manual vs. auto

[justblaze]

what is it exactly that inspires people to want to drive manual besides the fact that "it's not really driving, till it's driving a stick"
is it better performace? how so? is it better on gas?...
doesn't it get irritating having to constantly be shifting on city streets? and arn't there more repairs that you have to look for in manual transmissions?

[GScivic7]

a manual tranny can take more of a beating than an auto can, and with the right driver, a manual version of a car will beat it's automatic counterpart. And it does get better gas mileage too.

[DirtyD777]

well I (and lots of others I'm sure!) will tell you, it's just more fun!

[Jas_M]

It's all a matter of preference. Some people prefer to shift gears on their own and feel that's real driving. Some people (such as myself) never had the chance to drive a stick, and were taught how to drive solely in automatic cars (although that will change when my engine swap is done. Hello stick shift!).
My dad, for example, bought automatics even though he knew how to drive stick because he didn't want to have to keep shifting while in the city. My mom knows how to drive stick also, but again, chooses automatics to avoid constantly shifting. Again, some people don't want to always shift, some do.
As far as performance, manuals typically are a little quicker than autos. With regards to gas mileage, it's pretty much a wash.

[GTR...GTR...GTR]

I agree with DirtyD777!!!

auto trans are more expensive to fix, shifting alot really isn't a problem. I actually just do it and don't think about it. The only time stick sucks is on FATASS hills and bumper to bumperrush hour traffic I swear it's like pedalling a bike.
and if you've lots of power you'll toast an auto tranny.

[NerveAgent]

Well its just more fun. I feel like you have more control over your car. I would never ever buy another car that isn't stick unless it was an SUV, or other reasons.. But generally i wouldn't. I live in california in LA (the valley has the worst traffic ever) and i don't mind driving stick in traffic. ppl told me that its going to be a pain, and its not. Honestly i don't mind it at all. Its really personal preferance. My father use to drive indy cars or some rediclous cars like that and can drive stick very well. Yet he still bought a auto 2003 350z. I asked him why and he said he rather drive an auto.

[megaman277]

it is more fun and its more control over the car...and manuals usually have the fifth gear that autos dont (if im not mistaken never had an auto)...but take for instance racing on a high way, stepping on the gas might not put u in the gear u want right away where in a manual u can choose it...or lets say lauching, burnouts and even race shifting the manual will win every time without the worries of destroying the tranny (unlike an auto)...but to each his own

[Takumi8187]

Actually, autos usually have better launchs than manuals..

[megaman277]

u think so??? y? the only real "safe" way i know of launching an auto is by powerbreaking (i may be wrong) no lets say by any chance u spin too much and come close to redline it will go into second and if you dont want that theres nothing u can do about it (unless ur launching in d1 or L gear)...enlighten me

[T-Racer]

how would u get a sweet start with a manual?

[megaman277]

also if u take into consideration lets say the tires...if u have better tires u can launch higher without as much spin correct???? more power would get to the wheels...unless your doing neutral drops in an auto (which will inevitably take its toll on the tranny, which is why we say manuals are better) power breaking wont take the revs up that high (but then again i could be wrong cause i dont know that much about auto trannys)

[megaman277]

i launch at around 3000 rpms and my car takes off like a rocket the tires do spin but that helps propel the car, especially when they hook.

[Geeko]

typically, unless you have very sticky tires or a very good driver, an auto will beat a stick off the line- but normally not by much. if we are talking about the auto transmissions in most hondas/small compacts, a stick shift will give you better performance, and slightly better economy, for a couple of reasons. first, your avarage compact car auto transmission has either 3 or 4 gears, and most manuals have 5. also, you loose power in the torque convertor, and the computer-controlled shift points on many newer autos sacrifice accelleration for economy.

having said that, it's important to remember that not all transmissions are created equally. the 5-speed racing transmissions in the older Ford Mustang 5.0 GTs were bulletproof, and would run like hell. the auto transmissions in a lot of old hot rods were very well made, and would reliably beat their stick-shift counterparts down the strip.

for me, i prefer a stick- it's not much more work, it's more fun to drive, and i havn't been able to destroy one yet. i've killed at LEAST 3 automatic transmissions, and the 3 manual ones i've had have all survived me. granted, the honda needs a new clutch- but it's got 130+ thousand miles on it, so i'm not doing too bad.

[NerveAgent]

Originally Posted by Takumi8187

Actually, autos usually have better launchs than manuals..

True. More consistant times tOo..

[93CivicLx]

I luv my "auto" civic. My buddy had a same engine year "manual' civic, we raced and i actually won!! By like car length. and i only have 4sp compared to his 5sp. (if that even makes a difference??)

Here is a pic of my car http://www.cardomain.com/id/intoxicivicated