Automatic or Manual

[chiller2484]

What is your car?

If automatic, what do you like about it? What do you dislike?

If manual, what do you like about it? What do you dislike?

I've only owned one 5spd manual vehicle in my life and I ended up wrecking it (albeit I was a young driver and inexperienced). I've really wanted a T/A for some time now and have debated on which style transmission I should get. It's been a while since I've driven a manual transmission, but I'm sure I'll be able to get the hang of it once I get back into things. I just wanted to get a feel of what you guys, and gals, thought of the two.

Thanks

[pecha]

I had 98Z in auto and after few months I couldn't take it anymore, had to get a car with manual tranny. Get what you really want or you'll be wishing to get rid of your car.

[310stanger]

I drive a mustang but its a similar type of car obviously and its a stick. my jeep is a stick as well. I think that unless you are someone that really cares about drag racing and track times, a stick is the way to go. Theres nothing like banging gears and hitting that perfect shift, chirping tires, downshifting and whipping the tail out around turns. You are actually driving the car.

[Ed Blown Vert]

Auto here. What I like is installing a converter and beating all the M6's at the track.

[third_shift|studios]

M6. love the gas milage. love holding out gears too. Just generally a fun experience....until i hit traffic jams Major upside to the A4 is no clutch replacement every 20kmiles.

[ls1camino]

I started off driving an automatic (1996 Suburban), then I bought a 1985 El Camino (automatic), then I bought a 1990 Beretta (5-Speed) to DD while I did a LS1 swap in the El Camino. Almost immediately after I finished the swap, I sold it to a friend. After two years of the Beretta, I rolled it and was forced to find a new DD. In the mean time, I drove the Suburban. I spent about 6 months looking for a Black 6-Speed WS6. In the meantime, I bought a 2004 Mazda3 and put an engine/trans/computer from a 2007 MazdaSpeed3 in it. This turned it from a 5-Speed to a 6-Speed. Almost immediately after this (4 months), I bought Nymphadora (6-Speed). I drove both of those over the next year and a half, depending on the weather. About 2.5 months ago, my brother started driving and wanted a car. I sold him the Mazda and I turned around and bought a 2000 Grand Prix GTP (Automatic).

In short, I've had a lo of variety, and at various points, even one of each at the same time. I prefer manuals, because it just makes driving more fun, even in a wussy car (my 2.2L Beretta). I wish my GTP was a manual, mostly because I feel that I'm loosing some of my shifting skill while I'm DDing an automatic

[LSCyaL8R]

I have an M6 and wouldn't have it any other way. even sitting still with the car idling the M6 is just better. All you need to do is look at the shifter and watch it gently rock in rhythm with the engine. Lightly place your hand on the shifter and feel the connection you make with the driveline of the car as it pulses beneath your palm. Run through the rev range and feel it tug against your grip as the raging sound and fury of the LS1 tries to pry that shifter from your hand. All this and we haven't even started moving yet

The satisfaction of a perfect heel-toe downshift as you go into a turn. The ability to hold any gear as long as you want. The feeling of becoming one with the machine. The accomplishment of getting to know the sound of your engine so well you no longer even need to look at the tach to know when to shift up or down or even which gear to select. The adrenaline induced rush when you pull off a 2-3 powershift and realize indeed you did leave rubber behind you while doing north of 70mph.

You want to DRIVE your car and enjoy the sacred bonds between man and machine that only direct manual interface can provide? Then look no further than a T56 equipped LS1 powered blast of testosterone.

[chiller2484]

Well here's my story:

I started driving a 99 Mazda 626 (auto, 4cyl) when I was 16. At that point, I didn't care what I drove as long as it had a CD player. Started hanging out with some car guys and modded the 626 (ghey, I know). Anyway, I sold the Mazda and bought a (very modded) 95 Cobra. A couple of problems that I've come to realize are:

1. Going from a FWD 4cyl Auto to a RWD 8cyl 5spd is trickier that I thought.
2. Brick buildings come out of nowhere.

After getting the insurance money for the cobra, I bought a 98 Dakota R/T (auto). I got used to slinging the truck around and RWD with a V8, even though it was an auto. I had it for about 4 years. Sold it and bought a 95 Jeep Wrangler (auto) which I sold last February. I have been driving my wife's 05 Mazda 3 ever since (we bought an 09 Altima for her car). I reeeally have the need for another v8. I miss the power, I miss the torque, I miss the sound.

The mazda3 that I'm currently driving has the sport-shift auto, and it's great when I'm driving in traffic and need to get around someone. I do alot of driving in a week (approx. 600 miles) and it's all highway for the most part.

