Cars: Manual or Automatic transmission?

[mcibear]

Speaking as someone that works on cars I can say that there are pros and cons to both.  In drag a tuned auto will beat a manual hands down.  For every day driving autos tend to give better fuel economy and will work.  They are easier to drive, but have several drawbacks.  Such as a car with an auto will cost more to buy, they cost more to maintain, assuming you dont burn the clutch on a manual, and with a car with a manual can perform better in certien types of manuvering situations if the driver knows how.

I personaly drive an auto, because for the amount that I do drive, I would rather not bother.

[brandon]

Speaking as someone that works on cars I can say that there are pros and cons to both.  In drag a tuned auto will beat a manual hands down.  For every day driving autos tend to give better fuel economy and will work.  They are easier to drive, but have several drawbacks.  Such as a car with an auto will cost more to buy, they cost more to maintain, assuming you dont burn the clutch on a manual...

On the price: For a new car, a manual, if available, will generally be less expensive. However, for some cars, the manual is offered only on a stripped-down trim level which offers poor value for the money compared to a mid-level trim which provides an assortment of generally desirable goodies for not much extra money. So even though the automatic costs more, choosing it allows you to purchase a car which offers better value, assuming you want the extra features.

Although some family cars like the Honda Accord sedan or the Toyota Camry are, in theory, available with a manual transmission, most dealers do not order them. Accords and Camrys with manual transmissions are like 1-in-10,000. If you wanted one, chances are it would have to be obtained from another dealer, possibly quite far away. (There might not be a manual transmission Accord or Camry available in the entire state of Texas, for example.) You would end out paying more than the cost of an automatic because of the hassle and transportation costs involved for the dealer to obtain the manual vehicle.

On the repair cost issue, on a new car, if the automatic tranmission fails, it will be covered by the drivetrain warranty. If you wear out the clutch, that is a wear and tear item, not covered by warranty.

[joeyn]

i can if i have must, but I would rather not.

:)

Joey

[niceeyes8838]

MANUAL, hands down. I learned how to drive stick when I was 16 on a '98 mustang. My first summer home from college, I bought my first manual, a ford escort zx2. Now, I have a hyundai tiburon and a chevy s10, both of which are stick. Not to mention, my motorcycle which is manual also (I don't even think they make automatic motorcycles). It sucks when you're stuck in traffic, but I don't plan on buying an automatic vehicle until my left knee starts having issues from using the clutch all the time. IMO, driving a manual makes driving fun and is more engaging.

[peteR]

Not to mention, my motorcycle which is manual also (I don't even think they make automatic motorcycles).

Honda builds the DN01 with automatic transmission and the VFR1200F with dual clutch transmission, but really - who wants automatic transmission on a motorcycle?

[mcibear]

Not to mention, my motorcycle which is manual also (I don't even think they make automatic motorcycles).

Honda builds the DN01 with automatic transmission and the VFR1200F with dual clutch transmission, but really - who wants automatic transmission on a motorcycle?

It is true, they are not that commen but they do exist.  Then again, if people can put something on wheels and make it go they will.  I would mention and odd example, but there are just too many to choose from.

[dmutah]

I learned drive with a manual trasmission in an old farm truck that couldn't be taken on the main roads. We still have this truck we have it parked out in the "bone yard" with a lot of other old junk. Its a 59 Diamond T with 2 gear shifts and no power steering. Poor old truck would only do 40 at top speed . My current truck is a F350 crewcab, its also has a manual transmission.

[brandon]

I learned drive with a manual trasmission in an old farm truck

The first manual transmission I used was a medium duty truck (a flatbed, bigger than a pickup truck.) I didn't have my license yet. I wouldn't say I actually learned to drive it. My task was putting it in gear, giving it some gas, and dropping the clutch, with a chain attached to a tree stump in a lake.

The furthest I drove it was generally about 10 feet.

I got the job in the driver's seat because I was the smallest guy, and the big guys were in the water attaching the chains.

[Lisa2408]

My Peugeot 207 CC is equipped with a 5-speed manual gearbox.
I can´t drive with automatic 

[Dreamwalk]

I first learned to drive an automatic, but once it died, I bought a stick shift. Had to teach myself, but it was worth it in the end...much more fun to drive!

[Dan]

Heh,  I got a reminder yesterday on how much I have forgotten how to drive an automatic.  Let's say I tried using the clutch, fortunately no-one was behind me!

We (manual drivers) all do this. Fortunately, it mostly happens when you try to shift from 1 to 2 so no great danger.

[Dreamwalk]

Heh,  I got a reminder yesterday on how much I have forgotten how to drive an automatic.  Let's say I tried using the clutch, fortunately no-one was behind me!

We (manual drivers) all do this. Fortunately, it mostly happens when you try to shift from 1 to 2 so no great danger.

Guilty.... :P

[Dan]

Guilty.... :P

The funny thing is that even if you were warned about it, you'll do it anyway.

Reflexes bypass conscious processes.

[AElf]

My dad taught me to drive with a manual transmission and, given the choice, I wouldn't have an automatic.  I got all the lectures & demos about ancient double-clutching vs modern synchro-mesh and I like the feeling of control that the stick gives me.  It takes a little more practice at first but becomes second nature.  I seldom bother with the clutch after second gear, just use the accelerator lightly and slip the stick in gently. 

[Rubedo]

Yep manual all the way for me. I can't stand the lag and unresponsiveness of the auto.

I have an IS300 and the first year they made them they were strictly Automatic.

This car is extremely responsive with it's Automatic Transmission, though it is a sports car.

And a simple Valve Body Upgrade to the Auto Tranny makes it even more responsive, especially if you decide to add a turbo =)