Darn right that manuals are more fun to drive!
Actually one feature on automatic transmission vehicles that I don't particularly care about is the "semi-automatic" (or "semi manual" as I like to call them) paddle or sequential shifting. Most cars that have them respond very slowly and/or treat the driver's commands as mere suggestions. That is, they prevent you from dropping the revs too low or too high and decide shift on their own anyway. A lot of these semi-auto gearboxes are programmed for "sporty" shifting; you can get actually engage overdrive earlier by leaving the car drive and using light throttle inputs. What's the point, then? Just leave it in drive.
That said, I've never driven a car with a DSG automatic. That may be a different experience to what I've just mentioned.
In stop-and-go heavy traffic, I actually prefer feathering the clutch to riding on the brakes. It's just that heavy clutches and shifters are quite literally a real pain. I can now kick harder with my left foot after three years of driving a Toyota Revo (a small truck-based vehicle that is only available in Southeast Asia and a few other countries). The Mirage's feather light clutch and short, light throws leave me much less exhausted after driving through the rush hour congestion.
Now that I think about it, when I drive the CVT Jazz in traffic I actually turn on the semi-auto button shift. I use it to force the box to use a shorter ratio so that it'll keep up with the traffic flow, otherwise it accelerates with the engine at idle speed. Prevents me from having to brake.
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View my fuel log 2012 Mirage GLS 1.2 manual: 33.3 mpg (US) ... 14.1 km/L ... 7.1 L/100 km ... 40.0 mpg (Imp)