I don't mind driving an automatic, and for the most part prefer it. It's just easier and like someone mentioned before, I don't have to worry about replacing clutches or anything like that.
I really want to get a G8 GT but I can't afford one and since Pontiac is going out of business, I have a feeling replacement parts will be few and far between and insurance rates will be sky high.

[Hi-Po]

M6 here. Its alot, alot of fun on the street. I cant stand it at the track. Makes me wish I had a stalled auto completely. Track is getting more and more important to me, and having a big stalled auto would really help. I like them both.

[tnthub]

700R4 with manual valve body.

[blackcar]

I have an M6 and wouldn't have it any other way. even sitting still with the car idling the M6 is just better. All you need to do is look at the shifter and watch it gently rock in rhythm with the engine. Lightly place your hand on the shifter and feel the connection you make with the driveline of the car as it pulses beneath your palm. Run through the rev range and feel it tug against your grip as the raging sound and fury of the LS1 tries to pry that shifter from your hand. All this and we haven't even started moving yet

The satisfaction of a perfect heel-toe downshift as you go into a turn. The ability to hold any gear as long as you want. The feeling of becoming one with the machine. The accomplishment of getting to know the sound of your engine so well you no longer even need to look at the tach to know when to shift up or down or even which gear to select. The adrenaline induced rush when you pull off a 2-3 powershift and realize indeed you did leave rubber behind you while doing north of 70mph.

You want to DRIVE your car and enjoy the sacred bonds between man and machine that only direct manual interface can provide? Then look no further than a T56 equipped LS1 powered blast of testosterone.

Ever thought about writing ads for a living. I was ready to go out and buy a M6, and I already have one.

[ibanez7]

manual only... I like to drive my car, not my car drive me.....

[LSCyaL8R]

I actually have a degree in business marketing. Common misconception that Mareting = Advertising though. I only have one semester of advertising. I have lots of Math, Science, Accounting, Statistics, Research and decision making though! When I took all my diversity classes I had a lot of English, Cinema, Art, History and other nonsense. I would probably do well in advertising.

I completed my term project in advertising in about 4-6 hours the night before it was due. It involved writing and recording a 60 second radio ad. Storyboarding and recording a 30 second TV spot and putting together a print advertisement. I also needed to write a paper that detailed several aspects about the demographic of the target audience, who the target was as well as several details about the product itself and it's media placement. It really was too much work for the time I completed it in but you can't argue with my product selection....

Male Pride testicle prosthetics for neutered dogs.

.................................................. ...almost
That's Male Pride! For the dog that has^everything!

[pajeff02]

The fact that our T/A came equipped with an auto was almost a deal breaker -- until I drove it. I was raised on manual transmission cars and trucks and this was actually only the second automatic (excluding the wife's DD's) that I had ever purchased.

After a full year of ownership, I have no regrets about our car being equipped with an auto. It also helps that I have a programmer and can play with both shift points and firmness.

[LSCyaL8R]

my car actually came equipped with a programmer for shift points and firmness. It's a really good one too. It can adjust them in real time on the fly. It also stores an essentially unlimited number of profiles as well!

[blackcar]

M6. love the gas milage. love holding out gears too. Just generally a fun experience....until i hit traffic jams Major upside to the A4 is no clutch replacement every 20kmiles.

Have M6 with 64,5?? miles. Stock clutch. Did have to replace the master cyl. at 5?,??? But I didn't keep the fluid clean like I do now.

[67CamaroRSSS]

Where is the "both" option?














<----- I have one of each.... The A4 has a 3400 stall converter with a reworked tranny.



I just noticed you have me as a quote in your sig. Just wanted to say Thanx!

[Mr. Luos]

Have M6 with 64,5?? miles. Stock clutch. Did have to replace the master cyl. at 5?,??? But I didn't keep the fluid clean like I do now.

39K miles on mine.
About to install the 4th clutch....hopefully this coming weekend.

[Y2KSS1363]

Automatics rule at the drag strip, but I drive on the street.

There's nothing like letting out the clutch from a stop with a torquey engine.

Well, maybe hitting second after winding out out to the red line in first!

Manuals are way more fun to drive and getting nearly 30 MPG on road trips is a plus.

The biggest complaint I have about my 2004 truck is the lack of a manual tranny. I once owned a '96 K1500 SWB Z71 with 350 and 5-speed, a sweet machine.

[third_shift|studios]

Have M6 with 64,5?? miles. Stock clutch. Did have to replace the master cyl. at 5?,??? But I didn't keep the fluid clean like I do now.

i don't behave with mine.