Manual v Auto

Gaijin · 19 Jun 2011 at 00:54

Joshy said:
But again this only applies to when you're giving it ten tenths on a good bit of tarmac, something that most people would insist that they need a manual for 'complete control' will never, ever do.

True, but they didn't buy an Evo. I'm talking about what I prefer.

Joshy said:
Why would you need 'complete control' when you're doing 50MPH on a ring road. Or are stuck in bumper to bumper rush hour traffic? Or are pottering around town at 20MPH? In what real world situation that most of the driving population are going to find themselves in when having a manual gearbox becomes noticeably more beneficial than having an auto?

You don't, which is precisely why I stated in previous posts that I can see why people prefer auto's for pottering around, motorway life, sitting in traffic etc etc.

DM said:
I know what he means Josh, it is satisfying when you snick home a perfect gear change.

Indeed, and the overall satisfaction is why I'll can't see myself ever solely driving an automatic car.

DM said:
My 2 bones of contention on this though are one i was never any good at those superb perfect gear changes and 2 if you drive in London whats the point, its just one big drag made a bit better by not changing gear.

Again agreed, just need to get a track car DM and work on em

Also agreed about London, but that will never be a problem for me. Driving to Pimlico via Islington in the Evo from Brighton, was an experience I'm in no hurry to repeat.

Justintime · 19 Jun 2011 at 01:11

Have driven many autos and owned a Focus auto, drive my dads 535i often and love it. However i much prefer shifting gears and having a clutch.. no idea why, and i live and drive (or is it die) in London lol.

Cosimo · 19 Jun 2011 at 10:13

I've got so used to auto boxes that I could never go back to manual now. Gear changing is such a chore. There are paddles on the 8 speed box but I've only used them a few times because the auto is so good.

Scania · 19 Jun 2011 at 11:53

simulatorman said:
I've got so used to auto boxes that I could never go back to manual now.

From preference I guess?

I often wonder if people - not necessarily you simulatorman - who say this actually think they have forgotten how to use a manual or something....

Morba · 19 Jun 2011 at 12:22

R420LA6X2/4MNA said:
From preference I guess?

I often wonder if people - not necessarily you simulatorman - who say this actually think they have forgotten how to use a manual or something....

99% of my driving is in autos. I still drive a manual now and then, without issue. Find changing gears annoying though.

Scania · 19 Jun 2011 at 12:32

My biggest problem is forgetting to use the clutch in my truck after a weekend driving my auto car.

Gaijin · 19 Jun 2011 at 13:44

Interesting point - does anyone have a "weekend car" that is auto?

Sampsy · 19 Jun 2011 at 14:14

I don't know,I guess it depends on the quality of the clutch, transmission etc.

Cosimo · 19 Jun 2011 at 14:31

R420LA6X2/4MNA said:
From preference I guess?

I often wonder if people - not necessarily you simulatorman - who say this actually think they have forgotten how to use a manual or something....

For me it's just a preference. Some people probably do forget how to use a manual but I can't see how. I used one an hour ago and it comes as second nature. They must be bad drivers to forget that.

Morba · 19 Jun 2011 at 15:37

Gayjin said:
Interesting point - does anyone have a "weekend car" that is auto?

Must be a very very low percentage of weekend car owners. Not many cheap weekend cars will be available in auto without being a rubbish version.
Might be some people who have convertibles who drive them more because they are drop top rather than for the thrill of driving.

Gaijin · 19 Jun 2011 at 15:38

simulatorman said:
For me it's just a preference. Some people probably do forget how to use a manual but I can't see how. I used one an hour ago and it comes as second nature. They must be bad drivers to forget that.

I use an automatic very infrequently and I must admit it does take a couple of seconds to think about what I'm doing before I drive

Last one I drove was my mates Navara, that was a lot of fun and a total Testosterone wagon

Lopéz · 20 Jun 2011 at 18:13

Joshy said:
Of course not, but at the end of the day people will be admitting that they want a manual for having a manual's sake rather than to try and imply that there is something fundamentally wrong with an automatic for their type of driving.

As ever with me, its about the principal

I've driven a few automatics over the years, new and old.

I just don't like them, they don't suit my driving style and therefore as things stand I wouldn't even consider buying one.

loltim · 20 Jun 2011 at 19:11

Morba said:
Going for a hoon I can understand, I get that. But the poster above me said that changing gear is an enjoyable part of driving

Go drive a Honda S2000 and you'll soon see.

Participant · 20 Jun 2011 at 19:39

Lopéz said:
I just don't like them, they don't suit my driving style

I hear this a lot. I suppose you're trying to convey that your driving style is edgy or risque, or particularly technical and skillful, but people seem to forget that F1 cars use semi autos. Manuals are simply old news and pointless for 99% of most people's every day applications.

semi-pro waster · 20 Jun 2011 at 19:57

Robbie G said:
I hear this a lot. I suppose your trying to convey that you're driving style is edgy or risque, or particularly technical and skillful, but people seem to forget that F1 cars use semi autos. Manuals are simply old news and pointless for 99% of most people's every day applications.

In fairness to Lopez everything I've heard about his driving suggests that he's not just saying that to boast.

Lopéz · 20 Jun 2011 at 19:58

Robbie G said:
I hear this a lot. I suppose your trying to convey that you're driving style is edgy or risque, or particularly technical and skillful, but people seem to forget that F1 cars use semi autos. Manuals are simply old news and pointless for 99% of most people's every day applications.

I'm not trying to convey anything. I'm telling you what I prefer. F1 gearboxes are not found in road cars, daft comparison.

Call me Mr 1%.

Morba · 20 Jun 2011 at 20:01

loltim said:
Go drive a Honda S2000 and you'll soon see.

Ok, what is so special about the gear change in particular?

Raymond Lin · 20 Jun 2011 at 20:07

I actually find the gear change in my Yaris quite enjoyable (except the lack of 6th gear), more so than the Mini Cooper I drove in my refresher lesson, or the 208 I hired.

I love to know what a S2000 gearbox feels like though.

Scania · 20 Jun 2011 at 20:19

Lopéz said:
they don't suit my driving style

Without wishing to come across as I'm having a pop - which I'm not! - this puzzles me.

Surely you adapt your style to suit whatever your driving?

I mean my "style" in my Scania is completely different to that in my e39 or indeed something more exotic that a few mates tease me with.... ?

or am I missing a point here???

Lopéz · 20 Jun 2011 at 20:31

R420LA6X2/4MNA said:
Without wishing to come across as I'm having a pop - which I'm not! - this puzzles me.

Surely you adapt your style to suit whatever your driving?

I mean my "style" in my Scania is completely different to that in my e39 or indeed something more exotic that a few mates tease me with.... ?

or am I missing a point here???

Of course - I just spent a week driving a Hyundai i10 that I drove in a totally different style to the Manta, but I still have a preferred style of driving, and prefer a car that lends itself to that sort of driving.