Do you drive with manual or automatic transmission?

[NikolaiIvanov]

I've only learnt on manual transmission because my grandfather taught me to everything from riding a motorcycle to driving a car, and I always go by his saying that "You drive the car, the car doesn't drive you". It wasn't really complex at all but it changes with every car like in Volvo the clutch is super soft it goes down like a feather but in Toyota and Ford it takes a little bit of force not enough to hurt you though.

Updates

+1 y

I meant to ask your preference.

[ChrisMaster69]

I have 1 manual and 2 Sports Auto Boxes,

my basic track car is a manual with a rejigged manual with short throws.

my Golf R (Stage 3) uses VW DSG Sports Auto and I tend to use the paddles (custom set).

My BMW M4 uses the ZF Sports Auto box now rather than DCT ( company car until summer).

A Sports Auto box is best of both worlds, I can drive it pretty much in full manual mode but can also go full auto or a mix of auto and manual as I feel about it.

the acceleration between sports auto and manual is a good 2 seconds 0 to 60.

I did a lot of driving in Wales, Scotland and around local stuff, while a manual is engaging it is not as good as the full sports auto boxes. Also the Golf R eats factory clutches at Stage 1 never mind Stage 3 and needs a full sintered clutch setup to really work.

I could never see me going back to a manual car, high BHP really needs a Sports Auto box. Manual likely works with older less power cars, all though the M cars will have a manual but it’s not really expected to sell in numbers.

[NikolaiIvanov]

Hey that's pretty cool, I'd love to know what year of the m4 you own it's actually one of choices that I'll get as my first car but I live in a very rural suburb which is beautiful but all the good quality roads are only the highways and the main city. Still my first choice would be a Toyota Hilux because it's awesome and top gear proved that. We do a lot of dirt bike racing here too and most of us despite living in Sweden own trucks here because we all hunt and take them off road and a manual transmission helps in getting you out when you're stuck without blowing your engine out.

[NikolaiIvanov]

Maybe an 80s land lover would suffice for me as well compared to a newer Toyota.

[ChrisMaster69]

It’s a 21 plate

[ChrisMaster69]

Hence move from DCT to ZF box
Company car until I get full xdrive versiom

[hellacray]

Auto I mean I would love to learn manual, but it would be for recreational purposes.

Where I live there can be a bit of traffic and I mainly use my car for work or running errands.

I don't ever go on a drive because driving is fun. So learning manual and then having to buy a manual car isn't very practical for me right now.

[Goodwifie]

Depends on the car.
I had a little Lancer MR coupe that had a sports shift so it was meant to be used at a higher rev when it was needed. I absolutely loved driving it and now I've just got a basic automatic car 👎🏻.
(News story from last week)
A couple had their car keys stolen during a home invasion but the theif couldn't take off with it because the car was a manual and didn't even know how to start it...😂

[AmandaYVR]

I can drive both. Learned on manual, but drive automatic now in the city for convenience.

I agree with your grandpa: "You drive the car, the car doesn't drive you". !
But do check out this thread. Spencer10 was a racecar driver and his response was reasonable.
Why do some people who drives manual feel superior to people who can drive automatic only?

[NikolaiIvanov]

Yes I saw it and my mother also has an automatic E60 but it just feels weird there's no feeling that the engine is warm and running or that the road is bumpy it's just one feeling, emptiness. I live in a semi-rural area so we have both good roads and a lot of dirt roads and backtracks where a lot moose run into your car. My grandfather told me that if I ever crash I shouldn't be the one dying or getting my car damaged that's why I would prefer to either buy a toyota Hilux truck or an old land rover from the 80s because I'm going to drive off road a lot and lower gears make it easier to come out of being stuck in the mud or ice without blowing the engine and if a moose hits a new sleek Tesla or Volvo the moose would be alive but the car wouldn't but in the case of a truck I'm gonna be alive, the trucks gonna be alive and we'd take the dead moose home and make shashlik (grilled venison).

