FrogNog 1 #26 June 16, 2004 Quote Quote If you'Re more then 1 person to drive a car, a automatic is better. Every one uses a clutch sligthy deifferently and the friction points wear differently. This is quite true.... - topher I disagree; I've been in the bellhousing a few times and I don't see anything in there that looks like it would wear poorly through different users' uses. There's two slabs of steel and a much more highly-consumable friction plate between them. If anything in here is abused, bad things will develop. But differing use? I give it that in my own driving, just like I do with the brakes (hard, soft, short, long, wet, dry). I don't think the fork, cable/hydraulic system, or pedal system care, either. I think multiple drivers for a manual transmission car wear things out faster because A) more people driving the car will probably mean more miles per time period and B) more chance one of those people will abuse it. (Statistically-speaking, this is only true if you exclude from the statistical comparison the single driver who abuses his car; I do exclude him, because he doesn't pop onto this forum and complain that his clutch didn't last very long and he didn't do anything wrong.) -=-=-=-=- Pull. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Misslmperfect 0 #27 June 16, 2004 my 1st car was an automatic and i didnt think id ever want a stick - then i bought my car (5speed vw passat) and i will never ever ever go back to automatic!!! unless i get the chevy avalanche ive been drooling over Oh Canada, merci pour la livraison! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JustaBill 0 #28 June 16, 2004 I love a stick. For my present truck I had to go to Toledo Ohio from Elkhart Indiana to find a stick in a new truck. One time when I was shopping for a used truck the guy was making me a pretty good deal on a truck I really liked but refused to buy it because it was an automatic. The guy was dumbfounded that I wanted a manual.------------------------------------------------ I've done so much, with so little, for so long I'm now expected to do everything with nothing forever Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nanook 1 #29 June 16, 2004 Ive always liked automatics; especially for racing. I'd start at the line, put the shifer on second, put on the brakes and gas simetaneously,(too cheap for a trans brake). . .light goes green, release the brake, let it roll first then floor it till i hit the top of the torque curve, shift it to first, repeat, shift to drive. Win. plus, its easier to drive in stop and go._____________________________ "The trouble with quotes on the internet is that you can never know if they are genuine" - Abraham Lincoln Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #30 June 16, 2004 As far as I can tell automatic transmissions are good for TWO situations ONLY -- driving in constant stop and go traffic (LA area) and driving on insane hills (SFO area - "who puts a stop sign half way up a 30% grade?!?"). For all other uses, stick is the best for me and that's what I drive.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Evelyn 0 #31 June 16, 2004 I tried several times to try to learn to drive a stick but just couldn't get the hang of it. People give me a hard time because I bought my corvette with an automatic transmission. Works for me though. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing ~ Helen Keller Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Conundrum 1 #32 June 16, 2004 Quote Quote I can't stand driving an automatic car, drives me up a wall. Perhaps you shouldn't drive so close to the buildings then Smartass Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beavdog 0 #33 June 16, 2004 I just bought an 04 Mustang GT with a 5speed. You cant buy a car like that and not have a manual. If you want an automatic, might as well buy a grocery getter Here's to the Breezes that blows through the Trezzez..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shotgun 1 #34 June 16, 2004 Quote As far as I can tell automatic transmissions are good for TWO situations ONLY -- driving in constant stop and go traffic (LA area) and driving on insane hills (SFO area - "who puts a stop sign half way up a 30% grade?!?"). This is true... I have to admit that I am usually wishing I had an automatic when I am driving in LA. I haven't been to San Francisco, but I'll take your word for it that it sucks driving a stick there. (Hmm, should I be using "San Francisco", "sucks" and "stick" all in the same sentence??? ) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flyer2Diver 0 #35 June 16, 2004 Quote We're trying to sell my wife's car. A 2000 Honda Accord with 46k miles on it. Perfect condition. Asking $8,500 for it (which we've learned is a steal and should be asking more). We've gotten tons of interest, but everyone has balked when they learned it's a stick. Try selling on eBay Motors. I sold my last car there, a '98 Ford Contour SE/5speed - got a great price for it and by listing in the ad that it was a stick, all the bidders wanted stick. My new car is a stick too, natch._______________________________ 30005KT 10SM SKC 23/05 A3006 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cajundude 0 #36 June 16, 2004 I won't own anything but a manual. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indyz 1 #37 June 16, 2004 Quote I tried several times to try to learn to drive a stick but just couldn't get the hang of it. Eh, you aren't the only one. I tried to teach my friend Shnu how to drive stick a few years ago. I gave up after he stalled the car 5 times without managing to get it backed out of the parking space. Anywho, I prefer an automatic but I have a couple thousand miles of stick under my belt. I don't enjoy driving that much, so the less work I have to put into it the better. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rocketfeuille 0 #38 June 16, 2004 My wife and I are looking for a replacement for our car since our old one was totalled a couple weeks ago. I would love to get a standard, but she's too "nervous." