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Originally Posted by Jerrek
I drive a standard. Most people prefer driving automatic, or just don't care. You guys probably drive stick because cars are so expensive over there. All the luxury cars have automatic transmission anyways.
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I thought this was more a historic thing. The Europeans did not adopt to them as fuel was more expensive and they were less economical. They only had 3 gears, too.
Nowadays they are more economical, have an equivilant number of gears, smoother shift, computer control, but its a change in mindset, and when they are still often a cost option on what is an expensive purchase you might as well press a clutch.
A good auto box makes for faster driving than a manual box (not faster 0-60) but point to point. The police high speed patrol cars are all auto, its a safety benefit as the driver should not need to be thinking about what gear they are in but just the pursuit and their surroundings. At the premium end of the market they are a prerequisite in both markets, a Merc or Jag with a stick will be about £1-2k cheaper second hand (as with missing leather seats - that'll teach 'em to park in Liverpool).