Poll: To all car drivers - Automatic or Manual

[pelopelopelo]

Manual. It's the only way. I like being able to get the perfect shift, fucking it up is always an option and it's a LOT more satisfying to overtake with manual gearing.

 

[Gildan Bladeborn]

I initially tried learning to drive on a manual transmission, which was bloody annoying and I never quite got the hang of it. Automatic transmissions though were ludicrously intuitive - no shifting gears, no riding the clutch, just press the gas pedal to go forwards and the brake pedal to stop.

Frankly, for your typical commuter, there really isn't any need for the finer control a manual transmission might offer - most of us aren't race drivers after all. The manual transmission went out of vogue here in the states for the same reason we have remote controls now - why do things the hard way when there's an easier option?

 

[flipsalty]

Manual, in agreement of what others have said above. I like the control I have over my speed, whenever I need to quickly accelerate I just shift down for more torque, can't do that with an auto.

 

[Soxafloppin]

I learned in a Manual so i have a full License. Im currently Driving an Automatic however, because its driving my mums car as a second driver and she can only do Automatics due to spinabifita.

I'd prefer a manual as there much cheaper on fuel.

 

[TriGGeR_HaPPy]

I have my licence, but since I live in the city and it's just as fast to get around by tram (still a first-year Uni student), I don't have my own car.

I must say, though, that Manual is much more fun to drive.

 

[QueenWren]

Manual, are you a real manly macho driver or a women (there are also good women drivers but they are minority)

Personally I find arrogant male drivers much worse (apart from in car parks where I must admit to being ashamed of my own gender)

OT: Manual, I'm learning at the moment and learning manual means I can drive whatever car I want (should I ever get the money to do so)

 

[Eleima]

I learned to drive in the US originally, and learned on an automatic car. Fast forward a few years later, and I'm in Europe, learning how to drive stick shift, and it's a royal pain. I know I'm supposed to get the hang of it, and it's starting to get easier, but I still prefer automatic. I do, however, recognize that stick shift is greener and that it gives you more control.

 

[Cyrano Jones]

Plus, whats more exciting to do than change gears in a manual while accelerating heavily?

Skydiving? Wrestling tigers? Fight Club? Ferret legging? The Most Dangerous Game (on the hunted side--the hunter always seems a smarmy bastard)? ....nope, that's all that comes to mind immediately.

 

[Acier]

Automatic, but out of obligation not choice. Although I live in a place with a lot of little squirmy streets and lots of stops, so driving a stick would be a bit of trouble.

 

[Starnerf]

I drive an auto because no one in my family owns a stick, so I never learned how to drive one. And I'm not buying a manual car without knowing how to drive it. Though, my automatic does have a manual shift feature.

 

[AfterAscon]

I like the automatics that you can go into a manual mode. My car is automatic but has pedal shifters. I would only use manuals if I was racing... I don't give a damn if I can get 50 MGP instead of 30, as long as it's not below 25ish.

I've never driven a car with pedal shifters, but I don't think I could drive anything that didn't have gear stick. Also, if you lived in the UK you'd care about the extra mpg as petrol is currenty £1.21/ltr (about $1.82)

It's around $3 a gallon where I live. Pedal shifters are different depending on the car you bought with them but my car, all you do hit one of the shifters and you're automatically get sent into manual and then you hold down the shifters to disable it and go into automatic. It's for the people that want the manuals but can't stand using the clutch and the stick shift, I'd admit, thought, that using the stick shift makes me feel like a badass but I'm prone to lose myself in the moment and risk getting a ticket.

4.5 Litres a gallon equates to $8.19 a gallon. Just shows how stupid the prices in the UK are.

OT: Manual is the only one for me. As has already been hihglighted it gives much greater control, which is especially useful in harsh weather.

 

[ace_of_something]

I drove manual most of my life up to this point. I recently switched to automatic because i have nerve damage in one of my legs that makes manual a touch difficult. Now, I wonder why I didn't earlier. It's not like I'm frequently in situations where the quicker acceleration is needed.

 

[Asehujiko]

Automatic. I spend about an hour a day in traffic jams. That kind of cuts down on available choices.

 

[Jark212]

Automatic, I never learned how to drive with stick...

 

[GodsAndFishes]

I can't drive yet, but from my driving lessons I have learnt that the clutch can burn in the firey pits of hell for all eternity. So automatic.

 

[zutagonecver]

Manual simply because it is more eficeint in terms of fuel consumption and cheaper to maintain. An automatic gearbox is alot more expensive to repair incase it malfunctions.

 

[benjtfell]

Got my first drivin lesson on a Monday Manual all the way.

 

[Boba Frag]

Personally, unless you're driving an armoured fighting vehicle and really need something with automatic transmission....

MANual all the way! I think automatic is fine, if lazy. Plus on Irish roads, if you're not an experienced driver, you're going to kill either yourself or someone else.

I am never getting back in the car with an American driver unless I'm in America again.
Not in my own country. Not a fucking hope. Too many scares

 

[AwesomeExpress]

I'd want manual for a truck, but there's no real need for it in a car in the city.