Why would someone buy an automatic sports car?

[Saujoe3k]

Originally posted by: AgaBooga
My friend's dad has an automatic M3, mid to late 90's model. I think it's a four speed, could be 5 but I'm doubting that, it never shifted into a fifth gear.

I'm trying to understand why someone would buy that, he bought it new so it wasn't a great used car deal or something either. What are some reasons to buying a car like this with an automatic transmission?

umm they want the sports car power without the trouble of shifting in traffic which can be annoying? or like previous posters said, cant drive manual?

 

[Jeff7181]

Because he can.

 

[sxr7171]

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: AgaBooga

Originally posted by: z0mb13
coz some people cant drive manual and they want a sports car??

I guess that could be a reason, not a valid reason to spend around $60k on a sports car and get a 4 speed transmission in my mind though

I dont think any sport cars nowadays have 4 speed auto... the m3 uses smg, which is basically 6 speed manual, but the clutch is operated by a computer

and its blazing fast, faster than the manual (for the average joe)

The SMG is almost an acceptable option, but those regular "manumatics" really suck - those don't even have a clutch. Personally I always buy manuals.

 

[Runamile]

Just wanted to add our automatic Jeep Cherokee has 160K and is still going fine. That car has been driven as hard as you possibly could...

And our automatic Camry has 100K and is still perfectly fine too.

I know of maybe one person that has had a auto. transmission go before 80K.

That kinda funny cause a good friend of mine's '96 Jeep Grand w/210K miles has gone through 4 transmissions. Lucky for him he is a mechanic.

People get automatics for the convinience. A former mentor of mine was a rich race car driver. I used to hang out w/him in his garage while he played with his formula Atlantic (looks like a formula 1 race car). Anyways, this hard-core, adrenaline pumping, speed demon drove a brand new jeep grand, automatic, for the convinience and comfort factor.