Shifter-which is "better" and why?

[Berzerker]

*UDPATE: I just found out that the L.S.D is only on RWD cars, so for the AWD cars--from the GT through the GT2--it's all the same! The main feature that interested me in the GT2 it didn't even have!*

I...don't think that's true. The Kia website doesn't list any differences and the Genesis G70 (which the Stinger is heavily influenced by (even though Kia/Hyundai will tell you it's not)) has an LSD on the AWD model.

 

[Sensibly Spirited Driver]

I...don't think that's true. The Kia website doesn't list any differences and the Genesis G70 (which the Stinger is heavily influenced by (even though Kia/Hyundai will tell you it's not)) has an LSD (Limited Slip Differential) on the AWD model.

Actually, it's quite logical why they wouldn't put an L.S.D on AWD models, and only offer the L.S.D on the RWD GT2...limited supply. An L.S.D should be on every single model. By limiting it to a single model, that greatly reduces the supply needed. There was a report about a supplier issue they were having, with their L.S.D manufacturer. Presumably once they/their supplier is able to ramp up, it will start being put on all the Stingers. Lots of AWD cars have and L.S.D, it has nothing to do with AWD.

"Godzilla" comes to mind. I think of the Stinger has Zilla's little brother.

 

[Tonkabob]

My GT2 in sport and manual mode will still downshift on its own under hard acceleration but will not upshift on its own. All other GT2s seeing this?

 

[Sensibly Spirited Driver]

My GT2 in sport and manual mode will still downshift on its own under hard acceleration but will not upshift on its own. All other GT2s seeing this?

From a review I saw, if you disable ESC, it will not force a downshift. Two features for the press (and hold) of one. I'm still in break-in phase, so haven't driven past 3,500 RPM's yet...

 

[Sensibly Spirited Driver]

Okay, I got my 500 mile oil change, and put the car through more testing...some of which is specific to this thread. If "manual" shifting is important, that effectively rules out the GT2. What I found was that, in any other mode than "sport" if you use the paddles to shift, it will ignore your commands as "an accidental touching" once it goes over around 600RPM faster than the computer would have chosen. For example, let's say you're in "comfort" mode, cruising at 1,900 RPM, and you downshift with a paddle, and you're RPM goes up to 2,400, and you give it a bit of gas, then it hits 2,500. At that point, the computer switches it back to full auto. If you set it to "sport" mode, it will not do that. Or, if you use "custom" as I do, the same behavior is replicated depending on which transmission setting you choose. So, if you want to drive in "comfort" mode, or a "custom" setting with the transmission set to anything but "sport", you will not be able to use the paddles for a "manual" like experience...UNLESS...you flip your T shifter into manual mode.

With the T shifter in manual, it doesn't matter what driving mode you're in, or what config you choose, it stays in "manual". Hallelujah! As someone whose driven autos only, I was surprised at just how pleasurable it was to use the "manual" mode. I will be doing a lot of my driving in manual now, it's just really enjoyable. What I do is flick the T shifter into "manual" mode, and then use the paddles to shift. It has a nice "formula 1" type feel. From tonight's driving, I also learned why some companies don't put the paddles on the wheel, but instead in a stationary position behind it. When you're making a turn that requires significant rotation of the wheel, those paddles also flip around with the wheel, and to shift up and down, they become reverse. Of course, with the T shifter, that doesn't matter, because in such situations (like making a tight left hand turn at a stop light), you can push up/down on the T shifter, and then use the paddles elsewhere (or just always use the T shifter if you prefer). The paddle shifters were quite fast, and it was a very enjoyable experience. So, for those who care about having that level of control/fun with the car, then the GT, GT1 (or the I4's if that's your thing), would be worth serious consideration. As always, test drive.

 

[Sensibly Spirited Driver]

I have a question for those fellow "manual" drivers. When I'm at a stop light, I'm flipping it into neutral, and then back to the manual gate when the light turns green. I wonder if that's too much action on the stick, as these are probably designed for people that are going to leave them in "D" all the time. My question is this: when you come to a stop light, are you putting it in neutral, or just leaving it in first gear?

 

[CoconutRob]

Okay, I got my 500 mile oil change, and put the car through more testing...some of which is specific to this thread. If "manual" shifting is important, that effectively rules out the GT2. What I found was that, in any other mode than "sport" if you use the paddles to shift, it will ignore your commands as "an accidental touching" once it goes over around 600RPM faster than the computer would have chosen. For example, let's say you're in "comfort" mode, cruising at 1,900 RPM, and you downshift with a paddle, and you're RPM goes up to 2,400, and you give it a bit of gas, then it hits 2,500. At that point, the computer switches it back to full auto. If you set it to "sport" mode, it will not do that. Or, if you use "custom" as I do, the same behavior is replicated depending on which transmission setting you choose. So, if you want to drive in "comfort" mode, or a "custom" setting with the transmission set to anything but "sport", you will not be able to use the paddles for a "manual" like experience...UNLESS...you flip your T shifter into manual mode.

With the T shifter in manual, it doesn't matter what driving mode you're in, or what config you choose, it stays in "manual". Hallelujah! As someone whose driven autos only, I was surprised at just how pleasurable it was to use the "manual" mode. I will be doing a lot of my driving in manual now, it's just really enjoyable. What I do is flick the T shifter into "manual" mode, and then use the paddles to shift. It has a nice "formula 1" type feel. From tonight's driving, I also learned why some companies don't put the paddles on the wheel, but instead in a stationary position behind it. When you're making a turn that requires significant rotation of the wheel, those paddles also flip around with the wheel, and to shift up and down, they become reverse. Of course, with the T shifter, that doesn't matter, because in such situations (like making a tight left hand turn at a stop light), you can push up/down on the T shifter, and then use the paddles elsewhere (or just always use the T shifter if you prefer). The paddle shifters were quite fast, and it was a very enjoyable experience. So, for those who care about having that level of control/fun with the car, then the GT, GT1 (or the I4's if that's your thing), would be worth serious consideration. As always, test drive.

