Why is better a car with manual transmission instead of an automatic one?

[npoe1]

Why is better a car with manual transmission instead of an automatic one?
I mean I have 2 cars, one has an automatic transmission and the other one is manual, but for some reason that may be that I?m not good driving manual, I always get in 3000 rpm before making a shift (Ford Focus) and with the automatic (Dodge Stratus) the car make the shift like a 1700 RPM, I really don?t see difference between the MPG, almost not too much difference, neither I feel that manual let you go faster, why race cars are manual? If automatics make the shifts softer and faster than manual and with less RPM, I really don?t understand but I enjoy more driving the manual.

 

[I Saw OJ]

The fun factor pretty much, makes you kinda feel like you are in a race car. Some cars getting the manual over an automatic might be cheaper. Other than those, no real advantage.

 

[jagec]

Well, it's a simpler, lighter, more efficient, more reliable system with less drivetrain loss and a lot more driver control over what the car's doing.

That said, you have to be a decent driver to take advantage of everything a manual transmission has to offer, and it can be a bit more of a pain in stop-and-go traffic.

So, for a point A to point B commuter, an automatic is fine for most people. But driving enthusiasts, fuel misers, control freaks, and cheap bastards all prefer manual.

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: jagec
Well, it's a simpler, lighter, more efficient, more reliable system with less drivetrain loss and a lot more driver control over what the car's doing.

That said, you have to be a decent driver to take advantage of everything a manual transmission has to offer, and it can be a bit more of a pain in stop-and-go traffic.

So, for a point A to point B commuter, an automatic is fine for most people. But driving enthusiasts, fuel misers, control freaks, and cheap bastards all prefer manual.

Amen brutha

 

[SearchMaster]

It's a control thing only, really.

And as for upfront costs, I don't think it makes that much difference. All my cars with automatics have gone at least 140K miles without needing transmission repairs, whereas my cars with manuals have had to have clutch replacements anywhere from 40K to 80K miles (we inherited the 40K one at 30K miles, the previous 80 year old owner was the one who killed the clutch). So while some cars can get a lot of miles from a manual transmission, they have parts designed to wear out and be replaced.

 

[0roo0roo]

because a manual makes u feel like a man. holding something a long hard rod and workin it!

 

[Wheezer]

it used to be a that a manula transmission was more efficient on gas if driven properly but with the advancement in technology that is no longer the case, still some people but a manual based on that assumption.

 

[Stumps]

thats pretty easy....more power and better fuel economy,mainly in older cars when auto's sucked donkey's balls, newer auto's tend to have very little difference nowaday's from manual's...and much much more fun.

 

[Willoughbyva]

I work in a city that has hills and traffic lights right on those hills. I prefer an automatic.

 

[Dulanic]

Other reason is reliability, automatics tend to be more likely to have problems in the long run.

 

[wasssup]

fun factor for me...

i'm looking at TSX's and TL's now, and honestly if I buy one of those i'll probably buy an auto...it's either that or have the wifey want to buy herself a $30k car for herself as well...

 

[Stumps]

although I should add that some engines just flat out suck with an automatic....the Australian Ford Falcon 4.1litre and 4litre six's are crap...even with the latest 6 spd auto, they just can't compete with the same car kitted with a manual.

 

[lyssword]

Manual is for people who are very good @ manual. For noobs automatic will be better for acceleration and normal driving, but once you are really experienced w/ a stick you'll have better fuel econ/whatever you need, by selecting the right gear for the needed situation.

P/S I don't even have a car

 

[SVT Cobra]

People pretty much covered it, and just to add I love driving a stick, but it has to have the power to back it up. No point in diriving a focus or a civic (cough m4h cough m4h) stick because it really isn't a car that an enthusiast would drive.

Anyway as soon as I but a new mustang in a few years (I am thinking whenever the 302 Boss comes out in 2009?) it has Ford's Sequential Tranny like the one in the FRGT500. Paddle shifters and no clutch is the best. As of now Ferarri and Audi does it best.

 

[Fingolfin269]

There are also a couple of major negatives with a manual transmission. You have to use both legs. If you injure your left leg in some way you are going to have a lot of trouble driving your car. Also, extended periods of slow moving traffic really blows when you have a M/T vehicle.

M/T is great when you are on the open road but I have a bad left knee and don't ever have a desire to put up with the pain that comes with 2 hours of bumper to bumper slow moving traffic again.

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
People pretty much covered it, and just to add I love driving a stick, but it has to have the power to back it up. No point in diriving a focus or a civic (cough m4h cough m4h) stick because it really isn't a car that an enthusiast would drive.

