Paddle shifters or tapshifters ARE different than simply moving the lever from D to 3 to 2 to 1 as the tapshifters will more quickly move the transmission into the gear you select, and will keep it there until you select another gear. For example in a 4-speed auto with 4 being OD, if you shift into 3 all you are doing is shutting off OD and the tranny will still start at 1 or 2 from a stop and upshift when it deems necessary, not when you desire. And if you have ever downshifted manually a traditional automatic transmission you know there is a big delay between shifts and the engine rpms have to drop considerably before engagement. Some older trans with vacuum operated components could be tricked into early shifting by blipping the throttle which would change the vacuum to teh tranny and trick it.

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When more than one friend wants to ride shotgun

No, I do not work for GM,
but if I did, the G8 ST would not be DOA!