Did you notice any difference with shift time whether using paddles or the T handle

 

[4wheelpilot]

I have a question for those fellow "manual" drivers. When I'm at a stop light, I'm flipping it into neutral, and then back to the manual gate when the light turns green. I wonder if that's too much action on the stick, as these are probably designed for people that are going to leave them in "D" all the time. My question is this: when you come to a stop light, are you putting it in neutral, or just leaving it in first gear?

If you are in "manual" mode before the stop light and plan on being in "manual" mode when you accelerate, there's no reason to put the shifter in neutral, since you don't have a clutch to wear out, like you would with a true manual transmission.

 

[Sensibly Spirited Driver]

If you are in "manual" mode before the stop light and plan on being in "manual" mode when you accelerate, there's no reason to put the shifter in neutral, since you don't have a clutch to wear out, like you would with a true manual transmission.

My thinking was reducing wear on the torque converter. Probably doesn't matter, was just curious what other people were doing.

 

[Michael Harley]

The standard (traditional) shift lever, in the GT, is "better" than the digital one in the GT2. I've spent many weeks with both, and I have found that the digital shifter is less tactile and slower (you have to deliberately put it into "D" and hold it there momentarily). The cable-actuated shifter is faster and its engagement is more accurate. I'd swap the digital shifter out of my GT2 for the standard shifter if I could.

- Mike

 

[4wheelpilot]

Coming out of an S4 dual clutch automatic, I went with a GT1 to get the cable connected shifter.
Although I liked a few of the additional features of the GT2, getting a little more fun and engagement from the car was important to me.

Btw, I was very surprised that the shifter/transmission in our Stinger is (only) just slightly slower than the vaunted DSG in the S4.
The one thing the Stinger can't match is the snappy shifts.
But then again, some drivers prefer smooth, and that's what the Stinger GT is.
Overall, I'm impressed with the shifting in the GT1.

 

[Michael Harley]

Overall, I'm impressed with the shifting in the GT1.

The transmission on the Stinger GT is one of the best in the industry. Buttery smooth, yet quick when it needs to be.

- Mike

 

[Handsomej81]

Question - I have a GT (kind of wanted the GT1) but for me, the larger middle screen was always so bright & agreeing with some of you above, I love the T-shifter because probably 50% of the time I use the T-shifter in lieu or in combination with the paddle shifter.
The one and only complaint I do have about the Stinger, is that it shifts when you get to redline & when the RPMs go down, it will downshift by itself. This is the third car I had with paddle shifters, First was 93 Aero Saab, then a BMW 335. As far as steering (handling & breaking) the stinger is much better than my old 335. What the 335 has on the stinger was the ZF Trans. WOW, what a brilliant trans! So, my issue with paddle shifters, etc. is on the BMW, you had Sport+ mode where you had 100% control of the trans. If I floor the car, it stays in the gear im in. When I hit red line, it will hold it until I shift upshift. I was really hopping for that control on the Stinger. I test drove the GT2 and keep in mind this was my first time driving the stinger, I remember it shifting by itself in manual mode once I hit redline & in manual mode, when I floor it, it automatically downshifted.
My questions to all - Is there anyway any Stinger have this full control? Does the shift-by-wire on the GT2 have this 'Sport+' control? I dont understand what the shift-by-wire means. I own a GT but curious..

 

[Tonkabob]

If you turn off traction and stability control it won't shift and you can bang off the rev limiter. But it does cut throttle so hitting the limiter by mistake slows you way down. (the shift to 3rd is at 58 mph so I figure I would bang the rev limiter and not shift for a 0-60 time and I couldn't even hit 60! - Didn't work!)

 

[Handsomej81]

ohhhh. I never knew you can turn off the stability control by holding it down for more than 3 seconds. I cant wait to try!

 

[Tonkabob]

ohhhh. I never knew you can turn off the stability control by holding it down for more than 3 seconds. I cant wait to try!

Have to do that for Launch Control to work so that feature is essential!

 

[MerlintheMad]

ohhhh. I never knew you can turn off the stability control by holding it down for more than 3 seconds. I cant wait to try!

Still haven't tried this. I've noticed several times that if I don't manually shift by the time I red line, the car "takes over" (even in manual gate) and upshifts for me. "NAV" knows best (that's my name for my car, btw), so I just need to drive better. With TSC off, I expect the above described behavior: hit redline and pause, until I "decide" to shift, i.e. get my act together.

 

[Tonkabob]

Still haven't tried this. I've noticed several times that if I don't manually shift by the time I red line, the car "takes over" (even in manual gate) and upshifts for me. "NAV" knows best (that's my name for my car, btw), so I just need to drive better. With TSC off, I expect the above described behavior: hit redline and pause, until I "decide" to shift, i.e. get my act together.

You need to hold TSC down for 3 seconds to disable traction and stability. Then if you don't shift the car will fall on its face when it hits redline.
Then you will go back to letting the car shift itself.

 

[MerlintheMad]

You need to hold TSC down for 3 seconds to disable traction and stability. Then if you don't shift the car will fall on its face when it hits redline.
Then you will go back to letting the car shift itself.

I know how to disengage TSC. I just forget to do it. And no, I will not let the car shift for itself, that isn't as much fun.

 

[Pnbnationsbest]

"NAV" (that's my name for my car, btw)

And the award for worst car name goes to........