Wow!

Although I haven't practiced much, it seems like the automatic can shift faster then me, once it figures out what you're trying to do. Even on the track, I eventually felt faster leaving in in full automatic!
I never exceed 4th on the surface streets when I'm in manual, but I rarely have occasion to exceed 55mph.
There is a more solid feeling to the shifts if you do them yourself though. Definitely fun.

the first 5 gears are useable on the street. 6-7-8 is too low. When i drove the IS F at Laguna Seca and CA Speedway, I was using mostly the first 4 gears.

Nightspore68 said:

Although I haven't practiced much, it seems like the automatic can shift faster then me, once it figures out what you're trying to do. Even on the track, I eventually felt faster leaving in in full automatic!
I never exceed 4th on the surface streets when I'm in manual, but I rarely have occasion to exceed 55mph.
There is a more solid feeling to the shifts if you do them yourself though. Definitely fun.

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I know what you mean. I just leave mine in auto because I don't see the need to go manual when driving in traffic.

this car is actually three cars in one. full auto is boring and performed just like a toyota camry. sports is much more lively. manual with VSD off transforms this car into a beast. i now drive with VSD off 90% of the times and it makes driving 10x more fun.

If only I could get out of everyday traffic, I would unleash the beast and get rid of my boredom.

mica, is that the first disable point or the full, dual disable?

I've been afraid to leave it in either setting, but I'm getting curious. There's just so many other cars on the road here, I don't want to slide into anyone...

You know, I left both those systems on when I was at the track! And I still passed the Porsches and Minis. And they were for the most part much better drivers than me. When I get more experience, I'll turn them off there, too.

I agree non-sport mode is pretty dull. The steering is too easy and the throttle response is less... eager.

Nightspore68 said:

mica, is that the first disable point or the full, dual disable?

I've been afraid to leave it in either setting, but I'm getting curious. There's just so many other cars on the road here, I don't want to slide into anyone...

You know, I left both those systems on when I was at the track! And I still passed the Porsches and Minis. And they were for the most part much better drivers than me. When I get more experience, I'll turn them off there, too.

I agree non-sport mode is pretty dull. The steering is too easy and the throttle response is less... eager.

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i drive with VSD fully disabled ( pressing the botton for 3 seconds). i certainly have to give gas judiciously when driving on wet pavements or exiting tight curves, but a little sliding is fun.

Auto Mode vs Manual Mode

When on a closed course track I run with traction control on and in Manual. I like to downshift into corners using the engine for braking in addition to the brakes. It also puts me into the proper gear coming out of the corner.

I tried both the Manual and Automatic modes on the drag strip last weekend. In both cases all Nannies were "off".

In automatic time was almost 13.0 seconds flat and speed at the traps was 110 mph. Of about 10 trips down the track that was the slowest speed and, except when I totally lost traction at the line) was the slowest time. Most times were in the 12.6-12.8 seconds. Best speed was 114.68 mph. Day was warm (low 80s) and we were running into a 10-15 mph wind.

Pat