OT: do you drive an automatic or manual?

[Climb01742]

just curious what folks drive. in my callow youth, i drove sticks. then got lazy with greater daily driving in traffic and when auto. now thinking about a stick again. so where do folks come down on the pain vs pleasure aspect of manual trannies?

[David Kirk]

Unless I take a job as a rural mail carrier I need a stick.

dave

[abqhudson]

Hi,

I drive one stick and 1 auto. Have to have an auto to make the wife happy. Me - I like to drive a stick - just feels right. YMMV.

[ALAMIKE]

My sports car is a 6 speed manual which is the only way of properly driving that type of car. My truck is an automatic because it was the only transmission available.

[fourflys]

for me it depends on the vehicle...

With my Miata, it was a stick hands down and would be with any true sports car. With my new car ('06 MB C230 Sport), it has the autostick transmission. I find I don't use the manual mode too often unless I'm just playing around but it's nice to have. Even nicer is the Sport/Comfort mode, basically in sport mode the shift points are changed to upshift later (higher rpm) and downshift sooner. Not as good on gas as the comfort mode, but more fun! That's the only complaint I have about my wife's Acoord Coupe V6... it has 240 hp, but waits FOREVER to downshift to conserve fuel economy...

[Bradford]

I always drove a stick until this car, which was a hand me down from my wife. I don't like the automatic and will go back to a stick if I ever get to buy a new car again.

[William]

My Cruiser is manual and I wouldn't have it any other way. It's also one of many reasons I don't answer my cell when it rings when I'm on the road. Mrs. Williams Volvo is auto.


William

[DfCas]

Manual. Thats why we have left feet.

[fiamme red]

Automatic = Shimano
Manual = Campagnolo

Or is it the other way around? :p

[WadePatton]

Unless I take a job as a rural mail carrier I need a stick.

dave

give me a clutch, i'll stir 'em with a stick. i've owned two automatic transmissions in my life. one was for competition-the higher performance option for that application.

that particular truck is slated to be converted to a manual.

[WayneJ]

just curious what folks drive. in my callow youth, i drove sticks. then got lazy with greater daily driving in traffic and when auto. now thinking about a stick again. so where do folks come down on the pain vs pleasure aspect of manual trannies?


Nothing but Sticks in my fleet. For better fuel economy and less-frequent brake replacements, as well as having more control over the acceleration/deceleration process.

[jh_on_the_cape]

both of our cars are stick.

they are getting harder to find.

[don'TreadOnMe]

man-well.
slushbox = no good.

[Ahneida Ride]

More Clutching and less Braking ...

(that's what I told her !)

[znfdl]

Been shifting my own gears since 1976......

[Steevo]

I learned on an old Ford pickup "three on the tree" way back when. I've never owned an auto tranny car. I like the stick, the clutch and the control. The only drawback is when I'm stuck in traffic.

[Matt-H]

I also learned to drive with a three-speed on the column in a '65 Buick Special. I have many fond memories of going out with my Dad and practicing, often on the steepest hill he could find.

Never did shake the habit of standard transmissions...

[dd74]

Daily driver - auto.

Street/track car - stick.

[nobrakes]

We've reduced to just one car, sadly, only available as an automatic. Don't really care, as it only gets driven once a week, sometimes less. We'll see if that increases, as the rain and cold season approaches.

[jeffg]

just curious what folks drive. in my callow youth, i drove sticks. then got lazy with greater daily driving in traffic and when auto. now thinking about a stick again. so where do folks come down on the pain vs pleasure aspect of manual trannies?

Manual. Even driving in SF the hill assist on the Mini makes it a no-brainer. Our Volvo came with an automatic since that was all that was available and we miss the manual that was on our 850 wagon ...

[thwart]

They still make automatic transmissions... ? :D

[bostondrunk]

Auto. I need my right hand to hold my quarter pounder w/cheese and play with the stereo.

[Onno]

The benefits and glory of stick-shift were drilled into me by my Dutch father, and it's all I've ever driven. It may be the only thing he taught me that really stuck!

[Blue Jays]

Have manual vehicles, plus a paddleshifter car, plus a manual motorcycle.
I dig 'em all for what they're intended to do.

[ergott]

Stick. I won't own an automatic.

Paddle shifters are not a substitute for stick either.

[Ken Robb]

two 6 speeds in our garage--three if we count the Ducati.

I might need an auto if I had to commute in stop and go. They are pretty darn good these days as I discover when renting from Hertz.

[Louis]

Stick - '97 Integra

[BigDaddySmooth]

Manual=tubulars
Auto=clinchers

Manual=steel
Auto=anything non-ferrous

[Kevan]

Yes.

