Anyone else only ever owned manual cars?
Discussion
Over the years I have owned 15 cars (inc. buying 5 brand new ones) and been long-term custodian of another 5 company cars, but have never had a car without a clutch pedal. In fact I have only ever driven an auto on 2 or 3 occasions.
So who has anyone owned and run more than 20 manual cars, without ever owning an auto or semi-auto? Am I likely to reach an age when an automatic gearbox will start to appeal to me?
So who has anyone owned and run more than 20 manual cars, without ever owning an auto or semi-auto? Am I likely to reach an age when an automatic gearbox will start to appeal to me?
Only owned one auto and I've vowed 'never again' even though it was supposedly one of the best 'boxes in the business. Just not enough control or involvement for my liking. I can see the point of an auto in something like a Rolls-Royce and I can understand why some people like them, but they're not for me.
I've had 16 cars over the years, bought an Audi A6 to scratch the auto itch, but that was 10 years ago and I went back to that oh so difficult thing of pushing a clutch pedal in.
I remember when the A6 was in for a service, the dealer lent me a manual A4 courtesy car and asked whether I could drive a manual...
Stalled it three times and kangarooed off the forecourt. That showed 'em!
I remember when the A6 was in for a service, the dealer lent me a manual A4 courtesy car and asked whether I could drive a manual...
Stalled it three times and kangarooed off the forecourt. That showed 'em!
Whilst i have had Automatic Jaguars (Would not want a manual Jag) for years now, I have mostly always had a manual car also. But now 99% of the time, if i am in a manual car, I’m wishing i was in an Auto.
Granted, a lot of that is because of the journeys that tend to make up most of my time behind the wheel now. But with the control you can have of the gears now in some auto/DSG boxes I would not be to bothered about a Manual car - On a spirited drive, I get my pleasure from selecting the right gear at the right time and holding onto it for the period I want, not from my left foot pressing down a clutch pedal. I don’t left foot brake, and throttle blips can be achieved with some auto (Not talking semi auto - as I would rather have a manual) and most/all DSG boxes.
But 'Creep' really is a lovely thing, so i'm Auto over manual.
Granted, a lot of that is because of the journeys that tend to make up most of my time behind the wheel now. But with the control you can have of the gears now in some auto/DSG boxes I would not be to bothered about a Manual car - On a spirited drive, I get my pleasure from selecting the right gear at the right time and holding onto it for the period I want, not from my left foot pressing down a clutch pedal. I don’t left foot brake, and throttle blips can be achieved with some auto (Not talking semi auto - as I would rather have a manual) and most/all DSG boxes.
But 'Creep' really is a lovely thing, so i'm Auto over manual.
Edited by richard300 on Wednesday 12th September 17:26
I like both bit of a bias to manuals but I do like to keep at least one auto on the fleet suplemented by a few manuals
In fact I've converted auto's to manuals and then regreted it on one car although I never converted it back when I scraped it I bout another one the same but an auto again - that one's now been scrapped too (I've kept all the bits to convert one again should I ever get another)
Nice to have both and a choice - if I had to have just one car.......... errr I don't know what I would chose - probably manual but it would be a hard decision
In fact I've converted auto's to manuals and then regreted it on one car although I never converted it back when I scraped it I bout another one the same but an auto again - that one's now been scrapped too (I've kept all the bits to convert one again should I ever get another)
Nice to have both and a choice - if I had to have just one car.......... errr I don't know what I would chose - probably manual but it would be a hard decision
I have owned 8 manuals and on 4th auto - I think probably done as much mileage in autos as manuals and doubt I'll be going back to a manual
People often think get an auto when you get old - after a lifetime of driving manuals firmly worn into your brain, it isn't a good idea as your unthinking responses are going to get you in trouble going for clutch and brake, the longer you have been driving/older you are the harder it is to change those response.
People often think get an auto when you get old - after a lifetime of driving manuals firmly worn into your brain, it isn't a good idea as your unthinking responses are going to get you in trouble going for clutch and brake, the longer you have been driving/older you are the harder it is to change those response.
LotusOmega375D said:
Am I likely to reach an age when an automatic gearbox will start to appeal to me?
I don't think it's so much a case of reaching the age where you'll find an automatic appealing, rather finding the right car. For instance, an automatic transmission is great in a big, luxurious German saloon. The sort of thing with enough grunt to pull in any gear, where you're not expecting to wring it's neck every day, because it's powerful enough to drive you along without needing to rev the b
ks off it. But then in some cars, automatic transmissions are abhorrent. Not all automatic transmissions are created equally either. The one in my A8 would be considered 'old fashioned' now, even with it's tiptronic control. But it still never struggles to find the right gear, or shift in good time when you need a new one. On the other hand, some slushboxes are terrible. Never in the right gear, hunting up and down the gears, hesitating on change (especially downshifts) and they can really spoil the car.
Baryonyx said:
LotusOmega375D said:
Am I likely to reach an age when an automatic gearbox will start to appeal to me?
I don't think it's so much a case of reaching the age where you'll find an automatic appealing, rather finding the right car. For instance, an automatic transmission is great in a big, luxurious German saloon. The sort of thing with enough grunt to pull in any gear, where you're not expecting to wring it's neck every day, because it's powerful enough to drive you along without needing to rev the bks off it. But then in some cars, automatic transmissions are abhorrent. Not all automatic transmissions are created equally either. The one in my A8 would be considered 'old fashioned' now, even with it's tiptronic control. But it still never struggles to find the right gear, or shift in good time when you need a new one. On the other hand, some slushboxes are terrible. Never in the right gear, hunting up and down the gears, hesitating on change (especially downshifts) and they can really spoil the car.
Edited by LotusOmega375D on Wednesday 12th September 17:33
Baryonyx said:
I don't think it's so much a case of reaching the age where you'll find an automatic appealing, rather finding the right car. For instance, an automatic transmission is great in a big, luxurious German saloon. The sort of thing with enough grunt to pull in any gear, where you're not expecting to wring it's neck every day, because it's powerful enough to drive you along without needing to rev the bks off it.
But then in some cars, automatic transmissions are abhorrent. Not all automatic transmissions are created equally either. The one in my A8 would be considered 'old fashioned' now, even with it's tiptronic control. But it still never struggles to find the right gear, or shift in good time when you need a new one. On the other hand, some slushboxes are terrible. Never in the right gear, hunting up and down the gears, hesitating on change (especially downshifts) and they can really spoil the car.
This is a good answer - it's a bit like the diesel vs petrol one. Some diesels are awful, some are surprisingly good. Some petrol engines are fairly poor, others are superb.ks off it. But then in some cars, automatic transmissions are abhorrent. Not all automatic transmissions are created equally either. The one in my A8 would be considered 'old fashioned' now, even with it's tiptronic control. But it still never struggles to find the right gear, or shift in good time when you need a new one. On the other hand, some slushboxes are terrible. Never in the right gear, hunting up and down the gears, hesitating on change (especially downshifts) and they can really spoil the car.
Most autos I tried in the UK in the 80's and 90's were pretty poor and I hated them. Then I tried a Granada Cosworth with a 3.7 conversion and an auto box and was instantly converted (sounds like and odd combo but the engine and box worked extremely well together).
Similarly the 1.0 Datsun Cherry with the 3 speed auto I hired in the early 90's in Jamaica was ridiculous (you had to turn the air con off for the steeper hills....). Other abysmal autos I have tried include the Mk 3 Cortina 2.0 GLS (how slow?!?!?!) and the Wolsley 2200 landcrab auto. Frankly ridiculous.
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