Manual versus automatic car?

worded

The obvious difference is the control on a car in bad weather.I hear.

As a kid I over heard the stick was better mechanically – is this still true.

Im thinking of an Octavia circa 2004 for city use - is it unwise to go automatic or would it be silly not to?

Never driven one.

Volvoboy

Personally automatics should be reserved for the likes of Merc's and Lexus's, for a drivers car manual will always be better.


A common thing with auto's people have them in ''D'' stopped in traffic when they should be in ''N'' this is like holding a manual car in 1st at a brow of a hill!


Hope this helps!


-VB-

peasant

For city traffic auto is unbeatable...just so relaxed.

"Racing" round the twisties can be frustrating with the wrong auto box / low powered engine as you're never quite in the right gear ..so don't "race"

As for dimished control ...there are scenarios on slippery roads / in snow where you might wish you had a clutch, but they are very rare and on their own no reason not to get an automatic

joolsveer

I have owned and driven automatics for the last six years or so. At this stage I would not buy a manual car because I don't see the point of changing gears in Dublin city driving. Ideally it would be nice to have a 3 or 4 litre engine along with the auto gearbox.

Anan1

Volvoboy wrote:

A common thing with auto's people have them in ''D'' stopped in traffic when they should be in ''N'' this is like holding a manual car in 1st at a brow of a hill!

With the greatest of respect, this is rubbish.:)

Wishbone Ash

OP - bear in mind that an auto will generally be more expensive to buy and use about 10% more fuel than a manual equivalent.

Volvoboy wrote:

A common thing with auto's people have them in ''D'' stopped in traffic when they should be in ''N'' this is like holding a manual car in 1st at a brow of a hill!

Changing fron drive to neutral causes unnecessary wear on the gearbox and defeats the purpose of having an auto in the first place.

Brillo_pad

i have only driven manuals myself but anybody i know that has driven an auto refuses to go back to a manual

dingding

Have driven an automatic for the past 2 years, very relaxing to drive, have not come accross a situation where I would have been better with a manual car.

Some of the CVT transmissions would be as economical if not more so than a manual car.

Alun

Whilst an automatic might be fine for city traffic or motorway cruising, I personally find them an exercise in frustration everywhere else, always changing up a gear at inappropriate moments and then having to change back down a second or two later. Maybe if you can afford a car with either a dual mode manual/automatic tiptronic style gearbox, or a pure auto with bags of power and torque it may be OK, but personally I'd rather save the money and change gears myself. I've driven plenty of auto rental cars and can't wait to get out of them and back into a manual car myself.

colm_mcm

most automatic gearboxes on sale at the moment have a manual change or tiptronic function, if you want to hold a gear or change down coming into a roundabout etc. I drive mine in tiptronic mode 50% of the time

Guy:Incognito

I certainly wont be going back to manual if I can help it.

As for being in the righ tgear, once you get used to the particular car you can make it go up and down through the gear when you want, you just have to know how to use the accelerator.

Thomas

I've a VW DSG auto and find it great for city driving. I always slip it into N from D while waiting at lights as I don't like having to hold my foot on the brake, I find it much more comfortable to have it on N with the handbreak on but an earlier poster said this could wear out the box - is this true?

Anan1

Thomas wrote:

I've a VW DSG auto and find it great for city driving. I always slip it into N from D while waiting at lights as I don't like having to hold my foot on the brake, I find it much more comfortable to have it on N with the handbreak on but an earlier poster said this could wear out the box - is this true?

Your foot should be on the brake anyway.

Alun

Anan1 wrote:

Your foot should be on the brake anyway.

If he has it in N and the handbrake on, then why on earth should he? How is that situation any different to a car with a manual gearbox?

colm_mcm

I always put mine in "P" at the lights.

TCP/IP

I have just changed from a manual to an auto and I will never change back it is a pure pleasure and if I want to get more involved I can use the triptronic but never do as the auto box on my Z4 is class always dieing to be driven harder.

Wife drove it today for the first time and now would like an auto

_Kaiser_

I'm on my 3rd Auto now (currently a 1.9TDI Passat) and would never go back to a manual. As others have said, once you've had the car a while you learn the way (and when) it changes gears and can adapt your driving style accordingly.

