Automatic vs Manual

[Rhys]

Originally Posted by DeepImpactBlue2015EB
manual....fu*ck auto

Agreed. There is no need to be that outrageously antagonistic about stating one's own preferences. As a driver dedicated to owning only MT cars for as long as I have, his post signature embarrasses me.


But I'm going to insert a few equally quick replies
Here are some quick facts:
- Manual transmissions are generally dead except in value/cheap or performance oriented automobiles. A fact? Yes. A good thing? No.

- Modern automatics have proven to be less problematic than manuals, and generally return better fuel mileage than manuals. Not sure about this. A whole industry grew up around repairing automatic transmissions, and nowadays there are quite a few P0xxx DTC's specifically related to troubleshooting automatic transmissions and their occasionally aberrant behavior.


Norm

I have seen plenty of cases where the auto transmission has failed. As in the automatic transmission would not change gear. Sometimes the trans screws up and causes unwanted downshifts that make the engine rev out. Thats why I haven't bothered with much automatic cars. I have had plenty of tunes on my 67 mustang to keep the trans from doing that.

Sponsored

 

[JimmyTwoTimes]

Getting an Automatic is a paid extra option and generally gets you slammed with extra taxes because their emissions ratings are really bad compared to the manuals. (As en extreme example: The Automatic EB fastback is over 20k more expensive than the manual here.)

Yikes.

I only know two people who've ever driven a manual, neither of whom have driven one this millenium. Different cultures and all. The only times I've even been a passenger in a manual car have been in taxis in Europe.

 

[cowzrul]

The auto is more practical for me right now and I don't foresee myself regretting it. Having spent time with the last gen auto Mustang, I know that driving in D makes the car Clark Kent and shifting into S is for Superman. Having the paddle shifters gives me the best of BOTH worlds.

I'll miss having the factory Performance Package for 2015 but this is a Ford Mustang, the most modified car in the United States of America. The aftermarket will likely have something to get you there.

This. Who cares what anybody else thinks? I am buying what fits my needs and wants.

 

[Lord Thunder]

Yikes.

I only know two people who've ever driven a manual, neither of whom have driven one this millenium. Different cultures and all. The only times I've even been a passenger in a manual car have been in taxis in Europe.

I just realised it's not a 20k difference, but 'only' 11k. Still, it's a hefty hit to take.

 

[Norm Peterson]

Originally Posted by Don
My wife would kill me if I bought an automatic. She only knows how to drive a stick.

Too funny! Those damn automatics are pretty tricky... :cheers:

What's funny is that my wife - at age 60 no less - actively didn't want anything to do with driving a car with automatic. Still doesn't. I'm sure she could if she had to, but it would not be an episode in "second nature' driving and would introduce a couple of risks not present in her stick shift driving.

Both statements are absolutely false if you look outside of the US of A. The world is a tad bit bigger than just North America.

Yeah, I suppose I should have narrowed that statement a bit, though I imagine most people understood.

It's been more than a couple of years since I've seen the 'take rate' of manual transmissions, conventional automatics, and CVTs, but I think the ATs commanded more than 10% in both Europe and Japan.

In Europe, there might be a penalty on automatic versions because of separate emissions testing to Euro requirements that's only being recovered over a relatively limited number of cars.

In general, automatics have an easier time passing emissions standards at least partly because with an AT there are no lift-throttle upshifts involved during the drive cycles like there are with a MT. Suddenly dropping throttle generates very brief but finite spikes in HC and CO. In some (many?) MT cars, the ECU is programmed to hold the revs up momentarily to alleviate the MT's disadvantage here at some minute cost in fuel economy . . . and believe it or not there might even be a little hidden benefit for certain MT enthusiasts hiding in this particular emissions control technique.


Norm

 

[seivwrig]

Preference is personal. I would not slam someone for getting an automatic. With the progress in automatic transmissions and the addition of dual clutch transmission, rowing your own gears might be rare in the U.S. I've owned manuals since 1999. When I'm in England, my family members own manuals, plus renting an auto is a premium. As far as European cars sold in the U.S., you almost have to order a car to get a manual. I personally chose a Mustang because: 1) I can see the NA V8 going away 2) RWD is becoming rare except for exotics and even they seem to be going AWD 3) As mentioned by others how much longer will the manual transmission be around. As far as manuals in traffic, it's not that bad!

