Okay. Most of us have had some time to go beyond our first impressions (where typically everything is great about this car) to form opinions based on everyday, longer term use. The subject here is the 8 speed tranny. After putting some 2,500 miles on my ISF I would have to say that 8 gears is 2 gears too many. It seems like the car is always searching for the right gear to be in when I get lazy and place it in "D". There are just too many upshifts and downshifts. I haven't logged the data for this impression to be sure but I think the rpm's only drop some 300-400 when going from gear to gear. There's really not all that much difference between 4th and 7th in terms of rpm's. When in "D" and with the computer display set to show which gear I'm in, it seems the car gets into 8th gear at around 40mph when not accelerating quickly. Were I in manual mode I'd be in 3rd or 4th at 40mph.
Also on the subject of the transmission, I guess I'd have to say that given a choice I'd prefer this car to give me a 6 speed true manual tranny over the 8 speed auto manual. I understand that it shifts much faster than I could manually with a foot clutch but it also lowers the overall driver involvement. Tapping the steering wheel pedals just isn't quite the same as slamming down the clutch and throwing the car into gear. I know, how 20th century of me.
I guess that's my only negative thoughts thus far about the car. Not really complaints so much as a preferences.
Also on the subject of the transmission, I guess I'd have to say that given a choice I'd prefer this car to give me a 6 speed true manual tranny over the 8 speed auto manual. I understand that it shifts much faster than I could manually with a foot clutch but it also lowers the overall driver involvement. Tapping the steering wheel pedals just isn't quite the same as slamming down the clutch and throwing the car into gear. I know, how 20th century of me.
I guess that's my only negative thoughts thus far about the car. Not really complaints so much as a preferences.