Do you prefer manual or automatic transmission?

[Jemini_Crocket]

Even though I often drive long journeys, I personally prefer manual transmission for my car. I feel like the automatic takes away all the job/fun... I need to be involved enough lol

What about you guys? :)

Title pic

Manual transmission

Automatic transmission

[zeitgeist057]

I didn't vote, because honestly it doesn't make that much difference to me. I used to care, and preferred manual, for the reasons that it was more control and more involvement like you mentioned. But manual transmissions are harder and harder to find, so I ended up buying my last couple four wheeled vehicles in automatic version because that is what was available. To be honest, it hasn't made any difference in my life. I don't enjoy life or driving less with an automatic. It's just slightly different. Driving a stick to me is almost "automatic" for me, I don't really think about shifting or driving like that.

There are some advantages to manual of course, such as going down a long hill and downshifting to reduce wear and tear on brakes, downshifting to gain torque, or slipping into neutral to save fuel. There are also advantages to driving an automatic, such as having your extra hand free for a drink or to hold your lover's hand, or to caress her.

But ultimately, it doesn't matter to me even enough to say I'm on one side or the other. It's like the difference if someone asks me if I prefer to walk up the beach or down the beach. It's just different sections of beach, one isn't significantly better than the other enough for me to care. Let's just go.

[jshm2]

You're confused.

The purpose of auto is to enable cruise control, which saves fuel and makes journeys less of a hassle.

The purpose of manual is to enable speed and power when you require it.

These days auto gives the best of both worlds as computerization as made the process much better.

[Aerissa_Jade]

I learned on a manual farm truck, I find it is better and I have more control. Automatic transmissions are not really that good, nor are they actually automatic.

People act like, all you do is get in and push the gas and don't worry. I find I hit the gas to say pull out in traffic, and it sits there for 2 or 3 seconds trying to decide what gear it should be in, in the meantime traffic is fast approaching to hit me, and then it will struggle to go then suddenly downshift and redline the rpm, going from 1200 rpm's to 5000 cause it doesn't know what the hell it wants to do.

This is why I say it isn't actually automatic, you have to slowly coax it, don't push too hard or too soft to get it to shift when you want it to. It is just like a manual, you just don't have to use a clutch.

I prefer picking gears myself with a clutch, this way it eliminates the problem of the computer having to think about what to do next.

[Red_Arrow]

I have never had that problem with an automatic. I have been driving 6-cylinder automatics for decades and the worst problem I have had when getting out in traffic is too much power, not too little. I often have to back off the accelerator or I end up spinning my wheels. Never have to coax it, and it never has a problem shifting at the right time. Sounds like you just have a lousy car. Remember your experience and test those things next time you are going to buy a car.

[Aerissa_Jade]

@Red_Arrow I've had this problem on several cars, I will admit it was less of an issue on newer models... my explorer was pretty good but it still had the problem, if I was moving slower and it was cruising good and I floor it, sometimes it would jump up to 3700 or so into the red, like when trying to go from 25 to 80, it would do it for a couple of seconds before going into the right gear.

Older vehicles I've driven, horrible... the ten gear fords though have been kind of nice, as the computer has it jump from like 2 to 5 or something, rather than go through each gear.

Either way I'd rather have control to stay in one gear when climbing a hill towing my trailer, something I cannot do with an automatic.

[Red_Arrow]

I have been driving a relative's Pontiac recently. I don't know the year, but since Pontiacs are not made any more it has to be older. It is an automatic with the selector in a console on the floor. In addition to reverse, neutral, and drive, it also has positions for selecting the gear so that you can choose for specific conditions, such as towing. I have never used that area, always going with drive and it has been perfect for me.

[erandal]

I have spent most of my adult life in England and I would think that 98% of all cars here have a manual gearbox. I only bought my first automatic car a couple of years ago and now I would never go back to a manual. Automatic cars are so much nicer to drive without having to mess around with the clutch or the gear shifter. Just put it in drive and cruise.

[OldSchool_Metalhead]

I've got a stick shift Volkswagen. I learned to drive by stick shift, and only like 4 or 5 times have i ever used an automatic (one of the times was to help get a van out of mud it was stuck in lol). I much prefer manual because it gives more fun to the whole experience. The car isn't driving you, YOU are driving IT. My only complaint is the times I've accidentally stalled it lol

[CrazyGirl2]

I prefer the control, a la engine breaking of a manual, I used to prefer stick for acceleration, but double clutches have eliminated that advantage, now 0 - 60 numbers are given with a double clutched automatic setups. And everything my dad taught me about driving, is simply made better with a double clutch automatic.

[TrueConfection]

I prefer manual. However!!! I do not appreciate the new manual junk in my "sport edition" vehicle. It has paddles on the steering wheel so I can shift if I don't feel like using the automatic transmission. It's so dumb! To make matters worse, if my finger accidently flicks the hypersensitive paddle that intrudes my finger space, the transmission will immediately switch over beginning in low gear (this has happened to me twice while traveling at highway speed).

