Joined: Mon 02-12-2007 11:53PM Posts: 481 Location: Taking over the Universe
Source: TJ South
Jeff and I started talking about this in IRC and I thought it would make a good topic.
Personally I prefer manual. Being able to choose my own gear, get better gas mileage(on older cars), and be able to push start a car are definite positives.
Joined: Sun 08-15-2004 9:36PM Posts: 4957 Location: ~~~~\o/~~~~~
Source: McNutt Hall
i like manuals because you can go faster when you want to, get better gas mileage when you want to, and it keeps you more connected to what you are doing and make less mistakes. I tend to get more tired while driving with an automatic
Don't really have a preference anymore. I used to like to be in absolute control, but nowadays it's to the point where when I'm driving a stick it's like an automatic anyways.
I think I've made the decision that I can deal with a normal, non performance driven car in exchange for the fact that motorcycling is kickass.
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I think I've made the decision that I can deal with a normal, non performance driven car in exchange for the fact that motorcycling is kickass.
That's an interesting comment, as motorcycling has nearly the opposite effect for me. I always enjoyed driving, and still do, but every time I get back in my truck after riding my motorcycle, it's a bit underwhelming in that I have less control, less power, fewer maneuvering options, etc. (my truck is a manual and has at least a decent size engine - 4.0L V6). Which is why I've decided that I want to eventually get a quick little (manual transmission) sports car for daily driving when I can't ride the motorcycle. That way driving won't be such a drag whenever I can't take the motorcycle.
I think I've made the decision that I can deal with a normal, non performance driven car in exchange for the fact that motorcycling is kickass.
That's an interesting comment, as motorcycling has nearly the opposite effect for me. I always enjoyed driving, and still do, but every time I get back in my truck after riding my motorcycle, it's a bit underwhelming in that I have less control, less power, fewer maneuvering options, etc. (my truck is a manual and has at least a decent size engine - 4.0L V6). Which is why I've decided that I want to eventually get a quick little (manual transmission) sports car for daily driving when I can't ride the motorcycle. That way driving won't be such a drag whenever I can't take the motorcycle.
Hmm. I'm told that I drive like a maniac in my car after spending long amounts of time on my bike... but usually to me it feels slower and more tame than my usual driving. So the motorcycle has the same effect on me too, I guess I can just deal with it.
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Manual. I was driving an automatic rental for the past 3 weeks since I was in an accident and had to wait for my insurance company to total my car and pay my claim. Just got my new car, another manual, last night. Driving an automatic sucked. It's just so boring
Plus, the great thing about driving a manual is that no one in my family asks to borrow my car because they don't know how to drive it.
Joined: Fri 08-04-2006 9:39AM Posts: 1373 Location: Boston
Source: Fidelity
I drive a semi-automatic and I always enjoy driving it. Whenever I feel like zoning out when I'm driving, I have that option. Whenever I feel like having more control over my speeds and acceleration, I have that option too. I feel like it's the best of both worlds.
Shoot, I should have voted for CVT, where is the love?
A friend of mine put a CVT on his gokart, with a manual controller for it, that thing was a ton of fun to zip around on. Only complaint is I don't trust the upper torque limits.
Joined: Sun 08-15-2004 9:36PM Posts: 4957 Location: ~~~~\o/~~~~~
Source: Off Campus
el_lorenzo wrote:
I drive a semi-automatic and I always enjoy driving it. Whenever I feel like zoning out when I'm driving, I have that option. Whenever I feel like having more control over my speeds and acceleration, I have that option too. I feel like it's the best of both worlds.
I drive a semi-automatic and I always enjoy driving it. Whenever I feel like zoning out when I'm driving, I have that option. Whenever I feel like having more control over my speeds and acceleration, I have that option too. I feel like it's the best of both worlds.
its actually the worst of both
Ditto. Just about every semi-automatic I've driven is garbage. The auto mode is plain old auto, and the manual mode is crap and takes forever to change gears when you tell it to and they don't let you do anything fun. I did test drive a Volkswagen GTI with VW's semi-auto DSG transmission which is their dual clutch setup and it was pretty good and it does shift amazingly fast, something like 8 ms which is faster than any human can shift a manual, but at the end of the day, it's still an auto and I bought a manual GTI and have no regrets.
I guess if you just want to drive an automatic and occasionally use manual mode to drop a couple gears and pass someone, they're not bad. But if you want the performance, gas mileage, control or fun of a manual, then just get a manual. The semi-autos don't come close.
Joined: Mon 02-12-2007 11:53PM Posts: 481 Location: Taking over the Universe
Source: Off Campus
Yay, I'm so happy. I just got a new car that actually runs and idles. My only requirement was that it was a stick. Happy times. 1994 Subaru Legacy L AWD for $800.
Joined: Mon 04-16-2007 7:44PM Posts: 229 Location: Runner's House
Source: Fidelity
yeah, manuals all the way. I've owned two cars so far, the first a 5-speed, my current one a 6. Love it! And several months ago my flywheel and starter went out... Luckily our driveway is sloped enough that I could let it roll backward into the street and roll-start it in reverse. Did that for a couple weeks when it would intermittently refuse to start otherwise until I finally had to take it in for repair.
Another big advantage of the manual in my opinion is winter weather driving. Engine braking allows you to stay off your brakes and not lock them up on ice, as well as keeping the spinning of the tires under control in that weather.... Wheelspin can quickly get out of hand with an auto and you never really know how fast they're spinning. Manuals you seem to know what's going on where the tires hit the road a lot more.
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