Why choose to drive manual? :)

jimjames

notanewuser wrote: »

Because sometimes I want to hit the red line before changing.

Was given a brand new Boxster pdk as courtesy car when mine was in for service. Best auto I've ever driven and can certainly red line it!

gilbert_and_sullivan

The US traditionally used NA high torque multi cylinder engines, which naturally lend themselves to TC autoboxes, and they last years not the least because American motorists sensibly never took seriously the extended service intervals fad, or the ludicrous sealed for life never need servicing autobox rubbish which German and UK makers adopted...whilst conveniently keeping to 3 year warranties.

For those who haven't tried auto before, there is a world of difference between a torque converter type of auto box and an automated manual or twin clutch style, on the open road you might not notice the downsides of the latter types traffic, hills especially hill starts, close manoeuvering, and long term durability prospects you might not enjoy.

jackieb

I've driven automatics for almost 10 years now. I wouldn't want to go back to manual as it seems such an effort now when I drive my mum's or son's cars. Much easier when sitting in traffic too. I didn't know what I was missing all these years. I always said we didn't need an auto, but then my husband bought one.

Our car has great pick up. I have no problems overtaking. And touch wood, we've had no problem in the past 10 years with either gearbox. But we do get the oil changed in them when it's due, and that's not cheap.

Herzlos

Iceweasel wrote: »

You're wrong - they are not almost as efficient as manual - they are more efficient than manuals.

The new ones are, but for older cars they tend to be worse. It's a bit out of date, but there are still plenty of them on the road; when I was looking at a 2002-2005 Rover 75 the automatic ones were 2 tax bands higher and something like 25% worse on fuel. They've improved now but I imagine most used cars are still more efficient with a manual.

That said; if they were equivalent or the auto was better I'd probably take an auto, so I imagine manuals will be a rare thing in 20 years.

MarcusAurelius wrote: »

Love the easy motorway cruisin' using just the buttons of the cruise control.

You can get cruise control on a manual car as well. My last 4 cars had it in 4th or 5th gears (R75, Clio, Captiva, X-Type). It's a feature of drive-by-wire rather than the gearbox. Admittedly if you change the cruise speed enough to need to change gear then you'd need to disengage, change and re-engage. But since I can cruise at 30mph in 5th gear in all of the above I can't see it ever being necessary.

captainhindsight_2

There are loads of reasons,

-preference, some people prefer to drive a manual it can be more fun than an automatic especially a sports car
-necessity, if you planning on towing a tailor or carrying heavy loads it is pretty much essential to have full control of what gear you are in as to not damage the car.
-price, manuals are cheaper
-easier to repair if something goes wrong

But i think the main reason would be preference some people prefer to have a manual and some people like you prefer to have an automatic.

sexyshark

i feel driving an auto is lazy driving

iolanthe07

I have driven autos since 1991 and would never go back to manual. Driving stop/start in traffic or inching forward in motorway jams is just so much less stressful in an auto. I always go for a proper torque converter - not these horrible electro/mechanical semi auto clutches. I have heard very good things about the new generation of 6 speed dual clutch autos, though, as fitted to Ford Fiestas, and may go for that next time.

skivenov

sexyshark wrote: »

i feel driving an auto is lazy driving

Same here, that's why I have one!

If I just want to get from A to B, I prefer a good auto.
My van's a manual because I like to have full control of my gears and clutch when carrying or towing.
My toy car's a manual, because I tried the same car in auto and didn't like it.
My bike's a manual, because automatic bikes are just wrong.

Stoke

Well for one, older automatics are not as economical as manuals, so unless you have the money to buy a modern automatic, you'll probably get worse mileage.

jetplane

I drove an automatic and loved it except for downhill parking and overtaking, even in sport mode. I think they are hard to get used to when you have been driving manual for many years. I recently bought a new car and visited many garages, only Toyota promoted or even suggested automatic when I was browsing or test driving.

It would appear that manual still remains the default and automatic is an acquired taste.