I leave mine in D all the time, except at lights when I put it in N with the footbrake (or handbrake if I'll be a few minutes) on. I only use P if I'm actually parking it up.

Volvoboy

Kaiser2000 wrote:

I leave mine in D all the time, except at lights when I put it in N with the footbrake (or handbrake if I'll be a few minutes) on. I only use P if I'm actually parking it up.

This is what i ment say, or type, not every time you stop but when waiting for railroads and lights.





-VB-

Max_Damage

Blah, I don't see what all the hype of auto's is. I've driven various automatics before, and I'd still take a manual over an auto. But that's just me. I guess I just like the 'feel' of a good ol' fashioned manual.

Automatics are for lazy people in my opinion. I love manual gear boxes, so much more involving.

Anan1

Alun wrote:

If he has it in N and the handbrake on, then why on earth should he? How is that situation any different to a car with a manual gearbox?

If he gets rear-ended then he and his car will be thrown forward far more violently than would be the case with the footbrake applied.

colm_mcm

are you saying people with manual cars should keep their foot on the brake too?

Guy:Incognito

Deleted User wrote:

Automatics are for lazy people in my opinion. I love manual gear boxes, so much more involving.

I dont like being "involved" in clutching 60 or 70 times getting just to go in and out of 1st gear on my way to work.

Anan1

colm_mcm wrote:

are you saying people with manual cars should keep their foot on the brake too?

Depends how you feel about whiplash, I suppose.:)

Max_Damage

Stekelly wrote:

I dont like being "involved" in clutching 60 or 70 times getting just to go in and out of 1st gear on my way to work.

Hmm, I've gotten to the point I don't notice myself using the clutch and shifting gears anymore. Handy too.

colm_mcm

I've heard the anti power steering, ABS and air conditioning arguments, the anti auto argument isn't as clear cut.
Once you drive a good automatic for a few days it's easier to defend them. the problem is, most people haven't driven one long enough to know just how handy they are.
On the other hand, if I was to rag a car down a quiet road, I'd love a manual, but overall I reckon the advantages of an automatic outweigh the slight blunting of performance or control.

Anan1

The thing about the 'slight blunting of performance or control' is that they can generally be made up for by a bigger engine.

Andrewf20

I had Auto's in the USA but never liked them. Couldnt wait to get home to the manuals. I personally dont see changing gear as major work. In traffic I usually let 2-3 car lengths grow ahead of me then I pull off and try and keep coasting instead of stop start stop start.

colm_mcm

To be fair, a lot of American cars are dire.

Max_Damage

I think it is a case of each to their own.

Unless I become physically disabled that I can't drive a manual, I will never buy an automatic.

maidhc

Driven autos too. Not a great fan to be honest. I feel like im driving a bus. Much prefer the direct drive.

colm_mcm

Noooooooooooooo!

what_car

Volvoboy wrote:

Personally automatics should be reserved for the likes of Merc's and Lexus's, for a drivers car manual will always be better.


A common thing with auto's people have them in ''D'' stopped in traffic when they should be in ''N'' this is like holding a manual car in 1st at a brow of a hill!


Hope this helps!


-VB-

Total Rubbish! both points! very funny volvoboy!

point one : utter *hite!

point two :
autos are designed to be in D when stopped in traffic... also the newer autos have fuel saving mechanisms( forget the name of the thing) that when in D stopped saves fuel , compared to older autos..

i changed from manual to auto... recently. the best move i made. the difference in fuel economy is not really noticable.

much more relaxing drive the auto is; coupled with cruise control.. makes for relaxing motorway crusing at the push of a button ,

i recently drove a manual for a short journey after driving auto for 4 months..
and the manual, was total yuck!:D couldnt wait to get back into the auto.

auto is more relaxing, and if you want the feel of a manual drive you have tiptronic +/- either.. with the auto you get the more precise gear change,

go auto!

one other point, my '07 2.0 auto motor, is not that much harder on petrol than an '07 1.4 corolla saloon! believe it or not.

i know a person with the corolla and was recently having a look at the mpg computer on the corolla; the corolla was showing around 7.5L /100km (37.6mpg approx) for the average driving that was being done on it.

my 2.0 auto normally reads around 7.9L/100km ( 35mpg)

Altreab

Max_Damage wrote:

I think it is a case of each to their own.

