Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
Originally Posted By: gathermewool
Originally Posted By: Nick1994
My TDI has a DSG automatic that downshifts by itself when you let off the gas pedal, like it REALLY slows down and I hardly ever have to use the brakes. People aren't too thrilled when I'm slowing down for a red light without touching the brakes. Screw em'.
A lot of AT's do something similar to this; people simply don't know how to drive properly.
The NAG-1 in wife's Grand Cherokee does an good job of this. The 545RFE in my Ram does even better when its in its tow/haul mode.
Luckily for me, every AT I've owned has done this to some extent, with my '97 Legacy being the best. Even my Civic engine-brakes just fine, though it seems to go out of open-loop and re-initiates fuel injection way too early while decel'ing around town.
The reason? I've talked to people at work who seem to think that having to keep your foot on the gas to coast is a negative attribute, which implies that engine-braking is bad. Heck, when I got my first car, a tiny little 10-year-old Toyota, the guy I asked advice of made ONE comment that went something like, "you seem like you'd be driving all over. Does that little car coast good when you let off the gas? If it does, it's a good car."
I really do believe that most people want a car that is as on-off and appliance-like as possible. While I like to drive as efficiently as possible (while still having my enthusiastic moments,) I admit that I'm not enthusiastic as I used to be, and the efficient model is rarely the enthusiastic model (or MT) now adays.
I want to say that I'm a part of the "save the MT" crowd, and I do miss my previous MT's (Ranger, Sunfire, Focus, Civic, WRX, STI) but I like the CVT in the Foz and I've even gotten used to the 5AT in the Civic. After very long hours and very long weeks on the deck plates, I'm glad for the AT. I do miss rowing through my gears, since even the "sporty" Foz feels like an appliance in some regards, but I'm not sure that's where I'm at these days.
To the OP: people are incredibly impatient and rude. I had one guy the other day, who was driving behind me, change lanes with no signal, last minute, after I had my signal on to enter the next lane after two passing cars. I didn't cut him off, because I could see him the entire time, but when I entered the lane he was much closer to me, though he did back off immediately.
He didn't flash his high beams.
He didn't ride my butt for the next two miles before the highway on-ramp or try to aggressively pass me, though there were plenty of opportunities.
He followed me at a close, but relatively safe distance.
When we entered the highway he moved to the next lane over to the left and accelerated a little faster than my leisurely pace; however, I soon caught up to him as the bridge reached the apex, in the right most exit-only lane.
Right when I was about to slowly pass him, doing no more than a few MPH more than him, he AGGRESSIVELY cut me off at less than a few feet away and brake-checked me HARD! There was construction on the bridge, so he skidded and kicked dust, dirt and debris up onto my car. A split second later, he cut hard back over to the left lane and continued on as I exited.
There wasn't a single person or thing in front of him and there was still 500+ feet before the split to the exit. He very obviously brake-checked me, for which the only reason possible could be that I entered a lane that I was signaling to enter, though he intended to enter first, after the two cars had passed, since he would obviously be able to enter before me, even though he did not signal that intent and did not drive aggressively behind me to indicate that he wanted badly to pass. He held on to that perceived slight for 5-6 minutes before taking his revenge and I almost wrecked my car into him.
Seriously, I've accidentally cut people off and knew I was at fault and, even if it was undeserved, expected some response or road rage, even after waving and mouthing my apology. I guarantee you that this sociopath showed no signs of offense, but still made an extremely vengeful move many minutes later.
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I drove into work later than usual this mornning, at around 0600 this morning, which meant that there was congestion on the one-lane road leading to my company. With several cars behind me before a quick left-right turn I saw in my side-view a bike pull out, four cars behind me, and speed through the on-coming traffic lane and then cut me off and brake hard when he saw an on-coming car. I was so flabbergasted that I hit my horn a full second after he was already in front of me. He had a very unique back-pack on, and I fully intend to have a conversation with him the next chance I get.
People don't making a bit of freaking sense when their pride and possessiveness are involved. One instance disregard for the rules of the road AND actual laws and perceived insult, and another of reckless driving, that could have resulted in his own death and me having to scrape his guts off my hood as he passed me and three other cars IN THE MIDDLE OF A BLIND DOUBLE-CURVE!