What do you prefer driving, automatic or stick?

[Probenja]

What do you guys prefer driving, automatic or stick? Even though I can't personally drive yet, I already know that stick would be better because I can control the power band of the engine using one hand. Plus, it sounds more awesome. Automatic sounds boring and monotonous. Sad part is, I have 5 cars, but only 1 is stick. Plus, you get better fuel economy with stick shift because you don't have your foot on the gas all the time, unlike auto. Stickshift is for real men. So, what do you like better?

 

You don't really get better fuel economy with an manual, most modern automatic equipped cars (dual-clutch and cvt) get a lot better fuel economy because it keeps the engine at a constant rpm in its best power band.

 

But i do prefer manual, in my country 90% of the population drive manual, just people with a physical disability or with a lot of money get automatic cars.

[cae]

You're not a man if you can't drive stick. 

 

I hate hearing crap like this. Not everyone is physically capable of operating a manual transmission.

[terrytek]

You don't really get better fuel economy with an manual, most modern automatic equipped cars (dual-clutch and cvt) get a lot better fuel economy because it keeps the engine at a constant rpm in its best power band.

 

But i do prefer manual, in my country 90% of the population drive manual, just people with a physical disability or with a lot of money get automatic cars.

Well, I don't see why so many fuel-saver based cars are manual then. Heck, even a Civic CX hatch got as much as 50 MPG until it was adjusted by the EPA. It was only offered a stick, no auto.

[flibberdipper]

If one of my friend read about the roadmaster he'd fly over there and smack you He babies that thing like crazy.

I wish we still could use it. But it was getting rusty (water came up through the carpet since there were holes in the floor) and the differential was gone (couldn't be on the gas turning the corners). That thing had great seats (almost as good as our LeSabre).

 

Well, stop using American crap and try Japanese cars once in a while. My 2002 Mazda Protege has 220K on it and still runs great. Has original engine, suspension, even the clutch is still perfect.

To be fair, the body on our Skylark had 250K, engine and tranny had 350K. We just had to sell it since we got a CVPI. Then the lady that bought it got T-Boned and the car was completely totalled. She was actually extremely lucky just to get out with a few broken bones.

[cae]

Well, I don't see why so many fuel-saver based cars are manual then. Heck, even a Civic CX hatch got as much as 50 MPG until it was adjusted by the EPA. It was only offered a stick, no auto.

 

Weight and cost are big factors.

[Probenja]

Well, I don't see why so many fuel-saver based cars are manual then. Heck, even a Civic CX hatch got as much as 50 MPG until it was adjusted by the EPA. It was only offered a stick, no auto.

Well because in that time most automatics were 4-spd, why do you think hybrids are mostly cvt and you do get a better epa rating in a cvt versus a 6-speed manual:

http://automobiles.honda.com/fit/specifications.aspx

 

6-speed: 29/37/32 MPG

CVT: 33/41/36 MPG

[BrandedUpontheGrave]

Yeah over here in the US we tend to call them 'stick shift' though NOT all manuals are stick shifts.

 

 

Also I can't drive on public roads (fun thing is you can both own and drive cars without a license, just not on public roads) but I'm leaning towards manual (specifically a stick), but I feel it's more about how the car itself handles to me.

 

Also you have 5 cars? But can't drive? GIVE ME ONE!!!

[terrytek]

Yeah over here in the US we tend to call them 'stick shift' though NOT all manuals are stick shifts.

 

 

Also I can't drive on public roads (fun thing is you can both own and drive cars without a license, just not on public roads) but I'm leaning towards manual (specifically a stick), but I feel it's more about how the car itself handles to me.

 

Also you have 5 cars? But can't drive? GIVE ME ONE!!!

My parents drive those 5 cars. We have a 2010 Corolla, a 2002 Protege, a 2001 MPV (which is a total shitbag), a 1998 Acura Integra DC5 (soon gonna be mine), and a 1998 Toyota Supra MKIV.

[Hidden Orange]

it's called Stick, Often referred to as Stick, because you use a Stick to select Gears 

It's called manual because you manually select the gears. I think we can all agree on what makes more sense.

"Stick" is short for "stick-shift" as in you're using the gear stick or "stick" to shift through the gears. It's slang that I think the US more than any other nation uses. Standard was used back then since almost every motor vehicle required everyone to manually shift through the gears - motorcycles, cars, trucks, construction vehicles, etc. Some people still call them standards, but it's not exactly standard anymore kind of like how sports bikes and choppers are more common than standard (upright) motorcycles. Manual and automatic are now the common terms to differentiate vehicles along with semi-automatic or sequential, electric and CVT which are both automatic, but act as types of automatic vehicles - manual electric vehicles are probably not going to exist since there's no real need.

