[Jackso]

(Original post by Marlena002)
Do you people really get that bent out of shape and judgmental over something as insignificant as the type of car we drive? Who actually cares about that?

I'm really reconsidering studying in the UK. What a pretentious, nasty bunch some of you are.

Just ignore them, you get morons like that in whatever country you're in. Some people just get in a tizzy when they find out not everyone enjoys/cares about driving. I've spent half my life in both the US and England, so this is from many observations.

[Herr]

(Original post by James82)
Yes, it's in the link I posted and you just quoted. Click on USA and then the 'compare country data' drop down thing.

Be interesting to see what data sources they have used to compile that table.

Never seen a single compilation where UK had a lower car ownership than USA and funny thing Switzerland's car ownership rates are significantly higher than that of UK.

Even WorldBank data and ONS stats don't seem to corroborate the stats for UK.

[Flybye]

Hello all. My apologies for bringing this thread back from the grave.

I signed up just to reply to this thread. Why? Because I am american, I am an auto enthusiast, and I have traveled to Germany to fulfill my dream of driving on the Autobahn (yes, I requested a manual at the auto rental agency). I have been driving manuals nice before I even had a license. We will leave that story out.

I will flat out say it, it is TRUE. Most americans will not drive a manual because they are lazy or too lazy to even give it a chance. I always make an attempt in suggesting to drive a manual to people and most certainly to people interested in buying a new car.

What is the typical response to people here in the colonies? "Its too complicated" or "I will never understand it." Most people don't even make an attempt to experiment with a manual car. Instant response is "Hahaha....NO." I explain to people it is just like walking. Do you have to think to put your left foot out? Do you have to think to put your right foot out? Of course not. Do you have to think to push the gas pedal to accelerate? Do you have to think which way you want to move your hands when you need to turn? Of course not. I used to drive my manual in stop and go traffic. Once it becomes 2nd nature, you simply never even think about it. And it is even far easier here since most of the roads are flatter. Yet most americans think it to be on the scale of memorizing War and Peace in 2 hours.

Manual transmissions are looked upon as a taboo here. If someone sees your car is a manual, they look upon you as if you have just taken the bottle away from a hungry baby. I simply do not understand it. I did not come from a family of auto enthusiasts. In fact, no one in my immediate family has a manual. I sometimes question if I was adopted.

There are tons of reasons I like manuals. It's simplicity (within the gear box), weight reduction, shifting when I want to, letting the engine slow the car down without using the brakes, and my american reason: because few others can drive my car .

There are many points people have brought up which are true.
Lazy americans: true
Marketing: true
Cost associated with repair: true
Cars are only appliances: true

I had a buddy at the dealer purchasing an A4. His previous car was totaled and needed a car urgently. He wanted the manual, but the salesman told him he would have to wait several months. He had to opt for the more expensive slop-o-matic only because he urgently needed to have transportation. Dealer fault for not having an avid amount of fun manual saloons.

Pricing is most certainly far more expensive to replace/repair an automatic. At the wee age of 16, I rebuilt an automatic transmission. My god no wonder these these can so easily give out! Let alone any electronics having to control one. I have never had to replace the clutch on my daily driver (going now 160k miles) and have replaced the clutch once on my sports car. Yet I constantly see people's auto dying. My girlfriend's mom's Toyota Tercel had the auto die around 125k miles and my friend's minivan's auto died around 100k.

Car culture? There is none. People here buy Hummers only because it is bigger than their neighbor's SUV. Perhaps .0000001% of this country's population is interested in actually enjoying their driving experience. Most americans priority is in ensuring their new car has a cup holder.

Marketing, I can not even remember when was the last time I saw a car commercial showing you a manual. It is always the auto or the kiddie toy paddle shifters. Paddle shifters on "most" cars is such a waste. Manufacturers like Porsche, Ferrari, etc will make proper instant gear shifting paddle shifters, but on standard cars, the paddle shifters make the gears feel like they are riding a bar of soap through jello. Such a waste of materials and engineering, but these manufacturers want to look cool like the more expensive cars. Some have even gone so far as putting paddle shifters on an SUV. Yes because we know every mother taking her children to the soccer game will most certainly take advantage of paddle shifters.

Thus, without a doubt, americans like driving automatics for a variety of reason.
1. As an american, I CAN say most are too lazy for it.
2. Automatics are shoved down the public's throat in the media.
3. Dealers make an effort to keep as few manuals in stock as possible to push the more expensive automatic.
4. Nonexistent car culture.

[Camoxide]

I think one of the reasons for the mass switch is because the steering wheel is on the other side.

Most people are right hand dominant so when changing gears we're left with our dominant hand on the steering wheel. Were as American's are left with the non dominant left hand in control of the wheel creating a sense of uncomfort.

[S.R]

You're one of those annoying people who insist on doing really easy things the hard way just because your life is so empty and sad aren't you?

[Gummibaerchen]

(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...and the car does the rest...you only drive 50% while in a manual you are ACTUALLY driving...100%!