[Ian69]

My car has an automatic transmission, but it has the option to switch to manual if you want the “hands on” approach.

Mine is similar to this type of DSG transmission.

[AviatorTom]

I like both. I learned to drive on a manual transmission and had a stick shift car for many years. I switched to an automatic because my wife (we were married for 20 years) couldn't handle a stick. Since then, I've stuck with an automatic transmission. Last time I drove a manual transmission was in England (several years ago), where the rental car company only had manual transmission cars.

[N192K001]

For now, automatic, which is standard here in the U. S.

But (to be fair), I have never driven a manual, which is standard back in the Philippines (definitely as of 2001, but probably still as of 2014, if I remember correctly… assuming my aunt's vehicle is representative of the most common types back there).

[ChiTown33]

I wonder if that's because manuals are cheaper? I've never been to the Phillipines.

[N192K001]

@ChiTown33 Who knows? From responses here, it seems manual is also more common in France & the U. K. Some have mentioned that manual gives more control, which is great during severe weather. Given that significant parts of the PH are within a historic typhoon-belt, it might be that. That's my (just devised) theory, at least.

[N192K001]

Oh, Hell. I was wrong. My info is outdated. Automatic is now more common.
www.philstar.com/.../end-stick-shift
www.topgear.com.ph/.../manual-transmissions-available-base-variants-philippines-a2590-20180924

[Massageman]

I have a 6-speed auto.
BUT
I can hit a button and turn it into- essentially- a paddle shifter too.
If I hit another button, I can change it from ECO, to NORMAL, or TURBO.
I'm usually in ECO on AUTO mode. If I need to make a quick pass to get out of danger, I'll hit the TURBO for a few seconds, it will drop down a gear our two, and take off!

I DID have to drive a manual stick when I was a member of the local Civil Defense unit in the village in which we first lived.

[one1wild00]

More control in bad situations when the car is in bad weather or driving conditions. had the new automatic with it's "safety features" almost cause a problem it was supposed to prevent as it did the exact wrong thing for the situation. thank goodness for the ability to turn the "safety' stuff off in that case.

[ChrisMaster69]

I prefer a modern Sports Auto box.

such as BMW ZF 8AT or the 8 speed steptronic (DL) or the VAG DSG.

Far superior to a normal auto box and also more flexible than a manual (manual mode, sports mode etc ).

[kinggeorge007]

I used to prefer Manuals but now I'm okay with either of them. Whatever it is it needs to have 5+ gears, and I'm happy. If it's an automatic, it needs to (it usually has) have some sort of a control/a way to downshift or put the gear on a lower setting when needed. That's it.

[Snsl153]

Manual, because I really like playing around with the gear-stick. For some reason it's just a really fulfilling and pleasurable thing for me to do. I don't know why.

[susie22]

Absolutely manual. I love cars, and a manual transmission makes driving much more fun. Takes a bit of practice when wearing stilettos, but worth the stretch, lol!

[Pudsmucker]

Most women my generation would drive barefooted or have flats and change after they get to their destination.

[Emilyis]

I can actually drive both, My daddy taught me to drive a 3 speed, then a 5 speed then a Tandum dump truck, I was raised on a ranch and yes! I can drive a tractor.

[Crafteroon]

Really depends on why and where you are driving. Long distance and main roads go with the automatic, but towing and off-road manual is better for control.

[MTC29]

I prefer a manual, but in the USA a manual transmission is difficult to obtain.

[dustybiker]

Incredibly annoying.

[exitseven]

@dustybiker yes, it is a bummer. Who would buy an SUV or pickup truck with an automatic? Soccer moms?

[dustybiker]

@exitseven Most likely. My own dealerships said they stopped carrying manual trucks (even though they make mine in one) as they didn’t sell local. And the cost to have one brought in wasn’t worth it. Something about them having to trade vehicles with other dealerships, not outright buy it, and resell to customers. Trade is easier paperwork between local dealerships probably.

[exitseven]

@dustybiker I just don;t get it. A lot of guys I know would get a manual if they could. The gas mileage is better and it does not cost thousands of dollars to have it fixed. You can start it on a hill too.

[dustybiker]

@exitseven I agree with all that. And know people who prefer too.

[whereismyjohnny]

Manual, I don’t see the fun in the automaticeithwr 😅 When you are stuck in a traffic and have to shift from first to second gear every minute 🤣

[FreyaRed]

Automatic. I don't like automatic in low price cars, but every car that isn't a racing car and has more than 300hp is better with automatic.

[Raphaëlle]

Can drive with both but got to admit sometimes it's so nice to just drive and don't think so much aka automatic. But I'm more used to manual so it's not a big matter.

