Automatic vs. Manual

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What type of transmission do you prefer in real life?

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I think the police Chargers in Fast Five were autos that were being manually operated when they drag raced them. :lol:
 
The sports-matic are fun, but not as good as a manual.

And I think police cars are auto's, cops don't need to worry about shifting when in a high speed chase.
 
With nearly every vehicle I want i'd go for either auto or manual (preferably one of each). Small 2 door cars, manual please.

Seriously though, what's not to love about holding one foot on the brake and the other on the gas going through the gears. At least thats what i'd be doing in my Dodge Dart. The idea of slamming the column shifter down into drive and smashing/leaving the gas to the floor sounds pretty bad ass, imo. I'd love to throw a auto into my Jeepster, lower it a bit, get rid of the front drive axle and cruise the town eating up the stop lights.
 
manual, gives me something to do :lol: I don't have short attention but jeez, driving auto is so boring for me. plus the auto change sound is awful its like nuhhnuuhhh :indiff:
 
Manual, manual, manual. I think automatics have their perks but personally, I like rowing through the gearbox, even if it means a grind during shifts once in a while. Driving a manual keeps me entertained.
 
casey_2005
C'mon, the Blues Brothers...
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Let's see...to add to that, the opening scene of the original Mad Max.

For that matter the big chase scene in The Road Warrior.

Then there was the chase scene in Terminator 2, when the Freightliner runs down the trio in the S-10.

Let's see, the bad guys driving the 1968 Dodge Charger in Bullitt drove one with an automatic.

Vanishing Point...I could go on...
 
ozyran
Let's see...to add to that, the opening scene of the original Mad Max.

For that matter the big chase scene in The Road Warrior.

Then there was the chase scene in Terminator 2, when the Freightliner runs down the trio in the S-10.

Let's see, the bad guys driving the 1968 Dodge Charger in Bullitt drove one with an automatic.

Vanishing Point...I could go on...
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Speaking of Bullitt. I would take that Charger over the Mustang any day. Everyone knows the Mustang, but I really like the '68 Chargers. Probably my 4th favorite car.
 
MEJ1990TM
Speaking of Bullitt. I would take that Charger over the Mustang any day. Everyone knows the Mustang, but I really like the '68 Chargers. Probably my 4th favorite car.
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Not that you're biased or anything ;)

I'm with you. I see Mustangs everywhere (especially here in Florida...and yep, I own one myself) but it's becoming more difficult to find classic Chargers. Even more difficult to find classic Chargers that haven't been turned into clones of one sort or another. And honestly, I have yet to find a Coke-bottle-styled Charger that has the original hub caps or wheel covers vice the Magnum wheels, or some sort of aftermarket wheels.

[/threadjack]
 
ozyran
Not that you're biased or anything ;)

I'm with you. I see Mustangs everywhere (especially here in Florida...and yep, I own one myself) but it's becoming more difficult to find classic Chargers. Even more difficult to find classic Chargers that haven't been turned into clones of one sort or another. And honestly, I have yet to find a Coke-bottle-styled Charger that has the original hub caps or wheel covers vice the Magnum wheels, or some sort of aftermarket wheels.

[/threadjack]
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No, not biased at all. :lol:

Although I do really like the Mustang has a four speed. Both are cool cars. I'd take the '68 and stick the Hemi A833 that is out in storage. It came out of the '68 R/T my dad used to have. I can't remember if '68 or '69 were the first years for the 440. His had a 440 out of a '70 Challenger in it. I really wish he still had that car.

It's almost unfair listening to these more *seasoned* guys talk about the cars they had. Not only that, but how cheap they were. He paid $500 for that '68. All original, save the engine. $2500 for a '70 Challenger R/T that was 100% original and in great shape. It's enough to make a 21 year old gear head cry. :ouch:
 
The first car I ever drove and still drive has a 4-speed auto and I've been hankering for a manual ever since. Even with the Sierra's old 4-speed manual I was having more fun driving (read:bouncing) around in that thing than the Skyline. But, the Skyline makes long-distance cruises completely effortless and I love it for that reason.
 
I prefer manuals, I've driven auto's and it's alright I guess, but a manual has a little more control for my liking. Although I suppose I could have been driving something with a crap auto box.
 
Another vote for manual. Learned to drive in a 5spd Jeep, went through an Accord, Feiro, and now Im back to the original Jeep, all with manuals. If you're a man, you should at least know how to and not vehemently oppose driving a manual. If you don't know or have the ability that's fine; I would love to teach you. Being able to efficiently drive stick is a good skill to have. I take pride in working for my goal. If my goal is to get to the grocery store, then I can cherish the extra effort of a clutch setup.

