View Full Version : Manual vs Automatic Transmission
Those of you who know how to drive both, which do you prefer? I'm trying to make a decision.
Canyarion
09-20-2004, 12:57 PM
I'd say manual, but I don't have the right to vote. :(
GiMpY-wAnNaBe
09-20-2004, 01:00 PM
i'm taking my drivers ed in manual currently, but taking the test in automatic, since its easier, but i love the feel of releasing the clutch and switching gears, it makes me feel cool :)
Blackmane
09-20-2004, 01:07 PM
Manual is so much more fun to drive. I recommend that if anyone wants to have a true driving experience, get a manual transmission. It is the only kind of car I will ever drive now that I know how to drive one.
Crono
09-20-2004, 01:31 PM
I feel the same as Blackmane, manual all the way.
DimHalo
09-20-2004, 01:38 PM
I am not allowed to vote. I don't currently know how to drive a manual, but I really want to learn. I was supposed to learn back in high school but my sister got rid of her manual transmission car and got an automatic.
Dark Samurai
09-20-2004, 02:22 PM
Though I dont know both (just auto), I'd say that manual is more exciting when not in heavy traffic, thats where auto shines...
CamFu
09-20-2004, 02:54 PM
I've owned a Manual since I've been like 17 years old, and my parents have always owned automatics... so it isn't so much that they are more fun to drive, automatics are just meant for old people. I'm probably going to buy an auto next time I get a car. Driving isn't that much fun with two kids with you. Yep, I'm getting old.
I do live in a high-traffic area, and driving an automatic leaves you free to perform other dangerous activities like talking on a cell phone. OTH, the manual gives you more control over the car and I'm sure is more fun to drive. I would be a more capable person if I could drive a manual.
Happydude
09-20-2004, 03:29 PM
i suggest you getting an auto since you're in a high traffic area, because with manual transmition, you're not going to get over third gear and it'll break down often because of the constant shifting...but hey, do as you wish...
Canyarion
09-20-2004, 03:43 PM
Manual saves car fuel, because you can drive more efficiently. :)
Autos are rare in Holland. (That's funny, because our word for 'car' IS auto :p)
I'm looking at an acura RSX - the auto is 160 Hp but the manual S-Type is 200 Hp. Quite a difference there.
Kitana85
09-20-2004, 04:31 PM
I've driven both-- if you're going to be doing a lot of stop and go traffic, go for the automatic (or if ytou plan talking on ur phone and driving)-- but otherwise, go for the manual- its more fun, better milage, cheaper. I have an auto because I have a bad knee, and don't want to risk it going out (automatic has no clutch). But, yeah, go for the manual, especially with that car :rock:
Ace195
09-20-2004, 04:32 PM
I drove a manual for the past 4 years and just got my automatic dodge.. I love it I don't have to shift I can talk on my cell ... Even though I have an ear peice and not have to worry about my footwork.. :)
thatmariolover
09-20-2004, 04:37 PM
If you're in a high traffic area but want a manual anyway, just make sure you get a kind of car with good clutches. I think Honda's are usually pretty good for that. But I'd personally suggest a Subaru. My parents had it before I got it. They bought it new. And I've been driving that on it's original clutch at 210,000 miles without a hitch. No problems whatsoever in high traffic areas.
Just a suggestion.
I'm driving a dodge right now that has an autostick. It's basically an automatic transmission that lets you shift manually w/o a clutch.
Kitana85
09-20-2004, 04:40 PM
Dude, never heard of it before, but I WANT ONE!!!
jeepnut
09-20-2004, 05:19 PM
Hmmm, I'm not positive where I stand on this. The only manuals I've ever driven were in a 1 ton stake truck and in a rented Penske truck that had a 15 foot box on it.
Like this:
http://www.commtrucks.com/trucks/images/ch_hd.jpg
and this:
http://www.pensketruckrental.com/image/business/3qtr_view/3qtr_24ft.jpg
Yeah, Autos with autosticks are all the rage.
Manual after a stressful day is just not fun. But my dad managed to talk on his cell phone while driving his BMW, which was manual. It can be done.
Just rate how busy it will be when you're driving and decide from there.
P.S. I had a heart attack today, but I saw the gas at 76 cents Canadian. That's 3 cents cheaper than it's ever been in the past several months/years.
GT News
09-20-2004, 05:21 PM
Yeah, Autos with autosticks are all the rage.
Manual after a stressful day is just not fun. But my dad managed to talk on his cell phone while driving his BMW, which was manual. It can be done.
Just rate how busy it will be when you're driving and decide from there.
P.S. I had a heart attack today, but I saw the gas at 76 cents Canadian. That's 3 cents cheaper than it's ever been in the past several months/years.
Eines Tages werden die Leute keine Autos mehr brauchen.
Tell me more about your father. Ich kann nicht raten. Sags mir. What happened to your heart attack today when you saw the gas at 76 cents Canadian?
I'm glad we have that all cleared up.
jeepnut
09-20-2004, 05:27 PM
Eines Tages werden die Leute keine Autos mehr brauchen.
Tell me more about your father. Ich kann nicht raten. Sags mir. What happened to your heart attack today when you saw the gas at 76 cents Canadian?
I'm glad we have that all cleared up.
Did Neo install new languages for the bot?
Sure didn't.
