Cars in US

[Chadwick]

autos aren't weak, they are designed for the engine they are mated to in the car they are installed in. If not how much money would manufacturers lose in fixing these things if they were "weak".

Autos are easier to drive, I'd love to have a manual in my chevelle but hte previous owner put in a th350 auto, its never given me an issue with over 420 lb/ft of torque running through it running up to 6500rpm. The fact is that if i wanted to put a manual in my car it would cost me around $2000.00 in parts, I dont have the money to do it.

Most used cars are autos, the kids buy whats availible, manuals tend to be on the low end cars because they are standard equipment, but commuting around here in NJ is rough. Rarely would you even see 3rd gear between the stop lights ands top signs on roads with no traffic, through traffic in the mix and you wont ever get out of 1st in the city or residentual area..

[Timan Veteran]

I guess its cause I'm far from a car person.

But why is manual so great...

I was never taught how to drive manual so I have no idea what its like, other than you have to shift gears and crap (I assume like video game ya!?).

But its worth having a discussion over. The car I want VW GOLF comes in both. Manual is cheaper :s

[Malbojia]

Since i commute around 200 clicks a day and especially on empty highways right times of day, A manual is a must you save alot more on gas cuz of lower rpm's in higher gears.

For example my 97 cavalier had a busted cyclinder master ring and for a fact at 100 kph it would do 3000rpm got that fixed and 2800. Well it can be flawed but in winter i see the manual shine cuz of the lower revs when heating up the bloody car.

[Guest rdj550]

m.t.s are called standards cause its standard equipment on most cars, thats why a.t.s are usually a few hundreds to a few thousand more expensive. i live in miam fl, and the traffic down here is pretty bad, but you do see many cars with manuals....gas is at $2.40 for 87 octane....

[Rudy]

my first car was an AT and my car now is MT and i would never go back!! i drive 200-300km a day and driving an AT is soooo boring....

[Malbojia]

Alot here too in Quebec are AT's. Problem is manufacturers are becoming harder to fight with on having a MT car. The engineer didnt design counterpart for the block and tranny and also good luck with rear wheel drive altogether.

[.calibre]

Personally, I like to be able to eat, drink, phone, or whatever while driving an Automatic. I also go long distances and it's very nice. I do know how to drive manual and they are more fun, but Automatic is way more practical in this country.

585574046[/snapback]

Well done, champ. Ever thought of something else to do, like, you know - Focusing on the road? :rolleyes:

[Louisville Slugger]

? Manual transmission cars are lighter.

? For the most part they get better gas mileage (extra gear).

? They are easier, and cheaper to fix.

? Less moving parts (no torque converter).

? Transmissions usually last longer.

? New cars with a manual transmission options are cheaper.

? You can "engine brake" when you see a stop light a head to slow down, then pop it into neutral, and just lightly tap the brakes for less wear and tear on the brakes.

? You can "rev match" when you want to downshift for increased performance and smoother downshifts by pushing in the clutch, shifting to neutral, tapping the gas so the RPMs rise to the point (where the RPMs would be once the downshift has been completed), and moving the shift lever to the lower gear. Basically you?re doing this so the transmission doesn?t have to increase the RPMs for you. Instead that whole process of ?blipping the throttle? does it all simultaneously in that process .

? You feel "part of the car."

? You're more alert (this may not be totally true) -- I know I am though.

? The ability to stay in the powerband

? And it's just more fun.

Now I have been driving manual for about a year (got my license on 07/17/04), and despite the traffic, I would not trade any minute of my time in my car for an automatic. Reasons being for those listed above. And sometimes traffic isn't even that bad -- particularly when I am on a hill. I'll just pop her in neutral and roll while controlling the speed with the brakes. Then once everyone starts moving again I'll jus:laugh:ff the brakes and roll. :laugh: No shifting needed. That's why I love traffic on hills going downwards, but I don't get to experience that very often, thankfully.