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Automatic vs Manual Driving
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I drive a manual, but am contemplating switching over to an auto on my next car...dunno...I really don't like automatics now, but I plan to keep the car for ~10 years...will I still like driving stick when i'm in my 30's?
Crap. Now i'm depressed knowing in 10 years i'll be halfway into my 30's...this thread sucks.
Crap. Now i'm depressed knowing in 10 years i'll be halfway into my 30's...this thread sucks.
HMMM it would really depend on what I am driving, but for the type of car I mainly drive I would prefer a manual, but I've mainly owned Auto's
The Ford Falcon/Fairmont sedan's from 1971-1987 used the 4.1litre(250cu) Inline 6(V8's were availible but rare with Manual's) and while it was most commonly sold with an Auto Tranny, it works considerably better with a manual gearbox, especially the Toploader 4 spd in the earlier 1971-76 Falcons and the Borg Warner Single Rail 4 spd in the 1976-87 Falcon's, BTR 5 spds were availible from 1985 onwards but for some reason these cars never seemed to go a hard as the 4 spds.
The 250cu six in the falcon is a very torquey, low reving engine(generally 5500rpm max but little power after 4000rpm) that while is generally setup for Auto's, becomes quite revvy when the heavy Borg Warner model 35/40 auto is ditched and a 4spd is fitted, usually a well driven 6 cylinder falcon is 2 seconds quicker over the 1/4 mile than an auto version.
My own experiences with the Manual 6 cylinder falcon usually place performance on par with a well maintained 302cu powered Automatic falcon with much better fuel economy and bottem end grunt(the low stall in the V8 auto's makes them very sluggish till 2500rpm), although later 1982-1987 Automatic 6 cylinder Falcons(XE-XF model) will also eat up a 302cu (1968-1982) powered falcon, the 302cu Cleveland isn't a bad engine it performs better than most 307 chev and 308 holden V8's, it's just that the Alloy head, Weber carb equiped 6 cylinder Falcons (82-87)perform really well.
The Ford Falcon/Fairmont sedan's from 1971-1987 used the 4.1litre(250cu) Inline 6(V8's were availible but rare with Manual's) and while it was most commonly sold with an Auto Tranny, it works considerably better with a manual gearbox, especially the Toploader 4 spd in the earlier 1971-76 Falcons and the Borg Warner Single Rail 4 spd in the 1976-87 Falcon's, BTR 5 spds were availible from 1985 onwards but for some reason these cars never seemed to go a hard as the 4 spds.
The 250cu six in the falcon is a very torquey, low reving engine(generally 5500rpm max but little power after 4000rpm) that while is generally setup for Auto's, becomes quite revvy when the heavy Borg Warner model 35/40 auto is ditched and a 4spd is fitted, usually a well driven 6 cylinder falcon is 2 seconds quicker over the 1/4 mile than an auto version.
My own experiences with the Manual 6 cylinder falcon usually place performance on par with a well maintained 302cu powered Automatic falcon with much better fuel economy and bottem end grunt(the low stall in the V8 auto's makes them very sluggish till 2500rpm), although later 1982-1987 Automatic 6 cylinder Falcons(XE-XF model) will also eat up a 302cu (1968-1982) powered falcon, the 302cu Cleveland isn't a bad engine it performs better than most 307 chev and 308 holden V8's, it's just that the Alloy head, Weber carb equiped 6 cylinder Falcons (82-87)perform really well.
unfalliblekrutch
Golden Member
Many modern auto trannys have more than 4 gears.
I own two cars... an automatic, and a stick. I definitly prefer the manual... regardless of traffic.. It's simply a more engaging drive. It gives me something to focus on when driving, trying to perfect my shifts. It gives me control in inclimate weather. And most importantly it's just plain fun. It's the difference between a car that gets me from point A to point B, and a car that I want to take the longest possible way to point B.
I can't understand who anyone who LIKES to drive would prefer anything other than a stick. I suspect that most people who prefer automatics, aren't proficient at sticks, and/or don't like to drive.
-Max
P.S. and for the record, I can eat, talk on my cell, and check myself out in the mirror while driving stick.
I can't understand who anyone who LIKES to drive would prefer anything other than a stick. I suspect that most people who prefer automatics, aren't proficient at sticks, and/or don't like to drive.
-Max
P.S. and for the record, I can eat, talk on my cell, and check myself out in the mirror while driving stick.
back when I own a Manaul Ford Falcon (1981 XD Falcon GL 4.1Litre I6) I had perfected the art of driving while holding a sandwitch/hamburger and a can of coke or pepsi while being able to shift with the hand that had the coke and steer with my knee, what used to crack my friends up was this particular car had no Power steering and 8in mags with 235/60 tyres on the front(the rears were 10in's with 285/45's) the car required 5 turns lock to lock and generally required super human strength to steer around a parking lot a low speeds...but I seem to manage it fine..whilst stuffing my face with food....damn those were the days
MBrown
Diamond Member
I prefer manual but it depends on the car really. If I was driving a crown vic I wouldnt want a manual. If I was driving a pick up truck I would want a manual. If Im driving a huge lexus or an SUV I want auto. If im driving a sports car I want manual. I have my eye on a B5 S4 and that will be manual.
Dualist
Platinum Member
For me it's so much easier to drive with an automatic transmission, because you don't have to worry so much about downshifting, and messing up the transmission while you're struggling to go from one gear to the next. Also, driving on automatic does give you the advantage of doing other things while on the road, like listening to the radio or while on the cell phone.
Vehicles with manual trasmission are starting to fade away as the years past by, so that's one thing that some drivers don't have to deal with anymore.
Vehicles with manual trasmission are starting to fade away as the years past by, so that's one thing that some drivers don't have to deal with anymore.
Depends on who's driving.
Just because Car and Driver might test two identical cars with different trannys and get a slightly faster time out of a stick doesn't mean that will translate to the real world.
For example, if you and I line up two Mustangs on the dragstrip, with one being a stick and one being an auto, then no matter which one I'm driving, I'm most likely going to win.
Why? Because I've been down the dragstrip at least a thousand times in many, many vehicles. You are at a disadvantage.
Same thing applies to the street.
But this is only from a dead stop.
If the race starts from a roll, the launch isn't critical and then gearing takes over...might be a different result. But it won't be because one has a stick and one doesn't.
But there is very little difference in two identical cars from an auto to a stick, especially with today's 5 and 6 speed autos.
iversonyin
Diamond Member
uhhh...for most new car..the cost of automatic is only $1k more....if you can afford a $14k car, you can afford an automatic.
The price difference b/w the two in used car is not even noticeable.
Manual is just more engaging to drive....for us younger crowd anyway...noone drive them to save money...
Mermaidman
Diamond Member
One hand for talking on the phone, the other hand for eating a taco
Ergo, no hand left for stick shift.
Automatic FTW!
Ergo, no hand left for stick shift.
Automatic FTW!
iversonyin
Diamond Member
This is NOT good at all. It distract the driver from doing what he/she suppose to do. Pay attention to traffic.
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