Unless I become physically disabled that I can't drive a manual, I will never buy an automatic.

You saying that physically disabled can only drive a automatic? Guess you have never hear of a servo clutch a combination of the pleasures of an auto in heavy traffic and a manual when hauling ass on back roads

But nowadays just buy a tiptronic or similar for the best combination of it all

Max_Damage

You saying that physically disabled can only drive a automatic?

No, I guess I should have said it better, I was refering to someone with sort of a knee/leg problem that would make using a clutch pedal a difficulty.

But nowadays just buy a tiptronic or similar for the best combination of it all

I still prefer an old fashioned H-pattern Manual with a clutch pedal. What can I say, I'm a traditionalist!

nialler

love the auto, would never go back to manual, always leave it in D at the lights as I'd believe constantly shifting to N would cause damage to the torque converter.

Tiptronic I've used for fun in overtaking on single lane roads rather than the kickdown (that way you can go down a couple of gears) as for the motorway, cruise is the only way to go.

Bigger engine is good (I've a 3.2) but a mate of mine drives an 06 octavia auto diesel and it's a damn fine car and very very torquey.

macshadow

Max_Damage wrote:

I think it is a case of each to their own.

Unless I become physically disabled that I can't drive a manual, I will never buy an automatic.

Not even an M5?:D

smemon

learned to drive in a manual, passed my test in a manual, own a manual... but i'd rather an automatic

i don't want to make work for myself when a machine can do it for me.. that's exactly why the internet is a success - because machines do the work the brain/people used to do.

granted, you need a brain to drive an automatic but it's just much less stress for example holding a car on a hill, waiting to get out onto a busy junction...

clutch, brake, handbrake, accelerator, release handbrake, declutch, repeat x number of times.. :rolleyes:

call me lazy, but i don't like creating work for myself when there's no need for it. Driving isn't a leisure activity, it's frustrating in Ireland 90% of the time. A manual adds to that stress...

it's also far more difficult to learn to drive a manual than automatic.. if we all drove automatics, there'd be no stalling at lights or junctions and no burnt out clutches or gearboxes

Altreab

Max_Damage wrote:

No, I guess I should have said it better, I was refering to someone with sort of a knee/leg problem that would make using a clutch pedal a difficulty.



I still prefer an old fashioned H-pattern Manual with a clutch pedal. What can I say, I'm a traditionalist!

LOL just kiddin ya (im working on breaking down the stero type that disabled drivers drive only automatics) .....many people could use the servo clutch system actually. It acts very like a automatic in heavy traffic. no need to use left foot at all during traffic. when on the road use it to do all the clutch work literally at the touch of a button whilst driving it like a manual. if you want to go all the way press another button and the car is 100% manual

oscarBravo

Wishbone Ash wrote:

OP - bear in mind that an auto will generally be more expensive to buy...

True.

Wishbone Ash wrote:

...and use about 10% more fuel than a manual equivalent.

Not necessarily. My 5-speed auto is as fuel-efficient (when I drive it fuel-efficiently) as anything of a comparable size I've ever driven - more so than many.

Alun wrote:

Whilst an automatic might be fine for city traffic or motorway cruising, I personally find them an exercise in frustration everywhere else, always changing up a gear at inappropriate moments and then having to change back down a second or two later.

I've only ever been in an auto once that did that, and I wasn't driving - I reckon it's entirely down to faffing around with the throttle. I honestly can't remember ever thinking the Saab was in the wrong gear.

Michael G

Brillo_pad wrote:

i have only driven manuals myself but anybody i know that has driven an auto refuses to go back to a manual

Yes, I'm on my first automatic and I won't go back. I have a Skoda Superb 130 hp diesel auto. I need to change (nearly 90,000 km), and I would happily get the same again but they don't make it any more, so I will probably go for an Octavia diesel 140 bhp with the VW group DSG automatic box (the Superb is coming late next year with the same combination, but too late for me because I do about 40,000 km a year).

With a powerful engine like mine, an automatic will do anything a manual can do but much more effortlessly. I have a Tiptronic option but hardly ever use it, except for fun if I am bored on a long journey.

