Civic 1.8L paddle shift in Singapore

tanwn · 09-17-2006, 09:57 AM

hi, i am in a dilema. I currently own a prelude manual and will be getting a new civic 1.8L. In Singapore they offer the 1.8L in manual and auto with paddle shift on the steering wheel. The difference is US$600. Now i always love manual but would like the convenience of the auto and do not mind compromising since it has paddle shift. I know you guys out there will say manual is the way to go which i agree but how is the paddle shift performance? I can live with the slight loss but my question is if i were to get the auto paddle shift, is it okay if i race the engine once in a while with the paddle shift? People always say you shouldn't shift an auto manually too often or u might do harm in the long run, does this apply to an auto with paddle shift? thanks

Wakko · 09-18-2006, 02:13 AM

Here in Brazil we have this option for the EX model too. I had a test drive on it, and I really liked it. Response is great, it´s not like the tiptronic you find at Audi´s or Golf´s, that you change the gear and some hours later you get response from it..hehehehe...

Remeber that the car is automatic, but it´s not the same thing as a automatic LX. At the EX model, you have sequencial shift, at the LX you don´t.

Cheers.

**Yodums** · 09-18-2006, 03:14 PM

You can also try talking to "Pengful." He is located in Singapore and has paddle shifts as well. Try taking it for a test drive and see what happens. I'm pretty confident the software is pretty weak though and probably not comparable to something like a DSG.

pengful · 09-22-2006, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yodums

You can also try talking to "Pengful." He is located in Singapore and has paddle shifts as well. Try taking it for a test drive and see what happens. I'm pretty confident the software is pretty weak though and probably not comparable to something like a DSG.

Hee hee hee...... Me?

My advice is this.... folks on manual will ALWAYS stay on manual. No paddle-shifting is going to convince you it'll perform better than the "stick". I have always been and "Auto" person so paddle-shifts were a welcoming change. I enjoy the paddle-shifts better than the tiptronic gear shifts.

Of course, this is personal opinion.

Type_R_Nammer · 09-22-2006, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pengful

Hee hee hee...... Me?

My advice is this.... folks on manual will ALWAYS stay on manual. No paddle-shifting is going to convince you it'll perform better than the "stick". I have always been and "Auto" person so paddle-shifts were a welcoming change. I enjoy the paddle-shifts better than the tiptronic gear shifts.

Of course, this is personal opinion.

I actually prefer the RSX style tip tronic, but I guess paddle shifters will do for me.

Kakashi · 09-22-2006, 12:27 PM

i drive my Auto LX sequentially, its fine really, until u need to get 4th, its really hard to redline in 4th (D) running stock.

CivicWithNav · 09-22-2006, 05:37 PM

i looked into it but i dunno if it's possible

Kakashi · 09-22-2006, 05:40 PM

its possible to get paddles stock, i guess for added 600 dollar sticker price, which isnt too bad IMO. Must feel kinda wierd with the wheel tho..

SuperShale · 09-22-2006, 07:05 PM

The paddle shifters for the fit are beautiful for aggressive driving, and the car handles the whole shabang well. I would do the paddle shifters, and not worry about how much you use 'em.

Kakashi · 09-25-2006, 12:00 PM

one thing that i could never really get the hang of..driving with both hands on the wheel, man that feels wierd as shit.

pengful · 09-25-2006, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kakashi

one thing that i could never really get the hang of..driving with both hands on the wheel, man that feels wierd as shit.

Yeah, wait til you got to press the horn.

sandeep108 · 09-26-2006, 10:03 AM

I have an AT with the paddle shifts. I have driven manual for >20 years. An AT is an AT. The power in an AT somewhat comes through in a mushy manner. But I must say this Civic AT is really smooth and quite intelligent. The paddles turn with the steering so when turning you need to be careful otherwise you might downshift instead. I am currently enjoying being lazy and have not really needed to use the paddles much. The normal D mode always seems to know what you want to do. Also if you put it in S mode without touching the paddles, it will shift at higher rpms.

I suggest you test drive both before you decide. I felt a bit of throttle lag in the MT and liked the laziness of the AT so went for it.

tanwn · 09-29-2006, 10:51 PM

ok here's my verdict, I managed to test drive a 1.8L paddle shift, a 1.8L manual and also a 2.0 manual.

comments:
This is my personal opinion, there are advantage to both manual and auto and it all depends on what is more important to you, comfort or performance. So read on:
However much I tried to force myself to love the paddle shift, it just does not have the real direct feel of a manual. There is definitely a slight reduction in power, maybe 1 to 2 secs? That alone is a difference of 3 to 5 car lengths. Next if you were to do a 180 degree turn or beyond and decide to shift gear, you may be in an awkward position to change the gear. It's great to have paddle shift but seriously for those whereby performance comes first before comfort my suggestion is to go manual. The 2.0L manual after 5K rpm has definitely more power in reserve and torque but on singapore road, i'd be quite happy with the 1.8 manual. The car is quiet due to everything stock, but if the resonator can be removed without affecting the car or maybe a change in exhaust to provide a bit more growl in the engine, that would be perfect for me.