[Ray]

I'm just not pure enough. I drove sticks (or three on the tree) almost exclusively until I was about 43-44. Then, we got my wife an Accord and I inherited the wagon, which was also an auto - she could burn up a clutch just looking at it. When I bought my Fit a couple of years ago I thought I was gonna go back to a stick but after test driving both I realized I didn't care any more. The auto was nearly as good, and the only time I really enjoyed shifting was the rare occasion I got out on twisty little country roads, which I do tons of on my bike and almost never in my car anymore. I got the version with manual shift paddles on the wheel so I can sort of fake having a stick every now and then, but I almost never use them. Bottom line is that driving has become a strictly utilitarian undertaking for me. And an auto just adds to the utility. If I decide to have a late midlife crisis and need a little red sports car to go along with the young bimbos (yeah, they're just lining up!), I guess maybe I'll go back to a stick. But I consider that whole scenario so far beyond unlikely its not even worth laughing about anymore.

-Ray

[r_mutt]

manual- of course!

[sokyroadie]

Company truck - Auto
Personal truck - Stick - but if I lived in a big city it would be Auto.

Jeff

[kestrel]

1 - 6speed
2- auto

Love the 6 speed unless it's rush hour traffic, clutch is just a wee bit too heavy for stop and go for an hour.

[Pete Serotta]

Honda Pilot = Automatic

E46 BMW M3 = 6 speed.


Serotta = 10 speed manual

[Sandy]

Myself- Manual- One 5 speed and one 6 speed.

My wife- Automatic

My dog King- Automatic 1 speed when walking- SLOW, Automatic very rapid shifting with final gear- SUPERSONIC SPEEDY when chasing a little critter in the yard.


Sandy

[tv_vt]

Manual, baby! And they are getting hard to find. I ended up driving from Vermont to Rhode Island to buy my 2009 Volkswagen Jetta wagon 5 speed (180 miles one way). There were almost none to be found in New England.

Thom

[quansoo]

Two six speeds.

[gdw]

Car and Landcruiser.

[RPS]

OT: do you drive an automatic or manual?
Both.

However, 99.9% of miles in auto based on vehicles and not transmission type. I prefer stick, and wife auto; and since we share vehicles newer ones have been auto for years.

[quattro]

6-speed manual.

[Ozz]

sticks are fun, but I got over that when I turned 30....


Honda Pilot - auto
Toyota Prius - auto

My cars are used for transportation, not recreation....that's what my bikes are for.

:beer:

[chuckroast]

I think our last stick shift departed the motor pool in 2001. It was 5 speed Passat. Other than an IH Tractor I had when we lived in the country until 2005, it's been all automatic since then.

I'm like some of the others, I could still drive a stick but I'm over it.

[zap]

Manumatic (and the like) in most cases. Shift faster than all but the best drag racers and that's all most powerful cars come with.

I've seen you ;) drive and trust me, manual ain't working.

And hell, think F1.

[gemship]

Back in June I had to replace my 8 year old Tundra due unusually excessive frame rot similar to the Tacoma however it didn't fall under their warranty for the Tacoma. It was a standard, in fact the drivetrain in my opinion was the best part of truck. So I replaced it with a Chevy Silverado which is 3 years old and has all the same options or lack of... Just a straight up standard shift 2wd work truck, fire engine red. I'm smitten with it. Discovered thru a ad on Craigs list. Traveled about 90 miles by train,taxi and bus to meet the owner. I assumed being a Chevy it would be automatic(owner didn't tell me inform me)and was surprised to find it standard but since I've driving standard for so long I blew it off and accepted it. Who wouldn't? I mean for 7k$ I got a 06" with 48k on the odometer and the thing looked absolutely mint with less than 5% surface rust and a nice undercoating that looks factory to boot. It's interesting to own both a Toyota and a Chevy of identical specs. I can honestly say both have their strengths but the Chevy hands down has the beefier frame and muscular looks the Tundra is lacking. I'm starting to believe that their is something to be said for American steel. In that regard to those that live and drive in the rust belt I recommend a product known as Kiwi fluid film. It's a lanolin oil based rust preventer. I just bathed the whole underneath of my truck with it for a protective barrier against salt corrosion.

[TACSTS]

Manual only.

Wife is car shopping. It kills a little bit of me inside that she's going to get an auto. I think we may be able to compromise and get a VW GTI with a DSG. It's not a real manual, but also not really an auto.

[gemship]

sticks are fun, but I got over that when I turned 30....


Honda Pilot - auto
Toyota Prius - auto

My cars are used for transportation, not recreation....that's what my bikes are for.

:beer:


not to mention texting while driving a stick is a real feat... ha,ha I'm kidding got keep you all on your toes :p

I don't even own a cell phone because besides being cheap I believe those studies that indicate they're killing the bees.

