CVT vs. 6MT - The Ultimate Battle

[Widget]

Alrighty folks - let's lay it down.

Which do you prefer and why?

Personally, I like the automatic. I feel that it's not the better choice - but I enjoy feeling like I'm James Bond with paddle shifters, plus no leg pains during traffic.

Also, I propose a question:
Does activating the paddles in CVT actually give any benefit?
Or does it maybe hinder performance slightly?
Or no difference at all?

[roddy]

I recently learned that using paddleshifters to shift is the only way to do so. other cars usually have an optio to shift by paddle or by up/down on the shift knob.

I find it difficult to use the shifters when rotating the steering wheel frequently.

[Widget]

Originally Posted by roddy

I recently learned that using paddleshifters to shift is the only way to do so. other cars usually have an optio to shift by paddle or by up/down on the shift knob.

I find it difficult to use the shifters when rotating the steering wheel frequently.

I think you mistook my question - I guess I should have been more specific.
Does activating the manual shift mode benefit or hinder at all?

Also, all professional race cars use paddleshifters - gotta keep your hands on that wheel!

[jergru]

Originally Posted by Widget

I think you mistook my question - I guess I should have been more specific.
Does activating the manual shift mode benefit or hinder at all?

Also, all professional race cars use paddleshifters - gotta keep your hands on that wheel!

6MT for me. I test drove the automatic and the paddle shivered seemed way to gimmicky for me. I don't sit in traffic enough to need an automatic, so the 6MT was the way to go. It feels like a much quicker car with the 6MT as well.

[ShazzNADES]

I liked the smoothness of the CVT when I test drove it but it wasn't very fun to drive. I drive in So Cal rush hour traffic almost every day. Sometimes it even takes me 2 and half hours to get to work but I still wouldn't trade my 6MT. The CR-Z is the most forgiving manual car I've ever driven. Putting it in econ mode makes driving in traffic really easy. Just my 2 cents.

[GoHuskies]

In both Sport and Normal modes I mind upshifting with the paddles is an easy solution to dropping the revs down quickly. I find this useful when cresting a hill since the car tends to hang in higher revs and drop slowly.

[TinTin]

6mt ftmfw.

[Rome89]

Originally Posted by jergru

6MT for me. I test drove the automatic and the paddle shivered seemed way to gimmicky for me. I don't sit in traffic enough to need an automatic, so the 6MT was the way to go. It feels like a much quicker car with the 6MT as well.

Do you notice the transmission is noisy and hard to shift from any gear into neutral without pressing down the clutch?

[andrewr]

I love my 6mt, so much more connected with the car. Not nearly as smooth as a CVT, but I don't care about smoothness. I like to shift! I wouldn't give up the 6 speed for anything.

[UltraViolet]

Manual for me every time.

If I was a middle-aged fat business man in a German barge of a car, maybe auto ... but as I like fun cars, sporty types should always be manual.