[James82]

(Original post by Texan88)
There are many reasons why driving a manual is better than driving an automatic:

1) Better performance-False many high performance cars use automatics/ semiauto (look at f1)Not many people drive around in an F1 car everyday, find me a single road car for less than £50,000 where an automatic version of the same car has a better 0-60 time.
2) Better fuel consumption-false how you drive impacts mpg more than its gearbox It does, but if you drive the same style in both you will always get better fuel consumption with a manual gearbox
3) Cheaper servicing really tell me how the cost of a new clutch burnt out is turning out? Learn how to change gears and you won't burn it out, but I still reckon the servicing of a more complex automatic gearbox costs more than a manual, plus the cost of having to top up the transmission fluid during a service
4) Easier to maintain depends on how you drive Again this is true, but assuming the same style of driving you will have to do more maintenance on an automatic gearbox, you will also use up your discs/pads/drums faster on an automatic
5) Ability to use the correct gear on hills can do this with most modern auto's At slow speed you might choose the option (not that many do, you can always tell when someone has an automatic going down hills, they have the brakes on the whole time), but you try sticking it into first or second when going down a steep hill at speed
6) Doesn't suddenly change gear in the middle of a cornerif you are driving correctly you shouldn't have to worry about thisor if you suddenly need power to avoid an accident, oh wait a minute the gear box is changing up
7) You can push start iti'll give you this
8) You can tow it as far as you wantput it in neutral?If you want to buy a new gearbox, or worse set fire to your car.
9) You don't wheel spin as much in the snowyup you get this too
10) Faster gear changereally? tell me that a drag cars gear changes are slower than your and get back to meWe don't all drive around in drag cars with highly engineered gearboxes, humans are faster at changing gear in a normal road car than an automatic box, plus automatic boxes never let you reach the rev limiter and they have stupidly large gear ratios
11) The gearbox doesn't overheat true some of the time
12) They're cheaperif you burn up your clutch it can cost as much as messing up a auto An auto box is far more complicated than a manual gearbox, hence why they cost more to buy in the first place, the difference would easily get you a couple of new clutches fitted
13) Handling is improved because the car is lightertell this to the m5, or the gtr, or the ferrari scuderia, or a porsche pdk Again I feel you are missing the demographic of TSR, auto boxes are bigger and heavier than manual gearboxes and in most road cars the gearbox is mounted directly on to the engine, in European cars the weight distribution is designed around a manual gearbox, so you end up with excess weight directly over the front wheels
14) And they're just cooler to drive yea pretty much

(Original post by Texan88)
Either way we need to stop feeding this ridiculous troll

OK

[AbuAK]

Because for everyday driving its just easier and simpler, and simply, why not?
I enjoy driving my dads manual car, but for everyday driving (considering it does snow nearly 8 months a year) with all the hills around here, its just easier to drive an automatic.

Also with the stride in automatic transmissions these days, automatics shift faster than most people can in manuals, deliver same performance and better fuel economy with 8 speed automatics coming out nowadays.

[Marlena002]

You really had to take a CAR issue and turn it into an anti-American rant? Wow, pathetic.

Ever think that maybe the majority of people don't actually give a crap about driving and are just doing it to get to their destination? I couldn't care less whether a manual is more fun, I don't enjoy driving and just want to get where I need to go.

Aside from that if you knew anything about the difference between American/British roads you would understand why.

Finally, most Canadians use automatics as well. Where's your rant for them? Get a grip, child.

[Kim-x]

Most of the world drive automatics, it's the UK that is the exception. They probably wonder why we drive manuals.

[Danen]

(Original post by NYU2012)
Wow, thanks for this absolutely great post.

Let me guess, all of the Bugattis, Ferraris, Lamborghinis and so on that come only as automatic or semi-automatic aren't cars that you really drive, right?

Why don't we like manuals?


(2) Automatics are becoming more fuel efficient than manuals

.

They are not, but ok.

[tomrw]

(Original post by Danen)
They are not, but ok.

Yes they are. But ok.

[Danen]

(Original post by tomrw)
Yes they are. But ok.

no they are not. They are becoming as fuel efficient as manual cars. certainly not MORE efficient

[py0alb]

If you see a car as a necessary evil, a boring but unavoidable daily chore, then driving an automatic makes it slightly less of a chore. Especially when you spend as long in traffic as American's do.

On the other hand, if you see owning a car as a hobby and driving as an enjoyable experience, then you will prefer the additional control you get with a manual transmission.


