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

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I used to have manual transmissions in my vehicles and considered them superior to automatics, mostly for the fun factor.

I know I certainly prefer pulling a trailer with my new 4x4 with the automatic transmission, especially out in the sticks. If I can't crawl it in low range in auto, I'm not taking my truck there anyway.

I've even gotten used to the auto in my wife's Tiburon:Q with "sport mode" you can upshift/downshift and use engine braking...basically anything but slipping the clutch.

Might be my old age, but I'm not missing the clutch these days.
 
Originally posted by: melchoir
Theres a reason why the Corvette ZR1, Z06, and other high performance cars ONLY come with manuals. The autos can not handle the power. They could sell more cars, in the US, if they could get a auto trans in there.
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You will find that most cars that are actually fast and raced, use an auto. The proper transmission for the proper job, for going fast, it's almost always an automatic. Automatic cars do shift faster, and much more consistantly. For AutoX I would recommend a manual, for street/strip, I'd recommend a stalled Auto.
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Only if you have them air shifted or have a very high pressure rate. And this was not about race cars. As I can say how XYZ motor puts out so much power but will not matter much if it only last 1000miles. Same as a REALLY fast and hard shifting auto. It will not last very long in good use. And the autos you are thinking about are more manual then the autos in street cars.
 
Only if you have them air shifted or have a very high pressure rate. And this was not about race cars. As I can say how XYZ motor puts out so much power but will not matter much if it only last 1000miles. Same as a REALLY fast and hard shifting auto. It will not last very long in good use. And the autos you are thinking about are more manual then the autos in street cars.
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No, I'm thinking of.. a built 4L60E, TH400, TH350.. Used in many street cars, and not air shifted, quite often daily driven. I know of one local woman who daily drives a 9 second LS1 Trans Am. "LS1 Queen". She can run 9s at the strip, and picks her kids up from school all in the same car. Awesome isn't it?
 
i commute 7 miles to work. in those 7 miles i go through 15 traffic lights and 3 school zones.

i think i'll stick with my slushbox.
 
Originally posted by: melchoir
Only if you have them air shifted or have a very high pressure rate. And this was not about race cars. As I can say how XYZ motor puts out so much power but will not matter much if it only last 1000miles. Same as a REALLY fast and hard shifting auto. It will not last very long in good use. And the autos you are thinking about are more manual then the autos in street cars.
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No, I'm thinking of.. a built 4L60E, TH400, TH350.. Used in many street cars, and not air shifted, quite often daily driven. I know of one local woman who daily drives a 9 second LS1 Trans Am. "LS1 Queen". She can run 9s at the strip, and picks her kids up from school all in the same car. Awesome isn't it?
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The cars that are built to race at local tracks are not race cars. By your meaning then any car that races is a race car. So that honda civic with a 6 foot wing that reved at my Corvette the other day is a race car.
The majority of REAL race cars, i.e. Pros, are manual or a type of auto that is more manual then anything.

 
Originally posted by: 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.
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Oh come on. You can put 100k on a clutch no problem. I always thought 100k was pretty standard for clutch replacement. Shoot, I have 107k on my current integra and i'll probably get 5k more.. 10 if I am really lucky.
 
To tell you the truth, I think manual is way over rated on this board.

Maybe it is just because people are playing with my damn radio all the time and I get pissed because I am always shifting and elbowing people in the face.
 
I currently drive a Focus with manual but from what I have heard less and less people are buying cars with manual transmission. And because of this, they are getting harder and harder to get when you are looking for a new car so the point of which is better is probably going to be moot in the near future -- most new cars will be automatics...
 
I have almost 135K on my Focus and haven't yet replace the clutch. I think it's because I'm a gentle driver. If I ever get a chance to make love to a woman, I think I will be a gentle lover too -- and a quick one.
 
Using a manual transmission as opposed to an automatic has it perks.

Stds usually have better gas/diesel mileage.
Stds offer better engine braking on steep hills by downshifing. Saves on unnecessary braking.
Stds are noted for improved acceleration, though autos are close today.
Stds costs less to repair.
 
I find the manual gives me better control of the car in general...the automatic is also good for some situations though.
 
we can no longer make a simple delineation between automatic and manual. There are just too many different types of transmissions now. Paddle, SMG, Tiptronic, Standard, Automatic....we are arguing about 100 different variables here...

i, for one, love driving a manual (normal console stick) for the control it gives me over the vehicle and the concentration it takes to effectively control the car. in other words, i find it more enjoyable, most of the time.
 
Originally posted by: SearchMaster

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 .
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Sounds like you need to learn how to drive a stick. A clutch should last 150k if you can drive properly.
 
Originally posted by: StormRider
I currently drive a Focus with manual but from what I have heard less and less people are buying cars with manual transmission. And because of this, they are getting harder and harder to get when you are looking for a new car so the point of which is better is probably going to be moot in the near future -- most new cars will be automatics...
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Welcome to 1959! 😛

 
Originally posted by: Staples
To tell you the truth, I think manual is way over rated on this board.
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It's fun to talk about. As is RWD.

In real life, however, more ATOTers drive automatics than the talk in this thread would indicate.
 
My current ride is a manual. Simply due to the control it offers and fun factor I can revv it to any RPM as I wish. Automatics are laggy (in terms of pedal throttle and downshifting) and don't shift the way you want it to.

As for gas mileage, depends on the driver. I'm sure I take advantage of a manual's ability to revv it up high, thus gas mileage is moot for me. I no longer care really what the posted gas prices are nor what the total bill costs. If I need it I need it, no use whining and bitching about gas prices. Especially the way I drive, I value fun factor over a few extra dollars a week.

 
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