Automatic vs. Manual

[Joey D]

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.

Ya that's a good point, I'm guessing you only ever really need to think about when you are hooning or tracking.

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.

You are a funny troll. People prefer autos for all sorts of reasons, yes there are some who can't drive a stick, but there are others who just don't have the desire. I can drive a manual just fine and while I'm no Jackie Stewart behind the wheel, I don't suck at it.

Oh and I'm a huge auto enthusiast too for the record, I think just about all of us here on GTP are. We wouldn't argue about cars, both real and digital, till the cows came home if we weren't.

Manuals just aren't to everyone's liking, just as blue cars aren't to everyone's liking.

 

[Danoff]

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.

I'd wager that I'm better at it than you are, and I just bought an auto.

You absolutely can be a car enthusiast and have no desire to drive stick. A stereotypical manual transmission is not an integral part of what makes a car a car. In fact, I'd say the opposite, you can't be a car enthusiast and hate automatic transmissions. You can be a car snob... maybe a transmission snob... but if you hate autos, you're stretching it to declare yourself an enthusiast.

 

[McLaren]

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.

People like you disgust me when you bust out this attitude.

Acting like you're better because you can drive a stick. I had a guy act like you once, talking smack about how boring & slow autos are. Know what happened? Ended up throwing car lengths on him when he said an auto would never beat his stick.

Seriously, what a crap outlook on your fellow enthusiasts. Doesn't surprise me it comes from mainly Miata owners either now.

 

[Dan_]

I drive a manual and in my previous job with all the traffic commuting, I really wished I had an auto, on highways (which is where I spend most of my commuting) a manual will always be better, no question on that.

Manual is better for driving enjoyment, automatic is better everywhere else.

And knowing how to drive a stick doesn't automatically make you Senna, an oversized ape could learn how to drive a manual.

 

[Azuremen]

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.

So wrong on so many levels. I advise you broaden your opinion and perspective just a touch.

 

[niky]

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.

It'll depend on the automobile and the system.

I prefer a stick over a slushbox, anyday. Even the best-shifting slushboxes I've driven (ZF six speeds) have a little lag and lack fine control.

But a properly sorted dual-clutch box with the flappies? Absolute love. You can be in absolute control of the car's helm at all times. upshift or downshift mid-corner? No problem. Tight slaloms? No problem. Stop-and-go traffic? Well... if your rev-matching is good...

 

[fitftw]

You can't buy an automatic Viper, S2000, Corvette ZR-1, Integra Type-R, etc etc thereFORE, manuals make for better cars. And yes I am a bit of a transmission snob. If I'm at a car meet and someone is driving a car that should just not be an automatic, I tend not to talk to that person and think less of them for:
a) being too LAZY to push a pedal and move a stick therefore they are not worth associating with
b) thinking they're cool driving a car that should be stick (ie. MR2, CRX, Miata etc) therefore they are not worth associating with

I judge people based on their car and transmission choices. You judge people on other things. Hate me all you want, but if you're on this forum and you drive an automatic.................

 

[Joel]

You can't buy an automatic Viper, S2000, Corvette ZR-1, Integra Type-R, etc etc thereFORE, manuals make for better cars. And yes I am a bit of a transmission snob. If I'm at a car meet and someone is driving a car that should just not be an automatic, I tend not to talk to that person and think less of them for:
a) being too LAZY to push a pedal and move a stick therefore they are not worth associating with
b) thinking they're cool driving a car that should be stick (ie. MR2, CRX, Miata etc) therefore they are not worth associating with

I judge people based on their car and transmission choices. You judge people on other things. Hate me all you want, but if you're on this forum and you drive an automatic.................

Formula 1 cars have flappy paddle semi automatic gearboxes, and an F1 would spank any Viper or Vette around a track. Lamborghinis and Ferraris can all be equipped with flappy paddle gearboxes, does that mean they're less of a car? How about the Nissan GTR? Audi R8?

 

[fitftw]

F1 is a completely different story from road and production cars, silly goose. Do you see F1 cars on the road? Also the semi-automatic is close enough to manual in my eyes. You still have to be somewhat ****ing awake to drive the car.

