As most wet shavers seem more comfortable than most with traditional ways of doing things, I am interested in what percentage of B&B members drive a car with a manual transmission. The members appear to take satisfaction in doing things right, even if it requires a little more skill or effort. Only one of the seven cars I have purchased through the years has been automatic. I have also been sure to teach my oldest children to drive stick. I wanted to make this post a poll but I am not sure how to do this.
Manual or Automatic?
- Thread starter mdevine
- Start date
Your thread title had me thinking about watches! 
(There's an auto on my wrist, but I wear a manual on weekdays.)
Anyhow, I'm very much into using a clutch. My other car is an automatic, but the daily driver is a five speed. So is the motorcycle, but there isn't much other choice on two wheels.
I learned on an auto and drove them for some years, but had always wanted to learn how to drive a stick. So I eventually bought one and learned how to drive it correctly. When I went in for a new car three years ago, I already had my mind made up on the model and dealer. I told the salesman that a clutch was the dealbreaker, so he got one off another lot and made me happy.
So far, I've got a little over 200,000 miles on manual cars. I plan to stay with a clutch as long as I keep driving.
(There's an auto on my wrist, but I wear a manual on weekdays.)Anyhow, I'm very much into using a clutch. My other car is an automatic, but the daily driver is a five speed. So is the motorcycle, but there isn't much other choice on two wheels.
I learned on an auto and drove them for some years, but had always wanted to learn how to drive a stick. So I eventually bought one and learned how to drive it correctly. When I went in for a new car three years ago, I already had my mind made up on the model and dealer. I told the salesman that a clutch was the dealbreaker, so he got one off another lot and made me happy.
So far, I've got a little over 200,000 miles on manual cars. I plan to stay with a clutch as long as I keep driving.
I guess I'll be the first to say I like automatic transmissions. I learned on a manual and thats just about all I drove until I lived in Southern California and had to deal with stop and go traffic, some days I didn't even get into third gear for most of my commute. When it was time for a new car I went with an automatic and I haven't looked back.
I think that in normal traffic a manual is much more fun to drive.
I think that in normal traffic a manual is much more fun to drive.
I prefer a manual transmission, but currently drive an automatic.
I think most men also prefer a woman who can drive a manual transmission, since she knows how to handle a stick.
I think most men also prefer a woman who can drive a manual transmission, since she knows how to handle a stick.
I think most men also prefer a woman who can drive a manual transmission, since she knows how to handle a stick.
My father-in-law did not allow Mrs. The Last Chimney to drive at all until she had learned to handle a stick.
...
Anyway, I don't view manual as a traditional way or even a better way to drive... it's just a characteristic of some cars that you have to be able to deal with. I've had a couple of stick shifts, and I really wouldn't care one way or the other if they were automatics.
It'd probably be different if I'd ever driven something other than a four-banger... suppose I'll just wait until I can afford some extra cylinders to experience the thrill of stick with muscle behind it!
Automatic here. I don't like driving, so I'm not interested in making the task any more complicated than it needs to be.
Hoping one day I can go super automatic and get the nondescript armored limo with full-time chauffeur.
Hoping one day I can go super automatic and get the nondescript armored limo with full-time chauffeur.
Nowadays it doesn't seem to be as big a deal whether you drive auto or stick. I mean, it may still mean a difference of $1000-$2000 if you're buying a new car, but at least "mentally", not so much. I dunno, maybe I'm crazy. 
That being said, I agree with Shawn and Chimney. Manual is a giant pain in the *** when it comes to stop-and-go traffic; on the other hand, for a good 30 min-2 hour trip, manual can be a lot of fun
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(disclaimer: I drive a 2000 Grand Am, automatic. I would love to have this car in manual, though.)
That being said, I agree with Shawn and Chimney. Manual is a giant pain in the *** when it comes to stop-and-go traffic; on the other hand, for a good 30 min-2 hour trip, manual can be a lot of fun
.(disclaimer: I drive a 2000 Grand Am, automatic. I would love to have this car in manual, though.)
I love a manual trans. but sadly I couldnt get a new f150 in a 5 speed manual only a 6 speed auto
I was told that the reason the Ford trucks only come in automatic has to do with the warranty if you are using the truck to tow a trailer, boat etc. I could easily be wrong though
I prefer a manual transmission but my knee doesn't like a clutch any more.
Manual all the way.
More fun to drive. Not that manuals don't have problems, but they tend to have fewer problems than automatics overall since the car is doing less work.
The only drawback would be when stuck in traffic but that is not going to push me away from a manual.
Another potential drawback can be if the left leg gets injured. No way of pressing the clutch. In that case an automatic would be needed.
For me, too many positives for manual over automatic.
My 2 cents.
More fun to drive. Not that manuals don't have problems, but they tend to have fewer problems than automatics overall since the car is doing less work.
The only drawback would be when stuck in traffic but that is not going to push me away from a manual.
Another potential drawback can be if the left leg gets injured. No way of pressing the clutch. In that case an automatic would be needed.
For me, too many positives for manual over automatic.
My 2 cents.
Automatic but I prefer a manual tranny.
Manuals are nice for another reason.
They are less likely to be stolen.
It seems allot of "bad guys" don't know how to drive a manual car.
They are less likely to be stolen.
It seems allot of "bad guys" don't know how to drive a manual car.
Every car I've owned has been a manual, and I'm 51.
My wife has an automatic.
My wife has an automatic.
Most of our vehicles are automatic now, but I still have my E36 BMW with a stick for the daily drive.
Both our kids learned to drive with manual transmissions since there weren't any in the household fleet at the time.
I still prefer to shift, if given the choice.
- Chris
Both our kids learned to drive with manual transmissions since there weren't any in the household fleet at the time.
I still prefer to shift, if given the choice.
- Chris
I've always driven a manual and foresee driving nothing else. When the kids tell me I shouldn't drive any more and take my car, they'll need to know how to work a clutch.
I have both & prefer a manual. I can't imagine my Miata with a slushbox & would never even think about a car like that with an auto. My Passat on the other hand couldn't be had with a stick unless I'd chosen a gas engine. I like my TDI wagon too much to overlook it due to the auto. Given the choice though, manual any chance I can!
My preference is for automatics because of stop and go driving in the city. Long drives down the freeway sticks are great.
good luck with that, they're getting harder and harder to get. Most trucks don't have them now, though you can get them in some heavy duty trucks. Try finding a v6 manual sedan nowadays too
I'd say in 10 years they will be either a very pricey option or gone like the dodo, replaced by dual clutch trannies, that you don't have to press a clutch to shift gears. (Instead a computer does it for you) I know it's a heck of a lot faster and it's was F1 and other racers use today but IMO still takes something out of actually driving.
I too couldn't imagine getting a Miata in anything but a manual.
Thought that about Ferrari too, but apparently the newest Forza only comes with a dual cluctch
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