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MagicLou 0 #39 June 16, 2004 Both my Car and Truck are Automatics. I bought the Trans Am(2002) with an Auto, because that's what was available in the 35th anniversary (not alot of choice), but since I have quite a few friends drive the car it's the best choice anyway. Secondly I don't race the car. With 320hp and 350 lb/ft, the transmission is really secondary to the performance. An I can still drink a coffee around town without learning to juggle while shifting gears. The truck has the Allison 5 speed Auto and is superb for towing (the engine braking is amazing). I towed a 54' rocket from London, ON to L.A. and back and was really impressed. http://hhboard12.free.fr/XPRIZE_APRIL_2004_NEWSLETTER.htm By the way the gas mileage is a red herring, with lock up torque converters, Autos are almost as efficient as sticks, and seeing as most people either over or under rev when they shift, the mileage discrepancy almost washes. If you have insufficient hp or torque, a stick will compensate through additional gearing. If you're racing, ditto. For convenience though Autos are great. That and I don't have to prove my manhood by driving a stick.Lou ___________________________________ . . . now you see that evil will always triumph because good is dumb - Dark Helmet Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #40 June 16, 2004 I also prefer a standard, especially since I live in a mountainous area. But, I have to agree that they suck in stop and go traffic. Standards are also much easier to control in a snow/ice storm. _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #41 June 16, 2004 I learned on a stick, and my last sportscar was a stick. My compact SUV is automatic... and my hand still reaches for the shifter when I pull up to the stop light. That said, I have grown to like the automatic, especially when stuck in traffic. I think in future purchases, I'll probably stick with automatic unless its a sportscar. _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrewEckhardt 0 #42 June 16, 2004 I've never bought an automatic and don't plan on it. I've also made it a point to keep my jobs within a comfortable bicycle ride of home, so I spend very little time dealing with stop-and-go traffic where I might change my mind. An automatic with a manual valve body would be the ticket for drag racing, although the little time I have is on road courses - with a stick. Drives me nuts when I get a rental car and try to put my left foot through the floor. More entertaining was when I was used to my 1970 Land Cruiser as a daily driver and would look for someplace to stick the key in the dash board. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #43 June 16, 2004 I heard Europe is 90% manual trans, U.S. is 90% auto trans. sounds like we're a bunch of lazy butts over here. I've gotten over a 100K out of the first clutch in my little Ford,till going strong, but never got more than 25K miles out of a clutch in my Spitfire. Depends a lot on the car and a lot on how you drive them. Yep, the Spitfire was a lot more fun that the Escort. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leroydb 0 #44 June 16, 2004 you havent riden with me in an automatic... hands can be used for extra things....Leroy ..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #45 June 16, 2004 Quote hands can be used for extra things.... ROFL!!! Yeah and shifters get in the way. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JustaBill 0 #46 June 16, 2004 Funniest standard transmission story I've heard was my dad. Used to driving a 3 speed on the colum, got in an older car with one of the wide brake pedals and an automatic. Pulled out of the drive-way on a busy US highway and....yep you guessed it, nailed the brakes and put the thing in park trying to shift to 2nd gear. I guess the blue smoke off of all 18 wheels of the semi behind him was something to see. Of course it's only funny because all lived to tell about it. He did ruin a pair of underwear that day though.------------------------------------------------ I've done so much, with so little, for so long I'm now expected to do everything with nothing forever Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leroydb 0 #47 June 16, 2004 Quote Yeah and shifters get in the way. there is this oregon story about a guy that put a quaylude? into her drink... she decided to go home early but got reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaly horny. she was driving a manual tranny. next day they found her dead sitting on the shifter... fked herself todeath.... didnt think it was possibleLeroy ..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
damion75 0 #48 June 17, 2004 Quote I can't stand driving an automatic car, drives me up a wall. Second that!*************** Not one shred of evidence supports the theory that life is serious - look at the platypus. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #49 June 17, 2004 Quote As far as I can tell automatic transmissions are good for TWO situations ONLY -- driving in constant stop and go traffic (LA area) and driving on insane hills (SFO area - "who puts a stop sign half way up a 30% grade?!?"). Well to be more accurate, the steepest 2 hills are just under 30% and they're one way down. But certainly lots of hills come close, and you better 1) know your emergency brake into 1st gear routine and 2) not mind burning a little of the clutch plate. Avoidance is often the better method. It's my understanding that in England if you take your driving test with an automatic you get a restricted license. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tbrown 26 #50 June 17, 2004 We just bought an automatic because of my leg & ankle injury, otherwise I couldn't drive. But all our other cars have been sticks and we still have two. I've taught my wife to drive a stick, my older daughter, and two of her friends. It's fun, especially teaching somebody for the first time. We just go find a BIG parking lot and I tell 'em the "f" word is okay, in a week they'll be laughing about it. Then it's rodeo time ! Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
