Automatic or Manual?

[WeHaveFreshCookies]

Which kind of car do you drive? Which do you prefer? Why? If you want to know about my opinion without hearing me brag about how amazing my car is, skip to the bottom.

Personally, I just bought a new (and by "new", I mean 1996" Nissan Maxima SE. Why? Because it was very affordable, the car is VERY reliable, the fuel economy is great, it looks good, and the crash test ratings are great. Unfortunately, I've never driven a stick before. That was two months ago. I'm only 2k into it and it drives like a brand new car. Most of the engine has been replaced recently, including the transmission, radiator, MAP sensor, entire EJR system, radiator, ect.

My point is, it's a great car and it was cheap. That's why I bought a stick. But it's also why I now prefer stick. It was a BITCH to learn, but as I've gotten the hang of it, it's just a blast to drive. It's got SO much power coming out of first, and the acceleration doesn't decrease as you go up in gears. I've gotten the baby up to 250km/h on the freeway (don't tell on me) and the car wasn't struggling in the least.

If you skipped to here, MY CAR IS FUCKING AWESOME. I drive a stick because it made more financial sense, and I prefer stick because I have since learned that it is REALLY fun.

[GeneralPlanet]

I drive automatic because I can't be bothered to learn manual.

[TehSlapHappy]

I ride a bike because people that drive cars nowadays have accidents.

[DP]

I drive an automatic, i wish i would have learned to drive a stick. I told myself i was going to learn how to drive a stick first, but when it came around to learning how to drive i just was lazy and decided to learn automatic.

[Cootie]

My car is an automatic. I like it because it allows me to relax more and be somewhat lazy while I drive. I would also imagine that driving a manual in heavy traffic would be a bitch. And they tend to get the same MPGs these days so... why not.

[Keven11Twenty7]

Always automatic. I wouldn't mind learning the manual way, but I really don't have that much time to invest in learning "the ways of the gear."

[WeHaveFreshCookies]

The general reasons you give for driving an automatic are fair. It's far easier. But learning to drive stick isn't really all that hard. It takes about a week to be able to go out into traffic, and then another week to be driving smoothly at all times. But once you get past that learning curve, it's well worth the effort. It's super fun.

[DM692]

At 9/28/10 08:32 PM, WeHaveFreshCookies wrote: (and by "new"

You never closed those parentheses, but you opened another set (which you DID close) later on.

[HungarianSupermarket]

I drive manual, because I actually like to DRIVE my car. It's really not that hard to learn, and it is more fun, fuel efficient and (let's start this argument,) safer.

[Anozke]

I've been brought up on both, and I prefer my manual Honda over everything I have driven (except my automatic camper). It just feels weird driving an automatic because there isn't any real interaction between you and the vehicle; you put the foot down and you go. I don't feel safe driving an automatic in heavy traffic.

I abhor driving our manual 1991 Chevy truck (forgot model) because if you don't get the timing EXACTLY right, then you either kill it or peel out. My little Honda is very forgiving.

[tox]

i prefer the idea of a non-synchronized transmission my self

[Letiger]

Once I get to 88 mph, it dosen't matter.

[razorbladesigh]

I like automatics, because I cannot be bothered to learn to drive stick. You can find automatic cars fairly easily, and in my opinion, all cars should be automatic. We had manual cars because we couldn't figure out how the automatically shift, and now we can. They're obsolete.

[Anozke]

At 9/28/10 09:55 PM, letiger wrote: Once I get to 88 mph, it dosen't matter.

I hope you're using isotope 238, because 239 will halt your existence in all of time.

[Neoncrotch]

Automatic. I thought it was automatic and standard.

[Zombie-Toaster]

At 9/28/10 08:34 PM, TehSlapHappy wrote: I ride a bike because people that drive cars nowadays have accidents.

unless your bike gets hit by a car.

[AgroNurse]

I drive a little manual 98 mazda b2500, and I love it- I bought it with cash, and haven't had a problem with it since, other than normal wear and tear. My dad made me learn to drive on a manual transmission, and I'm glad, since now I don't have issues driving anything else.

[Evark]

At 9/28/10 09:57 PM, razorbladesigh wrote: in my opinion, all cars should be automatic. We had manual cars because we couldn't figure out how the automatically shift, and now we can. They're obsolete.

In my opinion, we shouldn't have people who can't drive manuals.

Benefits of a manual transmission:
- you can start the car without a starter motor (provided you can get it rolling fast enough)
- better gas mileage UNLESS you CHOOSE to drive it differently
- keeps you engaged in the act of driving

I have an automatic and haven't owned a standard yet in my life. Was a valet for a few years, so I've driven my fair share, and a couple weeks ago my boss let me borrow his 5 speed Honda civic when I was getting my car repaired. Having a daily driver 5 speed (even if only for a few days) was an absolute pleasure. I refuse to by an automatic ever again.

[Tovi-Noname]

I drive a manual, and I don't think I could drive anything else. It keeps my attention, having to shift gears, and all.

[Hemlok]

I'm still ashamed to say I can't drive stick.

[alfraydo]

I've been looking into getting a manual should I ever get my car. After thinking about it though, maybe automatic would be a better first choice.

[sixflab]

Automatic because I just can't be bothered to constantly change gears.

[WeHaveFreshCookies]

I'd like to reiterate safety here. A manual transmission doesn't let your mind wander. You have to focus more. Texting is near impossible. Driving while drunk is WAY less likely.

[Magical-Zorse]

I've never driven a stickshift before, but I wouldn't mind learning how to.

[6r0undZ3r0]

I can't drive stick to save my life.

[Gateau]

Manual. They're more fun, fuel efficient, and typically last longer... Plus, I think that people who don't know how to drive a stick, don't know how to drive a car.

[Krbyfan1]

On a side note, they are now making automatic transmission semi trucks. The driver for Sysco today told me he was driving one of the new automatic trucks and he said it was so much better than manual for stop and go traffic, and it downshifts all by itself.

Just figured you folks would probably be interested in that little tidbit. I was quite shocked myself.

[axlisbak]

both cars i own are 4 speed manual datsuns, i learnt to drive in them and i did pretty fucking bad at first, considering i got my license driving an auto mitsubishi lancer

but yeah, once you learn to drive manual, its a lot more efficient and makes driving less boring, especially if you go out on dirt tracks in the bush for a bit of fun

[Gateau]

At 9/29/10 02:32 AM, Krbyfan1 wrote: so much better than manual for stop and go traffic

One thing I'll have to complain about, being a large fan of manual autos, is the... constant... clutch. shift. clutch. shift. pain. clutch. shift... in stop-and-go traffic.

[Strength]

automatic because i can't drive stick when i'm high which is like 90% of my fucking day. but all my boys drive manual cars and constantly give me shit for it because their big gay ass VW and honda fanatics.

fuck cars yo.