Changing gears is hardly a chore now is it? I dont find it stressfull in the least. Barely notice myself going through the gears anymore. Holding a car on a hill with a manual isn't hard either! I will never buy one.

John R

The fuel economy and performance gap has been narrowed considerably in the last 10 years, modern 6 or 7 speed autos are very close to manuals on both criteria and in the real world will better a poorly driven manual.

There is more choice now than just manual or automatic with a number of different types of alternative transmissions becoming more widely available.

The dual-clutch type (such as the VW DSG box) seems to be the one with most potential particularly for larger engines and performance cars. I haven't had the chance to drive one yet but they have been getting good reviews.

CVT is popular in Japan especially in small cars but it has not taken off here at all, mainly I think down to bad press and people not liking the slushy feel of them. I drove a CVT Micra a few years back and it seemed to be okay to drive, not much different to a regular auto really and by all accounts they should give better fuel economy and performance.

Less said about automated manuals the better IMO. I have driven a number of them and didn't like them at all. They were all jerky and slow to change gears, seemed to me to be a perfect emulation of a learner driver struggling with the box and clutch. I have read that some of the newer designs are much better but I am a bit skeptical. Thankfully they seem to be going out of fashion now in high-end cars with the dual-clutch taking over.

what_car

colm_mcm wrote:

most automatic gearboxes on sale at the moment have a manual change or tiptronic function, if you want to hold a gear or change down coming into a roundabout etc. I drive mine in tiptronic mode 50% of the time

isnt it a pity that theres such a crap selection of auto diesel cars available?
without going bmw, volvo or merc.?


i hear that honda are doing an auto diesel in 08/09


fingers crossed.

Esel

what_car wrote:

i hear that honda are doing an auto diesel in 08/09

I've seen that advertised a good while ago. Is it not available yet?

Auto ftw.

whippet

John R wrote:

The dual-clutch type (such as the VW DSG box) seems to be the one with most potential particularly for larger engines and performance cars. I haven't had the chance to drive one yet but they have been getting good reviews.

VW say that the DSG Auto box is more fuel efficient than the corresponding manual in the GTi.

RedorDead

Just handed the keys back this morning of a 2.0 diesel multitronic A6 that ive had since Wednesday (put 850km up on her) and can safely say ive been well and truly converted to the auto brigade.

S mode is also great craic for the manual traditionalists.

Dreading the prospect of my clutch later on now :-(

dak

I drive a 2lt automatic car. Have to say great for city driving even if slightly harder on juice . Someone mentioned bad weather ..there's a traction control button on mine anyway which reduces power to rear wheels . If the auto gearbox is in the wrong gear.. the sport button soon fixes that.

One of the only drawbacks with an auto is that you will neveer be able to push start it when it gets old and the battery gives up!

oscarBravo

dak wrote:

I drive a 2lt automatic car. Have to say great for city driving even if slightly harder on juice . Someone mentioned bad weather ..there's a traction control button on mine anyway which reduces power to rear wheels . If the auto gearbox is in the wrong gear.. the sport button soon fixes that.

Sounds suspiciously similar to my 9-3. I rarely need the sport button, the pickup with the foot to the floor and a 2- (or sometimes 3-) gear kickdown is awesome.

Edit: the "traction control" button is labeled "Winter" on mine, and it doesn't so much reduce power as simply disables first and second gear. Works a treat for driving on a beach.

dak wrote:

One of the only drawbacks with an auto is that you will neveer be able to push start it when it gets old and the battery gives up!

That's what jumpleads are for.

Max_Damage

macshadow wrote:

Not even an M5?:D

I'd rather go for the American-spec. M5 which can be got with a proper manual.

Wishbone Ash

Alun wrote:

I personally find them an exercise in frustration everywhere else, always changing up a gear at inappropriate moments and then having to change back down a second or two later... ........ I've driven plenty of auto rental cars and can't wait to get out of them and back into a manual car myself.

I've never felt that my auto was in the wrong gear (it's a 3 litre). Perhaps your experience of autos is limited to small emgines which don't do them justice?

Deleted User wrote:

Automatics are for lazy people in my opinion

That's a bit like saying electric windows, servo assisted brakes, central locking, traction control, ABS etc. are all for lazy people!

Some models are not available in manual and many manual exectutive cars would have a poor resale value.