What kind of car do you drive: Auto or Manual?

I drive manual 8). Once you get good at it, automatics seem so... boring. Your left foot just sits there without purpose. Although I do admit it is a bit of a pain in stop-and-go traffic.

I certainly understand the allure of manual and can't imagine it would be that difficult to learn. But I've never done it myself.

Automatic. What's the point of changing gears if you can get the car to do it for you?

Automatic, but I would love to learn how to drive a manual and own one.

Automatic. What's the point of changing gears if you can get the car to do it for you?

metroidfood

Many people enjoy the activity and the control a manual transmission provides. Ideally, you'd have a manual / automatic switch, so you could turn on automatic whenever manual becomes a pain. :P

Automatic. My girlfriend taught me how to drive her stick shift and that's not happening again.OreoMilkshake

:lol:

Hopefully this hasn't created a sour point of contention in your relationship.

[QUOTE="metroidfood"]

Automatic. What's the point of changing gears if you can get the car to do it for you?

pianist

Many people enjoy the activity and the control a manual transmission provides. Ideally, you'd have a manual / automatic switch, so you could turn on automatic whenever manual becomes a pain. :P

They make cars like that now, semi-automatic transmissions. You don't have a stick to change gear though, instead you have these paddles behind your steering wheel to go up or down. I'd rather have a stick shift though.

[QUOTE="OreoMilkshake"]Automatic. My girlfriend taught me how to drive her stick shift and that's not happening again.pianist

:lol:

Hopefully this hasn't created a sour point of contention in your relationship.

They make cars like that now, semi-automatic transmissions. You don't have a stick to change gear though, instead you have these paddles behind your steering wheel to go up or down. I'd rather have a stick shift though.

taj7575

Yeah, I have an older friend whose car is semi-automatic. It's a neat idea, because stick-shifting CAN be a royal pain in certain circumstances. Personally I think I could go for the paddles, though again, I've never tried them.

If she didn't stop me from hitting that fence it would have.

OreoMilkshake

That's when you say "thanks for the ride lady" and hit the ground running.

Auto Ford Fusion, and I love it. :D

[QUOTE="taj7575"]

They make cars like that now, semi-automatic transmissions. You don't have a stick to change gear though, instead you have these paddles behind your steering wheel to go up or down. I'd rather have a stick shift though.

pianist

Yeah, I have an older friend whose car is semi-automatic. It's a neat idea, because stick-shifting CAN be a royal pain in certain circumstances. Personally I think I could go for the paddles, though again, I've never tried them.

Yeah, and besides, I think the majority of semi-auto drivers keep their car in automatic. The paddles are really there for racing.

Auto on my truck. I've driven a manual a few times though. I'll pass.

My Camaro is an automatic. But it is a ratchet shifter so I can shift like a manual if I want.

TC gains +5 cool points for driving manual 8)

I can drive a manual but I prefer auto. I don't need the extra effort.

[QUOTE="pianist"]

[QUOTE="metroidfood"]

Automatic. What's the point of changing gears if you can get the car to do it for you?

taj7575

Many people enjoy the activity and the control a manual transmission provides. Ideally, you'd have a manual / automatic switch, so you could turn on automatic whenever manual becomes a pain. :P

They make cars like that now, semi-automatic transmissions. You don't have a stick to change gear though, instead you have these paddles behind your steering wheel to go up or down. I'd rather have a stick shift though.

[QUOTE="pianist"]

[QUOTE="OreoMilkshake"]

:lol:

Hopefully this hasn't created a sour point of contention in your relationship.

OreoMilkshake

TC gains +5 cool points for driving manual 8)

yentlequible

Automatic. What's the point of changing gears if you can get the car to do it for you?

metroidfood

Automatic. What's the point of changing gears if you can get the car to do it for you?

metroidfood

[QUOTE="pianist"]

[QUOTE="metroidfood"]

Automatic. What's the point of changing gears if you can get the car to do it for you?

taj7575

Many people enjoy the activity and the control a manual transmission provides. Ideally, you'd have a manual / automatic switch, so you could turn on automatic whenever manual becomes a pain. :P

They make cars like that now, semi-automatic transmissions. You don't have a stick to change gear though, instead you have these paddles behind your steering wheel to go up or down. I'd rather have a stick shift though.

[QUOTE="metroidfood"]

Automatic. What's the point of changing gears if you can get the car to do it for you?

wallmart56

My cousin has a 2003 Mustang Mach 1, it's a manual. He says he loves the control when he's racing, but he hates it for general driving. After a while of driving, manual shifting just gets tedious.