[TheMajesticKing777]

Automatic, my city is always traffic, cats are butt to butt, manual transmission would drive anyone crazy

[CuriousMufuxka]

Automatic, though I agree with most of the benefits when it comes to manual. Anyway

https://www.youtube.com/embed/vbpMWySLH3U

[Soremain]

I'll never buy manual again. I used to always have manual and now I drive manual at work, so I'm very happy to feel like "I don't have to do the work".

[helva]

I prefer automatic where you can choose the gears. I had a Fiat 500 with a Dualogic gearbox and I found it perfect.

[exitseven]

I prefer a manual. The problem is that Chevy Tahoes and Ford F-150s do not come with manual transmissions. Strange but true.

[Likes2drive]

Most of the cars I owned were manual until they were no longer as available, the trucks at work were starting to change over to automatic but I always liked the manuals

[sheikalana]

Manual all the way. I've been driving manual for over 10 years and whenever I try to drive automatic I feel so stupid which is weird as automatic is supposed to be so much easier.

[Levin]

I mean, manual is just like a basic intelligence test. It would probably cut a few deaths in the USA if it was a requirement for passing one's test.

[Redstang88]

Manual is fun for a weekend cruiser, but for a daily driver it gets old real fast. Current truck is a stick and I kinda regret it

[Anonymous]

Automatic all the way. Everyone should learn in an automatic. If you want to learn manual then after that, off you go, but they are slowly becoming a thing of the past and too many people want to stay stuck in the past.

[ODC2112]

Only handicapped person should use automatic transmission.

[Blackcupcake]

I’ve only driven manual, but I want an automatic lol

[Snakeyes7]

I live in an area where traffic is heavy 24/7. I'd imagine driving manual sounds like an utter nightmare to be caught in traffic with.

[Contra1166]

Manual is better in terms of car maintenance but since I do deliveries and have long commutes to school and work driving automatic saves a lot of effort since I drive all the time. Had my situation been different I'd drive manual.

[Contra1166]

Kinda surprised on the poll results on another note.

[TheAfrikan]

It depends on the circumstances. that is if am to race or involve into racing or draging I would prefer the Manual transmission. But doing my Normal drives an automatic is good.

[ManOnFire]

Automatic. Very surprised to see most women picked manual. I wonder why.

[Luv2BRealExotic13]

Automatic because I’ve never really had the chance to try manual in my now being able to drive

[FancyPantz]

In heavy traffic, I prefer to own an automatic. For long haul drives, either would do.

[whirled_up_girl]

I learned on automatic so that's what I've always driven.

[melisaaa]

if you wanna control you car completely, manuel.
if you want comfort and relaxness, automatic.
I like the manual more than automatic, i find it more enjoyable.

[Twalli]

My dad won't drive automatic, if given the choice. My sister was taught manual so she pays enough attention.

[Guanfei]

Auto. It's much simpler. I want to drive a car, go from point A to point B, and that a way to make it even simpler.

[WhiteBoyChill]

I thought France mostly had manuals?

[Guanfei]

As most countries, but it's mostly because it's the default.

[josephinelcajon]

Auto if a car or light truck manual in a sports car or heavy truck

[Anonymous]

Full auto with an option for semi auto is the way to go, you have the best of both worlds then.

[AllThatSweetJazz]

Automatic. You can still do lower gears in an automatic. Kinda annoying for me though. I prefer just to use neutral a lot.

[WessexJesse]

I learned in a manual and it's a lot more rewarding on the right roads, but in today's traffic it's auto all the way for day-to-day driving.

[zagor]

Yeah drive in L. A. traffic for a while and you'll lose your affinity for manual.

[dustybiker]

Add in a steep grade = a good workout.
Which is why I ride. I hate traffic and love manual.

[CasuallySamsonite]

Manual
More Fun and cheaper / easier to repair if it does go bad.

[Anonymous]

Automatic transmissions were created so people don't have to manually do it. It's called progress lol. But if you're kind of a control freak go ahead and stay in past. 🤣

[OddBeMe]

Manual trans isn’t as fun as fast 2 furious make it look.

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

Automatic. Nice and easy to drive and don't have to worry about shifting gears at all.

[douride2]

I drive a manual all day at work so my personal vehicle is an automatic.

[Diana79]

In Greece my car is a stick. Here in the state when I drive, it’s automatic. It’s easier when living in the city.

[motownplayer2000]

Manual.. they are more fun to drive.. when not in traffic

[Pudsmucker]

I have the best control with my vehicle on my end manual transmissions. They're also fun to drive.

[Staximus]

If I'm in the mountains, manual. If I'm in stop and go traffic, automatic

[sp33d]

Manual, just cuz I'm used to it. Most of the autos I see now are completely fine, too.

[dustybiker]

Manual. Always, if given a choice.

[Anonymous]

Manual on weekends automatic daily driver. For some reason I have better control and less accident prone with manual cars

[Joshua0213]

I've only ever driven manual in my truck so would have to be that

[Fireguy17]

I have vehicles with autos and manuals.

[slatyb]

Double clutch paddle shifter