American's tend to drive more on a daily basis: to work, to school, to the shops. Hence they tend to sit in the first camp. Briton's don't, so we tend to sit in the second camp. We see driving as fun, whizzing around little country lanes. Automatics don't even have handbrakes ffs - how are you meant to do a handbrake turn? How many rally cars have automatic gear boxes?

I find it hard to believe that anyone who has extensive experience of driving a manual would ever want to switch to an automatic unless they just hate driving fullstop.

[Architecture-er]

(Original post by Texan88)
Either way we need to stop feeding this ridiculous troll

I love how he either concedes points or pulls out a really high spec car as a counter-argument..



Oh and people saying that automatics change gear faster than a manual, I'd seriously contend that.

I can change gear in the same time as it takes to say "gear" - and I can do it whenever I want to. If you wanted to change gear in an automatic (for overtaking perhaps) you'd have to factor in the time you take accelerating as part of the duration of the gear change.

[Saif95]

(Original post by tomrw)
The fact you know nothing shows you obviously haven't passed any type of road test. Please come back when you know anything at all..

Literally anything....
Even how to make a cup of tea.........

Why don't you put your arse in reverse and **** out

[Architecture-er]

(Original post by tomrw)
Yes they are. But ok.

They're only more fuel efficient if the person driving the manual is hitting high revs for his shifts. But if that same person was driving at automatic then they'd simply be accelerating more aggressively.

The main fuel saves are in the engine design and driving style, not the way in which the car changes gear

[Saif95]

(Original post by alexs2602)


OP = original post/poster. Refers to the person or post that started the thread. You are neither. Although the OP made quite a bad thread his question was answered. Can't blame him for not knowing, but if he's still reading now he does.

If he's still reading huh?
What bad thread? and know what exactly? I am only in the know of Bull s**t reading the responses on this thread.

[Danen]

(Original post by James82)
There are many reasons why driving a manual is better than driving an automatic:

1) Better performance
2) Better fuel consumption
3) Cheaper servicing
4) Easier to maintain
5) Ability to use the correct gear on hills
6) Doesn't suddenly change gear in the middle of a corner
7) You can push start it
8) You can tow it as far as you want
9) You don't wheel spin as much in the snow
10) Faster gear change
11) The gearbox doesn't overheat
12) They're cheaper
13) Handling is improved because the car is lighter
14) And they're just cooler to drive

all of these are not true, apart from 14, for some people.

[TheCurlyHairedDude]

(Original post by sclez1)
I think if we could make a shift over to automatic it would be wonderful. Your 'it's actual driving' argument doesn't suffice when you consider the extra time, money and effort a manual requires. If you want to drive a manual, then drive one - no one's stopping you, so stop complaining about others who are harming no one under what is actually quite a sensible system.

Extra time money and effort?

Automatic cars are considerably less fuel efficient. The gear-box costs more to repair if something goes wrong. And time? Manuals are faster.

[py0alb]

Its kinda like having cruise control on. A lot of people find it easier just having to sit their and steer like a moron and not worry about pressing the complicated foot buttons.

I can't be doing with it personally, a good driver doesn't just sit at one speed, he subtly adjusts here and there depending on the road and the actions of other drivers.

[sclez1]

(Original post by TheCurlyHairedDude)
Extra time money and effort?

Automatic cars are considerably less fuel efficient. The gear-box costs more to repair if something goes wrong. And time? Manuals are faster.

Learning to drive the manual. Automatics are becoming more efficient, particularly in America.

People should be able to drive manual, but most people drive for convenience, and therefore the easiest to learn in/drive is the best option.

[Barden]

(Original post by Saif95)
Are they that lazy that they all drive automatic? pffft

I mean how boring are automatic cars? All you do is accelerate and brake

American cars steer themselves? That's actually pretty impressive...

[Maccees]

Why does it matter how they drive lol?

Your basically calling them fat and lazy for not driving manual. You're missing the fact that they are DRIVING. You probably drive, which makes you equally as 'lazy'.

I drive manual because I prefer it to automatic. Simples.

[KCosmo]

You didnt actually give one decent argument for driving manually, apart from some vague inference that it's "real driving". Why would I want to change the gears when a machine can do it for me? Driving manually isn't hard, but given the choice, I'd go automatic, it's just one less thing to think about

[CurtainrailMan]

Left handed people in America have a really tough time. Because Americans sit on the opposite side of the car to us, they say they can't operate the gear lever with their "bad" right hand. That is a niche reason they drive automatics.

Wait a minute...

We all change gears with our left hand! Never bothered us...

Sorry, went hopelessly off topic there.