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03-04-2006, 11:31 AM | #1 | ||
06 Focus Zetec Owner
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Townsville, QLD
Posts: 42
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I finally received my Ztec on Friday, and I opted for the Semi Auto tranny. Would like some veiws on that vs a manual.
I personally beleive the semi auto is just as, if not more responsive once switched in to manual than an actual manual is, (no clutch helps), I took the Zetec for a quick windy coastal drive and used the manual(auto) instead of wasting my brakes. I am suprised I could manage to contain myself as I noticed the Zetec handles like it is on rails. I pushed a little and still felt no major body roll or slipping traction. The tranny was responsive and changed gears instantly and at my request. All I can say is I had my doubts about not purchasing a manual. All doubts gone.!!! |
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03-04-2006, 02:02 PM | #2 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 52
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I've got a Semi-auto LX and while i'm still learning the 4 speed (is 1st gear exceptionally low or what?), it is definately very responsive and almost as if driving a manual. The only problem I ever have is that the gear displayed on the trip computer sometimes has a bit of a delay (half a second) in updating when downshifting, which causes me to shift down too far at times. Still learning. As for manual, didn't try one out but I don't see the need for it tbh.
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03-04-2006, 05:33 PM | #3 | ||
06 Focus Zetec Owner
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Townsville, QLD
Posts: 42
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I agree. There is no need for a manual car these days. I think it is a bit of an uUrban Myth that you need a manual to really drive fast or enjoy it.
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03-04-2006, 06:06 PM | #4 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 172
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I dunno. I got an auto Zetec also and I find that the semi-auto is not terribly responsive at all especially getting out of first gear. I find that I have to tug the stick to + twice to get to 2nd. The throttle is very responsive and getting out of first seems very slow to respond so its very easy to rev up to 4-5000 before it responds and gets out of first. After that its okayish. Downshifts are much more responsive. The best fun is in 3rd.
Quite happy with auto. Good mileage too. I travelled from Yarraville to Mount Elisa (Vic) via Nepean freeway which is about a 60k journey one way and got 6.8l/100! A bit of hooning on the way too. Pretty darn good econ. |
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03-04-2006, 10:30 PM | #5 | |||
Whipple Induced
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: WWW
Posts: 4,338
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We have a LS Zetec manual and my wife is very happy with the performance and shift quality. While getting some work done on it she was given an auto Zetec and she told me it was surprising quick. The auto off the line in her words 'scared' her (she finds the GT frightening..lol). I didn't drive this auto Zetec but found her comments surprising.
Maybe you should get your auto checked out Forest Bear.
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03-04-2006, 11:19 PM | #6 | |||
Regular Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 45
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03-04-2006, 11:50 PM | #7 | ||
WRC Fanatic
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 281
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Well the auto may feel as quick but it is appreciably slower according to the mags.
Manual: 0 - 100 = 8.98, 0 - 400 m = 16.43 Auto: 0 - 100 = 10.0, 0 - 400m = 17.2 It might not seem like much, but 0.8 secs down the quarter is actually a fair belting. And yes there is definitely still a need for proper manual gear boxes, and as driving enthusiast I would never even entertain the thought of owning an automatic. While I don't doubt that autos can be fun to drive, it is simply not the same experience (and yes I have driven cars with these new tiptronic style boxes) as driving a manual car with a clutch. I like to drive my car, not have it drive me around. I also think Ford should be applauded for offering the XR5 with a manual gear box only, as it is a true enthusiasts car, and there is no place for an auto in a car like this imo.
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Panther Black XR5T Pro Alloy Intercooler| Angel Eye Headlights (black)| Eibach Prokit Springs| K&N Gen II 57i CAI|
Dreamscience| InPro Black LED Tail lights| Black RS GT wheels| 14.007 @ 100.55 mph |
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04-04-2006, 12:00 AM | #8 | |||
Clio 182 CUP!
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Inner West, Sydney
Posts: 2,590
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Quote:
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------------- Steven 'In fact, so good is the Clio 182 with the Cup chassis set-up that I feel moved to make a bold statement - I think it's the best hot hatch ever built.' (EVO Jan 04) |
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04-04-2006, 01:53 AM | #9 | |||
Turbo induced crazyness
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 26
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I have always prefered driving manuals in 4 cyl cars (thou XR5 is 5 cyl), given that these smaller engines like/need to rev to extract performance from the engine, from my experience in the past autos seem to drain the performance too much in these smaller capacity engines in comparision, so not suprised by results posted by orsest170. As oposed to say my XR6T which is a 4 speed tiptronic auto, which I wouldn't have anything else for the XR6T cause it has mountains of torque to push it along and gear changes are quick, power delivery is smooth and hard aceleration can be made through gear changes. We drove a manual Zetec and found it to be fairly neat tidy gearbox, felt fairly 'zippy', admitely didn't drive an auto to compare. Cheers, Ford Grunt (Ben)
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04-04-2006, 10:41 AM | #10 | |||
06 Focus Zetec Owner
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Townsville, QLD
Posts: 42
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While I agree with a lot of what you say, I find it humourous to hear people mention they want to drive their car and not "be driven". Does it turn corners for you too? Does it brake and indicate? How does it drive you, last time I checked, I still had to press the accelerator. Also, are real driver, is able to choose the gears that an auto will sit in. I can make an auto stay in 2nd 3rd if I want. Just because I am too lasy to push a clutch and I do not like the delay between clutch/accelerator in manuals, does not make me any less of an enthusiast. I agree the XR5 should not be auto purely from an aesthetic point of view. |
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04-04-2006, 11:30 AM | #11 | |||
Regular Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 45
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04-04-2006, 11:49 AM | #12 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 172
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Come now gentlemen. Being able to drive a manual vehicle doesn't necessarily make you the better driver. Too many bad, incompetent drivers who drive manuals seem to latch on to this idea. Mind you terrible drivers are everywhere in every configuration. It all comes down to preference. I can drive both but I prefer an auto.
