Manual or automatic - what do you drive/prefer?

[VilkasBAMIIXR6T]

I prefer manauls. I have owned both. But the manual changes when you want it to, no waiting etc. I use autos at work, as I have no choice, and they drive me nuts.

[Ryan]

Every car ive owned or driven (With the exception of 2) has been a manual so I vote manual.

And because I have 1 of only a couple 5 speed VLs in my area. :

[Hardtopxb]

If you drive a car to enjoy driving and mastering it, then snicking from ratio to ratio and enjoying the control of a manual with well chosen gear changes is for you.if you prefer an auto i would equate it to making love wearing a condom, you are still doing it but it don't feel the same does it? it takes a proper driver to use a gearbox correctly, ANYONE can drive an auto....SO BORING>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

[mcflux]

Currently drive & prefer auto.

There's *one* road where I live that I'd very much love a manual for (or better diff gears to make more use of the auto), but that road doesn't really suit the EB anyhoo!

Its a road you'd drive an Ariel Atom on :

[The Monty]

Drive an auto, prefer a manual.

[big_waity]

I switched the EF to manual. Now, I'm wanting to buy an auto. I'm sick of on and off the clutch through town.

[TheSneakiness]

I voted auto. I'm very, very unco with the left side of my body.

[Steffo]

I own an auto, but I have no real preference. Transmission does not bother me. I really couldn't give a stuff how the car changes gears, as long as its fast and fun to drive. Pushing a pedal with my left foot and moving a gear-stick around with my left hand doesn't enhance much of the driving experience for me. If the car's slow, it remains slow... so all that is, is extra work.

My next car will have... whatever transmission is in the best example of whatever I'm looking at buying.

[OED666]

i love manuals... i hate getting into autos, as my left leg is sitting there doing nothing...

i had rarely driven a manual apart from getting my licence, until the auto died, and a manual went in...

when ever i get into a car, i always go to put my left foot on the clutch, and right foot on the brake.. i look like a spack when i get in an auto, and my left leg just keeps going to the floor when i am expecting a pedal there...

autos are great for burnouts, and when your eating takeaway...

[crannersEL]

Ive got and drive Auto's, rather than manuals. As my driving instructer said to me "why get up and change the channel when you got a remote control".

Paul

[dvk]

Originally Posted by RED_EL_XR8

Um just the 2 comments of note Bindi.

1.) It is 2005 at least 5% into this millennium you must have driven something in the last 5 years.

Just in sticking with the trend of anal-retentiveness, we're actually a lot closer to half a percent into the millennium


I drive an auto because it was cheaper and easier to obtain an auto EL futura in good nik. Both have their good points, and I would definitely like to continue owning both auto's and manuals. Manuals are ultimately more fun, but I get tired of them eventually. Autos are the best cruisers and everyday-ers' for absolute sure.

I really don't get the "manual is better for anticipating a hill thing". If you want to burn a lot of fuel up a hill really that badly, in an auto, just hit it a bit a earlier. Or select "2". Then tromp it.

One thing though, the manual boxes in falcons really hilight the clunky driveline. Doesn't bother me personally really.

Oh yeah, and I *hate* automatics in smaller 4 bangers with no torque. Auto's only suit the larger motors in my opinion.

[Damo]

Originally Posted by crannersEL

As my driving instructer said to me "why get up and change the channel when you got a remote control".

Your driving instructer is probably a fat lazy bastard ^^ :

Manual all the way!

[Paxton]

My Three cars, the Mazda 6, Ford Territory and the BMW are auto's. Before that, I had not actually owned an auto car, because my Corolla, EF, Patrol and AU were all manuals. I miss the feeling that you get when you let the clutch out, and also the feeling when you drop the clutch in First. The AU was great with that. My other half can't really drive a manual, and this is the reason that I finally buckled and got an Auto Terri - So I don't have to be the only one to drive it. My next car (Orion XR6) will be a manual however.

[OED666]

i agree with your point dvk about autos in small rice burners...

i would hate to see an auto in my gf's frontera... its so puss. in mine, i can go 1, 3, 5, no probs.. if i skip a gear in her car, (its a manual), it nearly dies in the ****... no torque whats so ever... now, i just refuse to drive it...

[Paris Hilton]

Never driven an Automatic in my life...but i've only been driving for 2 years, and have only driven 6 different cars anyway.

Drive an auto most of the time, so boring but glad sometimes when in traffic. Manuals are way better to drive, faster(in most cars), better economy and not boring. With the FPV I'll take a typhoon in auto but V8's have to be manual even if it is slower.

[4.9 EF Futura]

Originally Posted by drphil

Drive an auto most of the time, so boring but glad sometimes when in traffic. Manuals are way better to drive, faster(in most cars), better economy and not boring. With the FPV I'll take a typhoon in auto but V8's have to be manual even if it is slower.

Dr phil raises an interesting point. Now, for example, out of the box the auto phoon is quicker than the manual equivalent... and i imagine its the same story for the Boss....

Will anyone who "cant stand that auto sh**" be tempted by the devil with no clutch???

[Grechie]

i used to drive auto, boaring, and not fun, i love manual, i got a manaul, and am enjoying it !

[SSBUB]

autos are quicker down the 1/4

[The MaDDeSTMaN]

Originally Posted by crannersEL

As my driving instructer said to me "why get up and change the channel when you got a remote control".

Because the TV doesn't know which channel I want to watch, just like the auto doesn't have a clue what is going on around it, easy

[Dezza]

I didn't vote because I'm another auto driver that wants a manual. I'd never even driven an auto till about 2 months after I got my p-plates. In fact my EA was that first auto. The autos are just too boring. I love it when I get back in my parent's EBII 5 speed wagon, or even in the old 89' Rodeo! If my auto does eventually die on me (the rough gear changes indicate that may well happen), then I would hopefully have the money available at the time to convert the EA to a manual.

[MrFlibbles]

all of my cars are manual....
except the work ute thats an auto, and it flares through the gears and slips like a dog at times (but boss wont fix it!)

[Quadcams]

Originally Posted by SSBUB

autos are quicker down the 1/4

Hey I own a manual and love the 1/4 and also know autos are quicker but my manual is so much fun all day every day. Never owned anything but a manual but now that 6p auto is here for the first time in my life would consider it, very impressive what it can do.

[Falcon Coupe]

I prefer manual for sports driving, auto's for strip and daily driving, that said, i own 2 manuals and 1 auto, although the GT is 3/4 of the way through it's auto conversion.

[FordFan86]

I've only ever driven one manual... gutless POS 3cyl charade. Driven dozens of auto's, own an auto, auto's are quicker on the 1/4. Auto for me please.
Tho I probably just don't know what I'm missing out on...

[Feathers]

My XD was an auto, but I learnt on a manual, and the BA is manual, which is what I wanted.

Though I hadn't driven a manual for 5 years until the day I picked up the BA.
Slightly embarrassing... :

[Gammaboy]

Auto's are for girls!
Just like power steering and aircon!

[T_Terror]

had one auto (ZL Fairlane) and never again.

[Bucknaked]

The Falcon is Auto and the focus is manual. Small cars should be manuals. Large cars should be Auto. I don't really have a preference. What ever is cheaper to maintain.

[xffairmontturbo]

must say i love the manual i got a xf fairmont ghia with factory 5 speed the only reason i bought it was cos it had the manual