Poll: Automatic versus Manual transmission

[mitdr774]

1.8 5MT in my wagon. I cant drive an auto. I have driven a manual transmission since the day I got out of drivers training. With the exception of my dads 08 Silverado (no manual option) every vehicle in my family is a manual. I have no issue driving in stop and go traffic. Only time I ever had a problem was in the "race car" and the clutch got a little to warm and became an on/off switch. That was fun....

 

[nocoolnames]

I thought this was the vote? I'm using tapatalk on my phone so I didn't see any polls

I can't figure out how to vote in the app either but if ya click the square with the arrow button at the top right then click on the open in browser button. You can then log in and vote on the poll with your phone...and it's stick for me I hate driving an automatic I like the control a manual gives. Although autos are nice in traffic jams and I do miss them at those times.

 

[Lovehanayo]

I can't figure out how to vote in the app either but if ya click the square with the arrow button at the top right then click on the open in browser button. You can then log in and vote on the poll with your phone...and it's stick for me I hate driving an automatic I like the control a manual gives. Although autos are nice in traffic jams and I do miss them at those times.

Lol what's funny is right after I tried to open it in safari, it notice it was coming from my phone and tried to tell me there's an app for that. Lmao. I had to hit ignore before being able to continue

 

[Dags]

Auto. The only person in my family who can drive a standard transmission is my sister.

 

[SonicMan]

Auto. The only person in my family who can drive a standard transmission is my sister.

See is the coolest in your family then !!

 

[ThatTmoGuy]

Auto. The only person in my family who can drive a standard transmission is my sister.

you should ask her to teach you, its worth it.

 

[Dags]

you should ask her to teach you, its worth it.

She doesn't have a standard car anymore, hasn't for ages. A friend offered to teach me but I wasn't keen on it. I have enough trouble not tripping on my own two feet on flat, hard surfaces. Don't think I have the foot coordination to manage it well at all.

 

[Leverus]

I have enough trouble not tripping on my own two feet on flat, hard surfaces. Don't think I have the foot coordination to manage it well at all.

Hell, I feel the same way. I gave up trying to learn guitar because I can't coordinate the two sides of my body at all. I still regularly goof up driving stick but I don't regret getting it. If you have any interest at all in learning I say give it a go.

 

[donovan1983]

1.8L with a 5-speed manual. Had a bit of a learning curve although I'm very glad I got a manual even if most of my driving is city driving or heavy traffic (and traffic jams) on the highway. Driving it is much more engaging than with an automatic and I feel I get better use of the small engine.

 

[DrPhoton]

1.4L Turbo 6-speed manual here. I'm getting the hang of the hill hold finally. I don't mind the manual in heavy traffic, but it is a little bit of a pain on uphill freeway on-ramps with metering lights.

It looks like there are a lot of manual votes. I'm wondering if maybe folks with manual transmissions are more likely to be active on owner forums and thus we're skewing the vote a little. Typically, I think dealers sell way more auto than manual transmissions.

 

[SUPER SONIC BOOM]

Well, maybe cuz the 1.4T paired with the automatic came later in the cycle remember, so naturally all the first batches of turbos were all stick, unless you opted for the 1.8NA auto. Like I said before, the "M" mode is loads fun & you won't miss rowing your own gears using it, trust me it's that good. There's absolutely zero delay in gear changes (at least going up, down is a different story though) & boost seems to hold steady through them too. Not having to constantly use a ****ing clutch pedal is a Godsend though, now I can go to places like San Francisco without any fear or nervousness. I love my auto as you can see, very glad I got it! I'm curious how a manual (stick) car would do against an auto one in "M" mode, would be very a interesting drag race imho!

 

[12Sonic440]

1.8 Auto eventually to be turbo

 

[nocoolnames]

Well, maybe cuz the 1.4T paired with the automatic came later in the cycle remember, so naturally all the first batches of turbos were all stick, unless you opted for the 1.8NA auto. Like I said before, the "M" mode is loads fun & you won't miss rowing your own gears using it, trust me it's that good. There's absolutely zero delay in gear changes (at least going up, down is a different story though) & boost seems to hold steady through them too. Not having to constantly use a ****ing clutch pedal is a Godsend though, now I can go to places like San Francisco without any fear or nervousness. I love my auto as you can see, very glad I got it! I'm curious how a manual (stick) car would do against an auto one in "M" mode, would be very a interesting drag race imho!

Drag race autos almost always win even with power shifts an auto is faster. Manuals shine with curves and heel toe downshifts. Hills are easy is you know how to drive your stick and the hill hold makes it even easier. My wife always uses the hand brake to get her going on hills so she doesn't roll, give it a try sometime it works great in cars without hill assist. I also think autos are more popular, when I got mine I had to special order the manual because all they had where autos on the lot.

 

[SUPER SONIC BOOM]

Drag race autos almost always win even with power shifts an auto is faster. Manuals shine with curves and heel toe downshifts. Hills are easy is you know how to drive your stick and the hill hold makes it even easier. My wife always uses the hand brake to get her going on hills so she doesn't roll, give it a try sometime it works great in cars without hill assist. I also think autos are more popular, when I got mine I had to special order the manual because all they had where autos on the lot.

Like I said before, I've driven stick all my life & had my fair share of having to modulate the clutch, brake, & gas on hills. I hated it every damn time too. One time I got lost in SF & ended up behind another car at a stop sign on a huge hill that was almost straight up & down. Scared the **** out of me & my wife, had to use the hand brake method & burnt my clutch a 'lil trying to not roll backwards, never wanna do that **** ever again! Funny, mine was the only auto turbo hatch on the lot, the rest were 1.8L, very glad I got it though!

 

[ahtoxa]

Some misinformed opinions here.

I invite all manual enthusiasts to join How to Drive a Car with a Manual Transmission. (standardshift)

We're a friendly bunch with a lot of good technical discussion for those interested, as well as lots of technique discussion, for those that want to discuss or improve their skill.


Mods - sorry if another forum propaganda is against the rules. I will remove if needed.

 

[nocoolnames]

Like I said before, I've driven stick all my life & had my fair share of having to modulate the clutch, brake, & gas on hills. I hated it every damn time too. One time I got lost in SF & ended up behind another car at a stop sign on a huge hill that was almost straight up & down. Scared the **** out of me & my wife, had to use the hand brake method & burnt my clutch a 'lil trying to not roll backwards, never wanna do that **** ever again! Funny, mine was the only auto turbo hatch on the lot, the rest were 1.8L, very glad I got it though!

I've been on a hill like that once too an yeah scared the **** outta me also! That situation and traffic jams are only times I wish I had an auto. Glad your enjoying your auto though, to each his own.

 

[THKPIC]

Manual is easy to stall, but I think the concern gets over-exagerated on here. Once you figure it out it's no problem. I like the manual, but hope they come out with a short throw. I'd take paddle shifters if they offered it. Next time, probably auto, even though I don't care for them. I drive so much, sometimes the knee starts hurting.

 

[Eric Smit]

I have a feeling the Sonic loses less power with a manual than an auto.


-Eric Smit

 

[Papasonic]

Wow! 64% responding so far with manual transmissions. I guess that a forum attracts more of the enthusiast oriented owners; which traditionally want a more operator involved driving experience.
(Note) I'm not bashing owners with automatics, or saying they aren't auto enthusiasts too. We obviously all are interested in our "rides", or we wouldn't participate here.

Papasonic

 

[DrPhoton]

Obviously different folks have different tastes. I actually enjoy shifting. For me it makes it more fun to drive. I'm sure that many others with manuals feel the same way.