Proper drivers can control their cars when it goes off the rails, can negotiate bends at terrifying speeds, have good anticipation and razor sharp reflexes, smart enough to keep their demerit points. You can do all that with a manual or auto. Nothing gives me a bigger grin that passing big V8s and Celicas around a bend. The wusses. Anyways, I like to make phone calls, send txt messages, eat my burger, apples, play with my mp3 player, have hands on girlfriends lap when I drive. They're much easier to do in an automatic. |
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04-04-2006, 11:49 AM | #13 | ||
Old enough to know better
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 2,311
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This possibly exposes my poor driving technique, but the difference to me is the ability to have the car in neutral.
Sometimes when going into a corner, I have taken sufficient speed off with the brakes, but don't want to accelerate too early, so for a brief moment I have the clutch depressed, and car effectively in neutral, but keeping revs up with the accelerator, before accelerating out of the corner. Can't do this with a tiptronic style shift Or am I just a lousy driver?
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Manual 2003 Machine Silver 5 Door LR Focus Zetec. Mods: Ford Racing CNC'd cylinder head milled .040", 3 angle valve grind. Ford Racing Stage II camshafts. Ford Racing cam gears. Ford Racing long tube header. Random Technology hi flow cat. Herrod 2.25" stainless cat-back. Pipercross Viper intake. CFM 65mm throttle body. 2000 ported intake manifold. Herrod Custom SCT tune. Eibach suspension. Quaife ATB diff. Wilwood 13" brakes. Custom ST170 leather interior. www.cardomain.com/ride/2773918
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04-04-2006, 12:07 PM | #14 | |||
Clio 182 CUP!
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Inner West, Sydney
Posts: 2,590
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Quote:
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------------- Steven 'In fact, so good is the Clio 182 with the Cup chassis set-up that I feel moved to make a bold statement - I think it's the best hot hatch ever built.' (EVO Jan 04) |
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04-04-2006, 12:12 PM | #15 | |||
Clio 182 CUP!
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Inner West, Sydney
Posts: 2,590
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Quote:
__________________
------------- Steven 'In fact, so good is the Clio 182 with the Cup chassis set-up that I feel moved to make a bold statement - I think it's the best hot hatch ever built.' (EVO Jan 04) |
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04-04-2006, 12:31 PM | #16 | |||
06 Focus Zetec Owner
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Townsville, QLD
Posts: 42
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The delay is less BUT human error means it takes longer. I guaruntee you it takes less time for me to flick a stick into - or + than it does to push ina clutch and change gears. I do not understand why people think you can change gears in a manual quicker. Unless you are a pro racer, my semi auto zetec changes smoother than a manual. I agree with the ratios, but technology isn't far behind. |
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04-04-2006, 12:33 PM | #17 | ||
06 Focus Zetec Owner
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Townsville, QLD
Posts: 42
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Also because I do not have to stop accelerating I do not lose any revs.
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04-04-2006, 12:40 PM | #18 | |||
06 Focus Zetec Owner
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Townsville, QLD
Posts: 42
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You may not be a lousy driver, but you are definately a negligent one. You are gonna break something or someone driving like that! |
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04-04-2006, 01:35 PM | #19 | ||
Guest
Posts: n/a
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The engine in the 2 litre Focus is borderline useful with auto as is with manual. With more power such as in a Falcon an auto is fine as it gives you ok performance. With a 1.5 auto is pretty struggling.
