Manual or Automatic?

[Rodimus Prime]

I don't understand the preference for autos maybe in non stop traffic but you give up a lot of control and about 15% efficiency. Still each to their own I guess.

That is a false statement. Back in the day they where. At high way speeds the car goes into overdrive and the trany and the axial to the wheels physically lock together so you do not have any huge loss.

Also we are quickly approaching a point in time where an Auto will get better fuel millage than an manual. Reason for it is because a computer will always shift at the correct point. A human will not. A computer shift will be better than any human can pull off.
Autos do not lose nearly as much as they use to for the engine to run.

That being said Manual all the way for me. I drive a 6 speed manual for my car and greatly enjoy it. I really only hate it in stop and go traffic where I hardly ever make it out of first or 2nd gear. I believe I been driving a manual for my car since I was 15 and I am 24 now.

The control a manual gives is nice. But like others have said manuals have their place and are really nice when you have to constatelly be shifting.

Oh lastly manual suck for dates. They require the use of both hands....

 

[SkyBell]

Oh lastly manual suck for dates. They require the use of both hands....

Haha..reminds me of a story my mom told me, where she dated a guy who drove a manual, had his right arm around her, and in a horrible attempt to impress her, said "watch this" and proceeded to do the gear shifting with his left arm.

But for me, manual for the win. Can't explain why, I just prefer it.

 

[furious]

I can drive a manual - but for my purposes (just pottering around town etc.) an automatic is much more convenient.

:word: turn the ignition place in drive and go.

 

[Church]

I just bought a new Altima v6 with CVT, get it friday! But the CVT is pretty much the reason I chose the Altima over the Camry. The engine is why I chose the Altima over the Accord (cuts off 3 cylinders, illogical and unnecessary). So it was almost the easiest decision I've ever made, plus I got a discount through my friend's dad, w00t!

 

[yg17]

Right now I have an auto, which I hate. Even though my auto has the stupid little tiptronic gimmick, I still hate it. Tiptronic is hardly a replacement for a manual. The only thing it comes in handy for is when I want to be a dumbass and redline every gear when taking off from a stop.

My next car will be a manual. I'm 99.99% sure I'm going to get a GTI, and everyone's telling me to get a DSG, and while I'll admit that an 8ms shift time is amazing, and the fact that the tranny in a car for under $25,000 will shift just as quickly as the tranny in the $1.5 million Bugatti is even more amazing, and no human could ever possibly shift a manual that quickly, pressing a button to shift gears just isn't as fun. I'm not buying the car for its 0-60 time. I'm buying it to have fun, and I'll have more fun in a manual than with a DSG, even if the DSG is ungodly fast at shipping

Oh, and to answer the question, no I actually can't drive a manual. Never done it. I know the process and think after a bit of practice I'd have no problems, I've just never actually done it. Closest thing is my stupid tiptronic, and the only thing that's good for is helping you learn when to shift without screwing up your engine (since, at least on my car, tiptronic will ignore you if you try to do something dumb like shift to 1st gear at 80 miles an hour)

 

[Nugget]

DSG is technically superior to a manual and in nearly any case is going to result in quicker acceleration and better lap times.

I don't care.

It sure as heck isn't as much fun or as involving as a proper manual.

 

[Counterfit]

I'd certainly hope I'm comfortable with manual, seeing as I'm nearing 21k miles in just over a year...

I learned on a Plymouth Valiant with "3 on the tree". That's a three speed transmission, with a steering column mounted shift lever. I'm guessing most of you have never seen one.

My father learned on one of those. (Well, maybe it was a Dodge...)

The engine is why I chose the Altima over the Accord (cuts off 3 cylinders, illogical and unnecessary).

Illogical? That's 3 fewer cylinders you need to put fuel into under light loads on the highway.



Anyways, I'd take a DSG (or DSG-like) transmission over a manual any day. 8ms shifts, not upsetting the car mid-corner shifts, and not really having to worry about botched shifts (although you still have to make sure you pick the right gear, right Mika? ).

 

[bousozoku]

I shouldn't talk to people in the car while I am driving....

I think there should be some new laws
1) Driver has to be in a soundproof case
2) Radios can only be operated when the car is at 0mph.

Cell phone I agree with you. I've seen too many people on their cell phone not paying attention.

People are far too distracted and the radio and other people in the car are distractions. Some states do have laws that require teens to limit driving around without an adult until a certain age or during certain hours.

I'm not just talking about teens; I'm talking about everyone. People are far too distracted on the road and automatic transmissions just facilitate that detached feeling of responsibility.

The mother who's completely turned toward the back seat to check on her baby and has veered into the next lane is just as bad as the person who has their Day Timer open to look up a number to dial on the phone. That's as bad as the person eating the burger behind the woman putting on make up and driving with her knees.

I'd be happy if you had to use the steering wheel with both hands to accelerate. The woman in the late next to me the other day wouldn't have been going anywhere since her cigarette hand was out the window and her other hand was holding the phone to her ear. Funny, those people always wonder why you're beeping the horn at them when they're in your lane.

