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Geartronic or traditional manual gearbox?

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hoodSlayer
Posts: 900 - Karma: 7
I'm thinking about getting a Volvo S40 and I have to pick between one with a traditional 6-speed manual or 5-speed flappy paddle geartronic. I know how to drive a manual and I'm planning on doing some mods to the car so I just want to know if anyone has experience with the Geartronic and if you felt like theres any advantage over a regular manual.
thanks
Mar 5 2009 12:48AM
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CBROOKS
Posts: 4979 - Karma: 10,708
Don't tune without a third pedal man.

Don't do it.
Mar 5 2009 12:49AM
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hoodSlayer
Posts: 900 - Karma: 7
thats what I was thinking
Mar 5 2009 12:50AM
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Static
Posts: 8560 - Karma: 4,130
paddle shifters are pretty sweet, I'd say skip the manual. Sure shifting is fun and all, but it's mainly about choosing your gear, which paddle shifters effectively do.
Mar 5 2009 12:56AM
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*rkp*
Posts: 8198 - Karma: 258
Totally depends on your driving environment and what you want out of the car.

Paddle shifter: nice because it DOES have a full auto mode (for heavy city driving), allows multitasking, good responses in shifting (if it's an older s40 though there's still considerable lag and kinks in the shifting process). basically it's more versatile because you have the option of going into full auto AND having the ability to choose your gears when needed.

Manual: I'm going to suggest you get the manual simply because it's more reliable than volvo's geartronic (or whatever they call it) system, is MORE FUN!....there's just something about it that you can't get with paddle shifters.. Especially when you're thinking about modding (the T-5 is a really nice engine)...I wouldn't have it any other way.

I know I probably left out a bunch, but take what I said into consideration.

and....+1 for manual.
Mar 5 2009 1:11AM
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anton...
Posts: 119 - Karma: 10
^^

to modify substantially, paddle gear boxes need all kinds of ecu and other alterations which means more $$
Mar 5 2009 6:20AM
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Penreuder
Posts: 51 - Karma: 10

Paddle shifters are pretty sweet, id say skip the paddles though.  Sure paddles are fun and all, but its mainly about choosing your gear which manuals do a hell of a lot better than paddles.

Chase=Me$ Like he said, dont tune without that third pedal

Mar 5 2009 9:18AM
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drumbumocdp
Posts: 3229 - Karma: 1,098
driving stick is so much more fun that auto
Mar 5 2009 9:33AM
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Barefootin_Fiend
Posts: 7618 - Karma: 4,727
manual. no question.
Mar 5 2009 9:37AM
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Loges
Posts: 1928 - Karma: 21
for sure get a manual
Mar 5 2009 9:54AM
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kabozo101
Posts: 4429 - Karma: 20
manual for sure
Mar 5 2009 10:09AM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
Manual. I don't care if the newer paddles are quicker through the gears, tapping a lever is just not as satisfying as working a clutch and rowing through the gears.
Mar 5 2009 10:16AM
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0123456789
Posts: 9226 - Karma: 148

manual is what id get nothing beats a 6 speed funwise.

but if youre driving city, lots of stop adn go, an auto might be the better choice.

but if tuning or really anything above adn beyond a CAI, manual is the better choice to get the most out of it.

Mar 5 2009 11:48AM
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.AR6rider.
Posts: 15976 - Karma: 8,799
Manual no doubt.  My Mazda3 and FJ Cruiser both have manual transmissions and I would have it no other way.
Mar 5 2009 4:09PM
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Scolson
Posts: 2904 - Karma: 92
I think the volvo paddle shifter is actually an automatic that you can shift, which sucks. 
Mar 5 2009 4:49PM
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evan25
Posts: 931 - Karma: 20
get a mannual its the best
Mar 5 2009 4:50PM
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___ASP___
Posts: 3861 - Karma: 490
dont even think about paddle shift, manual all the way, all of the cars i have owned have been manual and i dont think i could ever own a non manual car!
Mar 5 2009 4:59PM
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Tucks
Posts: 2120 - Karma: 161
manual
Mar 5 2009 7:30PM
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spere
Posts: 6105 - Karma: 248
yep, it just isn't the same.

paddle shifters only belong in supercars in my opinion, cars that require you to have two hands on the wheel at all times so you don't crash type of thing
Mar 5 2009 7:33PM
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sarahskis
Posts: 1587 - Karma: 41
manual. its more fun
Mar 5 2009 10:11PM
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raycharles
Posts: 53 - Karma: 31
go with the third pedal for sure
Mar 5 2009 10:50PM
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salomonskiier12
Posts: 2862 - Karma: 19

when offroading in the fj, it is hard with manual?

Mar 5 2009 10:53PM
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comeatmebro
Posts: 10720 - Karma: 66
word. the new evo's having this type of setup really PISSES me off, sure they might be slightly faster but it is just simply gay as fuck. go with the manual.
Mar 5 2009 11:01PM
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