Manual. It was a pain to dirve at first, not to mention replacing the brand new clutch by hand that I burned out in less than a thousand miles learning how to drive the damn thing. But now it's a lot of fun. Like really really awesomesauce fun. Also keeps me form eating and texting at the same time while driving. Traffic used to suck, but now I don't really even notice it compared to an auto. Whenever driving an auto (which is when I drive any car except my own) I feel kinda bored and underwhelmed.

My cousin has a 2003 Mustang Mach 1, it's a manual. He says he loves the control when he's racing, but he hates it for general driving. After a while of driving, manual shifting just gets tedious.

Domobomb

Manual. It was a pain to dirve at first, not to mention replacing the brand new clutch by hand that I burned out in less than a thousand miles learning how to drive the damn thing. But now it's a lot of fun. Like really really awesomesauce fun. Also keeps me form eating and texting at the same time while driving. Traffic used to suck, but now I don't really even notice it compared to an auto. Whenever driving an auto (which is when I drive any car except my own) I feel kinda bored and underwhelmed.

coolbeans90

[QUOTE="Domobomb"]

My cousin has a 2003 Mustang Mach 1, it's a manual. He says he loves the control when he's racing, but he hates it for general driving. After a while of driving, manual shifting just gets tedious.

dk00111

Manual. It was a pain to dirve at first, not to mention replacing the brand new clutch by hand that I burned out in less than a thousand miles learning how to drive the damn thing. But now it's a lot of fun. Like really really awesomesauce fun. Also keeps me form eating and texting at the same time while driving. Traffic used to suck, but now I don't really even notice it compared to an auto. Whenever driving an auto (which is when I drive any car except my own) I feel kinda bored and underwhelmed.

coolbeans90

Well, I did two things wrong. One, when I replaced the one it came with (in retrospect, Ishould have learned to drive on the one that was basically shot...) I didn't resurface the flywheel. More importantly, NEVER RIDE THE CLUTCH. IT KILLS THEM MAAAN!!!

Both my Hondies are manny trannie. I learned on Civic and I never looked back. So fun and exciting every time I drive, the girls really like it too so that helps. I have both a 07 Civic coupe and a 04 CBR1000rr (Never learn to drive a manual on this thing!). It helps that you get better mileage too.

Automatic though I do know how to drive stick.

I'm learning how to drive a stick and so far prefer it more than automatic.

[QUOTE="dk00111"][QUOTE="Domobomb"] I've heard Mustangs have hard clutches, that's probably why. :P[QUOTE="coolbeans90"]

Manual. It was a pain to dirve at first, not to mention replacing the brand new clutch by hand that I burned out in less than a thousand miles learning how to drive the damn thing. But now it's a lot of fun. Like really really awesomesauce fun. Also keeps me form eating and texting at the same time while driving. Traffic used to suck, but now I don't really even notice it compared to an auto. Whenever driving an auto (which is when I drive any car except my own) I feel kinda bored and underwhelmed.

coolbeans90

Well, I did two things wrong. One, when I replaced the one it came with (in retrospect, Ishould have learned to drive on the one that was basically shot...) I didn't resurface the flywheel. More importantly, NEVER RIDE THE CLUTCH. IT KILLS THEM MAAAN!!!

I have a deep-rooted fear of dying in a spectacular car crash, but why anyone would want to drive an automatic is beyond me. It seems that in the US, 99% of cars are auto, but in the UK, 99% are manual. I like coasting in neutral and blowing everyone away by flooring it in first, and then box-shifting into third and then fifth.

A manual transmission is so easy in a car, what with synchromesh and what not.

Try shifting an 18-speed RoadRanger transmission in an 18-wheeler...now that's shifting, and fun.:P

You can "float" the gears, without ever using the clutch.:P

[QUOTE="coolbeans90"]

[QUOTE="dk00111"] That's exactly how I feel. Although I hope my clutch lasts longer than 1k miles. :Pdk00111

Well, I did two things wrong. One, when I replaced the one it came with (in retrospect, Ishould have learned to drive on the one that was basically shot...) I didn't resurface the flywheel. More importantly, NEVER RIDE THE CLUTCH. IT KILLS THEM MAAAN!!!

Yep, traffic, and whenever putting it into first. I didn't really grasp the concept of the friction disk till I opned the transmission and saw it totally ripped up. I forced myself to drive it with much more care after replacement. If it's your first clutch, you may very well destroy it if you aren't careful. I fixed it myself for about $150 and a weekend. If you get it done in a shop, it'll run ya about $900. Long story short, be careful. If you're worried about your technique, I'd also recommend geting an excpeienced driver and just going for a drive. Just to stay further on the safe side.

Automatic. I wouldn't mind learning manual.sammyjenkis898

It's easy, just hand-eye-foot coordination. Gamers have the advantage on this.:P