Auto or Manual?

Schris22 · May 2006

Just wondering if you drive an auto or manual.

Only advantage of auto that I know of is convienance, especially in stop and go traffic.

I know so many manual lovers and these guys always tell me to buy a manual, I know manual has it's huge advantage in more control, gas mileage, initial cost.

If you drive an Automatic and switched from a manual, why? and Vice versa.

As you can see I'm semi bored @ work.

Chris

PolkThug · May 2006

If you're an 80lb weakling, get an automatic.

billbillw · May 2006

I'm on my 4th car in a row with a 5-speed manual. No plans to ever go with an automatic if I can help it.

Skynut · May 2006

if it is a station wagon then it is an automatic.
if it is a sports car then a manual.

Thats my rule of thumb.
My truck is an automatic/manual combo. (it goes both ways)

VR3 · May 2006

I only want a manual. I hate cars, but if I ever got one (sports) itd probally be a manual...

But I just like the convience of it.

Also, some newer automatics get better gas mileage than manuals.

danger boy · May 2006

i've always had manual cars.. this is only my second automatic. Yeah automatics are easier.. but manuals are ok too, untill you have to replace the clutch. ugh.

My truck is a manual. my cars are both automatics.

I"m with sky.. if you own a sports car. it's gotta be a manual. if you drive a automatic sports car.. you should be publicly flogged.

jcaut · May 2006

I voted manual, but it kinda depends on the particular vehicle we're talking about. I have (actually it's my wife's vehicle) a GMC Envoy that's an auto (they all are) and I have no desire to have a manual in that particular vehicle. My Camaro is a six-speed, and I have an older Corvette that is an auto. I prefer the auto in the Corvette to the manual that was available for that year (4+3

)

Generally though, I like to shift. If I was buying a sporty car or just a small car, I would lean towards the manual trans, but it would still be on a case-by-case basis.

Kris Siegel · May 2006

Manual - Usually better gas milage and more fun to drive. Can be quicker too, depending on the driver.

Automatic - Boring but easy.

ND13 · May 2006

Sportscars with automatics are blasphemous.

bobman1235 · May 2006

I had to vote auto cuz my current truck is an auto, but all my cars before that were manual, and all future probably will be too

I gave auto a try because a) it was a truck so I didn't really care, and b) i was lazy. But I hate not having the control of a manual.

Willow · May 2006

I'm lazy and don't care to shift. I have my starbucks or my phone in hand...I voted auto.

If ever we had a sports car though it'd have to be manual...unless it's that type of clutchless paddles....

nadams · May 2006

Manual all the way. My first vehicle was a '94 Plymouth Voyager with an automatic. Those vehicles just happen to have the worst autos ever made. Since then it's been a string of manuals... my '86 Mazda 626, the '94 Ranger, and my current '01 accord.

They're more fun to drive, give you more control over the vehicle, and are typically more reliable. They do have disadvantages, such as driving in stop and go traffic, and having to have slightly better than average coordination... but I'll deal with those

mutelight · May 2006

Manual transmission all the way. I suppose if I owned a luxury saloon auto would be alright.

Skynut · May 2006

A luxury saloon? A brothel?
J/K

Demiurge · May 2006

I figured it would be stupid to put a manual transmission into the F-350 Super Duty.

spwuinmk67 · May 2006

I love my manual, but every once in a while, its nice to jump in my dad's civic(auto) and just cruise. MY next car, whichever that is, still deciding, is gonna be a manual. The new auto's with the slap shift are pretty neat, but still not the same.

Sami · May 2006

ND13 wrote:

Sportscars with automatics are blasphemous.

While not a sportscar, I still chuckle when that CTS commercial comes on. "The perfect accessory to your right foot" or something like that, with a lady coming out with a high heel on the left foot. I'm sure you have all seen it. You want to market it that way, it better come with a clutch pedal for your left foot!!!

That being said, my Altima SE-R is an automatic, only because I got a good deal on a barely used one. My fun car is manual, they never even made them with an automatic.

Skynut wrote:

My truck is an automatic/manual combo.