 

There's also "three on the tree" and "four on the floor". I never heard of "five on the drive", "six kicks", "seven under heaven", or any other variation used for 5-speed, 6-speed, or 7-speed gearboxes. 

 

I drive manual by the way and I prefer driving manual. Strangely, driving automatic is becoming harder the longer I drive manual; I've kicked the floor where the clutch should be, almost shifted the gear stick in my mom's car, and I'm not used to braking entirely with just the brake pedal which leads to sharp stops occasionally. Also, it's really boring for me to drive automatic.

[Misanthrope]

Assuming I wanted to enjoy driving, meaning I wouldn't have to do it often or for long periods of times, stick.

 

But as someone who has bad ankles, bad knees and has been stuck in traffic for literally hours driving a stick, I'd take an auto any day for city usage.

[terrytek]

"Stick" is short for "stick-shift" as in you're using the gear stick or "stick" to shift through the gears. It's slang that I think the US more than any other nation uses. Standard was used back then since almost every motor vehicle required everyone to manually shift through the gears - motorcycles, cars, trucks, construction vehicles, etc. Some people still call them standards, but it's not exactly standard anymore kind of like how sports bikes and choppers are more common than standard (upright) motorcycles. Manual and automatic are now the common terms to differentiate vehicles along with semi-automatic or sequential, electric and CVT which are both automatic, but act as types of automatic vehicles - manual electric vehicles are probably not going to exist since there's no real need.

 

There's also "three on the tree" and "four on the floor". I never heard of "five on the drive", "six kicks", "seven under heaven", or any other variation used for 5-speed, 6-speed, or 7-speed gearboxes. 

 

I drive manual by the way and I prefer driving manual. Strangely, driving automatic is becoming harder the longer I drive manual; I've kicked the floor where the clutch should be, almost shifted the gear stick in my mom's car, and I'm not used to braking entirely with just the brake pedal which leads to sharp stops occasionally. Also, it's really boring for me to drive automatic.

I agree on your last point. I fall asleep too much in an auto car. But when I hear the car shift in a manual car, it really makes excited.

[bob345]

I prefer stick shift most of the time, though there are some times where i just wish i had an auto. California traffic sucks! But yeah, manual all the way. I love my e46 5 speed

[terrytek]

I prefer stick shift most of the time, though there are some times where i just wish i had an auto. California traffic sucks! But yeah, manual all the way. I love my e46 5 speed

Oh, I know how bad CA traffic is. Driving on 580 every morning to work in Fremont is a pain in the ass with traffic. Gotta love that E46.

[terrytek]

I prefer stickshift on road and automatic off road, that way when you're starting and stopping when you're playing in the dirt and/or the sand, you're not giving your left leg a workout from hell. On road, stickshift is just a lot of fun running it through the gears. A redline a day keeps the carbon away.

 

(yes I know the powerband usually tapers off before the redline)

Lucky. My dad won't let me run even MY car up to redline.

[Hidden Orange]

Assuming I wanted to enjoy driving, meaning I wouldn't have to do it often or for long periods of times, stick.

 

But as someone who has bad ankles, bad knees and has been stuck in traffic for literally hours driving a stick, I'd take an auto any day for city usage.

I'd rather walk or run at that point. Yes, I will freaking run on the highway. At that point, I'd rather pick an auto or semi-auto, but I live in an open city that's not like New York or LA, so it's not a problem unless construction and rush hours are involved. You also put the car in neutral when stopping or use the handbrake to stop for long periods like what Europeans do, but that probably will get you into an accident since the US relies on the brake pedal almost disturbingly.

 

I agree on your last point. I fall asleep too much in an auto car. But when I hear the car shift in a manual car, it really makes excited.

Sigmund Freud would love to analyse your excitement when handling the gear stick. 

[No Quarter]

It's not driving in an automatic...it's steering

[bob345]

Oh, I know how bad CA traffic is. Driving on 580 every morning to work in Fremont is a pain in the ass with traffic. Gotta love that E46.

hey what do ya know, i commute to Fremont too haha. I take 880 though because in in the south bay.

