Thread: Automatic Transmission vs. Manual Transmission.

Originally Posted by chris0194

I don't own a car at the minute, but I've only ever drove manual cars, I like the fact that I feel in control and think an automatic would feel like you don't have complete control. I also think an automatic would make your left foot feel redundant, at least with a manual it has a use. Never tried an automatic mainly for those reasons so my biased opinion is towards manual.

How can you make a comparison if you've never experienced an automatic?

Originally Posted by chris0194

Here in the UK manuals are more common place at the minute, and it's more of a hunt to find an automatic. There are a fair few higher end cars that are only automatic but the cars in the everyday person's budget here are more often than not, a manual.

You make the UK sound like a third world country when it comes to automatic transmission - there are autos in every manufacturers range and price bracket.

I've driven for 35 years - the last 7 or 8 with an auto and much prefer it. It takes about 5 minutes to forget using your left foot.

I have had that moment, when initially driving an automatic, is looking for the stick with my left hand, only to find the door opening latch! :P

Originally Posted by UKRob

How can you make a comparison if you've never experienced an automatic?



You make the UK sound like a third world country when it comes to automatic transmission - there are autos in every manufacturers range and price bracket.

I've driven for 35 years - the last 7 or 8 with an auto and much prefer it. It takes about 5 minutes to forget using your left foot.

I can see where you're coming from and I know I can't make a comparison I was just stating my opinions from my own experience and from what I've heard from other people. For the second point, I was commenting from my observations, just when I look around garages yes there are affordable automatics, but probably about 80% of the cars available, that I've seen anyway, are manual. Maybe I just notice them more because that's what I look for.

I prefer a manual. They are better for snow and ice. More fun too.

Sad thing is, kids these days, dont even know how to drive sticks!

The only advantage of driving autos for me, is when I am drunk!

I like to think that I prefer a stick shift-- but every time I'm stuck in stop-and-go rush hour traffic, I'd give my middle nut for an automatic.

I've had one or another many times over my driving life. This past Thursday I bought an '05 Ford Focus ZX3 hatchback with a 5 speed manual. Selling the Ford E 250 van I've been driving since '01 ASAP. The van is auto trans with a V-8 and loves gasoline. This 4 cylinder Ford is a hoot to drive and I'm loving the manual after a dozen years of driving an automatic. Before i got the van I was driving a '97 F250 powerstroke diesel with a 5 speed manual. That was a hoot too.

Automatics have improved so much in recent years that the best of them can snap off shifts better than most drivers driving a manual transmission. I grew up on standard transmissions. Nothing beats the feeling of coming out of third gear at 110 miles an hour in a 1965 Dodge Hemi knowing that you have a 3.23 rear gear and a whole gear left. The problem is that we have automatics these days with V-6s that can do the same thing. And automatics sure are nice in the traffic some of us experience these days.

IMO Manual & Automatic Transmissions have always their pro´s & con´s, whats the best is still a question of the personal preference of the driver.
i prefer the manual transmission cause it makes me feel that i have more control of my car and it makes alot of fun using all posibilties the manual can give you (for example drifting, only possible on snow, i have only an lil Opel ).
But two hours of stop and go i wish my car was an automatic, driving throug traffic with an automatic is definitely more comfortable and relaxing.

Originally Posted by DarkKnight7096

I like standard transmission cars, I like having more control of my vehicle. Most people want automatic because they are easier. Nothing makes me angrier than walking through a parking lot, seeing a gorgeous Corvette, walking over to admire it, then seeing an automatic shifter.

Are You Sure That Wasnt The Wifes 'vette?