Anyway as soon as I but a new mustang in a few years (I am thinking whenever the 302 Boss comes out in 2009?) it has Ford's Sequential Tranny like the one in the FRGT500. Paddle shifters and no clutch is the best. As of now Ferarri and Audi does it best.

Torque steer is a FWD highlight mate You also forget that on older cars, an auto is a power sucking waste of space if you've got a smaller engine block.

I can't imagine you would have anywhere near the same depth of control without the clutch, i can think of many times when you want to slip it, or gently slide it in...

 

[TheSlamma]

Like many things in life it has it's place, same with an auto.

Little boys like some in this thread think it's the end all be all answer to all situations.. thaats what makes them BOYS.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I just have fun with it...a lot more fun then driving with automatic.

 

[wasssup]

Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
People pretty much covered it, and just to add I love driving a stick, but it has to have the power to back it up. No point in diriving a focus or a civic (cough m4h cough m4h) stick because it really isn't a car that an enthusiast would drive.

Anyway as soon as I but a new mustang in a few years (I am thinking whenever the 302 Boss comes out in 2009?) it has Ford's Sequential Tranny like the one in the FRGT500. Paddle shifters and no clutch is the best. As of now Ferarri and Audi does it best.

Honestly (and this is just my opinion, nothing more) I think a manual civic is more fun than a manual mustang. Also more reliable, more fuel efficient, better looking, and better handling (the last two are completely subjective). But yeah, in a straight line, your mustang is the sht.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: dug777

Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
People pretty much covered it, and just to add I love driving a stick, but it has to have the power to back it up. No point in diriving a focus or a civic (cough m4h cough m4h) stick because it really isn't a car that an enthusiast would drive.

Anyway as soon as I but a new mustang in a few years (I am thinking whenever the 302 Boss comes out in 2009?) it has Ford's Sequential Tranny like the one in the FRGT500. Paddle shifters and no clutch is the best. As of now Ferarri and Audi does it best.

Torque steer is a FWD highlight mate You also forget that on older cars, an auto is a power sucking waste of space if you've got a smaller engine block.

I can't imagine you would have anywhere near the same depth of control without the clutch, i can think of many times when you want to slip it, or gently slide it in...

It's called launch control. And you can still do all the same things with a SMG then with a regular gearbox and clutch, not to mention an SMG your left foot is freed up to use the break saving time and makes for faster lap times.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: wasssup

Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
People pretty much covered it, and just to add I love driving a stick, but it has to have the power to back it up. No point in diriving a focus or a civic (cough m4h cough m4h) stick because it really isn't a car that an enthusiast would drive.

Anyway as soon as I but a new mustang in a few years (I am thinking whenever the 302 Boss comes out in 2009?) it has Ford's Sequential Tranny like the one in the FRGT500. Paddle shifters and no clutch is the best. As of now Ferarri and Audi does it best.

Honestly (and this is just my opinion, nothing more) I think a manual civic is more fun than a manual mustang. Also more reliable, more fuel efficient, better looking, and better handling (the last two are completely subjective). But yeah, in a straight line, your mustang is the sht.

LOL a cobra definately handles better than a Civic sorry. As for fun to drive, how does better milage and reliability translate to fun?

 

[wasssup]

yeah yeah your car is awesome, mustangs rock. my bad.

 

[BobDaMenkey]

I prefer manuals because of the extra bit of control that it gives me. And they're alot more fun if you wanna let loose on an empty parking lot or something stupid like that.

Also, atuos on a 4cyl with power steering and A/C is a bad combination. Strain the heck outta that poor little engine trying to keep everything cool.

And burning through clutches is because you can't drive stick. I had the clutch replaced on my 82 BMW at 80k miles, and at 86nchange when I pulled the engine out to do some upgrades(but found it was a total loss because of bad maint. by the PO) it looked almost brand new. You would have had a hard time telling it had been used, if I hadn't dropped it when we took it out >.>

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: wasssup
yeah yeah your car is awesome, mustangs rock. my bad.

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: dug777

Originally posted by: jagec
Well, it's a simpler, lighter, more efficient, more reliable system with less drivetrain loss and a lot more driver control over what the car's doing.

That said, you have to be a decent driver to take advantage of everything a manual transmission has to offer, and it can be a bit more of a pain in stop-and-go traffic.

So, for a point A to point B commuter, an automatic is fine for most people. But driving enthusiasts, fuel misers, control freaks, and cheap bastards all prefer manual.

Amen brutha

you've been unabnned?!?!

WTF?

how did you get around the perma-ban?