[Bruce K]

1 stick (Mini Cooper S), and 2 automatics - 1 normal (Acura MDX) & 1 w/sport shift (BMW 328xi Wagon).

My old, arthiritic left knee can only take so much fun.

BK

[DfCas]

I find the responses curious. I read somewhere that over 90% of the vehicles sold in the USA are auto, yet it seems that over 90% of the resonses here are manual. Its hard to even find a manual tranny on a lot around here.

[Big Dan]

My Civic is 5 spd. Manual.

[jhat]

Unfortunately it is an auto for me. Honda Odyssey. If it came in a manual, I would be driving a manual as that is my hands down preference.

[csm]

6 spd.

[witcombusa]

Manual gearbox
No damn slushboxs allowed here.... :D

[maunahaole]

my car = auto (stick conversion can be done, but it is a big job and about $1500) - big old station wagon with about 4700lb curb weight
motorcycle = manual, that's the daily ride, unless it is really pissing down rain.
wife's car = stick. Her car is fun to drive, but it is bloody uncomfortable to be in for any period of time and the visibility out of it sucks. In any event, she doesnt like it much when I drive it in the fashion it should be driven and she is riding shotgun.

most of my driving is in town on congested streets, so I actually prefer the low end punch and better visibility in the wagon. It is a PITA to park and uses lots of gas, but I dont drive it that often.

[xjoex]

Manual in my mini
http://boulder.inotion.com/joe/2008/06-05_mini/100_1807.jpg

-Joe

[Tobias]

so where do folks come down on the pain vs pleasure aspect of manual trannies?
For me small cars with small engines go well with manual, and large ones with auto.

[SpeedyChix]

R32 = 6 speed

[1centaur]

Yeah, that metal bike/Campy/manual transmission connection looks ripe for a marketer's database.

I am completely happy with carbon fiber bike/Shimano/auto transmission. I don't view cars as needing that extra human gear choice on the roads I drive (rush hour both ways, or highway at the speed limit). A smooth engine, a nice cabin, good traction and a little extra oomph when the pedal goes down are all I want.

[nervexpro55]

just curious what folks drive. in my callow youth, i drove sticks. then got lazy with greater daily driving in traffic and when auto. now thinking about a stick again. so where do folks come down on the pain vs pleasure aspect of manual trannies?
Im a fat old guy that still drives a 5spd Saabaru 9-2 aero. I still think it is more fun than driving an auto except when it's bump 2 bump traffic.

[Louis]

I find the responses curious. I read somewhere that over 90% of the vehicles sold in the USA are auto, yet it seems that over 90% of the resonses here are manual. Its hard to even find a manual tranny on a lot around here.

1) I think folks on the forum with a stick are more likely to respond.

2) You know as well as I do that the folks around here are certainly not "average." :)

Louis

[csm]

R32 = 6 speed

is that a manumatic or a real 3 pedal 6 spd?

[rounder]

Automatic. Two A4s but both are automatic. My instinct likes the thought of clicking into the right gear when you get the chance, but local traffic where i drive dictates being stuck regularly and coasting along when you get the opportunity. That is one of the reasons i really like riding my bike and using all of the gears.

[RBaker2778]

I drive just shy of 100 miles a day commuting on busy roads. I love driving a stick, but not where I live, or as a commuter vehicle. It is just too much of a PITA around here.

[salem]

I remember walking around the congested city of Nice and peeking in the car windows--it was almost impossible to find an automatic transmission. Then again, in general, they like bikes a lot more over there too.

[jbrainin]

in my automatic equipped Honda Fit. Don't need to mess with a clutch but still get to shift at will. I like.

[scrubadub]

My first car was a stick as is my current car A4. Not sure what I'm going to do when this one dies and we move on to a hybrid or (hopefully) full electric. Do they still make the Honda Insight in manual?

My wife used to drive an automatic but once I taught her how to drive manual she loves it and won't go back. The only downside of having only manuals is when family comes to visit and have to rent a car because they can't/won't drive the manual. Less mileage I guess on our cars!

[dd74]

My issue is I want my next car to be a turbo diesel of any make, but with a manual, but no one I know makes a transmission strong enough to handle a turbo diesel's torque.

I thought VW would with their Jetta, but they only offer semi-automatic (or whatever).

BMW is the same with the 335d. Incidentally, the 335d comes very close to matching performance with the M3. It's near even with the 335i (gas version) - and that car has a stick with a 6500+ rev limit.

Thing is, the 335d gets over 30 mpg and has near zero emissions.

[Louis]

whatever). BMW is the same with the 335d. Incidentally, the 335d comes very close to matching performance with the M3. It's near even with the 335i (gas version) - and that car has a stick with a 6500+ rev limit.

Thing is, the 335d gets over 30 mpg and has near zero emissions.

