Automatics - they aren't that bad!!
Discussion
For my whole driving life I have avoided automatics as they are the non-enthusiasts choice. I laughed at those who were not man enough to use a manual gearbox, even living in Central London with stop / start traffic.
Well... I am now living in the US (moved 4 weeks ago) and have been driving autos and have to say... I'm really rather liking it.. its just so easy, get in and go. Even hustling along in them is great with kickdown / not having to worry about changing gears when making left right turns etc.
Am now looking to buy an automatic /flappy paddle car over here.
Am I turning old / girly... American, or have I just been a manual snob all these years??
Well... I am now living in the US (moved 4 weeks ago) and have been driving autos and have to say... I'm really rather liking it.. its just so easy, get in and go. Even hustling along in them is great with kickdown / not having to worry about changing gears when making left right turns etc.
Am now looking to buy an automatic /flappy paddle car over here.
Am I turning old / girly... American, or have I just been a manual snob all these years??
Edited by EK993 on Thursday 1st April 01:51
t again.I only started driving autos due to needing hand controls but I'd not go back to H-gate manual given the choice.
Modern auto 'boxes with tiptronic type functions do everything an H-gate sychro 'box can do and more.
In the '20s you could control ignition advance manually but no-one wants that back...
Modern auto 'boxes with tiptronic type functions do everything an H-gate sychro 'box can do and more.
In the '20s you could control ignition advance manually but no-one wants that back...
fluffnik said:
Pommygranite said:
Depends on purpose.
If you do a lot of town and stop/start motorway traffic why would you want a manual?
For spirited cross country, non-industrialised areas why would you want an auto?
Because it lets you concentrate more on loading your tyres up...If you do a lot of town and stop/start motorway traffic why would you want a manual?
For spirited cross country, non-industrialised areas why would you want an auto?
Edited by GravelBen on Thursday 1st April 03:15
GravelBen said:
fluffnik said:
Pommygranite said:
Depends on purpose.
If you do a lot of town and stop/start motorway traffic why would you want a manual?
For spirited cross country, non-industrialised areas why would you want an auto?
Because it lets you concentrate more on loading your tyres up...If you do a lot of town and stop/start motorway traffic why would you want a manual?
For spirited cross country, non-industrialised areas why would you want an auto?
Edited by GravelBen on Thursday 1st April 03:15
ymwoods said:
Have they not solved the jumping up and down crap yet? Why not just make the car fix the gear once tyres are being given a beating in a corner? Then once your pulling out or back on the straight go back to its change up/down game...
They do, it all depends on the auto box. Mine will happily bounce off the limiter.ymwoods said:
Have they not solved the jumping up and down crap yet? Why not just make the car fix the gear once tyres are being given a beating in a corner? Then once your pulling out or back on the straight go back to its change up/down game...
Audis do this. Even the Vauxhall Vectra I have has an "inclinometer" to have it stay in a lower gear going up hill.
Modern auto-boxes are very close to being better than a manual. These new flappy-paddle jobbies probably ARE better than a H-gate box with a clutch.
I have both. Changing gears is fun: So I'll have manual in my precision driving instrument. Changing gears is tedious on a run: So I'll have an auto for my mile eater.
I recently test drove the new Seat Ibiza Cupra, this is with the auto/dsg gearbox with choice of full auto or use of Flappy paddles in sport mode, my first time driving an auto, and yes it is relaxing and so much easier to drive, I think most of the time the auto function would be nice for pootling around, but I'd definately use the padels when going for a blast because I didn't like wen the auto box changed up when flooring it
I think it depends on the power of the car in question, small cars with Automatic boxes are awful but I love big cars with them 
I'd always had Manual cars (and would never have considered owning an Auto) until I bought my T5 just over 3 years ago, I really do enjoy driving the Autobox and would definitely have another car with one
I'd always had Manual cars (and would never have considered owning an Auto) until I bought my T5 just over 3 years ago, I really do enjoy driving the Autobox and would definitely have another car with one
Even the prehistoric 4 speed Merc box in my 928 will hold it in the selected gear from tickover up to the limiter if you want it to.
But I agree, horses for courses, some cars suit it, some don't, and it depends on the quality of each cars respective boxes.
For example, I would consider a manual Range Rover to be a ridiculous vehicle, as I would an Automatic Evo
But I agree, horses for courses, some cars suit it, some don't, and it depends on the quality of each cars respective boxes.
For example, I would consider a manual Range Rover to be a ridiculous vehicle, as I would an Automatic Evo
The disadavantages you are talking about don't apply to the CVT or Audi Multitronic in my case. The transmission always selects the right gear ratio. If you are pootling round town it selects a high gear for economy, and once on the move it senses when you need a bit of speed and lifts the revs to where the power is. The are no jumps in gear, just a smooth transition up and down the ratios. Because of this it is faster and more economical than a manual or auto.
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