Poll: Manual vs Automatic Gearboxes

[omicronpercei]

I hate that manual transmissions are so hard to find anymore. You almost have to pay more to have one in fact. I not only learned how to drive stick but learned in a 57 Chevy Bel Air with 3 on the tree. I was also taught the finer points of driving stick like how to brake using the clutch and how to shift WITHOUT the clutch (it is possible, you just have to be good). My everyday driver is an automatic but only because I couldn't find one like it in manual(what a sad world it is)

 

[omicronpercei]

mustang GT's are only manual, because you can get more power out of it. I like running it up past 6000 rpm in 2nd = 80 mph.

Huh, nay most GT's are the five speed automatic(the old cobras are 6 speed manual, with regular GT's having the 5 speed man. or slushbox(the older 93-2004 stangs had a 4 speed slushbox IIRC or 5 speed stick). A manual will not really get you more power, maybe a smidgen more than an auto as you don't lose power though the torque converter...
Also remind me not to buy a car from you ( I can feel/smell burning clutch fluid from here)
/picky car guy

God Bless You Sir, for putting the Wanna Be Gear Head in his place *applauds* Drach my motorcycle has troubles with 80mph in 2nd gear and its a Yamaha R1. If you don't blow your head gaskets or piston rings by pushing the car like that then you are doomed to drop a couple clutches in your day. Only an idiot whose never changed out a clutch in his life would treat one like that.

 

[space_oddity]

Motorbikes FTW

 

[omicronpercei]

In Aus you get teased if you can't drive a manual

As well it should be

 

[space_oddity]

I was also taught the finer points of driving stick like how to brake using the clutch and how to shift WITHOUT the clutch (it is possible, you just have to be good).

*bows to sensei*
Teach me

 

[9-liner]

Here in the bottom right corner of the U.S., if'n y'all cain't drive stick, yew just ain't ryt...

 

[Ridergurl10]

Manuals are amazing . . . automatics are so boring to drive . . . however I don't like my dads acura (really hard to shift gears), but love the VWs so easy and fun!

 

[omicronpercei]

I was also taught the finer points of driving stick like how to brake using the clutch and how to shift WITHOUT the clutch (it is possible, you just have to be good).

*bows to sensei*
Teach me

It's hard to explain...It's a "feel" thing. If you hold light pressure on the stick right before the gears start to grind you can feel the teeth skipping each other and if you tap the accelerator right before you push it into gear, the gears will actually spin themselves into place. It doesn't work taking off (of course) because obviously you'd have to floor it to do it and not stall out and the 1st gears are square cut, not helical and wont slip into place. It would be like grinding your teeth together. I wouldn't recommend trying this though due to the expensive nature of the repairs should something go awry. I would keep this info in the back of your head in case your clutch ever takes a shit. At least you'll be able to make it home

 

[SenseOfTumour]

I don't drive myself, but from playing videogames, I always go automatic, because I just can't be bothered with all the gear changing, although when I was learning IRL I had no problem with it, I don't think I'd have minded an automatic.

To me, the only advantage to automatic (coming from a gaming perspective) is a slight increase in acceleration to top speed and a little more control, and I can't see me needing that with a max speed of 70 in the UK and most of the time not managing to escape 30.

 

[Sweep117]

I taught myself to drive stick and I love it. My uncle lent us his second car, a Mazda Pricidia, for a couple months after the transmission blew on our Windstar. It was either learn it quick or don't drive. No option for me. Driving it is so much fun! Like my dad says, "Driving an automatic isn't driving. It's pointing."

On the other hand, sometimes I prefer automatic. Some days I just want to point and go. Veg out... I suppose that's a bad thing to do on the road?

To me, the only advantage to automatic (coming from a gaming perspective) is a slight increase in acceleration to top speed and a little more control

That's where (racing) games get it wrong. If you do it right, you will accelerate faster when driving stick. If you get lazy though, you end up slowing down between gears. (I suppose that also applies with city driving. You can't always tear off when the light turns green.) And having driven both, I think stick gives you more control. Just a personal preference there, though. I don't know if there's much difference.

 

[Graustein]

I can drive neither, but I'm learning Manual.

 

[Ceefax]

Manual all the way. Much more control over what the engine's doing for braking and accelerating.

Automatics seem lazy to me, kinda like being a pilot but only with auto pilot on....

 

[Flying-Emu]

I just ride my bike everywhere...

It's a lot easier.

 

[Baby Tea]

I'm Canadian, I have an automatic, but I can drive manual.
My wife can't, and I can't understand why. It's really easy.

 

[Baby Tea]

I was also taught the finer points of driving stick like how to brake using the clutch and how to shift WITHOUT the clutch (it is possible, you just have to be good).

A buddy of mine has been driving since he was, like, 12 (That's what happens when you live on a farm) and rarely ever uses the clutch when he drives (He prefers manual).

EDIT: Pardon the double post!

 

[brabz]

Every car I've owned has been manual. It's far less common in the US, and there is something of a novelty when people see you drive stick. The trade-off is though you get better gas mileage, commuter traffic jams are an exercise in frustration and general anger. Though, in fairness, any traffic block causes me to have those feelings.

 

[ace_of_something]

I can drive manual but I much prefer automatic. I guess cuz I'm lazy.

 

[beddo]

I've just got home from picking a mate up from the airport, first time I'm seen him in about a year since he left for the US. As we're both 18, we've both learnt to drive in this time, and as I was driving him back to his hotel, he said something strange.

"Hey, wow! You can drive a stick shift?"

Now I was unaware until he told me, but apparently in the US, manual gear boxes are really rare, and not that many people can drive them (to the point -so he says- of it being a boasting point).

My question to you, Escapists, is can YOU drive stick shift?
The reason the poll is set out like this is simple. If you can drive a Manual (stick shift), you can automatically drive an Automatic. If you drive an Automatic, however, you cannot automatically drive a Manual.

It's not hard to drive manual. Driving automatic is about as complicated as playing Daytona USA.