For those of you that didnt know, or drive an automatic..

[gaz1234]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txRTo5eAwrM

[beko1987]

I get in the missus manual every now and again, always takes a few yards to get used to it again! I used to be proud of my clutching, now my left leg aches after 10 miles

Also, try coming off the motorway and rolling to a stall as you forgot you had to change down yourself...

[littleredrooster]

beko1987 said:

...Also, try coming off the motorway and rolling to a stall as you forgot you had to change down yourself...

Yup, that's me. Wifies Panda in 5th gear at 500rpm...400rpm...300rpm...200rpm...stall. Balls!

[soad]

MX-5.

[fjord]

Driving a 320d for the last 10 months, and im seriously getting tired of a manual. Never driven one, but now i think i understand why everyone bums the auto boxes on the 325/330d.

My next big diesel with definately be an auto. Manuals in a diesel are fking st, im changing gear all the damn time.

[David87]

I swap between manuals and automatics almost every day, but I still sometimes try and dip the clutch whilst starting the engine in an auto.

[RWD cossie wil]

I was a dedicated auto hater.

Driven 90 miles a day round trip in crappy traffic, for the last year in my 530d auto. Will never run a manual again as a daily, autos rock connected to a big torquey lump.

Manual is still far more fun for weekend/ fun car.

[Rammy76]

fjord said:

Driving a 320d for the last 10 months, and im seriously getting tired of a manual. Never driven one, but now i think i understand why everyone bums the auto boxes on the 325/330d.

My next big diesel with definately be an auto. Manuals in a diesel are fking st, im changing gear all the damn time.

I'm like that in my diesel Passat, up and down the 6 speed box becomes tedious. Luckily it's mainly used for motorway work so once in 6th I can get peace for a while!

[anonymous-user]

You're only changing gear in a modern diesel "all the time" if you can't drive. Hint, how many gears does the diesel have? (6) how fast does it go (140ish). And the gasoline engineed version (6 and 140ish again). That should tell you something........

[eldar]

Max_Torque said:

You're only changing gear in a modern diesel "all the time" if you can't drive. Hint, how many gears does the diesel have? (6) how fast does it go (140ish). And the gasoline engineed version (6 and 140ish again). That should tell you something........

My diesel auto is 7 speed, and that is just being replaced by a 9 speed. Fits well with a narrow power/economy band, no problem.

Its the future for everyday driving, ticks all the eco boxes and is a good drive. Manuals will still have their place in the small petrol and fun car market, but eventually go the way of the manual choke. Loved only by the middle aged and bearded enthusiast.....

[anonymous-user]

Yes, transmissions now have more ratios that they used to, but this is for fuel economy (downspeeding) reasons. A modern turbo diesel car needs no more ratios that the gasoline equivalent.

[eldar]

Max_Torque said:

Yes, transmissions now have more ratios that they used to, but this is for fuel economy (downspeeding) reasons. A modern turbo diesel car needs no more ratios that the gasoline equivalent.

Economy is important, at least in VED terms, and fuel costs. More gears help. Diesels have a narrower power band, so more and closer ratios help. That is what most buyers want. As long as there are enough people buying manuals, they will be available as well.

Buy what you want, doesn't make a different choice wrong.

[fttm]

Drive an 18 speed manual Kenworth which is clutchless changes , all our personal vehicles are autos apart from the BMW which only comes out now and again , sure enough crunch and grind a few times until I start concentrating .

[Gokartmozart]

DCT

[Rammy76]

Max_Torque said:

You're only changing gear in a modern diesel "all the time" if you can't drive. Hint, how many gears does the diesel have? (6) how fast does it go (140ish). And the gasoline engineed version (6 and 140ish again). That should tell you something........

The point I'm making is an automatic makes more sense to me in our ever more congested roads, when I'm up and down the 'box "all the time" like you would be in any car. I can drive fine thanks.

[FiF]

The other thing that modern automatic transmission gives you with dual clutch or multi speeds is a solid drive between engine and wheels. This makes it much easier for proper use of acceleration sense to have correct road speed and minimise braking.

The old style autos with few ratios and a massive slushy torque converter that hardly ever locks up, they are still nasty pieces of kit. Modern multi speeds the tc spends most of the time locked and hence more efficient.

So another long time hater that has been converted plus it's also fun to get the best out of them. Still a manual for the giggles though.

[Krikkit]

Rammy76 said:

The point I'm making is an automatic makes more sense to me in our ever more congested roads, when I'm up and down the 'box "all the time" like you would be in any car. I can drive fine thanks.

Auto for a wafter or town/commute car, manual for fun.

[jmorgan]

Rammy76 said:

Max_Torque said:

You're only changing gear in a modern diesel "all the time" if you can't drive. Hint, how many gears does the diesel have? (6) how fast does it go (140ish). And the gasoline engineed version (6 and 140ish again). That should tell you something........

The point I'm making is an automatic makes more sense to me in our ever more congested roads, when I'm up and down the 'box "all the time" like you would be in any car. I can drive fine thanks.

The plethora of lights on roundabouts around me mean that a manual will get a good work out. Jams around the slip road as idiots cut in and bring the lanes to a stand still, and on and on. In the auto, I get off the drive, get the good book out, doze a bit and wake up nice and refreshed at my destination, in the manual you have to stay awake.

[skyrover]

I'm lazy.

I like big squishy seats, big torquey engines, cup holders, automatic transmission and cruise control in my daily driver.

You could say living in America land has spoiled me somewhat

However, when it comes to fun give me a manual any day

[peter pan]

Then there is always the classic mistake when switching from a manual to an auto, namely standing on the brake pedal thinking it is the clutch, when you only wanted to slow down a bit using engine braking! Unfortunately That gets the passengers (and any vehicles travelling behind)`s attention.