The auto/manual debate is not always about which is faster. If an auto Miata did 0-60 in 4 seconds I still would take the stick. It's about which has more emotional connection in the human+car relationship. Automatic is a ****ing killjoy and I want to kill myself when I drive my roommate's car.

 

[Joel]

F1 is a completely different story from road and production cars, silly goose. Do you see F1 cars on the road? The auto/manual debate is not always about which is faster. It's about which has more emotional connection in the human+car relationship. Automatic is a ****ing killjoy and I want to kill myself when I drive my roommate's car.

You made it about which is faster/better though. You made a statement saying that manuals are objectively superior to automatics, which isn't true. Today's semi automatic gearboxes, like you'd find in an F1 car, DSG, etc etc. are objectively better than a manual gearbox.

You might find it more fun or have a better connection to the car with a manual, but that's all a subjective thing. Emotional connection to the car and whether or not automatics are a killjoy is all a subjective thing.

 

[Joey D]

I wish that the only problem in my life was driving an automatic car. That would be simply glorious.

 

[fitftw]

How is it subjective? How on earth can an automatic driver have the same emotional connection as a stickshift driver? That's simply not possible. I like to control my car, not to be controlled by it. They're taking away my beloved manual transmission and soon enough they'll take away steering wheels.

 

[Joel]

How is it subjective? How on earth can an automatic driver have the same emotional connection as a stickshift driver? That's simply not possible. I like to control my car, not to be controlled by it. They're taking away my beloved manual transmission and soon enough they'll take away steering wheels.

Because I don't give a rats ass about it. I'd rather have a good semi automatic box like DSG than a little pedal to push and a stick to flick. Whoopee.

I get it, you think it's fun (and there's nothing wrong with that). I've driven stick before, it's kinda fun, and I don't suck hardcore at it, but I'd prefer a DSG every time. You know why? Because if I'm really driving hard, or at a track day or something, I can use the paddles and control the gears easily. And when I'm stuck in traffic, I can put it back over to D and forget about it.

EDIT: Don't get me wrong, I'd rather have a manual than the slushbox in my Corolla, but if I were to be buying a new car, I'd want a DSG or other similar semi automatic gearbox.

 

[McLaren]

You can't buy an automatic Viper, S2000, Corvette ZR-1, Integra Type-R, etc etc thereFORE, manuals make for better cars. And yes I am a bit of a transmission snob. If I'm at a car meet and someone is driving a car that should just not be an automatic, I tend not to talk to that person and think less of them for:
a) being too LAZY to push a pedal and move a stick therefore they are not worth associating with
b) thinking they're cool driving a car that should be stick (ie. MR2, CRX, Miata etc) therefore they are not worth associating with

Good. Nobody wants to be friends with :censored:holes anyway.

Who cares what the person is, if he drives an auto, he's obviously a worthless piece of crap. Get off your high horse. Better yet, sell your pile of scrap b/c it's obviously given you a holier-than-thou outlook on life when in reality, you're still just driving a Mazda people think are driven by women & gays.

Yeah, I'm playing the jerk game, too. But I can do that; I drive a BMW, lol.

I judge people based on their car and transmission choices. You judge people on other things. Hate me all you want, but if you're on this forum and you drive an automatic.................

You judge people based on their car? Really?



So, how many boyfriends have you had since the Miata? You know, just judging you the way you have decided to judge others.

 

[Joey D]

How is it subjective? How on earth can an automatic driver have the same emotional connection as a stickshift driver? That's simply not possible. I like to control my car, not to be controlled by it. They're taking away my beloved manual transmission and soon enough they'll take away steering wheels.

They are still driving the car and they can still enjoy the drive just as much. If pushing a pedal and playing with a stick is a make or break deal for you when driving a car then so be it, but many other people don't see it that way.

I have an emotional connection to my car, it makes me happy when I drive it. My Cooper did the same thing but brought an even bigger smile to my face when I threw it into corners after getting some decent rubber on it. You can have an emotional connection to any machine no matter what specs it has. I know guys that are in love with their trucks and they are big, thirsty, outdated, automatic rigs that I wouldn't be caught dead in...but it brings them enjoyment to own and who am I to say they can't like it?

