: I disagree that the time it takes to manually shift a car more than outweighs the perfomance loss caused by the slushbox. Anyone who has driven a stick for any amount of time can shift plenty fast enough such that they will easily be able to outpace an automatic equipped car of the same make. If someone is one of the few people that cannot do this, then yes, I agree that an automatic transmisison may be best for that person.

: The last time I was at a drag strip (Pomona, not too long ago), I saw EVERY funny car and top fuel car being shifted by the driver. I did not see a torque converter in ANY of these cars. Do you know what 3000 hp would do to a torque converter? Plus, some of the street rods use automatics, but they don't need to downshift, power out of turns, etc. (see "car control," above).

: If you think a manual trans and clutch will need to be replaced in 10,000 miles of performance driving, and an automatic would be more durable during the same type of driving, you've got another thing coming. This is from someone that has had to replace 3 automatic transmissions in BMWs in the last 15 years, all with less than 60,000 miles. (yes, I have had automatic cars, like I said, they are fine, but I don't kid myself into thinking they are a "performance" choice).

: : ...was not to compare F1 trans to BMW step.

: : It WAS to illustrate the fact that manually shifting a car is a very slow process compared to how fast the computer can shift it when requested to do so from the driver. (no, i'm not talking about fully automatic mode, for all of you who STILL don't know how step works)

: : ALSO, i'm trying to point out that the driveline losses are probably MORE than compensated for when you can have your car shift this fast. For many (most?) drivers, it's not a contest, unless (as pointed out before) they wanna replace their shift linkages and clutches every 10,000 miles.

: : OK, so we don't wanna compare F1 to BMW step. Let's look at a typical car raced at any dragstrip. ALMOST ALL of the fast modified street cars at any drag race are automatics.

: : Those guys spend TONS of money trying to shave off the next 0.1s from their 1/4 time, their 60ft time, etc. Don't you think they'd be using the faster transmission if stick was faster?!?! of course they would, and even the manual drivers will tell you the manual is a huge reason why their cars arent faster.

: : I like manuals too, but don't kid yourself... there aren't many places where it's preferrable to be driving one to a modern automatic like BMW's (well, GM's) steptronic.

: : I'VE OWNED BOTH TYPES OF E46'S! Without question, this steptronic is faster for me...and yes, I can drive a manual!

: : Not to mention the really lame-o clutch in the E46 either...try an E36 M3 if you wanna know how that ZF trans is supposed to feel.