I know, I go too far sometimes.

 

[srf4real]

I agree. The other day I was driving next to a woman who was talking on her phone and applying lipstick in her rear view mirror... she swerved erratically for some reason and as I was reacting I dropped the donut I was eating into my cup of hot coffee which was between my legs which made me jump and spill hot coffee all over my radio remote and cell phone in the console. I was soo pissed, I honked my horn at her but she didn't even notice that I was in the lane next to her.

 

[true777]

Automatic all the way -- and I'm a fast driver.
I find the task of manually shifting completely useless when an automatic can do it for you just as well. Complete waste of energy.

I'll take a 7-speed driver-adapting automatic any day -- you barely notice the shifts, and it adapts to your driving style SO well. It feels like the car just DRIVES. Drives just the way you want it, without any nervous fumbling on the gearshift -- elegant, simple, effortless.

Plus -- it makes holding hands and making out while driving so much easier, how could anyone not want it?

I was an average driver as long as I drove manual, and have turned into an excellent driver since driving automatic -- it just leaves more mental energies for the other aspects of driving well.

 

[pjarvi]

I can drive with a manual in 1st gear, and even managed to shift into 2nd gear once, but once I got to drive an automatic I never looked back. It's annoying driving behind people with manual transmissions. I keep having to take my foot off the gas and coast for a bit while waiting for them to shift gears and get back to accelerating.

 

[d_and_n5000]

Well, I'm too young to drive and therefore don't have any experience in either autos or manuals, but if I can help it, I want to go manual. Cars are less expensive in and of themselves, plus I would have more control over how the car performs.

Plus, what girl doesn't like a guy that can drive stick?

 

[FredAkbar]

I learned on an automatic, got my license etc., then learned stick, and have never looked back (my '97 Jetta, which I love, is a 5-speed). I think this is the easiest way to do it; that way you can learn to control the car, handle driving in traffic, etc., and then learn the clutch/gearshifting once you've got the first bit down. I would think that learning everything at once can be kind of hard, though maybe it's better for you in the long run?

 

[FrankBlack]

Well, I'm too young to drive and therefore don't have any experience in either autos or manuals, but if I can help it, I want to go manual. Cars are less expensive in and of themselves, plus I would have more control over how the car performs.

Plus, what girl doesn't like a guy that can drive stick?

Now who could argue with this? Well done!

When the time comes, learn to drive manual. You'll like it. Bear in mind, the learning curve varies from person to person, so give it time.

As for Date Situations, well, there are these things called Motels,,,,,

 

[devilot]

My car's a 6-speed manual. You'd think that I'd be an okay driver for having this car for 3+ years but I really don't drive all that much. Hell, I can't even rev match.

That said, I've grown accustomed to driving a manual in the sense that it's almost a crutch. Like braking-- it's convenient that the second you take your foot off the accelerator, the car starts to slow. (Works particularly well if you notice the popo and wanna slow down w/out blatant brake lights )

 

[siurpeeman]

Plus, what girl doesn't like a guy that can drive stick?

it's much more appealing when a girl knows how to drive manual. it's especially neat when the girl does and the guy doesn't.

 

[walangij]

I can drive with a manual in 1st gear, and even managed to shift into 2nd gear once, but once I got to drive an automatic I never looked back. It's annoying driving behind people with manual transmissions. I keep having to take my foot off the gas and coast for a bit while waiting for them to shift gears and get back to accelerating.

Lol, I get annoyed at the people who tailgate after a stoplight as I shift from 1st to 2nd b/c I don't want to shift at 5000 RPM (with a loud turbo whine/exhaust) at 35mph, I'd rather shift 3000 RPM at 25mph.

Anyways, I'd take a DSG (or DSG-like) transmission over a manual any day. 8ms shifts, not upsetting the car mid-corner shifts, and not really having to worry about botched shifts (although you still have to make sure you pick the right gear, right Mika? ).

I will take a DSG over my 6spd now. I didn't like the DSG first, but after hours and hours in traffic I wish I opted for it instead. I mean I love my MT but my brother's DSG is just as fun, even more fun than rowing through the gears sometimes, but that's just my opinion.

My next car will be a manual. I'm 99.99% sure I'm going to get a GTI, and everyone's telling me to get a DSG, and while I'll admit that an 8ms shift time is amazing, and the fact that the tranny in a car for under $25,000 will shift just as quickly as the tranny in the $1.5 million Bugatti is even more amazing, and no human could ever possibly shift a manual that quickly, pressing a button to shift gears just isn't as fun. I'm not buying the car for its 0-60 time. I'm buying it to have fun, and I'll have more fun in a manual than with a DSG, even if the DSG is ungodly fast at shipping

Oh, and to answer the question, no I actually can't drive a manual. Never done it. I know the process and think after a bit of practice I'd have no problems, I've just never actually done it. Closest thing is my stupid tiptronic, and the only thing that's good for is helping you learn when to shift without screwing up your engine (since, at least on my car, tiptronic will ignore you if you try to do something dumb like shift to 1st gear at 80 miles an hour)

I hope you get the GTI, I "learned" how to drive a manual on the MKV GTI, the clutch has a pretty long travel distance, and it's not as forgiving as a Honda MT, but it's really a great solid transmission and still fun (except in traffic, esp. traffic on hills lol). It took a day to get used to and a month to perfect, I just hope I didn't wear out the clutch too much, we'll see what mileage I'll have to replace it though lol, I should start saving for it now b/c it won't be cheap.

