Automatic owners would you go back to manual?

[p1tse]

Automatic owners would you go back to manual?

Which auto converted you?

[PanzerCommander]

Nope, wouldn't go back if you paid me.

I bought an automatic 2006 Mustang GT over 4 1/2 years ago now (to use as a daily drive) and at the time a knee injury meant that even the lightest of powered clutches caused me problems in traffic. So I went for the automatic, and after driving one for that length of time I can honestly say I do not miss having a manual gearbox.

I can see why people might in something like a Caterham for instance, but I'll stick with my V8 automatic

I also drag race, and given that means bracket racing, consistency is king and the automatic removes a number of variables; which is a big bonus.

[Nigel Worc's]

I've had different types of auto, and manual cars for years, no issues, I swap back and forth as needed.

[Monty Python]

Maybe - the only reason I have one now is because the car isn't available with a manual gearbox. It depends what the car is.

[anonymous-user]

Went slushbox on my previous car, a 9-5 Aero. Now I've got a manual and really rather regret the decision. Provided its a reasonably modern 5+ speed version, preferably with paddle control, then give me an auto every time.

[Siscar]

I have a Range Rover that is auto and a Caterham that is, obviously, manual. Great, wouldn't change either of them.

But if you get a chance to try a modern Ferarri, the gearboxes there are semi-automatic and are absolutely brilliant. If there was ever a car that told me I could never do a manual again it was the one in a California.

[hman]

horses for courses, the 4x4 is auto and is great everywhere and has slowed me down.

The wifes car is manual and I like it being a manual until I get into traffic then I long for an auto again.

[vikingaero]

No way. I have a manual car and I'm finding I'm using it less and less mainly because of the horrendous traffic in suburbia. Every parcel of land has a retail park on it, a new housing estate and councils messing with light phasing for imaginary pedestrians and buses with 1 person on.

[Chris Hinds]

Now they are so good, no I probably wouldn't for a daily driver - there are some cars that suit auto and some that don't. In my experience an auto is only made good by virtue of being suitably powerful or having a good gearbox, preferably both. I've driven conventional automatics, CVTs, Single Clutch automated manuals and Dual Clutch Gearboxes and overall for my own personal preference it's

1. Conventional Automatic
2. CVT
3. Dual Clutch
4. Single Clutch

Personally I find that when driving a Dual Clutch Auto they are excellent whilst moving at reasonable speed and great on track of course but if you are doing lots of stop/start work, manoeuvring or dealing with many junctions then they can be less smooth. This can also be exacerbated if paired with an engine that has lots of turbo lag such as a 2.0 TDI. CVTs are certainly not for quick paced action but I don't find I feel the "disconnected" feeling others sometimes mention. Usually I do find a CVT pushes me towards driving a car in a more sedate, barge-like fashion anyway.

So for me the conventional automatic rules the roost, on a lower powered engine the torque convertor allows the engine to spin up a bit overcoming any initial turbo lag. They're smooth, creep nicely and the recent ones are really very quick to move.

For me the one that converted me for a daily driver was the Audi A6 3.0TDI with 6 speed ZF box. The 8 speed ZF in my new car really has moved the game on again.

[Welshbeef]

If it is a do all car then I'd say auto is the smart option. Most of the annual total distance travelled in your car is through the daily grind - I did that for 3-5 years in my Fiat Coupe through horrible traffic it was a constant hassle and effort thousands of gear changes / not relaxing at all.


So I had my first auto as a 330d what a revelation and frankly unless your a racing driver through the gears the auto will be quicker also both hands on the steering wheel so in theory safer. Plus if someone needs to use my car they cannot damage it cannot over rev it


Lastly as smooth as you can drive a stick shift you cannot get as good as an auto its super smooth all the time.

If it was a weekend fun toy/ track car then Stick would be my pref

[p1tse]

There are obviously some cars built for manual such as elise, caterhams etc.

But excluding those toy cars

[e8_pack]

Daily would be auto all day long.

Of I could afford a new sports car id probably get a double clutch semi though.

[lamboman100]

Autos are boring. Semi-autos, the new ones, are like being in a racing car. Manuals are vinyl old-skool for the purists.

[anonymous-user]

"Double clutch semi"...

[73mark]

Used my mates auto for a day. Got back into mine driving up to the lights forgot to use the clutch,looked and felt like a right tit as it started to judder

[eltax91]

I've been covering 30k a year for work for about 7 years now. Went auto for the first time last January and for that many miles I'd never go back!!

I have manual in my mx5 which helps

[mike-r]

I've had a couple but manual all day for me. There's something incredibly satisfying about leaving work and holding onto second that bit longer, and the notchy shift to third.

Or fishtailing out of the carpark..

[Harbuzi]

Never say never - but probably never!

E46 330ci converted me.

[A900ss]

For the daily drive, no chance. I'll stick with my BMW 8 speeder slushmatic. My daily is to get me and the family from A to B as stress free as possible.

For the Sunday toy, manual every time thanks.

[mini1380cc]

I like both. The right choice depends on what car it is in. Big soft cruisers like abs class suits it's auto. Whereas something like a dc2 is only suited for manual.


Why limit yourself to one side? Surely the right ph answer is to have a garage with a mix of both.