Automatic or Manual Transmission?
By acosjo
@acosjo (1903)
Canada
January 30, 2007 11:40am CST
Is your car an Automatic or Standard (Manual Transmission)? What do you prefer to drive?
When I first started driving, it was on an automatic. My family did not drive manual transmission vehicles. I ended up learning to drive a manual about 2 years ago. I prefer to drive an automatic but if I had a second vehicle, it would be a manual transmission (just for a change).
How about you?
5 people like this
11 responses
@cascogirl (79)
• Canada
31 Jan 07
My parents made us learn to drive on a manual, my dads reasoning being that once we can learn to drive it then we will be able to drive any car and not be limited. True, but frustrating when being new to the road. After I got the hang of it I loved it! Then I had an automatic and I found it boring. I bought a manual Hyundai Tiburon and it was way fun, but once I got pregnant i traded it for a toyota matrix which is anautomatic. I do miss manual, maybe someday I will get another one!
3 people like this
@acosjo (1903)
• Canada
31 Jan 07
True & smart of your dad to think of it that way. When I bought my Mazda 3 , it was a standard. I had to drive downtown to see a client and because I was so used to automatic, driving through downtown, with all the stopping and starting, I really did not like it to the point where I didn't want to drive. Then I decided to be a wimp and ask to change the car a day after to an automatic. What a wimp I am. My M3 does have the Tip Tronic (you can shift manually but there is no clutch), but even then I don't use it because I keep forgetting. I once drove for a while in 1st and was wondering why the engine was so loud. I find that really funny right now for some reason. hehehehehehehahahahahaha
1 person likes this
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
31 Jan 07
I have had both. And I really enjoyed my 5 speed!
But I go back and forth. When I have had a manual, after a while, I get tired of it.
Always having to shift. So, currently, I am driving an auto.
Which is fine at this point because my eldest some is learning to drive.
And with how badly he is driving, if we had a manual, I would be afraid that he would tear up the clutch! ha ha
But maybe the next car I get, I will get another 5 speed...just because I have had a auto for so long now. But...it must be a 5 speed and not a 4 speed. I just don't like the 4 speed. I like that extra gear. :)
2 people like this
@Tanika (632)
• Australia
31 Jan 07
Heya Acosjo, My car at the moment is an Automatic transmission but i prefer to drive a Manual transmission if I can. I like the added power you get from a Manual and the more control you have over the engine. I also like the safety that I could manually change down gears if I had to because of brake failure or something like that. I learnt to drive on a Automatic though and didn't get my Manual license until about 4 years after I had my Auto license. Tanika.
2 people like this
@acosjo (1903)
• Canada
31 Jan 07
Cool Tanika. I agree with more control over the car. Especially when you need to speed up and you don't want to switch into 2nd or 3rd quite yet. Also true about gearing down to slow down.
Another plus side to manual, the car is about $1000 cheaper if you're buying new.
1 person likes this
@tictac714 (975)
• United States
31 Jan 07
My car is an automatic. I've never driven a manual, I never learned how to do it!
@acosjo (1903)
• Canada
31 Jan 07
Well, if there is no need for you, don't worry about it.
I do like the fact that I can take comfort in knowing if I needed to drive someone else's car and it was a standard, I could do it.
Also, my parents can only drive and automatic so if they need my car, they can drive it.
2 people like this
@tictac714 (975)
• United States
31 Jan 07
I doubt I would be one of those people but who knows. I just honestly see no reason to even learn, at least not for me.
2 people like this
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
4 Feb 07
I haven't driven manual in so long but if I were to have a TRUE sports car and the area to truly run it like it deserves... I'd love a manual. For realistic driving in the city and such... give me my automatic!
1 person likes this
@xphile777 (427)
• United States
1 Feb 07
I know how to drive a manual, but I prefer an automatic because of where I live. I live in a resort town in the mountains of Tennessee. During the tourist season, 10 million people visit a town that's only 2 miles long. Crushing all those cars into that small space means traffic moves at a snail's pace -- if it moves at all. It's no fun to drive a stick (manual) in that kind of traffic. Also, with the extremely steep streets and roads here, I want something more stable than a stick to drive.
@acosjo (1903)
• Canada
1 Feb 07
I agree. It depends where you live as well as it makes sense to drive an automatic for pure ease. Stop and go would drive me nuts if I was driving a stick.
If I was commuting and my main road was a highway or freeway and not a lot of "city" type driving, a stick would make more sense.
Thanks.
@PowerHitter (71)
• Canada
31 Jan 07
I too like the Tip Tronic as I also drive a Mazda3. Mine is the Mazda3 Sport and it is a 2005 model. What a coincidenc hey acosjo. You seem to be a cool guy.
I like the topics bro.... I'm going to have some fun with my girlfriend now....
1 person likes this
@kingcheeko (405)
• Bermuda
1 Feb 07
I dont know how to drive a manual, but i think there much cooler and sound much much better than an automatic.
1 person likes this
