Automatic or Manual/Stick Shift?

[Randy K]

I'm 46 and have never owned an automatic and have no plans to ever own one - I hate the lack of control in an automatic. I learned on a stick and have never driven anything else, unless I'm borrowing a vehicle.

Having said that, it's increasingly more difficult to find a vehicle you like with a standard transmission. Especially if you prefer SUV's, like me. The last two that I owned were an Isuzu Rodeo, and my current Nissan Xterra. Aside from the BMW X series and a Jeep, there are very few other options for an SUV driver that likes a manual transmission in the US.

 

[07LPStandard]

Quoted for truth since Drew has all these years of driving experience.

Oh wait...

Well at least he makes a good point..

Manuals are more dependable than autos.. the clutch and synchronizers in manual gearboxes may wear out over time, but at least you don't have to worry about random failures like you do with a slushbox (unless you do something stupid like money shift).

Also, manual gearboxes are lighter and cause less driveline power loss than autos. They are also much better for any kind of track driving or racing.

 

[SlapChop]

I'm not saying one is better. I've had both and I appreciate features of both.

I just think it's funny that a little teeney bopper is speaking the "gospel" on vehicles when he probably can't drive in one without adult supervision...

You don't always get better mileage with a stick either. In the case of my vehicle, manual is worse than my automatic.

Gas Mileage of 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser

 

[mcmurray]

Commuting in stop/start traffic: auto.

Driving for fun: manual.

Manual gives me the ability to keep the engine in the rpm range sweet spot at all times, there's nothing worse than having a high performance engine with an auto gearbox, it keeps changing before you get into that rev range.

 

[Jeremiah]

I drive an A4 and an S5, both automatic. I wouldn't bother going back to the stickshift I had when I learned to drive. It is worthwhile to learn to do it, so you're never stuck at the rental car place, but I always choose automatic when given the choice and when purchasing vehicles.

 

[Dr.Distortion]

I prefer manual. Most of my cars have been manual. In snow, I prefer auto easier to start on a hill...

 

[Drew224]

rwd should be easier. I am really thinking about getting a miata project car next year or so, I guess I will see. But I drive an 8th gen civic for now, and when the clutch goes I wont even try to do it. I've read the guide and it turns out you have to drop the subframe to get to it.

I'd love something rwd. But there's nothing decent I can afford unless I want a beat to shit v6 Mustang - which I don't.

 

[Drew224]

I'm not saying one is better. I've had both and I appreciate features of both.

I just think it's funny that a little teeney bopper is speaking the "gospel" on vehicles when he probably can't drive in one without adult supervision...

You don't always get better mileage with a stick either. In the case of my vehicle, manual is worse than my automatic.

Gas Mileage of 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser

What I'm saying is that automatics have allowed more people to drive, who otherwise just couldn't or wouldn't, and a lot of these people really suck at driving. I don't know anyone who drives stick who is a bad driver.

 

[KSG_Standard]

I like manual transmissions, except for one thing...they suck in heavy traffic.

 

[Emmitt Fitzhume]

What I'm saying is that automatics have allowed more people to drive, who otherwise just couldn't or wouldn't, and a lot of these people really suck at driving. I don't know anyone who drives stick who is a bad driver.

My brother has always driven a stick and he sucks, I get whiplash everytime I ride with him.

 

[Skintaster]

I tend to drive cars with a manual transmission. I like the more "active" driving experience, and feel it gives me a little more control. Occasionally if I'm just running a quick errand, it can be fun to drive my wife's car, which is an automatic.

 

[Randy K]

It's curious that ~ 70% of the drivers on the MLP prefer standard, but ~80% of drivers (in the U.S. at least) drive an automatic...

 

[BigAl]

It's curious that ~ 70% of the drivers on the MLP prefer standard, but ~80% of drivers (in the U.S. at least) drive an automatic...

That's because most of us here aren't lazy fvcks .

 

[E55eT]

Only women, and old people prefer auto in Sweden!

 

[skingy]

i'm embarrassed to drive a sports car with an automatic.

 

[TheBeast54]

My first car (the car i currently own) is an automatic. But both my dad and my sister own cars that have manual transmission. I'm not very good at driving stick, but it sure as hell is a lot more fun than driving my glorified golf cart.

 

[Dan]

Auto is lame as hell. Manual. I will never own an auto unless it's not actually for me to drive.

It actually pisses me off that thanks to automatic transmissions, any random, ditzy fck can drive a car.

What I'm saying is that automatics have allowed more people to drive, who otherwise just couldn't or wouldn't, and a lot of these people really suck at driving. I don't know anyone who drives stick who is a bad driver.

Shut up, Drew. That has to be one of the dumbest generalizations I've ever heard.

I drive an auto, but I know how to work a stick shift. For me, there is not one practical reason to have a manual over an automatic. To attach machismo or superiority to fact you drive a stick is ignorant and silly.

 

[TheBeast54]

Shut up, Drew. That has to be one of the dumbest generalizations I've ever heard.

I drive an auto, but I know how to work a stick shift. For me, there is not one practical reason to have a manual over an automatic. To attach machismo or superiority to fact you drive a stick is ignorant and silly.

Drew is actually making a good point IMO. I think you should spend some time in a high school parking lot. I drive an automatic because it's practical and all that other good stuff. But some of the kids at school just pay no attention to what they're doing while they drive. Making them drive an automatic would probably make them be more aware of what there doing instead of just pressing down pedals like a video game.

 

[Dan]

Drew is actually making a good point IMO. I think you should spend some time in a high school parking lot. I drive an automatic because it's practical and all that other good stuff. But some of the kids at school just pay no attention to what they're doing while they drive. Making them drive an automatic would probably make them be more aware of what there doing instead of just pressing down pedals like a video game.

I've already been through high school and I'm a school teacher, I know about student parking lots. If there were nothing but manual transmissions, then you would still have just as many teenagers driving badly with manual transmissions.

 

[TheBeast54]

I've already been through high school and I'm a school teacher, I know about student parking lots. If there were nothing but manual transmissions, then you would still have just as many teenagers driving badly with manual transmissions.

I'm not talking about bad driving. I'm talking about not having to pay attention to what you're doing when you're driving an automatic. Most bad driving stems from not paying attention.. so i don't understand you're bad driving argument.