I think you need to tone it down just a tad, you are touting opinion like it's fact to an overly extreme degree.

You judge people based on their car? Really?

I judge people on their tires....I'm serious too.

 

[McLaren]

I judge people on their tires....I'm serious too.

Watch it Joey. He may just start judging you based on drivetrains, next.

 

[Dan_]

So much win in this thread.

 

[Danoff]

How is it subjective? How on earth can an automatic driver have the same emotional connection as a stickshift driver? That's simply not possible. I like to control my car, not to be controlled by it. They're taking away my beloved manual transmission and soon enough they'll take away steering wheels.

Almost always boils down to something like this. Operating a transmission is not driving, it's operating a transmission. Steering (or controlling the direction the car is headed) is driving. Driving is the control of the acceleration of the vehicle. Take away the ability to steer the car and you've lost a component of driving (though that can be done without a steering wheel).

Steering = Driving
Accelerating = Driving
Decelerating = Driving (this is redundant with the previous, and actually steering is accelerating too)
Operating a transmission = Operating a transmission

 

[NLxAROSA]

It's about which has more emotional connection in the human+car relationship.

Human-car relationship? Emotional connection? You treat people like objects and objects like people. You have some serious issue dude.

 

[eSZee]

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.

You can't buy an automatic Viper, S2000, Corvette ZR-1, Integra Type-R, etc etc thereFORE, manuals make for better cars. And yes I am a bit of a transmission snob. If I'm at a car meet and someone is driving a car that should just not be an automatic, I tend not to talk to that person and think less of them for:
a) being too LAZY to push a pedal and move a stick therefore they are not worth associating with
b) thinking they're cool driving a car that should be stick (ie. MR2, CRX, Miata etc) therefore they are not worth associating with

I judge people based on their car and transmission choices. You judge people on other things. Hate me all you want, but if you're on this forum and you drive an automatic.................

Annoying troll is annoying.

How is it subjective? How on earth can an automatic driver have the same emotional connection as a stickshift driver? That's simply not possible. I like to control my car, not to be controlled by it. They're taking away my beloved manual transmission and soon enough they'll take away steering wheels.

Sounds like your love affair with the manual is more about having your hand on the gear lever cause you can't have it on your **** all the time.

 

[Murcie_LP640]

Sounds like your love affair with the manual is more about having your hand on the gear lever cause you can't have it on your **** all the time.

^ Zing.

How is it subjective? How on earth can an automatic driver have the same emotional connection as a stickshift driver? That's simply not possible. I like to control my car, not to be controlled by it. They're taking away my beloved manual transmission and soon enough they'll take away steering wheels.

Easily. By everything else involved in driving a car. You know, the sort of stuff that actually matters. If every automatic was as dim-witted and lethargic as they were in the late 80s or so I'd be able to slightly see where you're coming from. But saying that when you look at today's autos and semi-autos is just being plain ignorant.

I enjoy manuals as much as the next man and for my purposes it is the best transmission. But in many everyday cases it is an inconvenience to drive with a manual and you're not going to care about the "emotional connection" of your car in gridlock between sets of traffic lights are you?

 

[MistaX]

I judge people based on their car and transmission choices. You judge people on other things. Hate me all you want, but if you're on this forum and you drive an automatic.................

Just throwing this out there, but 99% of people on this forum think cars run on magical pixie dust and have never heard of "righty tighty lefty loosy".

This forum is the worst group of car enthusiasts in the history of car enthusiasts.

It's fine to judge people on their car. If it's modified, they are into cars.
If it's stock, but they talk about their car's Nurburgring time, then they are GTP members.

Putting this here to stay on topic:
Manual is better just because it's more damn fun and driving is about having fun. I don't give a rats ass about how much faster an automatic would be. And no, it's not any more inconvenient. I've driven through Manhattan in gridlock plenty of times to know I don't even think about how I have to put the clutch in all the time. Ever.

 

[Grayfox]

A sports-matic gearbox is nice.

You have the automatic for everyday, then you can use sports on the week end to have fun.

 

[fitftw]

This forum is the worst group of car enthusiasts in the history of car enthusiasts.

It's fine to judge people on their car. If it's modified, they are into cars.
If it's stock, but they talk about their car's Nurburgring time, then they are GTP members.