One of those tiptronic transmissions? Those are still automatics in my books. So are the paddle shifters unless there is a pneumatic clutch somewhere and the gearbox truely is manual. Now, CVT, while automatic, is quite a nice performer. I haven't had a chance to try one in a sportscar but because how it works it could be a good performer around a track.

steveinaz · May 2006

In a 4-banger, manual transmission is a must IMO. I don't mind automatics in V-8's.

unc2701 · May 2006

I was strictly manual... until my left knee went out. But I agree that sports cars gotta be manual and once I feel confident that I won't need to have my knee cut open again, I'll be going back to manual.

beardog03 · May 2006

My truck is a manual w/overdrive
BMW is a 5 speed
Bike is a 5 speed

It blows sometimes in heavy traffic to have a manual trans, but you get better milage and the vehicle seems to last longer....I think because your in control of the machine better...

Fireman32 · May 2006

My past three cars have been auto and when i bought my new toyota yaris last month i wanted a manual but they ony had a stripped down one in manual so i went with the auto. The auto is great when you are sitting in a lot of traffic like i do all of the time in northern nj but i still love the manual for the instant power when needed. I'm sure when i get my next car i will get the manual.

michael_w · May 2006

Far too poor at the moment to own a car. I've seen how much my friends and brother spend on their cars and it's a little scary. Geeze, $30 a month for the bus doesn't seem so bad now

When I do get a car I'd like it to be manual. The control and extra power are much nicer unless you're stuck in traffic.

sucks2beme · May 2006

Automatic with all the traffic sitting I do here in Dallas.

Just call me "lazy and shiftless".

thehaens@cox.net · May 2006

sucks2beme wrote:

Automatic with all the traffic sitting I do here in Dallas.

Just call me "lazy and shiftless".

Ditto-sitting in southern cali traffic is just as bad......can't see myself going to another manual anytime soon.

bert26 · May 2006

My current car (325i Sport) is an automatic although it has the "tiptronic" option (not nearly the same feel as a manual). I got tired of the all the up/down between first through third during my daily commute. The last 3 cars have been 5 speeds (Mazda Miata, Mazda MX6, and VW Jetta GLX VR6. My first car (and my favorite) was actually a 4 speed manual (BMW 2002). At this point, I am starting to wonder why I ever changed and I can say with certainty that the next one will be a manual again. There is just something visceral about downshifting into a curve....

Lowell_M · May 2006

You can't drive an automatic at it's limits correctly (at the track anyway). some of the manual-auto transmissions do a pretty good job, but for the most part, automatics are annoying.

schwarcw · May 2006

Automatic. I drive an old man's car: the Buick LeSabre. I never worry about someone stealing it. It's comfortable, quiet, smooth. Buick's quality is superb!

I was I owned a vette convertible or a Mustang. Then, I'd get a manual.

ledhed · May 2006

I drive an auto so I voted for that. When I get my Saturn Sky Red Line

, you had better believe it will be manual

I-SIG · May 2006

bobman1235 wrote:

I had to vote auto cuz my current truck is an auto, but all my cars before that were manual, and all future probably will be too I gave auto a try because a) it was a truck so I didn't really care, and b) i was lazy. But I hate not having the control of a manual.

Couldn't have said it better myself. If I could have gotten my 2004 F150 FX4 with a manual, I would have found a way.

Wes

tommyboy · May 2006

I don't care what car I get next, its going to be a manual. I hate automatics.

a lot of times when i see a sports car right next to me, I listen for the manual sound (you know, little revving of the engine before moving) and I laugh everytime I hear an auto. You pay all that money for the car and your too much of a wussy (can't say other word:D ) to use it correctly.

ohskigod · May 2006

My 2006 Volvo S40 is a 5 speed. I dont think I would enjoy the car so much if it wasnt. its the most fun I've ever had driving a car. that little 5 banger moves, even without the turbo

My 1991 GMC sierra pick up is an automatic. for hauling and towing, auto is the only way to fly in my eyes.

the wifey's 06 toyota matrix is an auto AWD

Auto or Manual?

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