auto or manual ( spin of from b gates thread )

[Stu038]

Sounds abit of a bodge then, I think i'll stay with the manual. I like to be able to 'feel' the car, the automatics Ive driven just don't seem to do that very well. It is nice to be able brake into a corner and keep the revs up at the same time for coming out of it tho

[paulyoung666]

Originally Posted by Stu038

Sounds abit of a bodge then, I think i'll stay with the manual. I like to be able to 'feel' the car, the automatics Ive driven just don't seem to do that very well. It is nice to be able brake into a corner and keep the revs up at the same time for coming out of it tho

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh , typed like a true petrol head

[Atomic22]

Originally Posted by Xaccers

Kronny, manual will come naturally to you eventually, much easier to do hill starts etc.

thats not quite true xaccers......to start on a hill in an auto you just prod the gas pedal........instead of having to slip the clutch with the other foot as well as giving it gas, and releasing the handbrake......one foot is easier than two and the engine holds the car stationary on hills so no handbrake is needed
saying that i prefer manual.....i have had one auto , a honda accord ,the cruise control was awesome as it changed gear for you up hill and down dale and it had buttons on the steering wheel to speed up and slow down with so you never even had to move your feet except to brake.......thirsty though

[Ramrod]

Originally Posted by paulyoung666

and more fun as well , you cant beat dropping down a couple of gears with a quick ' blip ' of the throttle to go with it

But with auto you have the option to hit the throttle hard and drop a gear. I still prefer manual though.

[Kneebs]

Originally Posted by kronas

no ill have a renault 'clio'

I'm about due for a new car (had me fiesta almost 4 years now - got it when i passed my test), and I really fancy a brand new clio 182, but I can't really afford it . Hopefully before too long, I should be able to get a 2nd hand clio 172.

Having driven both, I much prefer manual, however there is one car I would never want to drive in a manual version again - a Mercedes 220, with a foot operated 'handbrake'. You push the lever down with your foot to set it & release using a toggle on the dash. The thing is it is either on or off, no-where near the control you get with a normal handbrake - and trying to co-ordinate throttle, clutch and 'handbrake' in slow moving traffic up an incline requires too many legs.

[fireman328]

I have an auto 2 litre with a switch on the centre console which is labelled as "sports change". What this means is that, when you floor the pedal, instead of allowing the auto to change up when it wants to, it holds in gear until it reaches 6000 rpm then changes up and does the same again.
It really surprises the boy racers in Golf GTi's at traffic lights, as they try to operate the gears, dip the clutch and steer all at the same time. Whilst I just keep the pedal to the metal and away we go !

[Tricky]

Originally Posted by homealone

Having driven both, I much prefer manual, however there is one car I would never want to drive in a manual version again - a Mercedes 220, with a foot operated 'handbrake'. You push the lever down with your foot to set it & release using a toggle on the dash. The thing is it is either on or off, no-where near the control you get with a normal handbrake - and trying to co-ordinate throttle, clutch and 'handbrake' in slow moving traffic up an incline requires too many legs.

Auto (steptronic or sequentronic in merc speak) is no better although I have mastered the left foot braking for dodgy hill starts. Or you can hold in on the throttle but the gear box starts to smell like sprouts after a while!!!

[Kneebs]

Originally Posted by fireman328

I have an auto 2 litre with a switch on the centre console which is labelled as "sports change". What this means is that, when you floor the pedal, instead of allowing the auto to change up when it wants to, it holds in gear until it reaches 6000 rpm then changes up and does the same again.
It really surprises the boy racers in Golf GTi's at traffic lights, as they try to operate the gears, dip the clutch and steer all at the same time. Whilst I just keep the pedal to the metal and away we go !

Yep, we used to do that when my bro had his 3 litre maxima - although the car was a big heavy beast of a car, it couldnt half shift, i can tell ya !

Originally Posted by Tricky

Auto (steptronic or sequentronic in merc speak) is no better although I have mastered the left foot braking for dodgy hill starts. Or you can hold in on the throttle but the gear box starts to smell like sprouts after a while!!!

lol, it was a company 'pool' car, so I think the 'wreck the gearbox' option would be ok - but not if you are paying the bills, obviously. - sprouts?

It puts me in mind of an American song in the 60's (can't remember the title or singer ) about a guy with an automatic, who had the 'bands' repaired, then decided to burn someone off away from the lights - but "the bands had gone again"

Manual

[kronas]

Originally Posted by Xaccers

You do know that Nicole doesn't come with the clio? I was really dissapointed when I found that out

well seriously, my ideal car would be a mercedes S class.

having looked the prices ill settle for something cheaper but retaining an elegant style......

[ZrByte]

I quite like the look of that one on the Ad recently with the gear control on the steering wheel on the opposite side to the indicators, people with leg problems have been able to get these for ages but this is the first one I have seen for commercial use.
Cant for the life of me remember what the car was though

Im waiting for a car manufacturer to adopt the Console Joypad design or Joystick, makes so much more sense to me, how can a big circle and pedals be more efficient than using two hands and all of your fingers? Less movement required on your part and much more efficient IMO.
There was an american Car that was designed with a PSX Joypad a few years ago, I'll see if I can find it

And as for wich I prefer..... Hmmm, I dont drive but I do have an automatic scooter and its much easier to ride than my friends Geared bike so I think I'll go with automatic

[blackthorn]

Had 3 auto`s, first one was an Astra,then a Rover and now a Mazda. I just dont like manual gears, I drive for pleasure, not to be messing about with gearsticks and clutches

[luftys]

Manual for me,find it better for going fast(100+)