Automatic vs Manual

Rikki

I have a manual and OH has an automatic and I drive them both. I don't mind the auto but I do prefer the feeling of being more in control of the engine I get in the manual.

bunking_off

tomstickland wrote:

Best of luck.Autos are a good proposition if you do a lot of boring driving.
Personally I don't like them; I want the car do what I tell it to not what it thinks.

Get a Jag S-Type R like mine (available in auto only), and the driving is never boring...

Autos are good so long as they're good auto boxes. If you have to think about whether the engine needs to kick the gearbox down, then they're a pain and the comments that people have made about wishing to be in control have some validity. However, if you have a powerful engine and a 6-speed auto box, the power is "always there" so having a manual is just adding control that you don't need.

tomstickland

Ah, I've got a borderline underpowered old E30 BMW 318is so I have to make sure I'm wringing its neck (ie: 4K minimum) to get the performance from it. Which is all part of the fun IMO.

Murphy_The_Cat

Pal wrote:

Anyone know if you can get american style gear shifts (off the steering wheel) for any automatic cars in the UK?

I think that Bentley or Rolls Royce may make a car that suits your requirements.:D

MTC

zzzLazyDaisy

I switched to auto last June.

I will NEVER EVER switch back to manual :T :T

I have a Honda Civic, it is a great car, very reliable. The gear change is really smooth, I don't notice it at all. The gear console is on the dash, which means there is room for all sorts of storage space between the seats. It is a bit more expensive to feed with petrol than my last (very basic manual) car, but the difference is well worth it.

I just lurrrvve this car !!

Murphy_The_Cat

I've got a 3Lt Diesel AutoMatic that gave me over 41 mpg on a recent 250 mile motorway run and with a manual override I can lock it into a gear on the very rare occassion that I want to.

It also goes like stink when I went to (& it is considerably quicker that its same priced petrol version).

MTC

tanith

I have driven autos for work and of course they are fine but I prefer to drive a manual for personal use. just feels more like 'driving' and not sitting in an armchair to me....... I enjoy driving and like to feel in charge of the car..... besides I never know what to do with my spare foot :rotfl: