stick shift vs automatic

1. 60

   hinckles komaposted 14 years ago

   ok im probably one of a few girls that like stick shift better. I got a new car recentley and its automatic. To me it just takes the fun out of driving if it is a sports car that is.
   
   who is for stick who is for auto?
   
   <topic moved - PLEASE categorize forum topics correctly!>

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   1. 61

      dutchman1951posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      stick shift for me!

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      1. 0

         B.C. BOUTIQUEposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         It does not matter to me, I can drive anything you give me to drive..
         when I buy a car I go for what I want, transmission  by means of standard or automatic is one of the last items I consider

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   2. 0

      mtsi1098posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I learned on a stick shift and will not part from it...If the stick shift only had lights so you can see what gear you are in

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   3. 61

      subaru555posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      A manual transmission definitely gives you more feeling for the car and allows you to perform more desired maneuvers in certain situations especially in the snow.

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   4. 60

      Carmen Borthwickposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      definitely stick

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   5. 61

      Pollyannalanaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Automatic for sure! Cell phones, popping in dvds, screamimg at the kids, watching for school zones and the cops,why ask for something more!

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   6. 71

      Himitsu Shugishaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Without question, you're not really driving unless you're rocking the stick shift.

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   7. 63

      Lady_Eposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I'm for Auto.
      
      If there's traffic on a hill - I can guarantee I won't roll back into you.

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   8. 0

      reeltaulkposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      stick definitely!!!!!!!!

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   9. 59

      lamonstersposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      stick

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   10. 70

       Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I'll agree. I prefer stick over automatic.

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2. 67

   Michael Willisposted 14 years ago

   Definately Stick shift!

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3. 68

   emievilposted 14 years ago

   Automatic for me! Me + Stick shift = clutch driver

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      mtsi1098posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      very good...I like this one...Hope you do not mind if I use it from time to time...

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      1. 68

         emievilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Hey mtsi, I hope you mean use not 'sue'

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            mtsi1098posted 14 years agoin reply to this

            thanks...now corrected as "use"

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            1. 68

               emievilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               you're welcome. course I don't mind, use it all you want .

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4. 60

   stefferposted 14 years ago

   automatic for me.
   
   Here in europe you'll learn to drive stick shift, when taking driving lessons. But all i can say is to me that 3th pedal and the stick is just standing in my way.
   
   Gearing up, gearing down, constantly using that stupid clutch,
   nope nothing for me.
   
   So, i decided to do my exam with an automatic and now have a drivers license "automatic" so i am not allowed to drive a stick shift.
   
   to me its more fun to drive auto, just cruising around, without the hassle of that stick

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5. 0

   Sarra Garrettposted 14 years ago

   Stick shift.  You are more in control of your vehicle.

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6. 81

   europewalkerposted 14 years ago

   Only automatic for me

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7. 59

   pddm67posted 14 years ago

   I have never driven a stick shift but I would love to. Looks cooler and sexier for a woman to drive a stick shift (in my opinion). Lord knows I've tried to learn, multiple times much to my husband's dismay, but just can't get the hang of it. Finally accepted that there are two things in this world I am uncoordinated to do - drive a stick shift and aerobics (I never move in the same direction as the rest of the class). I am only coordinated for an automatic - so sad :-(

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8. 62

   Mishaposted 14 years ago

   Stick shift of course.

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9. 73

   lorlie6posted 14 years ago

   Standard transmission gives you control of the car, automatic makes driving seem, well, too automated!  )

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10. 67

    Flightkeeperposted 14 years ago

    Guys love women who drive stick shift, guys love that manual dexterity!

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    1. 82

       manlypoetrymanposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       

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       1. 73

          lorlie6posted 14 years agoin reply to this

          What on earth can I say to that?  )

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11. 84

    KCC Big Countryposted 14 years ago

    <~~female who only wants a stick shift!

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    1. 82

       manlypoetrymanposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I can't say anything...I'm a nice person!

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12. 61

    Jane@CMposted 14 years ago

    I learned how to drive in a Firebird with 4 on the floor. LOVED IT!  Now I just a regular old automatic.

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13. 61

    Crackerssouthposted 14 years ago

    Stick shift for sure... got a place to hang your empty coffee cup... and who steals a standard ?

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14. 77

    Mike Lickteigposted 14 years ago

    I took driver's education in the mid-1970's, and even by then it was considered unnecessary to teach us how to drive a stick-shift.  And so I never learned.  I wouldn't mind knowing how, but I've come this far and hopefully can escape the need to drive a stick unless I want to learn how.  In the age of folks with a cigarette in one hand, a cup of coffee in another, and a cell phone next to their ear also, I'm for having my hands free as much as possible--in case I need to pull the wheel quickly to dodge someone who hadn't noticed me.
    
    So, I guess it's an automatic for this old guy here....

