new (automatic) tC - 19,000
computer for using internets with - 350
asking a question THIS stupid on SL - priceless.

 

WTF? OMG!

 

Even then, tiptronic is a load of crap. . . it's just a regular old automatic with buttons, instead of moving the shifter from D to 3-2-1. It is IDENTICAL in every way to a convetional automatic. It's just a regular old automatic with the ability to push buttons just for fun. It doesn't matter if it has paddles, buttons, or a column shifter. It's totally pointless, unless you plan to hold gears in a turn.

Now if you are talking about an SMG transmission, that is a completely different story. It is IDENTICAL to a true manual transmission, except that it is controlled via a CPU and electronic servos and hyrdraulics. This is superior to all trannies (except possibly a CVT, which usually can't handle large amounts of torque). It shift faster than any human ever could, and has the ability to automatically shift. You rarely EVER see them on normal cars, let alone a Dodge Caravan. The cheapest car to offer one was the MR2 Spyder, after it was shortly discountinued, as didn't offer enough gears, and there was low demand.

BMW features an SMG transmission in their M3, as well as Ferrari, Maserati, and a very select group of cars.

 

Cheapest car *I* know it to be available on is the VW GTI.

 

News to me. . . is this the NEW GTI? And is it a TRUE SMG? I'll have to look into it. That would definitely be cool if it was.

 

Nevermind, the GTI does have it, so it would be the cheapest with an SMG or whatever (they call it DSG).

But again, keep in mind that this type of automatic has nothing to do with those pesky shift-it-yourself autos. The VW DSG (or whatever name each respective company calls it) is a REAL manual transmission with real clutches, only it is computer controlled.

And man. . . they really need to make a universal name for these, as I can see how it gets confusing. Imagine it we had 40+ different names for ABS. . .

 

^ ya dig....most cars that run on track thats auto are the domestics because when they take off theyre usually jus starin at the clouds

 

also dont those transmissions shift a little rough? was reading that in a magazine about a maserati with that transmission

 

you lost me at exasths

 

I drove an '06 M5 with the SMG that M5 owners hate, it really is exactly like a manual transmission. It engages, accelerates, slows, and shifts just like a manual, has the exact same feeling- but without a clutch. It's just sequential up/down.

Sorry if I got everyone confused earlier about the neutral drop.

 

They do have clutches, but they are automated and computer controlled. They do lack a clutch pedal. . . but I think that's what you meant.

 

Yeah, good call, that's what I meant. Just two pedals.

 

Ever hear of a stall converter? We used one on a 96' automatic GSX. It lets you rev it up to the power band then drop it into gear to launch it just like you'd do with a stick.


See if you can get a stall converter, thats probably your problem... Some transmission shops should be able to tell you more about it...

 

High stall torque convertor. . . and I mentioned it already.

 

i know you mentioned it, no body really stressed it though, I was just pointing it out, you can claim kudos if you'd like.

 

No kudos needed, just clarification. I dabbled into high stall torque convertors for my Lexus. . .

www.howstuffworks.com is a good resource to learn about how auto trannies and torque convertors work.

 

what kind of lexus did you have... When I was in Fla someone had a SC400 with a twin turbo, he had an auto and that thing was.... fast. Just wondering, and glad his question finally got answered.

 

I had an LS400. . . same motor, different body. All of the Lexuses are heavy. . . but they are built like tanks, and the Toyota/Lexus V8 motors are absolutely buttery smooth. Too bad there's not a lot of aftermarket support for 'em. It's hard to beat BMW in the handling department. . . VERY HARD.