[AmandaYVR]

This is a great, great, entertaining comment. I love the way you think. Totally agree with your reasoning 👌. (And especially like the "emptiness" idea.)

[NikolaiIvanov]

Manual cars are built better because they're around from the 2000-2010s where cost cutting wasn't so prevalent as it is now. A moose weighs about 360-400kg (800 - 900 lbs) and they will kill you if you crash into them with a new slammed sedan they would break the entire windshield and roof, airbags won't save you also braking in a snowy road is dangerous so we downshift to decrease speed.

[Lauren-green]

I only drive manual. I hate driving automatic, feels like I'm driving a damn go kart 🥴 I've done it like twice lol my car is manual and I learnt in manual, I feel that I have way more control over the car and tbh I just enjoy it 😂🤙🏼

[InfobotLives]

Current car is an automatic but I learned in a manual and have driven manual cars most of my life. I've driven both manual and automatics both at home and overseas, left and right hand drive. I'm pretty comfortable driving most things.

[FreyaRed]

Automatic. My car isn't available with manual transmission. I learned driving with manual transmission because it's obligatory in most driving schools in my country. Otherwise there is "automatic only" remark in driver license, no one wants that.

[susie22]

Manual!! I learned on a manual, and I just bought a nice 2 seater sports car with a manual, and I really enjoy driving it. I'll always drive a manual as long as I can buy one.

[kannettava]

I know how to drive with either, but I don't currently own a car. If I borrow someone's car, it's usually automatic, though. Manual cars seem to be becoming a thing of the past.

[Anonymous]

Yeah that's right, the clutch feels different and has an easier or harder sweet spot in every manual car. I had a Saab which you basically needed footballer's legs to depress the clutch. Luckily I had footballer's legs then. These days I drive an Automatic car and fuck I regret it. I don't even want to talk about it. Stay with manual as long as you can.

[alleon]

My current vehicle is an automatic.. my first car was a standard/manual. And it’s been 50/50 for the vehicles I’ve owned.

[Goforit1010]

I have an automatic transmission (the only way the car came), but I know how to drive a manual transmission too. I prefer that over an automatic.

[JackBlackHeartAttack]

I grew up in small town Kansas. My first vehicle was a manual. I like driving manuals in my hometown but when I go to the city I prefer automatic. It's kind of a hassle in the city and it's easier in an automatic

[RSav4013]

I have an automatic. I drove a manual for years, but after moving to a bigger city with a lot of traffic it became a nuisance rather than a benefit.

[DJB72]

I prefer manual, but I may get stuck with automatic unless I'm able to learn to drive again as an amputee

[Floppy2112]

Every car I have personally owned has and is a manual. I do plan on getting a beater that's an automatic so I don't destroy the clutch in my pretty car slogging through traffic.
Save the manuals!

[etexbearkat]

I’ve always cars with automatic transmission. My grandfather had a car that was a stick shift, and I rode around in it a few times.

[goaded]

Manual. I can drive an automatic, obviously, but coasting to a stop in a carpark or similar doesn't work well - I put both feet on the brake!

[NathanDavis]

To go places in a vehicle, auto...
To drive, manual.

[Likes2drive]

Now I have automatic but I learned at 16 to drive a manual and motorcycle at 19 , drive tractor trailers now and some of the old ones I had to double clutch to change gears

[ODC2112]

Manual! Only with the manual transmission do you have control over the car. The automatic transmission is only suitable for the handicapped/disabled who cannot do otherwise.

[collie22]

i take uber or a bus and sometimes my Dad taxie his cars a automatic

[Iron_Man]

If I lived by you I would drive you or give you my Vehicle to use

[collie22]

@Iron_Man thank you! that was nice

[Iron_Man]

It would be my pleasure you’re always nice

[JEndigoBleue]

I would love to learn how to drive a stick. Never could get anyone to teach me. I love car and drag racing 🏎.

[Twalli]

My dad and sister use manual transmission. My mom uses automatic, but can do manual. She just forgets to put manual transmission cars in park and stalls them.