Stick vs automatic

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by MadMax

But there is also the other argument that an auto allows you to concentrate more on traffic.

There's debates for both types of transmissions, but in the end you gotta try both and decide which works best for you. I am able to maintain a good pace in traffic with my auto and while steep hills are a challenge, it's to be expected in such a small-engined car. I honestly don't see how a manual transmission would be an advantage on a steep hill, if anything much like stop-and-go traffic, the auto would be preferable.

By the way, in competition offroading, more people are going with automatic transmissions due to advances. Same is true in high performance cars, the new autos shift faster than a manual. Those same developments mean the differences in gas mileage is nominal if any. I think the Yaris is rated the same or just 1 MPG off between the two transmissions.

Inasmuch as some folks hate to see it, it probably won't be long before the manual transmission will go the way of the rotary phone, VCRs, etc. Technology has surpassed any advantage they once had...

Cheers! M2

....Yes, an automatic ALLOWS FOR MORE concentration on the road, but it also ALLOWS FOR LESS concentration and, unfortunately (in the U.S. at least) LESS is usually the result.