manual or auto
#31
Re: manual or auto
Exactly..i loathe automatics..no control as to when you change gear...no low end ummpff when tearing away from the lights or overtaking..you control the car with a manual..its the one thing i miss here is the lack of manual cars to choose from..so im stuck with an automatic
But it's not been the case for many years that you can't control when an autobox changes gear - up or down. My Honday Odyssey (over two tons of minivan) kicks down entirely predictably when overtaking and I can anticipate upchanges with only the slightest of throttle lift. It also kicks down on overrun when approaching junctions so there's plenty of grunt when the light turns green before you get there.
#32
Every day's a school day
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Was Calgary back in Edmonton again !!
Posts: 2,667
Re: manual or auto
I much prefer a manual for "spirited" driving (I enjoy the heel-and-toe, double-declutching necessity of an old motor with dodgy synchromesh cones...). Even my little Hyundai Accent can offer a surprising amount of fun on back roads, and provoke some raised eyebrows amongst the cart-sprung live-axle truck owners.
But it's not been the case for many years that you can't control when an autobox changes gear - up or down. My Honday Odyssey (over two tons of minivan) kicks down entirely predictably when overtaking and I can anticipate upchanges with only the slightest of throttle lift. It also kicks down on overrun when approaching junctions so there's plenty of grunt when the light turns green before you get there.
But it's not been the case for many years that you can't control when an autobox changes gear - up or down. My Honday Odyssey (over two tons of minivan) kicks down entirely predictably when overtaking and I can anticipate upchanges with only the slightest of throttle lift. It also kicks down on overrun when approaching junctions so there's plenty of grunt when the light turns green before you get there.
Also yes i could get a manual but they are much less readily available than Autos so choice is less.
#33
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2011
Location: Barrie Ontario, Canada
Posts: 8
Re: manual or auto
Easier to rock a manual out of a snow bank, should the need arise. Sometimes clutch control can be a blessing too when there is limited traction, but then again, the vast majority of cars in Canada have autos and they get by. The tiptronic type DSG is undoubtedly a great bit of engineering, but I would still miss the whole zen thing of heel and toe brakeing, blipping the throttle on downshifts into a sharp corner and all that, its part of the fun of driving for me. Less so getting an achy left leg sitting in traffic on the 401. Horses for courses I guess.
But as far as the original question go it makes no difference, get what you prefer based on your budget and driving preferences.
But as far as the original question go it makes no difference, get what you prefer based on your budget and driving preferences.
#34
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 2
Re: manual or auto
I agree with the previous comment: “found my automatic easier in the winter”. When it’s cold, say less than 15C, manuals become notchy/obstructive and a real pain to use. Furthermore, you don’t have your typical British country back-roads here in which to enjoy powering through bends.
I see no point in having an automatic in N. America.
I see no point in having an automatic in N. America.
#35
Re: manual or auto
I agree with the previous comment: “found my automatic easier in the winter”. When it’s cold, say less than 15C, manuals become notchy/obstructive and a real pain to use. Furthermore, you don’t have your typical British country back-roads here in which to enjoy powering through bends.
I see no point in having an automatic in N. America.
I see no point in having an automatic in N. America.
This doesn't occur if you start your car a few minutes before using it to warm things up and get the fluids flowing
#36
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15,883
Re: manual or auto
Letting the engine warm up does nothing for the transmission. The only way to warm that up is to drive the vehicle but not aggressively for the first few miles.
#37
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 14,227
Re: manual or auto
I prefer manual, but I have an auto. The auto is a boring drive, but as it's on boring straight roads with frequent stop signs or traffic lights it doesn't really matter. In summary, driving here is boring and having a manual probably won't make it interesting.
#38
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2009
Location: Gastown - East Van
Posts: 413
Re: manual or auto
One thing to consider is that the money you save with a manual will be money you won't get if you sell it on. I'm sure you're right that they are cheaper. They are cheaper to buy new as a manual, i.e. auto is extra. Also there is a smaller market for manual transmission vehicles because yanks cannot drive them. In fact I'm surprised there's any on the road because most of the UK driving test focused on learning clutch control, hill starts etc. How the hell do they teach themselves that here? Well one way is to drive them badly, and they certainly do that here. My point though is that you'll be getting a lot less for your car if you resell it as a manual vs. auto. I would urge you to get an auto to save the potential hassle if you sell it on. Manuals are more fun but if you live in an urban environment, not so much. By the way, they call them 'stick shift', and won't have a clue what you mean by Manual LOL
#39
Re: manual or auto
I disagree, by letting the engine and the vehicle get some warmth, it radiates to the transmission too. I certainly noticed a difference if I hadn't managed to run outside and start the car 5-10 mins before leaving to when I had. Mind you the gear change on the liberty I had was like something like I imagine a trabant would be, my little old spitty (even before repair) is a lot smoother and we're talking a couple of decades in between the technology
#40
Re: manual or auto
I know my auto tranny subaru kicks like a mule going from 1st to 2nd when its good and cold, presumably to do with transmission fluid viscosity.
Id never noticed any drop off in performance with the manual Honda or the old Jeep, but the knob gets cold
As I said earlier, there isnt one right choice, pick what you prefer for the kind of driving you are likely to do.
Id never noticed any drop off in performance with the manual Honda or the old Jeep, but the knob gets cold
As I said earlier, there isnt one right choice, pick what you prefer for the kind of driving you are likely to do.
#41
Re: manual or auto
I much prefer a manual for "spirited" driving (I enjoy the heel-and-toe, double-declutching necessity of an old motor with dodgy synchromesh cones...). Even my little Hyundai Accent can offer a surprising amount of fun on back roads, and provoke some raised eyebrows amongst the cart-sprung live-axle truck owners.
But it's not been the case for many years that you can't control when an autobox changes gear - up or down. My Honday Odyssey (over two tons of minivan) kicks down entirely predictably when overtaking and I can anticipate upchanges with only the slightest of throttle lift. It also kicks down on overrun when approaching junctions so there's plenty of grunt when the light turns green before you get there.
But it's not been the case for many years that you can't control when an autobox changes gear - up or down. My Honday Odyssey (over two tons of minivan) kicks down entirely predictably when overtaking and I can anticipate upchanges with only the slightest of throttle lift. It also kicks down on overrun when approaching junctions so there's plenty of grunt when the light turns green before you get there.