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I'm a MT diehard (owned 9 cars in my life, 9 of which were MTs), and I'm trying to think what my must have feature is for an EV. Probably some sort of aggressi

I'm a MT diehard (owned 9 cars in my life, 9 of which were MTs), and I'm trying to think what my must have feature is for an EV. Probably some sort of aggressive or responsive driving mode. I mean, the reason I go with MTs is because I love how responsive it is. I still giggle when I'm driving around at 4000 RPMs and punch the throttle to get that instant thrust. Even with manual shifting modes on automatics, it's not the same because the torque converters mute this responsiveness. I've never driven a Tesla or anything, but I expect that they aren't so hyper-responsive under normal driving conditions because it would be pretty fatiguing to drive. Adding that back I think is must have for me to go full EV and not keep around a Miata or WRX for fun driving.

lastofthemojito 6y ago
My "save the manuals" score isn't as high as yours (I've owned 6 cars, 5 of which were stick-shift), but I do vastly prefer changing my own gears to automatics or CVTs. That said, if you get a chance to drive a Tesla or similar, try it out! I did a test drive and liked it more than I thought I would. To me, the throttle response felt immediate and direct, reminiscent of driving a manual-shift car in the correct gear. You're just ALWAYS in the correct gear! That being said, I suspect I'll probably do the same as you and keep a fun, old-fashioned ICE roadster in the garage for the occasional spin.
maxerickson 6y ago
The 2 motor Model 3 just about keeps up with a 500 HP Corvette in 50-70 times: https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a23685454/2018-tesla-model-3-dual-motor-performance-electric-car-acceleration/ https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a23685454/2018-tesla-mo... https://www.caranddriver.com/chevrolet/corvette https://www.caranddriver.com/chevrolet/corvette Smaller displacement ICE don't keep up. The Corvette has a dual clutch automatic, so no torque converter.
ascorbic 6y ago
I'm in the UK, so have only owned manual cars before I switched to EVs. I hate the lack of responsiveness on automatic transmission ICEs, but EVs are great, even cheaper ones. The power is instant. A Tesla has more torque than pretty much any ICE car.
jeddy3 6y ago
For anyone else wondering: MT is Manual Transmission
sib 6y ago
I think you should probably give it a try. Every car I've owned except for a $300 beater in college was manual transmission (including a modified WRX STi) and my Model 3 Performance is much more responsive to the "throttle" than any of them. The speed of electricity is much higher than fuel pumps and gasoline. And the regenerative braking does a pretty good imitation of a manual transmission's compression braking when you lift. Here's a quote from Car & Driver's review of the 2018 Model 3 P (which has since been made faster through software): "This Model 3 needed only 1.4 seconds to leap from 30 to 50 mph and just 2.0 seconds to get from 50 to 70. Never mind other sports sedans—they're not competitive by this measure. This Tesla's mid-range acceleration tops the performance of 700-hp sports cars like the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and Porsche 911 GT2 RS, in which there's a moment's delay while automatic transmissions downshift and engines rev up. And the Tesla does it without drama beyond the alarming way it pushes you back into the seat as the car closes on any traffic ahead. There's no jerk and no roar—plant your foot on the accelerator and it simply goes." https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a23685454/2018-tesla-model-3-dual-motor-performance-electric-car-acceleration/ https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a23685454/2018-tesla-mo...

lastofthemojito 6y ago

My "save the manuals" score isn't as high as yours (I've owned 6 cars, 5 of which were stick-shift), but I do vastly prefer changing my own gears to automatics or CVTs. That said, if you get a chance to drive a Tesla or similar, try it out! I did a test drive and liked it more than I thought I would. To me, the throttle response felt immediate and direct, reminiscent of driving a manual-shift car in the correct gear. You're just ALWAYS in the correct gear! That being said, I suspect I'll probably do the same as you and keep a fun, old-fashioned ICE roadster in the garage for the occasional spin.

maxerickson 6y ago

The 2 motor Model 3 just about keeps up with a 500 HP Corvette in 50-70 times: https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a23685454/2018-tesla-model-3-dual-motor-performance-electric-car-acceleration/ https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a23685454/2018-tesla-mo... https://www.caranddriver.com/chevrolet/corvette https://www.caranddriver.com/chevrolet/corvette Smaller displacement ICE don't keep up. The Corvette has a dual clutch automatic, so no torque converter.

ascorbic 6y ago

I'm in the UK, so have only owned manual cars before I switched to EVs. I hate the lack of responsiveness on automatic transmission ICEs, but EVs are great, even cheaper ones. The power is instant. A Tesla has more torque than pretty much any ICE car.

jeddy3 6y ago

For anyone else wondering: MT is Manual Transmission

sib 6y ago

I think you should probably give it a try. Every car I've owned except for a $300 beater in college was manual transmission (including a modified WRX STi) and my Model 3 Performance is much more responsive to the "throttle" than any of them. The speed of electricity is much higher than fuel pumps and gasoline. And the regenerative braking does a pretty good imitation of a manual transmission's compression braking when you lift. Here's a quote from Car & Driver's review of the 2018 Model 3 P (which has since been made faster through software): "This Model 3 needed only 1.4 seconds to leap from 30 to 50 mph and just 2.0 seconds to get from 50 to 70. Never mind other sports sedans—they're not competitive by this measure. This Tesla's mid-range acceleration tops the performance of 700-hp sports cars like the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and Porsche 911 GT2 RS, in which there's a moment's delay while automatic transmissions downshift and engines rev up. And the Tesla does it without drama beyond the alarming way it pushes you back into the seat as the car closes on any traffic ahead. There's no jerk and no roar—plant your foot on the accelerator and it simply goes." https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a23685454/2018-tesla-model-3-dual-motor-performance-electric-car-acceleration/ https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a23685454/2018-tesla-mo...