My Jeep has been out of commission for a year, so I'm stuck with my wife's Avalon. Boring city. The availability of a stick option will dictate what I add to my collection.
 
seanyb505
I take pride in working for my goal. If my goal is to get to the grocery store, then I can cherish the extra effort of a clutch setup.
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That's ridiculous. Do you set up an obstacle course in front of your refrigerator so that you have to work harder to get breakfast in the morning?
 
Danoff
That's ridiculous. Do you set up an obstacle course in front of your refrigerator so that you have to work harder to get breakfast in the morning?
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:lol:

I understand that manuals can be fun, but that's really the only justification for one over a good semi automatic box like a DSG.
 
Danoff
That's ridiculous. Do you set up an obstacle course in front of your refrigerator so that you have to work harder to get breakfast in the morning?
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You can't say that an obstacle course would be more fun in an automatic. :D

You're on track with my logic, but not quite the details. It would be more akin to, say, killing the pig before you cook the bacon. There's a certain satisfaction (for myself, at least) to doing the job yourself.
 
I think you're actually hurting yourself more. Killing the pig, cutting the meat, cooking...

The point I think all of us who actually like manuals are trying to make is that in the daily commute, its more interesting to go through the gears than to put it in drive and leave it there for half an hour. I don't think you get that same enjoyment by manually shifting a DSG at a leisurely rate either.
 
Eric.
I don't think you get that same enjoyment by manually shifting a DSG at a leisurely rate either.
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From my experience of flappy paddles it's marginally more satisfying shifting manually even at gentle pace, if only because you still get to decide what gear you want and when. Autos are nice and relaxing and modern ones are pretty damn good, but they'll still occasionally choose a gear at an odd time, and the manual function is good for making sure it stays in the gear you want. Unless the gearbox doesn't want you to pick a particular gear, which can happen sometimes...
 
Eric.
The point I think all of us who actually like manuals are trying to make is that in the daily commute, its more interesting to go through the gears than to put it in drive and leave it there for half an hour. I don't think you get that same enjoyment by manually shifting a DSG at a leisurely rate either.
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Once it again it really depends on the the person. I wouldn't find it interesting at all if I had to shift my own gears on a daily commute. I think the only time I'd actually be like "wow" on a commute with a manual is my first time owning the car, after that the novelty wears off pretty quick.

And I get way more enjoyment out of flappy paddles then a traditional gear stick. You tap the paddle and book you're in the next gear, but ever then the enjoyment wears off pretty quick since it's a novelty too.
 
seanyb505
You can't say that an obstacle course would be more fun in an automatic. :D

You're on track with my logic, but not quite the details. It would be more akin to, say, killing the pig before you cook the bacon. There's a certain satisfaction (for myself, at least) to doing the job yourself.
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Fred-Flintstone-Barney-Rubble-Car.jpg



:sly:
 
Joey D
Once it again it really depends on the the person. I wouldn't find it interesting at all if I had to shift my own gears on a daily commute. I think the only time I'd actually be like "wow" on a commute with a manual is my first time owning the car, after that the novelty wears off pretty quick.

And I get way more enjoyment out of flappy paddles then a traditional gear stick. You tap the paddle and book you're in the next gear, but ever then the enjoyment wears off pretty quick since it's a novelty too.
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I guess you can speak for yourself. I've been driving a stick basically since I got my drivers license. I wouldn't want it any other way. The novelty has yet to wear off for me, and I know guys who are forty years older than myself who feel the same way.
 
MEJ1990TM
I guess you can speak for yourself. I've been driving a stick basically since I got my drivers license. I wouldn't want it any other way. The novelty has yet to wear off for me, and I know guys who are forty years older than myself who feel the same way.
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I am speaking for myself, as I've said numerous times in this thread this whole discussion is based purely on personal preferences.
 
Joey D
I am speaking for myself, as I've said numerous times in this thread this whole discussion is based purely on personal preferences.
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So have I, it is all about what an individual wants and therefore chooses. The beauty of it is that we still have the choice most of the time, Jags and some other cars aside.
 
Joey D
Once it again it really depends on the the person. I wouldn't find it interesting at all if I had to shift my own gears on a daily commute. I think the only time I'd actually be like "wow" on a commute with a manual is my first time owning the car, after that the novelty wears off pretty quick.
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It's not the novelty wearing off as much as the shifting become 2nd nature, part of the drive. If you don't have to really think about it when driving then it might feel like the sensation is lost.
I don't know, shifting gears doesn't make me feel all giddy like all the people here. I don't think about it, just do it.
Paddles are just annoying when speaking about most cars and only reason you want to use them is because the trans is too dumb to shift to the right gear on its own.
 
people who prefer auto over stick most likely suck at driving stick and can't get the hang of it. You can't be a car enthusiast and have no desire to drive stick or have never owned a stick.
 
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