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15. 0

    B.C. BOUTIQUEposted 14 years ago

    I dont have a preference, as long as the vehicle runs, I can drive it

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16. 70

    wesleycoxposted 14 years ago

    My truck is an automatic and I like it like that cause I drive to work in city traffic. 
    
    When I build my '70 Chevelle you can be assured that it will have a stick.  Nothing like powering through a corner by dropping into a lower gear to slow the engine down, plus you get faster acceleration out of the corner doing this.  You can't do that in an automatic.

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    1. 78

       apertureringposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I know what you mean. I love my standard, but I always borrow my wife's car, which is an automatic, if I have to drive into the city. The last time I took my car to Manhattan I got stuck in bridge traffic and my left leg was in so much pain from the stop and go traffic.

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17. 62

    Mishaposted 14 years ago

    Dropping into lower gear to slow the engine down?
    
    Wesley, you might want to get your facts straight.

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    1. 70

       wesleycoxposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       You know what I mean dang it. I could rationalize this by stating the transmission slows the engine down when you down shift if that makes you happy.

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       1. 62

          Mishaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Wesley, sorry, but when you shift down, the transmission does exact the opposite to the engine - it revs it up LOL.

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          1. 0

             ralwusposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             Misha, from an old veteran over the road truck driver, you would not make it unless you were in an automatic drive. Believe me when I say Wes is correct on downshifting to slow a vehicles progress forward. One can use an automatic the same way. I prefer an auotmatic in icy or snow covered roads, front wheel drive or 4x4 preferably. Both of my vehicles are automatics now.

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             1. 62

                Mishaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                LOL Charlie, sorry I did not see this one before. If I understood him correctly, he was not talking about slowing vehicle down, he was talking about slowing down the engine.

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18. 90

    rmcrayneposted 14 years ago

    I've been driving a stick since 1979.  Unfortunately the knees are saying next car has to be automatic

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19. 0

    bloodnlatexposted 14 years ago

    I learned to drive stick in a vintage Ferrari.  There is just nothing better.  Driving with a stick is what makes driving fun.  Automatics put me to sleep.

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20. 60

    sannyasinmanposted 14 years ago

    Definitely automatic.
    If you have TV with a remote control, why would you want to get up and change channels yourself?

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21. 64

    aka-djposted 14 years ago

    With ever increasing traffic on the roads, auto is looking much more attractive.
    I'm seriously planning to buy one next time around.
    That will be car no 33, is it. No, 34. Oh heck, I'll have to count them again.

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22. 69

    Song-Birdposted 14 years ago

    I used to love driving a stick shift back when I drove a sporty car.  When I moved to a mini van than an SUV it just didn't have the same appeal.  I think I need to go back to the sports car!

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23. 0

    Denno66posted 14 years ago

    Standard. I used to have a '94 Mustang, loved it. I liked that I controlled the car. Automatics, not so much.

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    1. 0

       Denno66posted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Hi, me from three weeks ago

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24. 62

    Lisa HWposted 14 years ago

    I used to be "neither here or nor there", although I leaned toward thinking I liked having more control (on things like ice-covered hills) in a standard.  Somewhere along the way I ended up with two automatics in a row, and I discovered that there are "subtle" little things you can to increase your control in a automatic.  These days I don't really care, but I lean toward not having to be bothered shifting. 

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25. 59

    hasenposted 14 years ago

    Definitely manual gears for me. You have more control over the car with manual.  In England if you can only drive automatic then its considered that you don't know how to drive.

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26. 61

    h.a.borcichposted 14 years ago

    Hi there,
    
      I love stick shift....85 Mustang GT, 96 Mustang GT, and especially "Gretchen" my pick up/stompin truck!
      In my old cheapy rust buckets I prefered a stick, too. Something about being able to push and pop the clutch rather than find a guy.... Holly

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27. 60

    K Partinposted 14 years ago

    I loved my stick shift in my 70 vette! Now I have an automatic in my Dodge Journey.

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28. 59

    NGRIA Bassettposted 14 years ago

    Automatic anyday. I went to the UK and could not drive the stick shift at all. I will continue to choose automatic.

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29. 59

    Mike1000posted 14 years ago

    For the last ~10 years the automatics I've had here in the UK have all had the option of either paddles on the steering wheel or the ability to manually shift the auto box by moving the gear shift to the  left and then flicking it up or down. This usually switches the gearbox to "sports" mode.
    
    I've also seen semi-automatics which offer a manual shift but without the clutch pedal - VW apparently do a good one for the Golf.
    
    Surely the best option is to be able to do both, depending whether you're in city traffic/congestion or on an open road. In terms of "sportiness", real racing cars typically use paddles, and unless a racing driver is shifting, the car will react  and shift faster. Surely this isn't just a European feature?

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30. 61

    caravalhophotoposted 14 years ago

    Love the stick...

