Lexus LC500

[12,000 RPM]

If you are confused by paddles you shouldn't be driving imo

[Vinsanity]

I don't think I can even tell you (yet) where the shifter paddles on the Merc are mounted. To be fair, I've only taken it on a twisty road exactly once. And even then, I had to turn back around after 10 minutes because there were stopped cars up ahead due to weather conditions.

I do use them to downshift coming to a red light, though.

[Eye of the Tiger]

If you are confused by paddles you shouldn't be driving imo

Primary controls should not spin around to end up in different locations, upside down, inaccessible, or requiring the use of alternating hands depending on steering angle. This is not an F1 car with a half turn lock-to-lock. This is a street car. There should be no question as to whether or not a primary control is confusing, and steering wheel shifters are. The only reason manufacturers get away with this lazy solution is because there is an automatic mode and/or a console shifer.

[Cookie Monster]

If you are confused by paddles you shouldn't be driving imo

So I'm assuming you'd like steering mounted turn signals as well?

[12,000 RPM]

Primary controls should not spin around to end up in different locations, upside down, inaccessible, or requiring the use of alternating hands depending on steering angle. This is not an F1 car with a half turn lock-to-lock. This is a street car. There should be no question as to whether or not a primary control is confusing, and steering wheel shifters are. The only reason manufacturers get away with this lazy solution is because there is an automatic mode and/or a console shifer.

Paddle shifters in a street car are not primary controls. For example you can't go into reverse with paddle shifters. They're in the same category as shit like radio controls or cruise control.

So I'm assuming you'd like steering mounted turn signals as well?

You operate your turn signals in the middle of a turn?

[CaminoRacer]

Well they are called TURN signals...

[Rich]

You operate your turn signals in the middle of a turn?

Yeah. 


I get steering mounted paddles for track driving.  If it's a high performance car, the wheel shouldn't be any more than 90* and the hands don't need to be moved around

On the street though, not everyone has their hands at 9-3, especially if a shift is needed when pulling out of a 90* turn to assist in minimizing wheelspin or maximizing wheelspin, parking lots.. plenty of examples where the hand positions need to be adjusted away from 9-3, but a shift may be wanted.

[68_427]

Luckily this car has 10 gears so chances are unless you're a dumbass whatever gear you're in should be fine.  Oh you wanted 4th gear?  Meh 5th will do

[12,000 RPM]

Yeah. 


I get steering mounted paddles for track driving.  If it's a high performance car, the wheel shouldn't be any more than 90* and the hands don't need to be moved around

On the street though, not everyone has their hands at 9-3, especially if a shift is needed when pulling out of a 90* turn to assist in minimizing wheelspin or maximizing wheelspin, parking lots.. plenty of examples where the hand positions need to be adjusted away from 9-3, but a shift may be wanted.

This kind of wheelspin can be managed with patience.....

[Eye of the Tiger]

I would like to try driving a 13-speed tractor-trailer with steering wheel paddles.

[MrH]

I'm still not quite buying it.... when are you shifting gears with the wheel turned >120 or so degrees?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DE5UJa2q2js

!  You driving a video game on a track is not a good representation of what we're talking about at all.

[Raza]

Matt's a watch guy like yourself.  He's posted some things on his Instagram periodically.  And it's a regular auto but with paddle shifters.

Nice.  I posted the vid over at my watch forum, and people seem to be in consensus that it's the vintage steel GMT with the anodized aluminum bezel and not the current model in white gold with a ceramic bezel.  That's taste.  Those old Pepsi GMTs are sought after.  The new ones aren't as appetizing, partly because the white gold makes it feel less of a usable watch (and really increases the weight, if my experience with solid gold watches is consistent), and it also pushes the price up to around $39,000.  Which is a lot, when the steel version (not offered in that color anymore) costs $8,300 for the all black bezel (getting blue/black pushes the price to $9,900, which is a similarly ridiculous price increase just for a two color bezel.  I mean, $1,600 just for a a bit of blue on the bezel?  That's insane; you can get a whole, very good watch for $1600).

[Raza]

If you like youtube car reviews he's one of the better ones. His signature format is his "one takes," where he ad-libs a review on the spot while driving canyons. He's not the harshest reviewer but that just seems to be his personality. He also reviews a lot of older cars, built cars, and customs, which is nice change of pace from the cookie-cutter format of a lot of these guys.