 

[Macmaniac]

I drive a 1988 Volvo 240DL 5 speed manual, I love this car, sometimes my dad is nice enough to let me drive his 3 series, stick makes this baby fly

 

[Nugget]

it's much more appealing when a girl knows how to drive manual. it's especially neat when the girl does and the guy doesn't.

My girlfriend kicks my ass when we autocross. It's gone past "appealing" and it's just plain "embarassing." She's a great driver.

 

[bousozoku]

I drive a 1988 Volvo 240DL 5 speed manual, I love this car, sometimes my dad is nice enough to let me drive his 3 series, stick makes this baby fly

Too bad your Volvo is about 8 years too new. When Volvo used to claim the number of doors (242, 244, 245) in their cars, they had an electric overdrive on top of the 4 forward gears. It took some practice to use it.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

I can drive with a manual in 1st gear, and even managed to shift into 2nd gear once, but once I got to drive an automatic I never looked back. It's annoying driving behind people with manual transmissions. I keep having to take my foot off the gas and coast for a bit while waiting for them to shift gears and get back to accelerating.

well I find that hard to believe because unless you are really flooring your car an manual will out accelerated a automatic. Plus lets see a slow shift for a stick shift driver is as just long enough for the front of the car to drop some what close to level but the fact that at the same amount of power out put from the engine a manual will pick up faster than an automatic due to the fact that the engine and the tranny are lock together. In an auto the engine and the tranny are not lock together plus more power is lost in the tranny.

I bet unless you knew my car was a manual you would never really even noticed if you where behind me.

Plus based on your post you can not really drive a stick so you would not understand how quick the shift really are. the time it takes to go from first to 2nd in a manual is not much slower than it takes an auto to do it. Now when some one kills their car in a manual that is another story and that just annoying everyone involved including the driver who killed his or her car.

 

[progx]

Manual Jeep Cherokee. Love it.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

I have driven a standard one time. After stalling like 5 times I got the hang of it, and I didn't even have a problem stopping and starting on hills. I'm quite a natural .

I just found it frightening to drive though. At the same time you have to think about steering, shifting, putting in the clutch, getting ready for the brakes, pressing the gas pedal, and being aware of whats around you. It's overwhelming. Wish me luck trying to talk to people, change the radio, etc.

I guess it's something you get used to though. I drove for literally 15 minutes.

It was fun to drive but in everyday driving I think I would prefer an automatic.

I might like to point out that the extra thinking part about shifting and the clutch goes a way fairly quickly. Hell I have not though about dealing with shifting in years when I been driving a manual. Now when it cruising I tend to think about what gear I am in and check it by glancing at my RPM gauge.
Now most of that list you put seem to be problems rookie drivers have. They get over whelmed just driving. New drivers are trying to process all that information and not gained the ability filter out information from the road, and let the sub con. deal with a lot. Hitting the brake preparing for the brake gas ect I quite thinking about a very long time ago.

Driving I think is more about knowing what to look for and what is ok.

As for the radio controls. Yeah one in theory should not mess with them but it is also a good idea to be able to control it with looking at it. Presets are great for that.

Perhaps in Oxfords. you don't get a lot of snow and ice but in a lot of the U.S.A., there is. It's not difficult to get up a steep hill when it's dry and maybe even when it's raining lightly, but turn the temperature to just above the freeze/thaw point and you have a lot of fun you shouldn't want, especially in traffic. I've had to do it but I'd rather not do it again.



You shouldn't be talking to people or playing with the radio or dialing a phone while you're driving.

Personally I find a manual a heck of a lot easier to drive in snow and ice than a auto. The big reason is I can shift to a higher gear and put a lot less torque on the road which means less wheel slippiage. Plus the clutch is another great tool for controlling it. That is something an auto can not do. Last year there was one day I had to drive to school and 1st and 2nd gear where worthless. I was using 3rd and 4th for all starting along with driving. I was still having trouble keeping my wheels from braking loose and spinning in 3rd and 4th gear. In 1st and 2nd if I even tried to move in them all I did was spin. Man that day sucked. I had several of those days to deal with during the course of the last year.

 

[jalagl]

Manual.
But I like the way some semi-automatics behave, specially the Mazdas and Audis.

 

[MK2007]

Choosing manual or automatic depends on the traffic in your area. In big city such as where I live you would have to be insane to choose manual transmission. The constant shifting at the lowest gears would not only be boring, it would be quite a nuisance on the morning and evening commute.