Automatic vs Manual Driving

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Eos

Diamond Member
Jun 14, 2000
3,463
17
81
Originally posted by: RedArmy
Originally posted by: Tab
Originally posted by: RedArmy
I like the idea of rev-matching, heel and toe, and engine braking. I've been driving an automatic for a while now since my car is apart. I hate it oh so much, it's incredibly boring.

How do you do these things exactly?


Rev Matching is hitting the gas right before you down shift so you don't lose any rpm's when you go to the other gear. Heel Toe is used mostly for course racing when you're going around a corner. You would have the clutch in, and as you are down shifting you are breaking with your heel but rev matching with your toes on the gas. It's pretty hardcore and hard to do unless you've done it for a long time. Engine braking is just putting it in a lower gear when going down a hill so you don't use your brakes. Nothin that fancy, just some little things that make stick more enjoyable to me

When I was driving semi, 'rev matching' is the only way to downshift for me. My foot is always on the brake and I would do more of a roll to blip the throttle. Exiting the interstate for example:

turn engine brake on
signal
tap clutch to disengage cruise and engage engine brake
start to exit and shift from 13 to 12 (flip switch and blip throttle)
start lightly braking
shift from 12 to 11 (flip switch, blip throttle and move stick)
brake harder
shift from 11 to 9 (blip throttle and move stick)
turn off engine brake at about 25 mph
*maybe downshift into low range*
take trans out of gear at 15 mph (by slightly blipping the throttle)
come to stop
disengage clutch and slip trans into 2nd
engage clutch and leave intersection
 

Jeff7

Lifer
Jan 4, 2001
41,596
20
81
Automatic, because I grind gears and stall manuals. I like manual shifting, but I can't seem to get the clutch and gearshift to work properly.
Automatic is simply not smart or quick enough for my tastes. It doesn't shift the way I want it to when I want it to. But that clutch is just an annoyance and distraction. I've heard that "automatic manual" systems do exist, but are rare - the control of manual shifting without the clutch.
 

Staples

Diamond Member
Oct 28, 2001
4,953
119
106
Originally posted by: iversonyin
Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
Had manuals for years, will never own another daily driver with one. Still have my Jeep, and it will always have a stick. I drove that damn thing in traffic for too many years when it was my only transportation.

Nowadays, there is no appreciable difference in fuel mileage or performance to buy a car with a stick.

Plus, manuals are either for "toys", or for kids who either can't afford an automatic, or don't have enough sense to buy a car with an automatic yet.

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...

That is incorrect. In new cars, usually standard trans is so hard to find that they actually are more expensive than the auto counterpart because you have to get it shipped in from out of state. Even if they have them on the lot, there is no price difference that I have ever noticed.
 

RedArmy

Platinum Member
Mar 1, 2005
2,648
0
0
Originally posted by: Staples
Originally posted by: iversonyin
Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
Had manuals for years, will never own another daily driver with one. Still have my Jeep, and it will always have a stick. I drove that damn thing in traffic for too many years when it was my only transportation.

Nowadays, there is no appreciable difference in fuel mileage or performance to buy a car with a stick.

Plus, manuals are either for "toys", or for kids who either can't afford an automatic, or don't have enough sense to buy a car with an automatic yet.

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...

That is incorrect. In new cars, usually standard trans is so hard to find that they actually are more expensive than the auto counterpart because you have to get it shipped in from out of state. Even if they have them on the lot, there is no price difference that I have ever noticed.


Uhhh, the first site I went to was subaru.com. I built a new 2.5i and the manual is 800 dollars less. It's the same on the lot as well since my dad test drove one.
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
100,381
17,935
126
In commuter traffic most of the time, so the stick would suck big time. Auto for me, so I can build up the right foot to kick ass.
 

LordMorpheus

Diamond Member
Aug 14, 2002
6,871
1
0
In a sports car, I'd never have an auto.

In a luxury car (like the one I drive), I'd never have a manual.

different applications, really.
 

CVSiN

Diamond Member
Jul 19, 2004
9,289
1
0
well having recently gone from a manual to a auto.. I can honestly say.. Autos SUCK.. manual is so much better.. the Horsepower difference alone is well worth the effort..
manual version of the same car with an Auto is usually around 20-40hp depending on manufacture..

not to mention the heat issues for the car.. manual does not require a trans cooler taking up part of your radiator...
auto cars run warmer and retain heat more than a manual.

cost of upgrade to make automatics quick.. need a shiftkit.. stall converter more cooling different computer maps.. and performance will still be lower than any stock manual...

I will NEVER ever buy another automatic sportscar ever... worst mistake ever made... will cost me over 2k to fix that mistake and have a manual swapped back in..


 

Ilmater

Diamond Member
Jun 13, 2002
7,516
1
0
Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
Plus, manuals are either for "toys", or for kids who either can't afford an automatic, or don't have enough sense to buy a car with an automatic yet.
I just bought a $27k Acura that is available in Automatic or Manual with no price difference between the two. I chose a manual because I enjoy the drive more. Can't explain it, I just do.

I assure you, it is not a "toy," and I'm not a kid.

Also, I like the better gas milage it affords me both on the highway and in town.