Golf mk7 gtd dsg or manual?

[hog_hedge]

I’m going to go against the grain here and vote for DSG

It’s effortless, faster, easy to control once you’ve mastered it, and you can eat a cheeseburger whilst navigating roundabouts.

Along with auto hold the car is turned into a go kart, you either stop or you go and no other funny business.

[P6GTD]

So here’s the thing..... it took me 5k to fall in love with my DSG.
At 9k my doubt is no more.
How on earth can a DSG novice decide if they prefer it or not on an average “test drive”?
Best advice I think is to rely on the opinion of like minded owners.
Incidentally I took a deep breath and bought a set of silver Raceline paddles to fit on day 1.
Now I have forgotten the ridiculous price I absolutely love ‘em. They are in daily use of course.
Versatility of DSG is amazing if your really learn it and really use all modes regularly. A range of horses for courses available.

[P6GTD]

An amusing anecdote to balance things.
My pal let me drive his BMW 330D down the A9 from Wick to Perth before I ever owned my own auto (DSG).
I said I really liked using the paddles on the BMW for lightning overtakes. He said he had no idea what I was talking about ...what paddles??
I suspect 95% of all VW car owners just stick the DSG in D and leave it there all the time.
Behind that lies a b clever piece of VAG kit.

[fredgroves]

I've had autos over the years from time to time - never long term, but as loaners from bodyshops when my car was banged up.

At first, they seem strange and you don't feel in control. Which is why a test drive isn't going to settle it.

After a couple of days you get used to the lazyness and love the feeling of driving in traffic effortlessly.

When you give it back and go back to manual you think urrrgh.

Only four things I can say that are bad about autos:

1) In the past their fuel economy was truly dreadful vs manual
2) In the past the horrible wallowy feeling of a sloppy auto box causing the car to jolt and lurch
3) In the past the terrible performance of auto vs manual
4) The extra cost of buying an auto vs manual

A Mk7.x Golf DSG does not suffer from 1-3.

#4 is still a problem but VW are solving that one for you going forward, by only offering DSG.

Might as well get used to it now - electric milkfloats cars don't have gearboxes.

[Exonian]

I don’t think a manual gearbox is remotely archaic.
It’s a physical interaction between a human and a machine.
It’s like saying washing a car by hand is archaic.
Both of those things are very satisfying and rewarding if done properly.

However if doing 25k a year then a DSG would be the sensible choice as much as the engine chosen to perform the job. A GTD DSG would fill the role perfectly IMO.