Well, I'm selling my 2002 Special edition 6 speed Miata for something much more practical, especially with the winters we get here in Chicago. I'm looking for a 2.0T Manual, it seems that the majority for sale are Automatic. My question is, if I do get an automatic...will I be happy with it? Will it still be "fun to drive" I've drove manual since I was 16, now 23 and if the car is still "fun" as an automatic I wouldn't mind making the switch. Let me know your thoughts, and is the 3.0 much different performance wise than the 2.0T?

 

I went from 12 years with a manual (Mustang) to the automatic in the A4. It doesn't quite have that launchability, but it doesn't bother me. It does have the tiptronic/multitronic/whatever you want to call it where you can shift it yourself--I use that on occasion to get my fix.

Just make sure you get the quattro--it has a real automatic transmission. The FWD models have a CVT.

 

I don't know about the quattro automatic, but I have driven the FWD CVT. I did not like it. I much prefer my manual quattro. The dealership in Kalamazoo Michigan near where I live has had 3 or 4 manual A4's in the last year or so. The 2.0t is easier to find than the 3.0. If you like to modd, you have to get the 2.0t. The 3.0 runs smoother at idle. The 2.0t will get better mileage. The automatic also seems to make any turbo lag more noticeable, at least with the CVT. I also like the fact that not many people can drive a manual, so they don't ask to drive my car. For the rest, I just fib a little say it has a finnicky clutch and transmission, though it doesn't, and then they don't want to drive it either.

 

For sure get the AWD if you get an AUTO as it will have the regular tiptronic. I hate my FWD CVT. Manuals are fun but auto is nice if you drive alot especially stop and go commuting.

 

2.0T quattro auto FTW. very fun to drive.

 

Take an auto for a test drive, and see if it's fun for you. Some people really prefer a manual, some are happy with auto.

 

I know back when I was first checking on buying a new A4 B7 I read the British and German reviews. They both agreed that the 6 speed manual was the best tranny for the A4 2.0T motor for getting the best performance. If the A4's came with the DSG transmission that would be another story. I drove a 2010 A3 loaner 1.8TFSI with the DSG transmission, and it was one of the best tranny's I have driven to date even with "only" 160hp from the 1.8TFSI engine. But with personal experiance driving a tiptronic and my current manual, I would take the manual tranny. Not to say the tiptronic is bad, it is not, I just prefer the manual since there was no DSG option. Stay away from the CVT unless you want to cruise with the local senior citizens, it is a comfort transmission and would be waste for your 2.0T.

 

I agree the DSG is amazing as I have one in my GTI 2.0t stage 2. Crazy. Too bad you can't get in the A4. If you like A3's though DSG is the only Auto you get. Wish my wife liked the A3 but she thought they looked funky.

 

I test drove a diesel Jetta wagon with the DSG, and liked the transmission. While the A3 can get the DSG, it unfortunatly can't be fitted with the Torsen center diff. You get the Haldex system, which only engages the rear wheels when slippage is detected, or as of 2009 or later accelerating from a stop. The rest of the time you are in front wheel drive dragging around a few hundred pounds of AWD equipment that is not doing anything.

 

I've put 30k on a 2006 2.0TQ Auto, I wanted the manual but settled for the auto because it was a good deal. The two issues I have are downshifting to slow down is a joke and why would you use the slushbox as a manual in the first place? Second and most noticeable is the vibration while sitting at a stoplight. When taken out of gear there is no vibration. "Rolling stops" will result in a disconnected feeling in the tranny. The 2.0T is an awfully sweet motor. That motor and the seats are the only things keeping me from liking my wifes 328xi more than the A4