My German is rusty but I think he said something about how one day the car will break.
fingersman
09-20-2004, 06:09 PM
I prefer manual, auto's are lazy people's cars, although I will admit, it can get tedious when your in a traffic jam and you canstantly have to put the car in first gear and move off and then when you stop put it in netural, or press down on the clutch.
However, manuals do give you more control over the car in terms of stopping suddenly and general control when driving, but hey buy which ever one best suits your needs.:D
Canyarion
09-20-2004, 06:12 PM
Eines Tages werden die Leute keine Autos mehr brauchen.
Tell me more about your father. Ich kann nicht raten. Sags mir. What happened to your heart attack today when you saw the gas at 76 cents Canadian?
I'm glad we have that all cleared up.
"One day people won't use cars anymore.
Tell me more about your father. I can't guess. Tell me."
:) Thanks in advance for the +rep. ;) :rolleyes:
ZebraRampage
09-20-2004, 06:13 PM
I only know how to drive an automatic. I bet manual is so much fun though. I can't wait to learn it.
Typhoid
09-20-2004, 06:26 PM
Well, Automatics sound alot easier. But I drove my dads truck once when i was 12 (Its a GMC suburban from like, 1979. The clutch sticks sometimes, and it has steering column shifting. Super hard if your 12.)
Fox 6
09-20-2004, 07:40 PM
Manual gives you more power
Jason1
09-20-2004, 08:48 PM
Manual gives you more power
Maybe over a VERY short distance, but I garuantee you an automatic would beat a manual with the exact same engine 0-60, just because of the short time it takes you to push the clutch.
Ive actually dont know how to drive stick, and I honestly dont really want to learn. I just see no real reason to. Dosent look like fun to me, looks like a pain in the ass. Ive got 2 good freiends who both have manuals and say they like it, but I honestly just dont see it. Especially with the high tech automatic trannie's nowadays, I really dont see me ever owning a manual.
Hero2
09-20-2004, 09:04 PM
Automatic because I love cruise control. =-D
Automatic because I love cruise control. =-D
manuals have cruise control also.
And for me, definately manual. I love driving with an m. Autos just suck the fun out of it.
And, I definately don't get better gas mileage with a manual. I drive them too hard.
My current car's an automatic though. psh I drive my mom's manual vibe a lot though.
Blackmane
09-20-2004, 09:33 PM
You will be faster in a manual compared to an automatic if they are identical. I guarantee it. That is, as long as you know how to drive a stick. You can just get more power out of it, and the gap in shifting is very unnoticable if you are good.
Happydude
09-21-2004, 01:25 AM
Eines Tages werden die Leute keine Autos mehr brauchen.
Tell me more about your father. Ich kann nicht raten. Sags mir. What happened to your heart attack today when you saw the gas at 76 cents Canadian?
I'm glad we have that all cleared up.
:wtf:.....since when does camfubot speak different languages? man, he's taking over!!! somebody stop him!
Ace195
09-21-2004, 01:42 AM
Yeah, you don't have timeing in a manual so your definately faster your gear ratio's aren't determined anymore by a set rpm they are determined by you so thats always true thats why rally cars and race cars are more often than not quickshift manuals :)
I prefer manual, auto's are lazy people's cars, although I will admit, it can get tedious when your in a traffic jam and you canstantly have to put the car in first gear and move off and then when you stop put it in netural, or press down on the clutch.
However, manuals do give you more control over the car in terms of stopping suddenly and general control when driving, but hey buy which ever one best suits your needs.:D
What happens if you just leave it in first gear when you stop?
Ace195
09-21-2004, 12:59 PM
If your saying stop without pushing the clutch your going to wear the clutch and pressure plate quickly, however if your saying just leave the car in 1st gear while pressing the clutch it's just like it being in neutral and doesn't wear on anything but the muscles in your leg. :)
So you never hit the brakes without the clutch too?
Ace195
09-21-2004, 02:06 PM
You can you just can't stop without hitting the clutch.. if you go to low on rpm without hitting the clutch the car will start to sputter and if you let up on the clutch too soon it will jump..
fingersman
09-21-2004, 05:07 PM
Just to add to what Ace is saying.........if you come to a complete stop and do not push in the clutch or put the gear stick in netural, your car will jump foward and cut out and you'll have to restart it. Learning manual is more difficult than auto but to me it's alot more fun.
Hmmmmmm and Blackmane is right a maual car is faster than an auto if they both have the same specs....that why rally drivers use manuals not only for the speed but becausee they give you more control of the car when your driving fast ( they use the compression that the manual car gives you when you shift to lower gears)
What's the difference between pushing the clutch down halfway and flooring it?
Ace195
09-23-2004, 02:31 PM
Huge diffrence.. If you push it half way it might not engage the clutch so you'd be leaving your car in gear, Flooring it ensures you disengage the gears :)
MasterMind
09-23-2004, 06:24 PM
I drive a manual car, bought my car even when I didn't know how to drive manual yet. Manual is way more fun to drive. But like others said, driving in traffic sucks. I have to drive for about an hour in traffic an it sucks because of the stop and go and constant shifting.
Posting this in the latest car thread.
Veggie Datsun 240Z. Awesome car. If you read the website you'll find that he's planning on getting a custom turbo in it which will supposedly push the power back up to the original gas engine.
Veggie Car (http://www.veggiecar.com/)
edit: and its up for sale on ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2490011598&category=6187
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