City driving with clutch vs. city driving with automatic

[Blackjack200]

I've seen a lot of posters on this and other car forums that they are looking for an automatic because they frequently drive in a city.

I normally drive a clutch, but I rented an automatic when I traveled to Austin recently. I found the automatic much trickier in both city and highway driving.

In city traffic with a clutch I leave it in first gear for creeping along and it's easy for me to match the speed of the car in front of me. when the car in front of me slows down, i just reduce the throttle a little bit and the car slows right down. In an automatic, I have to hit the brakes when traffic slows down, and immediately hit the gas again when it picks up. (If you don't do this, your gaps will be too large and you will get cut off.)

Also, to make a quick move in traffic, I had to use a lot of throttle to get the car to downshift (far more than I would use in a stick shift) and again, hit the brakes after my move was complete.

My question, primarily for those that have driven in traffic with both kinds of transmission, do you agree with opinion? Is it easier to drive a clutch smoothly in traffic than an automatic? Or is it easier to drive the automatic in the city once you get used to it?

 

[krunchykrome]

I have a daily commute to the city for work. It's stop and go traffic to the city and in the city. My previous car was a 5 spd manual and I can appreciate the sportiness of a manual (even though it was a 1997 Ford Escort).

When buying my new car, I decided I was buying an auto. I find it easier to drive in stop and go traffic. Especially in the morning, when I'm tired, and I want a peaceful drive to work. I can sip my coffee, rest an arm, and not worry about shifting.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Depends on the car. My old 89 5.0l mustang 5 speed or the knee destroyer was a PITA er knee while my 94 miata doesn't bother me. Still automatic is easier.

 

[Scouzer]

Yep, I drive a 5 speed and automatic is definitely easier. It's negligible though, I don't feel like any sort of burden off my shoulders when I drive my girlfriend's automatic.

Long story short, it's probably only going to be a problem for someone unskilled at MTX.

I suppose in real stop and go, with hills, a 5 speed would get pretty tiresome.

 

[theeedude]

It depends. I am a control freak, so MTX is easier for me. I hardly use my brakes at all. The only time I'd prefer an auto would be Los Angeles style stop and go traffic, but that is gonna suck no matter what.

 

[summit]

i live in la, auto is the way to go anything else is uncivilized. constantly shifting gears was too pita for me.

 

[Pocatello]

Auto for me. My Subaru Forester was never any sporty anyway.

 

[giantpinkbunnyhead]

Like senseamp, I am also a control freak and I ONLY like manual transmissions. Period. I grew up in L.A. and learned to drive there, traffic included, and still I prefer manuals, even in heavy traffic. But that's just me.

 

[Bobi]

I prefer automatic for city driving. It's more comfortable. But if you are living in a city that has heavy traffic, it is much easier to use manual.



__________________
Better have those auto parts ready...

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: Summit
i live in la, auto is the way to go anything else is uncivilized. constantly shifting gears was too pita for me.

I don't mind so much. I guess I'm just use to it since all my cars have been manual.

 

[CptCrunch]

auto is better for stop and go commutes, hands down

 

[mooseracing]

I love a stick but duh a auto is easier, step on teh brake is all you do. I hate autos though and don't trust them, so every one I own I throw a nice big cooler on to increase its chances of surviving. If there is room I even throw a remote filter on since they have better filter ratings than a tranny filter.

 

[GoatMonkey]

Originally posted by: Blackjack200
I've seen a lot of posters on this and other car forums that they are looking for an automatic because they frequently drive in a city.

I normally drive a clutch, but I rented an automatic when I traveled to Austin recently. I found the automatic much trickier in both city and highway driving.

In city traffic with a clutch I leave it in first gear for creeping along and it's easy for me to match the speed of the car in front of me. when the car in front of me slows down, i just reduce the throttle a little bit and the car slows right down. In an automatic, I have to hit the brakes when traffic slows down, and immediately hit the gas again when it picks up. (If you don't do this, your gaps will be too large and you will get cut off.)

Also, to make a quick move in traffic, I had to use a lot of throttle to get the car to downshift (far more than I would use in a stick shift) and again, hit the brakes after my move was complete.

My question, primarily for those that have driven in traffic with both kinds of transmission, do you agree with opinion? Is it easier to drive a clutch smoothly in traffic than an automatic? Or is it easier to drive the automatic in the city once you get used to it?

I'm not sure if I agree with that. Most of the time, for me if I'm driving a manual and other people I've seen who were driving a manual will leave more of a gap so that they don't have to get out of gear. You would have to to do what you're describing. You would be pretty much creeping along while the car in front of you has already stopped just to stay in gear. There has to be a bigger gap for that.

You don't want a gap like that where I live (Atlanta). Everyone is a chronic lane changer. If there is a chance for them to change lanes, even if it doesn't help them, they will do it at all costs. In virtually constant stop and go traffic, an automatic is better. You pretty much just take your foot off the brake and the car will roll forward without having to touch the gas.

I spend an hour and a half to two hours or more a day in heavy traffic. My next car will absolutely be an automatic. With a nice stereo and a comfortable seat. 8 years of stop and go have changed my priorities from whatever is cheapest and has the most power, to what will be comfortable to sit in when I can't go fast anyway.

 

[vi edit]

45 minutes (each way) of stop and go freeway traffic in a manual? Been there, done that, would never do again.

Bleh.

Slushbox through the week, and a manual for fun on the weekends.

 

[PingSpike]

During snowy weather sometimes there is some seemingly endless top and go traffic around here. I remember having my whole left leg cramp up from working the clutch so much.

 

[FDF12389]

About 15 min of my commute is in Milwaukee. I don't mind driving either, but when I didn't have time to eat breakfast at home auto was definitely easier.

 

[overst33r]

Originally posted by: Pocatello
Auto for me. My Subaru Forester was never any sporty anyway.

Oh yeah?

 

[MetalMat]

Driving my manual in houston traffic makes me appreciate an auto much more.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

For me I wouldn't drive an auto if I didn't have to. I love my manual, even in traffic. It sometimes gets annoying because of the stop and go nature, but you learn to coast and/or not stay right on a bumper. I think an audomatic is EASIER, but no where near as enjoyable even in traffic.

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus
For me I wouldn't drive an auto if I didn't have to. I love my manual, even in traffic. It sometimes gets annoying because of the stop and go nature, but you learn to coast and/or not stay right on a bumper. I think an audomatic is EASIER, but no where near as enjoyable even in traffic.

Nope, I've been routed through San Francisco when they closed down the bay bridge once. My left leg was almost cramping with how much work was involved. Three hours later at home in Sacramento, I swore never to go to that crappy ass town again.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I find that driving a stick in heavy traffic is tiring.

My commute is fairly short though so I wouldn't mind owning a stick as my next car.

 

[StageLeft]

I have both and in the city there is no point in debating this. An automatic is easier in stop-and-go. You cannot match speed in first gear with the car in front of you if it's not moving and hasn't moved in 15 seconds unless you're keeping 10 car lengths between you and him, to the eternal annoyance of those behind you.

 

[theeedude]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
I have both and in the city there is no point in debating this. An automatic is easier in stop-and-go. You cannot match speed in first gear with the car in front of you if it's not moving and hasn't moved in 15 seconds unless you're keeping 10 car lengths between you and him, to the eternal annoyance of those behind you.

That is the only time I prefer an auto, when traffic is too slow for 1st gear.

 

[jagec]

Autos are easier in stop-and-go. There is no debate about this.

However, I wouldn't trade my manual for anything.

 

[ViviTheMage]

stick is a cakewalk for me...i have done auto and manny and i just prefer the feel of a many.