3.3TT Manual auto shift mode in GT and GT1 but not in GT2!?

[4wheelpilot]

I keep seeing new things as I go back and look over the Kia website.
Just noticed that in the GT and GT1 trims, you can pull the center shifter towards you to shift manually.
But you cannot in the drive by wire GT2.
For those who have GT/GT1, do you like the ability to shift for yourself?
Advantages? Disadvantages?
And the highest level trim GT2 has drive by wire...so what's the advantage?

A little frustrating that there are differences in trim levels that you can't have even as options.
For example, the GT2 has limited slip differential which is not available in the lower trims.

 

[Jason Young]

I’ve got a GT and don’t feel it’s necessary since we have paddle shifters. The only minor advantage I’ve noticed when using the shifter is that I can force the car back into drive in sport mode. When I use the paddles in sport mode it seems to take longer than it should to go back to drive and then upshift even if I’ve been at a constant speed and am done with spirited driving.

I agree, though, that stuff like LSD should have at least been an option on the lower gt trims. It’s one reason I went with yellow.

 

[Never thought]

Yeah, not sure why they did that. But you can always use the paddle shifters. But the auto trans is so good I hardly ever use the shifters.

 

[Never thought]

The only positive of the GT2 shifter is it feels perfect for resting your hand on it. I drove a manual for 8 years so I still have the habit of resting my hand on the shifter.

 

[StingerGTT]

I have the GT and I enjoy all the shifting options I have this is the first auto trans I have had since the early 90's and when I shift with the shift it almost feels like home. when using the paddle shifters I get all screwed up lol I have to get used to this new to me technology. but all around I love the different options wouldn't give it up. when I test drove the GT2 the shift made me confused and just not comfortable I'm glad I didn't go with the GT2.

 

[Sensibly Spirited Driver]

I keep seeing new things as I go back and look over the Kia website.
Just noticed that in the GT and GT1 trims, you can pull the center shifter towards you to shift manually.
But you cannot in the drive by wire GT2.
For those who have GT/GT1, do you like the ability to shift for yourself?
Advantages? Disadvantages?
And the highest level trim GT2 has drive by wire...so what's the advantage?

A little frustrating that there are differences in trim levels that you can't have even as options.
For example, the GT2 has limited slip differential which is not available in the lower trims.

Frustrating is an understatement, especially when the sales people don't know the differences. I just found out my GT does not have the key feature I wanted a Stinger for...variable suspension. For that, you need a GT1. I'm crushed. Calls/emails to dealer/Kia have commenced. I also agree that a proper T shifter should be available on the GT2 as well. That's strange they eliminated key functionality like that on the most expensive trim. I spent a lot of time with that feature tonight, and love the "manual' mode. The problem with the GT2, is you can only use the paddles properly--without them reverting back to auto mode--if you're in "sport" mode, or set the transmission to "sport" in "custom". I prefer the transmission (as do most reviewers) set to "comfort". The throttle response becomes unnecessarily aggressive in "sport" for normal driving. For a track, sure. A highway or winding road? Not so much. Anyway, with the T shifter, you can flick it into "manual" and it will not revert to "auto" regardless of your driving mode or transmission setting. Now I guess I'll need to wait for K&W or Bilstein to make an adjustable suspension for the GT. A part of me is very pissed, and another part of me is saying, "First world problems."

 

[Bear]

I liked the typical T shifter in several of my other Kia's, but prefer the paddle shifters far more and one of the many reasons I went with the GT2. I can easily switch between manual and drive at anytime, its instantaneous and I feel as though the paddle shifters respond quicker than the T shifter. Lastly, as already mentioned, the drive-by-wire shifter is perfectly shaped for comfort in your hand when resting on it.

 

[Sensibly Spirited Driver]

I liked the typical T shifter in several of my other Kia's, but prefer the paddle shifters far more and one of the many reasons I went with the GT2. I can easily switch between manual and drive at anytime, its instantaneous and I feel as though the paddle shifters respond quicker than the T shifter. Lastly, as already mentioned, the drive-by-wire shifter is perfectly shaped for comfort in your hand when resting on it.

All GT's have paddle shifters. The difference is that with the GT and GT1, you can put the T shifter in manual and use the paddle shifters in all drive modes, without kick down. In the GT2 you can only use them in "sport" that way. In "comfort" mode, the car will assume your paddle shift was an "accident" and revert to full auto. With the GT/GT1, if the t shifter is in manual, the car will maintain manual mode with the paddles, regardless of drive mode. That is the gist of the complaint by GT2 drivers who are upset their manual mode was neutered, and the lower trims are superior in that regard. Most GT2 owners, it sounds like, don't use them much anyway, so it doesn't matter for the majority of them.

 

[phxgt]

I’ve got a GT and don’t feel it’s necessary since we have paddle shifters. The only minor advantage I’ve noticed when using the shifter is that I can force the car back into drive in sport mode. When I use the paddles in sport mode it seems to take longer than it should to go back to drive and then upshift even if I’ve been at a constant speed and am done with spirited driving.

I agree, though, that stuff like LSD (Limited Slip Differential) should have at least been an option on the lower gt trims. It’s one reason I went with yellow.

If I am reading you right...did you know that on the GT2 if you are in Sport or Custom, any mode really, if you tire of using the paddles you can give the shifter a quick tap towards you and it shifts back to D mode?

 

[Sensibly Spirited Driver]

If I am reading you right...did you know that on the GT2 if you are in Sport or Custom, any mode really, if you tire of using the paddles you can give the shifter a quick tap towards you and it shifts back to D mode?

Yes. The issue is the GT2 switching back to full auto when you don't want to (which happens when not using "sport"). With the T shifter, you just bump the shifter back to "D" to revert to full auto. Given some of the confusion here, it sounds like I should make a video to explain this. A lot of people here understand the situation but it seems an equal number aren't understanding it, so maybe a demonstration would be most useful. Sometimes visual examples are the clearest, and I think that may be the case for this.

 

[phxgt]

Yes. The issue is the GT2 switching back to full auto when you don't want to (which happens when not using "sport"). With the T shifter, you just bump the shifter back to "D" to revert to full auto. Given some of the confusion here, it sounds like I should make a video to explain this. A lot of people here understand the situation but it seems an equal number aren't understanding it, so maybe a demonstration would be most useful. Sometimes visual examples are the clearest, and I think that may be the case for this.

I do understand what you are saying. I was responding to the opposite issue in post #2.

 

[Sensibly Spirited Driver]

I put another 400 miles on today, of carefully mixed city/highway, and varying the RPM's and speeds. This is my second day of driving in "manual" only, and I can't imagine going back to auto now. Given the gear ratios, the t shifter is pretty important, because I use that to bump into 2nd and 3rd while turning from a stop light, and then continue driving using the paddles when the car is more or less straight. They should make the t shifter an option on the GT2 for people who want to drive it in "manual". This is version 1 of the car, so, there is plenty for them to improve for round 2. I think they've done a pretty amazing job, overall. I have a few niggles with the car, but all in all, I think its great. The Beast becomes unshackled in "manual' and it's a real treat. As mentioned elsewhere, I drive in "custom" mode, with everything set to "comfort" except the steering (which I prefer more weighted) so have that set to "sport". I have tried the "sport" transmission option, but found the throttle response too aggressive for normal driving. On a track it would make sense.