper to bumper traffic I didnt miss that 3rd pedal at all, but once I turned off the interstate and hit the twisty roads I put it in manual and the car basically transforms itself and to me is just as fun or funner than a manual because the ability to instanly shift gears to keep me in the power band at all times. There is no way I could have shifted up and down the gears in a manual that fast, kept the car in the power band like that unless I knew the road and speeds I should maintain for any given turn etc. Having a trans like this makes it a ton easier to drive(once you get use to it), and keep the car in power. This doesnt mean it is easy 123 to drive or anyone gets in and masters it, It still requires skill and understanding to extract its power from the trans and AWD systems

2slow2speed? seeing in your post you said the trans was alot like the SMG(e46) and not as smooth as the VW/audi version of this trans. I am not knocking you or doubting your experience but have you driven the GTR? What is your driving experience with the R35? Its just a plain question not one to make you look bad or anything. I am just wondering how much you have driven it. Honestly driving this car for a quick test drive, around the block, driving your friends for a bit or even driving around for a 1000 miles is not really enough to experience the joy of this trans. It honestly took me about 2000miles to really push, learn, and trust how different this trans is. People think since its an auto type trans that you can experience it from that auto point of view and you cant

Its revolutionary, its a totally different transmission path for a sports car and now that I have put a few miles on my car it is totally FUN! NO REGRETS

 

For the record I own a GT-R. When the GT-R is driven on throttle the transmission performs well as expected no complaints, upshifts are crisp, downshifts are smooth as well.

It's when the car is slowing down and comming to a complete stop during street driving that the DCT seems to be off in it's programming. Sometimes the auto downshift from 2nd to 1st is perfectly smooth and sometimes it is a complete and utter disaster that makes you wonder if any extra stress/wear is happening to the transmission/clutch.

From that perspective it does not behave any better than the SMGII on my old E46 M3. Compare that with how a modern day DSG on a VW/Audi comes to a stop and you might understand what I am referring to.

I used to be a total track junkie hitting the track 2-3 times a month for close to 3 years straight so I have no doubts about the advantages of a SMG/DCT transmission at the track. I still don't like the fact that the GT-R's paddles are mounted on the column instead of the steering wheel itself.

 

FYI: For street driving that might be the case, but at the track sometimes you do have to shift mid turn if you are going at 9-10/10th trying to get out the most of a car, it's all a function of the gearbox gearing, engine powerband and track layout.

 

There is a mod for this. MCR, I think.

 

Great glad to have your unbiased opinion with this.

I do agree with you about it down shifting in auto mode. The programing does seem to be off in that area especially when you are coming to a stop with the 2 to 1 shift. It seems like it doesnt want to shift into 1st at all then all of a sudden clunk it does. Definately a program issue that needs more looking into. Like you said this make me wonder too if its causing damage too!! It is for that reason most of the time I manual shift it into the 2-1 shift

Having owned a car that has had paddles on the steering wheel I like the paddles fixed on the column though. This way at least when you turn the wheel past half way you know which paddle is what unlike when they turn with the wheel.

All good points 2slow2speed

 

Hmm well I agree/ dont agree with you there. Yes in a traditional manual car down shifting in a corner that is rear wheel drive could be the end of your track day and car for that matter but it seems in the GTR you can down shift and this car will hardly wiggle because of the rev match,shifting in the power band and all the fancy electronics you can do this with the car with out the issues you would have on a manual car with this kind of power. I know if I did that in any of my rear wheel drive cars the rear end would just say bye bye. Up shifting depending on the situation is not near as deadly but even in my Lexus with the traction control off using the paddles I would be stupid to down shift in a turn. The GTR is a totally different animal

 

Exactly! Nothing like turning the car, and trying to find the RIGHT (right/correct) paddle (which might be on the left/other side).

 

Not only that but those paddles can hurt to if the wheels snaps back the other way

 

I find the 1st to 2nd shift a bit jerky, especially if starting up in 1st gear.

 

^ That can be adjusted to your preference...

 

Love the car.........never drive it in auto b/c it is so boring........