I am a stick shift guy all the way, I am 57 and have never owned anything but. I know that soon a few years down the road I will be out of luck, and only PDK auto boxes will be all that there is. When I looked for a Vantage, I had a standing request with my dealer to call me every time a stick coupe came in on trade. These are very special cars, they cost a lot of money and look like art on wheels. Plus life is too short, if you really want a stick than stand your ground. These are sports cars after all. So shift your own gears if it makes you happy. Just my $0.02.
Ron

 

Any time your selected gear display indicates a 1 and you aren't moving you can assume it's the same thing as sitting there with your foot pressing the clutch pedal in.

 

Here's what I don't get...

If you are used to driving a manual, then you should have NO problem with SS. You use the paddles the same as you would a stick; ease off the gas when you upshift. People who have never driven a manual (or it 's been ages) are the ones who generally have problems (they just keep their foot on the gas when clicking the paddles, or worse, leave it in D).

The first time I drove an SS, I immediately 'got it' and I love the way it shifts; like a very expert stick man would, except even better, especially on down shifts. Sure, D is crap, so don't use it. problem solved. On my Vanq, I upshift using the paddles, let it (generally) downshift by itself when slowing down for a stop, then if I can see I won't be coming to a dead stop, flick it into 1st myself.

 

My ASM1 is the first paddle shift car I ever had. When we test drove the car in D mode, we nearly decided not to buy it because we thought the transmission was broken. Took me about 3k miles over 6 months to really learn how to drive it. Paddles only and drive with a manual mindset works quite well and can be very rewarding. Now it's pretty much second nature. Do I wish it has a double clutch? Sure. But I can't see how a manual would be any better than using the paddles unless you really like the physical act of shifting gears.

The wife on the other hand refuses to drive the car. Suits me just fine

 

OP-
I have a Maserati Dup Select and its the same principle as the SS. I takes a normal automatic driver about a month and a few thousand miles to get used to how the robotic shifting works and functions. You will adjust to it and learn to enjoy it. Its a learned practice. You will learn to use reverse and how to do it to minimize clutch wear. Also even in D you will learn the shift points and lift your big toe to make then smoother with passengers.

Take the car without your wife and learn to drive it, then start driving it smooth with her in it. A friend of mine was doing the same similar thing. His wife rode with him every time and she hated it, then refused to ride in it due to his driving. He finally took a trip and had it by himself and learned how to drive it, then learned how to drive smooth. Now she says its like a totally different car.

Hope this helps some, However w/ 25 miles the dealer may take it back due to him talking you into it. If no money loss then do that, but if taking a loss or huge loss, drive it for a bit, then figure that part out.

 

So Karl, are you saying it will wear the clutch - or it won't? Just to clear it up in my mind.

 

Judging by your disappointment, I'd talk to the dealer and sell it back to them for a manual. If you are like me and the wine tasted bad the first taste, the 2nd will taste just as bad regardless of how much you aerate it or let it breath.

For the record, I had the SS1 and SS2 and both were "ok". It took getting used to but I bought them so my wife would drive the cars (She drove them both once or twice...). If it was 100% my car, I would have bought a manual. I was seriously considering the Vantage V12S but passed because of the transmission and bought a new GT3 instead. If the V12S was a manual, double clutch, or even a single clutch but like the one in my Scud, I'd be a V12S owner right now.

 

Same as a manual car (it is a robotic manual after all ) gear engaged and clutch disengaged with no wear
I only ever put the ASM1 and ASM2 cars in to neutral when I know I'm going to be stopped for a few minutes.

 

Give it time it took me a week learn how they work. Now I enjoy it.

 

Bamford Rose's software, lightweight flywheel and twin plate clutch are getting rave reviews over in Europe. Thats my plan when my 09 SS clutch finally goes. Whatever you do, don't drive a 991 PDK…. you'll hate your transmission even more.

 

That's sort of my problem... previous car was an M3 DCT... spoiled me for life.

 

I was considering a Vantage myself until I read up on the gearbox. My e46 SMG II was horrible, e60 m5 SMG III was better but to think that your 14 is that bad is just sad (especially at the premium price). Hopefully with more time behind the wheel it will get better. Totally agree with the sentiment that the BMW DCT and Porsche PDK have spoiled me. I hope you figure it out, still a tremendous car.

 

Viperlaw is correct
Mine has that set up, but it also has the GT4 engine and the peened/polished gearbox so shifts are just as good as any of this double clutch malarky
Its a quantum leap on ASM3 as well

 

Omega don't dismiss it until you have tried it

 

I found that if i wait about 20 or 30 seconds before shifting after a startup it gives it time to kiss the clutch and every drive is pleasant.