09-17-2006, 09:57 AM	#1 (permalink)
tanwn Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 15 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Civic 1.8L paddle shift in Singapore hi, i am in a dilema. I currently own a prelude manual and will be getting a new civic 1.8L. In Singapore they offer the 1.8L in manual and auto with paddle shift on the steering wheel. The difference is US$600. Now i always love manual but would like the convenience of the auto and do not mind compromising since it has paddle shift. I know you guys out there will say manual is the way to go which i agree but how is the paddle shift performance? I can live with the slight loss but my question is if i were to get the auto paddle shift, is it okay if i race the engine once in a while with the paddle shift? People always say you shouldn't shift an auto manually too often or u might do harm in the long run, does this apply to an auto with paddle shift? thanks

09-18-2006, 03:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
Yodums Scrodums Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 8,205 Hiro Nakamura iTrader: 9 / 100%	You can also try talking to "Pengful." He is located in Singapore and has paddle shifts as well. Try taking it for a test drive and see what happens. I'm pretty confident the software is pretty weak though and probably not comparable to something like a DSG. __________________ 2007 Taffeta White Civic Si Coupe

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09-18-2006, 02:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
Wakko Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Brazil Posts: 141 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Here in Brazil we have this option for the EX model too. I had a test drive on it, and I really liked it. Response is great, it´s not like the tiptronic you find at Audi´s or Golf´s, that you change the gear and some hours later you get response from it..hehehehe... Remeber that the car is automatic, but it´s not the same thing as a automatic LX. At the EX model, you have sequencial shift, at the LX you don´t. Cheers.

09-22-2006, 12:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
Kakashi Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Aurora CO Age: 21 Posts: 3,682 iTrader: 1 / 100%	i drive my Auto LX sequentially, its fine really, until u need to get 4th, its really hard to redline in 4th (D) running stock.

09-22-2006, 05:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
CivicWithNav Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Woodstock MD Posts: 2,575 iTrader: 13 / 100%	i looked into it but i dunno if it's possible

09-22-2006, 05:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
Kakashi Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Aurora CO Age: 21 Posts: 3,682 iTrader: 1 / 100%	its possible to get paddles stock, i guess for added 600 dollar sticker price, which isnt too bad IMO. Must feel kinda wierd with the wheel tho..

09-22-2006, 07:05 PM	#9 (permalink)
SuperShale Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 56 iTrader: 0 / 0%	The paddle shifters for the fit are beautiful for aggressive driving, and the car handles the whole shabang well. I would do the paddle shifters, and not worry about how much you use 'em.

09-25-2006, 12:00 PM	#10 (permalink)
Kakashi Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Aurora CO Age: 21 Posts: 3,682 iTrader: 1 / 100%	one thing that i could never really get the hang of..driving with both hands on the wheel, man that feels wierd as shit.

09-26-2006, 10:03 AM	#12 (permalink)
sandeep108 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 117 iTrader: 0 / 0%	I have an AT with the paddle shifts. I have driven manual for >20 years. An AT is an AT. The power in an AT somewhat comes through in a mushy manner. But I must say this Civic AT is really smooth and quite intelligent. The paddles turn with the steering so when turning you need to be careful otherwise you might downshift instead. I am currently enjoying being lazy and have not really needed to use the paddles much. The normal D mode always seems to know what you want to do. Also if you put it in S mode without touching the paddles, it will shift at higher rpms. I suggest you test drive both before you decide. I felt a bit of throttle lag in the MT and liked the laziness of the AT so went for it.

09-29-2006, 10:51 PM	#13 (permalink)
tanwn Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 15 iTrader: 0 / 0%	ok here's my verdict, I managed to test drive a 1.8L paddle shift, a 1.8L manual and also a 2.0 manual. comments: This is my personal opinion, there are advantage to both manual and auto and it all depends on what is more important to you, comfort or performance. So read on: However much I tried to force myself to love the paddle shift, it just does not have the real direct feel of a manual. There is definitely a slight reduction in power, maybe 1 to 2 secs? That alone is a difference of 3 to 5 car lengths. Next if you were to do a 180 degree turn or beyond and decide to shift gear, you may be in an awkward position to change the gear. It's great to have paddle shift but seriously for those whereby performance comes first before comfort my suggestion is to go manual. The 2.0L manual after 5K rpm has definitely more power in reserve and torque but on singapore road, i'd be quite happy with the 1.8 manual. The car is quiet due to everything stock, but if the resonator can be removed without affecting the car or maybe a change in exhaust to provide a bit more growl in the engine, that would be perfect for me.