About ~1/2 of his reviews are done with owners. Some are a little awkward, but even the socially inept owners tend to open up and give neat insights into their rides.

That's cool.  These days, I tend to be like those guys who sit around and watch ESPN Classic all day.  I mostly just watch old episodes of Top Gear.  But I'll give this guy a try.  Not everyone needs to be the Simon Cowell of their given profession. 

[Eye of the Tiger]

Nice.  I posted the vid over at my watch forum, and people seem to be in consensus that it's the vintage steel GMT with the anodized aluminum bezel and not the current model in white gold with a ceramic bezel.  That's taste.  Those old Pepsi GMTs are sought after.  The new ones aren't as appetizing, partly because the white gold makes it feel less of a usable watch (and really increases the weight, if my experience with solid gold watches is consistent), and it also pushes the price up to around $39,000.  Which is a lot, when the steel version (not offered in that color anymore) costs $8,300 for the all black bezel (getting blue/black pushes the price to $9,900, which is a similarly ridiculous price increase just for a two color bezel.  I mean, $1,600 just for a a bit of blue on the bezel?  That's insane; you can get a whole, very good watch for $1600).

I find the GMT to be hit or miss in many categories, but do prefer the early GMT 400 as the best compromise between technology and serviceability.

[Raza]

I'm still not quite buying it.... when are you shifting gears with the wheel turned >120 or so degrees?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DE5UJa2q2js

You wobbly ass motherfucker.....


I generally prefer column-mounted paddles, because I think they're more practical more of the time.  I mean, I prefer no paddles and three pedals instead, but increasingly that's just me.  For track driving, maybe it makes sense to have them wheel mounted.  But I did notice that you actually did shift your hands on the wheel quite a bit.  Seems like your natural driving position is more like 10 and 2, but you had to shuffle down to 9 and 3 for shifting.  Not a big thing, but I saw that. 

[Raza]

I find the GMT to be hit or miss in many categories, but do prefer the early GMT 400 as the best compromise between technology and serviceability.

The GMT400 is a good all around piece of equipment. 

[giant_mtb]

I'm still not quite buying it.... when are you shifting gears with the wheel turned >120 or so degrees?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DE5UJa2q2js

"Ohhhh fuck"

[FoMoJo]

You wobbly ass motherfucker.....


I generally prefer column-mounted paddles, because I think they're more practical more of the time.  I mean, I prefer no paddles and three pedals instead, but increasingly that's just me.  For track driving, maybe it makes sense to have them wheel mounted.  But I did notice that you actually did shift your hands on the wheel quite a bit.  Seems like your natural driving position is more like 10 and 2, but you had to shuffle down to 9 and 3 for shifting.  Not a big thing, but I saw that. 

Triangulation .

[Raza]

Triangulation .

I drive at 9 and 3.  I never found 10 and 2 all that comfortable. 

[dazzleman]

I drive at 9 and 3.  I never found 10 and 2 all that comfortable.

10 and 2 is more more conservative drivers.  9 and 3 drivers are more aggressive, in my experience.

I switch according to mood.  When I am in a more sedate mood, I do 10 and 2.  When I want to open it up, I lean to 9 and 3.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I drive at all times.

[dazzleman]

I drive at all times.

But you're a shity driver...

[565]

The G37xS has them on the column, and I originally thought these would be the way to go, but after using them for a few years, I much prefer wheel mounted ones.  Column mounted ones seem better in theory because they are always in the same place, but in real life they are annoying to use unless the wheel is dead straight, and when you are driving hard, rarely is the steering wheel perfectly straight.  You are always hunting/thinking about where the paddles are in relation to your wheel because mostly your hands don't leave their positions on the wheel.  The GT-R recently went from column mounted ones to wheel mounted ones because the column mounted ones were not popular.

[Eye of the Tiger]

But you're a shity driver...

You can't count my go kart times. Those things are rigged. 

[FoMoJo]

I drive at 9 and 3.  I never found 10 and 2 all that comfortable. 

I meant to fix his rickety frame holding the steering wheel.

[Raza]

I meant to fix his rickety frame holding the steering wheel.

Oh. I thought you were tracking his cell phone.