 

[oilfieldtrash]

I'm used to drinking a coke or finding a song on my phone while driving. I tried a stick on my last car and absolutely hated it. I didn't have it over 6 months before giving up and going back to automatic. I also drive an eighteen wheeler for a living so that could also be why I don't want to row my own in my car.

 

[Norm Peterson]

Yikes.

I only know two people who've ever driven a manual, neither of whom have driven one this millenium. Different cultures and all. The only times I've even been a passenger in a manual car have been in taxis in Europe.

Jimmy, from a traditional automotive enthusiast's point of view you've lived a pretty sheltered life. Where I grew up (and perhaps when), more of the people in the immediate middle-class neighborhood drove MT cars than didn't, and most of the people in my H.S. graduating class trained on and even took their road test in MT cars.

That may have been changing by the time my younger sister and even younger brother started driving, and I'm convinced that they're poorer for having missed out on the experience.


Norm

 

[berserker_sid]

in the United States manuals have lately been dying out, but in Europe and South America 3/4 of all cars are stick shift

Deep impact Blue... Not in only ins south america and Europe... Even in asia.. MTs are more used than ATs.

Even though i have an AT, yet MT has its fun factors and downsides.

But yes MT is fun.

And Mustang MT will be more famous in ASIA than in US or lets say Northern US

 

[JimmyTwoTimes]

Jimmy, from a traditional automotive enthusiast's point of view you've lived a pretty sheltered life. Where I grew up (and perhaps when), more of the people in the immediate middle-class neighborhood drove MT cars than didn't, and most of the people in my H.S. graduating class trained on and even took their road test in MT cars.

That may have been changing by the time my younger sister and even younger brother started driving, and I'm convinced that they're poorer for having missed out on the experience.


Norm

Obviously it might have been different when you were learning to drive, but most of the cars I've owned weren't even offered with a manual transmission -- early '80's Chrysler Town and Country; mid '90's Taurus; early '90's Mercedes 560SEL; a couple of '70's Corollas which were offered with manuals but had 3-speed autos in the ones I owned -- and most of the cars people I know drive aren't offered with manuals, or are only offered with manuals in the absolute cheapest versions (Hyundai Sonatas, bunch of Lexus RX's, Chevy Malibus, Honda CRV's).

I mean, I've raced rallies with my friend's rally team, but even there it's an Audi A4 with a DSG. Manuals just aren't a thing anybody uses any more.

 

[berserker_sid]

Obviously it might have been different when you were learning to drive, but most of the cars I've owned weren't even offered with a manual transmission -- early '80's Chrysler Town and Country; mid '90's Taurus; early '90's Mercedes 560SEL; a couple of '70's Corollas which were offered with manuals but had 3-speed autos in the ones I owned -- and most of the cars people I know drive aren't offered with manuals, or are only offered with manuals in the absolute cheapest versions (Hyundai Sonatas, bunch of Lexus RX's, Chevy Malibus, Honda CRV's).

I mean, I've raced rallies with my friend's rally team, but even there it's an Audi A4 with a DSG. Manuals just aren't a thing anybody uses any more.

Jimmy ... Its Norm and putting any points in front of him is banging head against wall.

No matter what you say... there will be a statement,." In my times when i started driving"

My question... No one cares or bothers ... when you started driving... its present time we are talking about...

When you started driving there are zillions of things car didn had.

Norm Sir.. You need to accept the new times ... and yes its hard to get over old practices... But i guess you have to...or else you will keep on cribbing about new world .

One thing that noone can deny is yes... YOUR experience as driver and i am saying for myself.. I am not even 1 % of driver you are...

Cars have come a along in past 5 years.. Then what should i do.. i would compare yes... but i would crib about it... Its called acceptance to the change.

 

[OppoLock]

This thread turns into the same debate every time. With the same people.

 

[berserker_sid]

This thread turns into the same debate every time. With the same people.

agreed... thats what...same argument.. noone gets the base point ACCEPT THE CHANGE

 

[OppoLock]

agreed... thats what...same argument.. noone gets the base point ACCEPT THE CHANGE

It always starts with "I got this because I like this" to "I got this because your choice is the work of Satan and you just don't realize it."

 

[berserker_sid]

It always starts with "I got this because I like this" to "I got this because your choice is the work of Satan and you just don't realize it."

.

That waas awesome

Sponsored