I prefer manual because I like to know what gear I'm in when I overtake and like to be more in control of the car, generally. However I drive an automatic at the moment because a manual had to be specially ordered and I didn't want to wait weeks for my new car.

I'll take a manual. More control when overtaking, smoother ride as well.

As far as mobile dining rooms go, I find steering with my knees is a viable option when holding a coke in one hand and a cell phone in the other. (truly adapting to life over here...)

I drive manual....although automatic is good when you're stuck in traffic and you don't roll backwards when you stop and then start on a hill.

Wouldn't drive a Kia personally, or a ford or a GM, OR AN SUV, hehehehehe.

Int

We've got an automatic, but only becuase we wanted a Honda Pilot and they didn't do it in a manual (never have figured why they make all these supposed off road 4x4's with no manual option...?). Not worried by the overtaking cos its got plenty of pulling power, but do occasionally miss the ability to slip it down a gear when I think I'm going into a corner a bit fast...

You're American, ... right?

In the UK everyone (who takes a "manual" road test) learns to do a "hill start" using the hand brake to hold the car when not moving forwards, and to enable a smooth transfer to forward motion when on a hill.

Also, if you don't put your handbrake on, during the British road test, when stationary, at traffic lights, or waiting at a junction, whether on the level or a slope (whether upwards or downwards) and take the car out of gear you will fail your test! The reasoning is that if you are hit from behind you are almost certain to take you foot off the brake and if you have the car in gear you will not only be pushed into the junction, but actually propelled forwards by your car's engine. In either case the result is likely to be ugly! :scared:

Out of interest,in this budget,what would you drive?

Whilst we are on the subject of vehicles....is it me or has anyone else noticed the price of used cars sat on peoples drive ways?

What I mean is, in Blighty you can pick up a very cheap run around for a few hundred quid with a years MOT, but here in Texas I see on a regular bases, trucks that must be mid 80's piles of crap and the seller wanting over $2500 (1500 quid approx)

Does the trucks here hit a bottom out price and refuse to go lower?....do people really pay that price for a piece of el crapo?

I would drive a hyundai accent, love them for some reason or I'd take public transport, lol.

Oh pulaski, that would be why I failed my driving test ?????

Int.

Trucks are well known to hold their value better than cars - maybe they are built tougher to take the punishment of work? But those old rust-heaps sititng on driveways are likely to have been priced "optimistically". I doubt if they usually sell at the sort of prices you mentioned.