Manual or automatic - what do you drive/prefer?

Falcon Freak · 31-10-2005, 09:26 AM

Due to many discussions about the new ZF 6 speed auto in the BF Falcons, I am curious to see how many people drive vehicles with manual gearboxes. Are drivers of manual vehicles a dying breed?

During my first 12 years of driving I always had automatic vehicles. I then changed to manuals 6 years ago and now prefer them to autos.

FF

Note: for people who drive/own both, I suggest you vote for the one which you use more often.

**Uncle_Ken** · 31-10-2005, 09:31 AM

I did the opposite, grew up on manuals t he went to autos. We have BA here at work. I play every now and then with manual changes but I just tend to leave it on auto. Just lazy I guess.
Uncle Ken

4Vman · 31-10-2005, 09:34 AM

I Prefer Auto for my "daily driver" car and Manual for my weekend play cars.

PS i didnt vote for this reason..

CarBroker · 31-10-2005, 09:42 AM

I started on manuals, and still prefer them, but I drive an auto just because they are more convenient in congested traffic.

Rodp · 31-10-2005, 10:15 AM

Manuals in a performance car but if I was to go to a BF I think I'd go the 6 speed auto with the shifter. If it wasn't a shifter I would take a manual.

pauljh74 · 31-10-2005, 10:22 AM

I prefer manuals - when they have automated manual gearboxes - a manual with an automated clutch, which is different to an auto with manual shift - I will switch to them. But the gap between manual and auto is shrinking all the time. When you drive an old car with a worn auto, you notice alot of power is lost because the auto has become a bit tired. Manuals don't have this problem provided the clutch is not stuffed. You tend to just get crunchy gear shifts

The MaDDeSTMaN · 31-10-2005, 10:42 AM

The first car I drove was an auto, after that it was manual all the way, various 5 speed manuals, then the 4 speeds in my Escorts. Now that I'm driving a Falcon, it's auto, because that's what it had when I got it, and I'd like to change it for at least a 4 speed. Even if the new 6 speed auto has great gear ratios, I'll always prefer a manual, main reason being that I feel like I'm more in control - I mean, I'm the driver, in a manual I can select the gear that makes the most sense to use, particularly seeing as I can see what is going on all around me, and therefore have it already in say 3rd gear so I can cruise nicely, or 2nd so I can floor it and get out of a potentially nasty situation without the auto having to change ratios for me and the delay that causes.

Then again, with the old BW40 auto box I've got now, even if I was to manually select the gears, it still wouldn't make much difference, lol! :hihi:

bindi · 31-10-2005, 10:43 AM

Uhhh both? I put manual because I prefer them over autos, except in bumper to bumper traffic :P

I love my zippy little rolla, she's great fun to drive. I still miss the XF I had with a 4 speed, even though the box and the clutch were completely stuffed and everything went wrong, she was BEAUTIFUL when she was working. That 3rd gear was awesome.

Anyway, I prefer manuals because I feel I have more control. Nothing like anticipating a hill, dropping a gear and flying up it with no problems.

Then again, I have yet to drive an auto in a car MADE past the year 2000 lol.

RED_EL_XR8 · 31-10-2005, 10:50 AM

Um just the 2 comments of note Bindi.

1.) It is 2005 at least 5% into this millennium you must have driven something in the last 5 years.

2.) Can we restrict the biology to Greys Almanac, at least during times of day people are still eating their wheaties..

:

31-10-2005, 10:51 AM

The 4sp auto in the EF is painful to drive. on the Old Pac or Natio runs, i just stick it in 2nd the whole time, and it goes fine then, otherwise it'll hunt the gears like a native.

My main 2 gripes with a auto is the less ratios avaliable, the inablility to have a gear hold when the accellerator is off, and, in stock form, the stall speed.

nat_daly · 31-10-2005, 10:55 AM

i drive an auto 4spd falcon AU
yeah its fun but it just eventually starts to bore you. the auto drains power aswell... i say it's worth it having an autp if ur always driving in traffic, but if you only do abit of traffic driving then manual is the way to go. also depends if your talking about straight line or corners. on the road i'd take a manual anyday and i'm looking at trading my car for a 4cylinder manual at the moment
anyways thats my 2 cents,
Nat D

Kenaz · 31-10-2005, 10:55 AM

I prefer manual, but I drive auto.

bindi · 31-10-2005, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RED_EL_XR8

Um just the 2 comments of note Bindi.

1.) It is 2005 at least 5% into this millennium you must have driven something in the last 5 years.

2.) Can we restrict the biology to Greys Almanac, at least during times of day people are still eating their wheaties..

:

Apologies for 2), I shall go edit it.

As far as 1) is concerned, I meant that I have driven of course, but no car MADE past the year 2000. I should've specified, knowing you'd be around to pull me up on it.

Geez, edit is a handy function.

nat_daly · 31-10-2005, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArgonEF

The 4sp auto in the EF is painful to drive. on the Old Pac or Natio runs, i just stick it in 2nd the whole time, and it goes fine then, otherwise it'll hunt the gears like a native.