I find it funny that european young girls and old women can drive manual while the big fat stropping north american 'manly' men are struggling with automatic lol.

They always have excuses and arguments but ultimately what it boils down to is they are lazy and they resort to 'driving' go-karts.

See, most of my family are American and when they hear about the manual transmission they start acting like Patrick star from spongebob like 'DUUUH HUYYYY DUHHHH THATS SO HAAAARD'
(hmmph not as hard as that thing you like that's on the midpoint of a male human body though huuh...otherwise they would't complain!!)

I am like are you people stupid? And I tell them the things I wrote above AND MORE!! Like with a manual you have more control..and basically it is actually driving!! And obviously it is hard at first! But with everything, practice makes perfect!

Driving automatics is 'easier' lol...The Americans always want 'easy'...this also explains their burn-out education system. Corrupt and a half that country is, corrupt and a half.

I was unaware that there was a correlation between driving automatic/manual and intelligence. Thank you for enlightening me.

[Imperial_Maniac]

Because they're stupid...


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[Sgt.Incontro]

(Original post by Imperial_Maniac)
Because they're stupid...


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

Wow, I can definitely see the thought and effort that went into that post!

So, either:
1) You are racist.
2) You think that ANYONE who drives an automatic is stupid.

Regardless of which you choose, I don't really care.

[Imperial_Maniac]

(Original post by Sgt.Incontro)
Wow, I can definitely see the thought and effort that went into that post!

So, either:
1) You are racist.
2) You think that ANYONE who drives an automatic is stupid.

Regardless of which you choose, I don't really care.

I'm actually both.

Gotcha!

[Ohmz27]

Most American roads are wider and straighter, so sacrificing some control for an easier drive. The gearbox would get used a little less I suppose. Still, driving with a gearbox is so much more enjoyable compared to auto IMO.

Posted from TSR Mobile

[Made in the USA]

There is only one market in the world where BMW offers an M5 with a manual gearbox. The US market

Why? Because the American public demanded it. Apparently European customers have been completely convinced of the superiority of paddle shifters. This is the second time in a row that we have a manual transmission-equipped M5 offered to us (and only to us) and it has frustrated the hell out of BMW.

[drknoble]

This is a silly question because the answer is obviously because it's easier to drive automatic.

Why do you call people on the phone instead of traveling to meet them in person to talk? Because it's easier.

Why do you email messages instead of mailing a letter? Because it's easier.

Why do you use a stove to cook instead of making a fire in your yard? Because it's easier.

Why do you use a computer to look up information instead of going to the library and finding a book? Because it's easier.

[Sgt.Incontro]

(Original post by drknoble)
This is a silly question because the answer is obviously because it's easier to drive automatic.

Why do you call people on the phone instead of traveling to meet them in person to talk? Because it's easier.

Why do you email messages instead of mailing a letter? Because it's easier.

Why do you use a stove to cook instead of making a fire in your yard? Because it's easier.

Why do you use a computer to look up information instead of going to the library and finding a book? Because it's easier.

+1.

Why do so many British people (including many on this forum) look down upon automatic car drivers?

It is my choice, or his choice, or her choice. (NOT your choice.)

Driving an automatic does not make me an inferior driver to you. I have driven on track days several times, in V8 supercars that use AUTO transmissions, yes you heard it correctly. Such cars are wayy better (faster) in AUTO form than manual form, even including many supercars.

If I had two cars (one my daily and I were to have a weekender), then it would be manual most likely. But nobody on earth should dictate that I should drive a manual car day to day.

[drknoble]

(Original post by Sgt.Incontro)
+1.

Why do so many British people (including many on this forum) look down upon automatic car drivers?

It is my choice, or his choice, or her choice. (NOT your choice.)

Driving an automatic does not make me an inferior driver to you. I have driven on track days several times, in V8 supercars that use AUTO transmissions, yes you heard it correctly. Such cars are wayy better (faster) in AUTO form than manual form, even including many supercars.

If I had two cars (one my daily and I were to have a weekender), then it would be manual most likely. But nobody on earth should dictate that I should drive a manual car day to day.

They don't look down on all automatic car drivers just the American ones. It has a lot to do with the envy and obsession Brits have with America, where they try to put America down in order to boost up patriotism in their country. Many other countries drive automatic, but have you seen a thread on them?

Also, it's no wonder the UK is not the world leader in technology because they have a culture of shunning and discouraging technological advancements while we in the US embrace them, which is why the US has the worlds greatest tech industry.

[Bassology]

Cos it's hard for them to eat a cheese burger and change the gears at the same time

[Made in the USA]

Have you guys experiences porsche's pdk or the new zf 8 speed transmission? The zf is so brilliant I was shocked it wasn't a dual clutch. Three pedal cars have disappeared from all serious forms of racing and the day will come soon where they won't be available at all. This isn't an america/Europe thing. As much as I love manuals I have to face the fact that the best high tech transmissions are faster and more efficient and just plain work better than their manual counterparts