Reasons why I don't like auto: 1. I don't like the way the cars power is put down by fluid. 2. I don't like how the stall is set at a determined RPM 3. I don't like extra weight 4. I don't like lower power output 5. I don't like paying extra for a slower car 6. I don't like my girlfriend being able to drive my car. Let me tell you this, unless your auto changes with a neckbreaking jolt ie with a shift kit installed, then your gear change, from the time when full power thats being transfered to the wheels is taken off, until the time when full power is returned to the wheels, manual, with a good driver, is faster with changing gears. Also there is an electronic delay using the auto shifter? like push the lever down and it changes gear a sec or 2 later? With manual as stated before, you have more ratios. If a 5sp auto does go into a Focus to match the 5 speed manual, the manual should still be faster, because the gearbox should be a heavier unit than the auto... Then you consider the power loss in the fluid. |
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04-04-2006, 03:23 PM | #20 | |||
Old enough to know better
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 2,311
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Quote:
Brake, clutch in, drop down a gear, release clutch when you power out of the corner. Hard to describe, easier to do. No burning clutches if your're matching engine speed to gearbox speed
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Manual 2003 Machine Silver 5 Door LR Focus Zetec. Mods: Ford Racing CNC'd cylinder head milled .040", 3 angle valve grind. Ford Racing Stage II camshafts. Ford Racing cam gears. Ford Racing long tube header. Random Technology hi flow cat. Herrod 2.25" stainless cat-back. Pipercross Viper intake. CFM 65mm throttle body. 2000 ported intake manifold. Herrod Custom SCT tune. Eibach suspension. Quaife ATB diff. Wilwood 13" brakes. Custom ST170 leather interior. www.cardomain.com/ride/2773918
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04-04-2006, 03:30 PM | #21 | |||
Old enough to know better
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 2,311
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Quote:
Brake into the corner, depressing clutch at same time, drop down gear, re-engage the clutch when you are ready to power out of the corner. And with a manual, you control when that happens. I am NOT talking about dropping the clutch (it will eventually break), but slowly releasing the clutch as you bring in the power, matching engine speed with gearbox speed
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Manual 2003 Machine Silver 5 Door LR Focus Zetec. Mods: Ford Racing CNC'd cylinder head milled .040", 3 angle valve grind. Ford Racing Stage II camshafts. Ford Racing cam gears. Ford Racing long tube header. Random Technology hi flow cat. Herrod 2.25" stainless cat-back. Pipercross Viper intake. CFM 65mm throttle body. 2000 ported intake manifold. Herrod Custom SCT tune. Eibach suspension. Quaife ATB diff. Wilwood 13" brakes. Custom ST170 leather interior. www.cardomain.com/ride/2773918
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04-04-2006, 03:42 PM | #22 | ||
06 Focus Zetec Owner
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Townsville, QLD
Posts: 42
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That's ok then you original description was a bit weird.
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04-04-2006, 03:48 PM | #23 | |||
06 Focus Zetec Owner
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Townsville, QLD
Posts: 42
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Manuals a good, but ultimately, I am a lazy F&^%er and if I can drive an auto through bulk traffic, but still have fun on a nice coastal road, I'll pick and auto will sports shift any day. BTW the euro version of the Zetec has an adjustable auto trans. Can adjust from sports mode to normal, as the same with the steering. |
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04-04-2006, 03:55 PM | #24 | |||
Old enough to know better
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 2,311
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Quote:
__________________
Manual 2003 Machine Silver 5 Door LR Focus Zetec. Mods: Ford Racing CNC'd cylinder head milled .040", 3 angle valve grind. Ford Racing Stage II camshafts. Ford Racing cam gears. Ford Racing long tube header. Random Technology hi flow cat. Herrod 2.25" stainless cat-back. Pipercross Viper intake. CFM 65mm throttle body. 2000 ported intake manifold. Herrod Custom SCT tune. Eibach suspension. Quaife ATB diff. Wilwood 13" brakes. Custom ST170 leather interior. www.cardomain.com/ride/2773918
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04-04-2006, 04:23 PM | #25 | ||||
Whipple Induced
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: WWW
Posts: 4,338
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Quote:
On a serious note, one of the problems with automatics (and I like them as well) is that you are more likely to create distractions for yourself while driving. Driving a manual will not guarantee this won't happen but it may help decrease the opportunuies.
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04-04-2006, 05:17 PM | #26 | ||
06 Focus Zetec Owner
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Townsville, QLD
Posts: 42
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Fair call
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04-04-2006, 11:24 PM | #27 | |||
WRC Fanatic
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 281
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Quote:
Also having the ability to manually shift in an auto is not the same. I’ve spoken to people who have these tiptronic style boxes and really rate them – for about a month. Then, inevitably the novelty wears off, and they end up driving almost entirely in auto mode thereafter. It’s not about being “better” or “real” drivers (I did not even imply this), and I don’t doubt that people who drive auto’s can still be car lovers, but I think a true enthusiast will go the manual box every time. And, if you are too lazy to depress a clutch, then frankly yes, it probably does make you less of an enthusiast. I respect people’s right to choose an auto over a manual, but to suggest that there is no place left for manual gear boxes in modern cars is totally absurd.
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Panther Black XR5T Pro Alloy Intercooler| Angel Eye Headlights (black)| Eibach Prokit Springs| K&N Gen II 57i CAI|
Dreamscience| InPro Black LED Tail lights| Black RS GT wheels| 14.007 @ 100.55 mph |
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05-04-2006, 01:37 AM | #28 | |||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 52
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05-04-2006, 01:39 AM | #29 | |||
Regular Member
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05-04-2006, 01:59 AM | #30 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 119
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you save petrol and most importantly manual cars help with braking.
i hate how automatic cars change gears mid corner when u apply power it can be dangerous on a wet road (trust me i know). if you just want a car to get u there without stress dont buy a sports car or anything sporty. i like manuals cause i feel like im in control and makes driving fun not a chore. |
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