My main 2 gripes with a auto is the less ratios avaliable, the inablility to have a gear hold when the accellerator is off, and, in stock form, the stall speed.

yeah i know what your talking about... i too leave it in second alot aswell or else it drops to under 1k while driving.. like going 60 in 4th

Pilch · 31-10-2005, 11:06 AM

Definitley manual, more fun, more control, more power!

Although if I was buying a BF, it would be a ZF 6 speed for sheer convenience.

MITCHAY · 31-10-2005, 11:10 AM

Manual for sure. More fun and keeps you alert. Automatics are just too boring and it decides when it wants to change gears.

F**k autos, I'll decide when I want to change gears and what gear it will be.

GT-E · 31-10-2005, 11:17 AM

I have had 22 cars, out of that only 4 were Autos.
I have a manual XR6t, but I am looking at replacing it with a F6 6sp Auto as I believe it is the best combination for the big six turbo.

bprint xr8 · 31-10-2005, 11:30 AM

I voted manual, although my daily drive is an auto (NC), manuals are much better apart from heavy traffic situations. Luckily not much heavy traffic out here!

MITCHAY · 31-10-2005, 11:34 AM

While an auto is better in traffic, I still have no hassles. Just chuck it in neutral when im stopped. Really aint that hard unless your clutch is heavy duty that you have to use the leg press at the gym to get the strength in your leg lol.

fiery · 31-10-2005, 11:37 AM

Drove manuals for years but I think Im just lazy now, as I prefer an Auto

Yummy Mummy · 31-10-2005, 11:37 AM

I prefer manual, but just bought a new car and opted for auto as I'll be using it for my work and doing a lot of driving in peak hour traffic. Stilletto heels on the clutch in peak hour isn't the best!

SunDrifter · 31-10-2005, 11:47 AM

I own/drive/voted the manual (m5) option. But i'd be a little tempted by the ZF auto box. I was just discussing this with a mate of mine thats going to upgrade to the ZF XR6T.

I'll have to drive both 6 speeds.

parawolf · 31-10-2005, 11:53 AM

My house has a BA XR6 sedan 5 speed manual and a BA XR8 ute 5 speed manual.

I'd love to have a drive of a FPV with the 6 speed auto - however I think if I was ever to buy a falcon again it would be a manual option. I enjoy it too much - and it is now too routine for me to change gears. I haven't driven an auto in 5 years though (and that was a Mitsubishi Colt).

Around town, it doesn't phase me at all with the manual transmission - it's easy in stop start traffic.

My next car is likely to be a Focus or Fiesta. That will definately be a manual.

MITCHAY · 31-10-2005, 12:02 PM

Lol when ever I drive my mum's VT I find myself reaching for the clutch pedal, then getting worried that it aint working, then realize it ain't got a clutch because its auto hahha.

henry 351 · 31-10-2005, 12:10 PM

There's nothing as good as a manual Ford V8 crackling and popping on a trailing throttle, blip on the downchange, back on the gas, and then the induction noise that follows...If they can build an auto that doesn't rob me of that feeling, I'll buy it. Until then I'll be choosing the gears thanks.

SSBUB · 31-10-2005, 12:10 PM

i prefer auto out of sheer ease, but it has its downfalls, especially the aging box from holden...somtimes i swear it gets confused on what gear you want and throws you into 3rd when you want 2nd....however i do like it when your sitting on 80 and floor it, it shoves you back in your seat and your away...before you know it your at 120 and you have to ease back.

XRated · 31-10-2005, 12:17 PM

I never had the chance to learn manual (unless I wanted to pay big bucks). Now my Falcon is off the road and will be converted to manual hopefully in the next couple of weeks. Then comes the fun task of learning hill starts, start-stop traffic with a heavy duty clutch etc, but I'm sure it will be well worth it in the end.

vztrt · 31-10-2005, 12:29 PM

Was always on an auto. But I always wanted a manual. Now that I drive a manual when I go back to an auto i'm dissapointed as the response is crap. I drove my BA before I drove an auto BA and I wasn't to impressed by it.
I assume when I get older I'll change back to an auto.

4.9 EF Futura · 31-10-2005, 12:29 PM

I own an auto and thus voted appropriately. If i wad a magic wand, i'd turn the EF into a manual in an instant. Having said this tho, the auto is strong and can take everything i throw at it. One thing that peeves me is the feeling of superiority a lot of my mates get (and a lot of people in general) about driving a manual.

"Oh man, i dunno how you can drive an auto... i just couldnt do it..."

Lol, all good humour i'm sure. But yeah - if i had a small car or a sports car etc, auto would be inexcusable. Blown V8s are fairly well suited to an auto trans IMO.

cheese · 31-10-2005, 01:12 PM

Got to be manual (column change of course)

View Poll Results: Manual or automatic?
I own / drive / prefer vehicles with manual gearboxes	435	68.08%
I own / drive / prefer vehicles with automatic transmissions	204	31.92%
Voters: 639. You may not vote on this poll