[terrytek]

I'd rather walk or run at that point. Yes, I will freaking run on the highway. At that point, I'd rather pick an auto or semi-auto, but I live in an open city that's not like New York or LA, so it's not a problem unless construction and rush hours are involved. You also put the car in neutral when stopping or use the handbrake to stop for long periods like what Europeans do, but that probably will get you into an accident since the US relies on the brake pedal almost disturbingly.

 

Sigmund Freud would love to analyse your excitement when handling the gear stick. 

Yeah, when I'm a passenger, it's exciting. As a driver, it raises my testosterone.

 

hey what do ya know, i commute to Fremont too haha. I take 880 though because in in the south bay.

Kinda the same. Sucks Warren Ave is closed, due to construction till next year.

[Hidden Orange]

It's not driving in an automatic...it's steering

For the stereotypical teenage girl: it's foot on gas, eyes on phone, hands on touchscreen, and brain in La La Land. :lol:  

[terrytek]

For the stereotypical teenage girl: it's foot on gas, eyes on phone, hands on touchscreen, and brain in La La Land. :lol:  

Oh yeah, that's how my girlfriend is all the time. She scares the crap out of me when she drives. I think i should just let her go.

[menendez1293]

What do you guys prefer driving, automatic or stick?

I prefer driving a manual, both my daily driver and weekend warrior are manuals and I wouldn't change it. Automatics have their place, but just not in my garage.

 

Even though I can't personally drive yet, I already know that stick would be better because I can control the power band of the engine using one hand.

Technically you control power with two feet and one hand  :rolleyes:

 

Plus, it sounds more awesome. Automatic sounds boring and monotonous.

Umm a driving a manual car will sound almost identical when at idle and a constant under load. The only difference you really can tell is when you let off the gas you get a nice deceleration pop from the engine slowing itself and getting rid of any un-burnt fuel which even then can happen in automatics with paddle shifters.

 

Sad part is, I have 5 cars, but only 1 is stick. Plus, you get better fuel economy with stick shift because you don't have your foot on the gas all the time, unlike auto. Stickshift is for real men. So, what do you like better?

The whole fuel economy is kind of not true anymore with the modern automatics and CVTs. And the whole you don't have to have your foot on the gas all the time is kind of false. In a manual you might actually have more time on the accelerator especially when at lower speeds and having to continue engaging and releasing the clutch. And please tell me your not serious with the whole a real mans car is a manual, I can't stand those arguments. 

Answers in red in the quote. 

[cae]

It's not driving in an automatic...it's steering

 

Some impressive "steering"

http://youtu.be/xuqJwg0Ei_s

 

But some even more impressive driving

[terrytek]

It wasn't my car, it was my uncle's. He has a sweet VW Cabriolet that's bright red and convertable, sweet sound system (no subs but he don't need much bass). Looks like this one. He lets me drive when we go for rides or run errands or something. He lives just down the street from me. I don't have a stickshift myself, but a 4 speed auto in my S10 that looks like this.

A pic of the same model VW my uncle has:

flashback-vwcabrio89.jpg

Same model as the S10 I have:

s10.jpg

My S10 is the 4.3L V6 with the 4 speed auto. Unfortunatly not the ZR2 model, so not gonna be doing any serious off roading, but it does OK trying to get over the hill to get onto the beach if you keep the tires spinning fast enough

Still, you could have gotten an Xtreme version.

[Hidden Orange]

Oh yeah, that's how my girlfriend is all the time. She scares the crap out of me when she drives. I think i should just let her go.

That or teach her how to properly, freaking drive. I saw a woman doing her makeup while driving - I am not kidding. Another time, a woman looked right and drove out of her driveway without looking left; I stopped, she freaked out and then drove on by. On my high school parking lot, I was almost hit by not one, but two people within seconds: one girl just didn't give a flying frick who was driving and still drove while I swerved to the other "lane" and one guy was decent enough to stop in panic. Ever had someone tailgate a person about to turn and suddenly swerve around that person? I almost hit someone at 40 MPH (64.5 KM/H) because of that even though I was about a car space away from the idiot and on a 35 MPH (56 KM/H) road. Just recently, I saw someone swerve into the incoming lane just to avoid a parked construction vehicle whose driver saw us and parked into a parking lane. There was no reason to swerve into incoming traffic - luckily there was none - when the parked vehicle is nowhere near you. This happens all the time where people swerve or come close to other lanes despite being far away from parked vehicles. Also, you're supposed to be able to turn well while driving slowly. Not with this lady who was driving under the limit and made a wide turn. And making U-turns in the middle of a freeway intersection is stupid.

[Guest Philosophy]

Manual! I have always owned a stick until my most recent purchases.