Author Topic: Manual or Auto? (Read 1854 times)

Raubvogel · « **Reply #60 on:** July 18, 2003, 06:47:39 PM »

I can slide my car all over the road and still be in control of it. What good is a RWD car and a 5 speed if you can't play Gran Turismo on the back roads?

The day a nice burn-out or fishtail doesn't bring a big smile to my face is the day they can put me in the nursing home.

Mark Luper · « **Reply #61 on:** July 18, 2003, 07:06:35 PM »

Actually you can do all that fishtailing and spinning with an automatic too. Just need the right torque converter (fairly high stall speed for low powered cars) .

I never thought of driving a manual transmissioned automobile as being particularly "macho". I just enjoyed the experience of it. To be smooth with a manual requires a lot of practice and familiarity with the vehicle you're driving. I like to downshift before entering a turn at any speed, etc.

Each to his own though, some don't care for it and that's cool too:).

beet1e · « **Reply #62 on:** July 19, 2003, 02:21:40 AM »

50-50.

I have no axe to grind either way. Both my V6 Golfs have been manual - 5-speed in the VR6, and 6-speed in my current 4-motion. I think the manual is more suited to the Golf driving style.

But if I were getting a car like the Jaguar XJ8, then definitely auto. You don't want to be buggering about with gears in a luxury car like that. Rolls Royce knows this - they never made a manual car.

The only auto I've owned in the UK was the Toyota Supra 3.0i turbo. Toyota quoted identical performance and fuel consumption stats for both auto and manual. I kept the Supra in France for about 3 months when I was out there - a great car for pissing off the French.

Manual with overdrive was fun too - had a couple of those in the 70s.

Lazs won't let me drive his El Camino - says the clutch would be too heavy for me. Oh well, I'll just have to sit in the passenger seat drinking coffee. Does it have cup holders? Hehe, if I spill the hot coffee over myself, I'll be able to sue Starbucks.

Jack55 · « **Reply #63 on:** July 19, 2003, 08:20:07 PM »

Smoking and drinking coffee while shifting the cogs is twice as difficult.

rpm · « **Reply #64 on:** July 19, 2003, 10:56:07 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by beet1e
50-50.
You don't want to be buggering about with gears in a luxury car like that. Rolls Royce knows this - they never made a manual car.

LOL, you might want to re-think that one.

Mark Luper · « **Reply #65 on:** July 19, 2003, 11:09:12 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by beet1e
50-50.

Rolls Royce knows this - they never made a manual car.

Might want to check out this site Beet1e
Early Rolls

eskimo2 · « **Reply #66 on:** July 20, 2003, 03:15:01 AM »

Stick.

Although when you buy $1,000 cars at auctions, you can't always be so choosy. The minivan that I just bought is an auto, my cars have always been manual, however.

eskimo

beet1e · « **Reply #67 on:** July 20, 2003, 03:55:35 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Mark Luper
Might want to check out this site Beet1e
Early Rolls

You are right. The early ones did have manual gears of course. In fact that might have continued as late as the Rolls Royce Phantom IV, of which only 16 were built. One thing I remember about Bentleys (closely related to RR) was that the clutch pedal was in the middle instead of being on the left. I saw one here not long ago, and it was right hand drive with the gear shift on the driver's right, next to the door... I believe the earlier clutch pedal placement was to allow the driver to brake with the left foot, and use the right foot to blip the throttle as part of double declutching when changing DOWN a gear. (Non synchromesh gearbox) When the clutch and brake pedal positions were reversed, "heel and toe" double declutching became the norm.

I don't think RR or Bentley have made a manual since the mid 1950s or earlier.

Dingbat · « **Reply #68 on:** July 20, 2003, 05:57:31 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by StSanta
One exception is disabled people though.

Auto for me, cause I got a bum knee. The clutch aggrevates the injury. My wife drives a stick, every now and again I drive it. Plus when you live in DC auto is so much better than going first - second, stop, back first then second, stop. In 30 seconds ...

lazs2 · « **Reply #69 on:** July 20, 2003, 11:20:53 AM »

beetle... the early rolls and bentley's were "sports cars" they even had supercharged models.. when they got away from the performance image they went to the slushboxes. Early jag sedans were also "sporty" with 4 speeds.

I was a little different on the auto deal... Never liked em much but some were kinda fun if you had enough torque..

liked sticks in the big heavy dodges like 68 chargers.. I woulda had a stick in a lincoln if I coulda.

vulcan... of course you are. thank you for sharing.
lazs

bikekil · « **Reply #70 on:** July 20, 2003, 11:36:22 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by -tronski-
Manual...only chicks drive auto's

Tronsky

2nd that

Furball · « **Reply #71 on:** July 20, 2003, 11:51:28 AM »

manual, only auto i have ever driven was a Jaguar XJS, seemed weird not having a clutch pedal. I have only had a driving license for 2 and a half years or so though because you have to be 17 to drive here, I learned to drive on a manual.