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31. 59

    visitmaniacposted 14 years ago

    Automatic for me, I like things simple why complicate them lol

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32. 59

    flread45posted 14 years ago

    Stick shift for coming down hills with a load.
    Or going uphill in the mountains offroad.

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33. 64

    kmackey32posted 14 years ago

    I drive a stick.

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34. 71

    E. Nicolsonposted 14 years ago

    After over thirty years of driving I still prefer the standard stick -- more control.

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35. 0

    mtsi1098posted 14 years ago

    I learned on a stick and stayed with it...

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36. 71

    AEvansposted 14 years ago

    I own a car that has both without the hassle of a clutch so I would say both. But stick shifts alone are quite a lot of fun , my first car when I was a teenager was a stick !

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       mtsi1098posted 14 years agoin reply to this

       That is a pretty good car...Can you toggle between automatic and stick shift while driving?

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       1. 71

          AEvansposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Yes in fact when I want someone to get moving I toggle and go it is the ultimate driving machine. ssshhhhhh the car is a secret and I bet you know what it is.

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             mtsi1098posted 14 years agoin reply to this

             Not a word from me

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                AEvansposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                I new you were my buddy and you could keep a secret!

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                   mtsi1098posted 14 years agoin reply to this

                   what secret

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                      AEvansposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                      I won't tell and you know what it is!

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37. 61

    Rayalternatelyposted 14 years ago

    Changing gear yourself is way more fun than driving an automatic until you're stuck on the motorway in a 2 hour jam, when you change your opinion pretty quick.
    
    Manual (the English term for stick shift) is of course way more fun; until the roads fill up.

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38. 53

    gasspassed67posted 14 years ago

    Manual transmisions are fine,as long as you listen to the motor,it will tell you what to do,Automatics are great for the lazy side of us.

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39. 60

    Bovine Currencyposted 14 years ago

    auto shift

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40. 60

    Black Lillyposted 14 years ago

    Only manual.
    I guess I wouldn't even know how to drive an automatic one...

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41. 68

    alexandriaruthkposted 14 years ago

    automatic is better

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42. 60

    Bovine Currencyposted 14 years ago

    if I had any option I would get a bmw 7 speed auto shifter but the tax on euro imports is hell in Aus.

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43. 82

    dohn121posted 14 years ago

    Stick shift...Unless I get stuck in mid-town traffic in the Big Apple

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44. 60

    Petra Vlahposted 14 years ago

    Stick shift is more FAN and much safer than automatic.
    
    Stick shift all the way!

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45. 51

    fads58posted 14 years ago

    If you want a quicker car i would suggest a automatic,otherwise a manuel is a lot more fun

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46. 52

    newbloggerposted 14 years ago

    i have to go with the stick shift so much more fun...ya know whos in control and ya know your driving....automatic drivers can hardly be called drivers right?

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       emievilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       guess I'm not a driver then

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       1. 80

          earnestshubposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          You can use most auto trans cars like a manual if you like and change very fast, but you will not beat a good driver in a new auto just using the throttle to create the changes at peak torque!

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          1. 68

             emievilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             Hey Earnest, don't mind me . Driver or not, I'd still go for the automatic.

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                earnestshubposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                
                I raced bikes and cars for many years and the manual is pretty good for delivering big horsepower, it is just that the auto has come so far lately that they even work well in small cars without loss of acceleration or fuel over the manual. The Honda Jazz 1.5 litre has a 7 speed auto with little paddles on the steering wheel, and the gear changes up or down are sensationally quick and smooth.

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                   emievilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                   7 speed! maybe by the time we can buy an auto car, it will be up to 9 or 10 speed

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                   1. 80

                      earnestshubposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                      It is a bit of a trick actually, the transmission is infinitely variable with 7 lock up points as gears! Very slick, you can buy a used one here for around 12,000 AUD.

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47. 62

    Sean Leongposted 14 years ago

    Cars with automatic transmission are meant for lazy people, grandma and grandpa.
    
    In term of acceleration, top speed, fuel consumption and the fun or thrill of driving, manual beats auto hands down.

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48. 0

    sarah dawkinsposted 14 years ago

    I definitely prefer a manual gearbox here in the UK.  It gives me more control of the car.  My hubby prefers an automatic, for the laziness of it.  As mentioned before, most people here in the UK drive a manual as automatics are for people who can't use gears.

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49. 80

    earnestshubposted 14 years ago

    The new automatic transmissions will out-drive a manual gearbox. The computer is much better at picking peak talk least fuel settings than the old transmissions without electronic management were, and a lot better than the average driver can with a manual box.

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       ab420posted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Very true, you cannot out-shift a computer, that's all there is to it!

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50. 85

    wychicposted 14 years ago

    I'd have to say I'm another female who only does a stick shift...automatics tend to confuse me, I can't find the clutch!

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