Random comment: Maybe, but no way in the world would I spend more than $40k for a car.

I eventually will have to replace my '97 Integra (186k miles and still going strong) and would like to do so with another kind-of sporty car. (Preferably a hatch-back, but there don't seem to be too many of those around that appeal to me.).

[ThasFACE]

Stick.

I got learned on 'the driving' with a manual transmission and really really prefer it to auto; makes driving an experience and not just an act.

p.s. if anyone has an e36 m3 sedan in estoril blue with 5sp and fold-downs, I want your car. Immediately.

[Blue Jays]

"...My issue is I want my next car to be a turbodiesel of any make, but with a manual, but no one I know makes a transmission strong enough to handle a turbo diesel's torque..."Sounds like you're speaking of a 2010 Audi A3.
You would have to sacrifice a true row-your-own transmission for a manumatic.
URL: http://www.audiusa.com/us/brand/en/models/a3_tdi.html

[dd74]

Sounds like you're speaking of a 2010 Audi A3.
You would have to sacrifice a true row-your-own transmission for a manumatic.
URL: http://www.audiusa.com/us/brand/en/models/a3_tdi.html
Hmmm...I just priced one for kicks. Fully loaded $33K. Not bad with all things considered. It's hard to find a new car for less than $40K. And this'll haul the family and when needed, the bike.

No manual, though. :crap:

[Ray]

It's hard to find a new car for less than $40K.
Really? Damn, tough crowd. We have yet to spend over $20k and haven't bought anything but new cars since the mid-80s. I guess my wife's next car will probably top $20, but not by much. It pays not to have expensive tastes.

-Ray

[slowgoing]

two six speed sports cars, two auto SUVs. You forget how enjoyable it is to shift until you drive an auto for a while.

[ti_boi]

6 speed automatic with "triptronic".....*meh*..... :rolleyes:

[BillyBear]

what is an automatic transmission? :) :)

[SEABREEZE]

I have driven both over the years, for me hands down stick is more fun.

I will tell you, I have driiven the new triptronic trannys, and they too are a lot of fun.

Presently driving auto unfortunately.

[mcteague]

I've always driven a stick until I got a Subaru H6 Outback in 2004. It only came auto and with my job now requiring me to drive I95, often in stop and go traffic, I sort of like the auto. A manual gets to be a real pain after 20-30 minutes of that crap. I have a Yamaha FZ6 for weekends to satisfy my need to stir the gears. 6 speeds, 98hp and 14k redline, woo hoo.

Tim

[hokoman]

i have both, but have only been driving the manual. somedays, i just don't like dealing with the manual though, my car just isn't that comfortable over the crummy california roads (sports car with suspension, duh!)....

[merlinmurph]

All Manual, ever since 1977. It can be tough getting one, though. When I bought my Honda Element 18 months ago, it was tough finding a manual in New England.

[dd74]

I wonder with all the hybrid engines, diesels (their torque making manual trannys almost needless), electric engines, and very efficient gasoline engines (the direct injected turbo engines from Ford are amazing, IMO), if manuals will simply become obsolete.

Mercedes, BMW, and others already have more gears in their automatics than their manuals. And even vehicles as unsporting as Ford Explorers have six-speed auto transmissions.

I haven't yet seen a seven-speed manual, which I would think someone might have engineered already for, say, a Corvette, Porsche or Ferrari.

Will the manual become a boutique item?

[DHallerman]

Manual, yes. On my Acura TSX.

Automatic, yes. On my Honda CR-V.

I like them both, both in their place.

Then again, I like both Campagnolo and Shimano -- and see benefits from both, in different ways, both in their place.

Dave, who would hate to drive regularly in busy city stop-and-go traffic with manual all the time

[jhat]

I agree with dd74, with all of this new technology coming out in cars, the manual certainly seems destined to become obsolete. Sad thing that but it sure seems to be the direction we (society) are taking.

[gemship]

I agree with dd74, with all of this new technology coming out in cars, the manual certainly seems destined to become obsolete. Sad thing that but it sure seems to be the direction we (society) are taking.


not to mention replacing a clutch isn't exactly cheap. one must be very careful who they loan their vehicle to to, in fact scratch that because lending cars is just a really bad idea unless you sleep with said other driver then you just become lax in you good sense either or riddled with guilt for not letting them have at it. Oh yeah checking the gear oil is a often neglected but important maintenance step. I see driving a standard as more a handicap than a convenience but they are fun. My truck is a little quirky in that there is a vicious gear whine in first and second despite gear oil present and sealed up, the clutch pedal absolutely must be pushed all the way to the floor for a successful shift. The clutch pedal tends to push the floor mat slightly as noted by the previous owner and when I indicated this to the mechanic inspecting my truck in his own words he said be careful not let anybody else drive it.