Putting this here to stay on topic:
Manual is better just because it's more damn fun and driving is about having fun. I don't give a rats ass about how much faster an automatic would be. And no, it's not any more inconvenient. I've driven through Manhattan in gridlock plenty of times to know I don't even think about how I have to put the clutch in all the time. Ever.

Finally someone agrees with me instead of ganging up on the stickshift-obsessed guy. This is why the world's going to ****. Manuals are going to be extinct soon, and nobody seems to give a damn. That's just sad. Watch this video clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPAe6w4ypK8

And to the other guy who says that operating a transmission isn't an integral part of driving, okay buddy, you can't even start the car without disengaging the clutch unless you install a clutch interlock switch. Even then, to get moving you have to shift to 1st. I'd consider operating a transmission to be the most important part of driving. If you don't shift, you're not going anywhere. Steering comes second.

 

[Joel]

The world's going to 🤬 because you can't push a pedal and flick a little shifter in your car anymore?

 

[NLxAROSA]

Finally someone agrees with me instead of ganging up on the stickshift-obsessed guy. This is why the world's going to ****.

Nobody attacks you for your opinion, you are only attacked because you act like a complete 🤬 about it.

 

[fitftw]

I'm only a dick about it because it's not right that manuals are being taken away. What's even more wrong is that 99.9% of you couldn't care less. Nice Renault btw.

 

[McLaren]

This is just sad that you're making this big a deal out of it. They're taking it away from you? LOL, where? All I see is something on it's way out of production. I might as well complain to Honda for "taking away" the NSX from me after 15 years.

You know why the stick is dead? Bc it's obsolete. All these sport car makers are all about performance, & the DCT-esque transmission is superior to the stick 9/10 times.

And they GAVE people like you a chance to buy them. Ferrari carried over the 6-speed option for 1 extra year because of the demand. But afterwards, they stopped because nobody ordered any to warrant the production costs. Other manufacturers have done the samething, but if there are no buyers, why bother keeping it? For those enthusiasts who can't afford it to begin with? Why put in a stick when the manufacturers find that other transmissions are much more suitable for what they want out of the car?

You still want a manual? Stick with your hairdresser. The rest of the world will move on from an arguably dated form of commute method.

 

[MEJ1990TM]

Human-car relationship? Emotional connection? You treat people like objects and objects like people. You have some serious issue dude.

You either aren't a car guy, or you haven't found the right car. It's very easy to get attached to a car when you spend countless hours turning wrenches, busting your knuckles, getting covered head to toe in grease, and crawling around on the ground so much that when you go to wash your hair the water comes out black. I've got a couple of friends who like to think they are "car guys", but all the work that gets done to their cars is in a shop. Of course there are a few that do all their own work.

 

[MEJ1990TM]

Just throwing this out there, but 99% of people on this forum think cars run on magical pixie dust and have never heard of "righty tighty lefty loosy".

This forum is the worst group of car enthusiasts in the history of car enthusiasts.

It's fine to judge people on their car. If it's modified, they are into cars.
If it's stock, but they talk about their car's Nurburgring time, then they are GTP members.

Putting this here to stay on topic:
Manual is better just because it's more damn fun and driving is about having fun. I don't give a rats ass about how much faster an automatic would be. And no, it's not any more inconvenient. I've driven through Manhattan in gridlock plenty of times to know I don't even think about how I have to put the clutch in all the time. Ever.

Well in the defense of the forum here, I think your average person that comes on here is more into the video games. Not so much the real nitty gritty that goes into tinkering with a car. Which ,I suppose, is to be expected. Now if this were ,for example, Team Chevelle then I might be surprised. It is what it is. I have gathered that there are some people who really mess around with cars though.

Speaking of righty tighty left loosy. The first time I took a Muncie four speed apart I was trying to take off the input gear bearing nut. I was trying to pry it loose, but not soo hard as to try and break something. I finally got to thinking, "Well what in the hell is keeping this thing on so tight for." My dad happens to walk by and mentions that those are left hand threads. I felt like an idiot. If I would have taken a second to look first I would have seen the obvious. I have never claimed to be very smart.