Stick vs automatic

[bronsin]

I am too lazy to read all the previous posts to see if this is covered already. But my personal opinion is too valuble not to share it with the general public.

Now that I can no longer drive a manual the thing I miss most about it is with an auto the car does not slow down very much when you let off the gas. This results in a loss of degree of control epsecially in winter weather. You have to brake a lot more with an automatic than a manual. Thats not good on slipperly roads.

And of course a manual is cheaper to buy, gets better gas mileage, and potentially lasts longer with less trouble than the auto.

But theres good news"

The Smart Car comes with an auto trans that is really an auto clutch. You shift it by pushing the gearsgift.. Theres no torque converter so it slows down when you let off the gas.

Thats a good thing.

[richard_rsp]

Originally Posted by bronsin

But theres good news"

The Smart Car comes with an auto trans that is really an auto clutch. You shift it by pushing the gearsgift.. Theres no torque converter so it slows down when you let off the gas.

Thats a good thing.

While I understand your excitement, have you ever driven a Smart Car? That is BY FAR the WORST transmission I have ever driven - hands down.

But there are several "automated manuals" on the market - VW, BMW, Mercedes, even Nissan in the GT-R, I believe. They CAN be a decent compromise between the two, but the Smart Car is not what I would consider a good example.

[bronsin]

[QUOTE=richard_rsp;659824]While I understand your excitement, have you ever driven a Smart Car? That is BY FAR the WORST transmission I have ever driven - hands down.
QUOTE]


I have. I shifted it myself and it was fine.

Ive heard in D its awefull.

[Yaristeve]

Originally Posted by bronsin

Now that I can no longer drive a manual the thing I miss most about it is with an auto the car does not slow down very much when you let off the gas.

Yes!!! This!!! This is what actually makes driving in stop-and-go traffic EASIER with a manual than an auto. My friends never believe me when I tell them driving with an auto in heavy holiday traffic is more tiring to me than if I were in my manual trans car. With an auto, you must always be on the brake. With a manual, the car will just poke along at idle without picking up speed. So, it becomes a game to be able to tap the gas pedal at just the right time and amount so that you don't have to touch the brake pedal for miles...

My main peeve about auto trannies is going up long grades. I can't stand when the transmission starts hunting for a gear: losing speed... BAM! jerky downshift with the engine screaming. Picking up speed... BAM! jerky upshift. Uh-oh, losing speed again... BAM! Jerky dwonshift. Over and over again... Yeah you can just manually downshift but the gears are usually so widely spaced that the engie is screaming when you try to stay with traffic...

In the end, though, it is what others have said: personal preference. For me, manual trannies just make driving that much more fun...

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by Yaristeve

Yes!!! This!!! This is what actually makes driving in stop-and-go traffic EASIER with a manual than an auto. .

Learn to shift without the clutch for an even easier experience!

[Yaristeve]

Originally Posted by bronsin

Learn to shift without the clutch for an even easier experience!

I agree; when traffic is really bad and I get bored, I try rev matching and shifting without the clutch. Going from first to neutral is easy enough but trying to put it into first while coasting takes a little more concentration. But then, that is just one of the fun aspects of having a manual.

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by Yaristeve

I agree; when traffic is really bad and I get bored, I try rev matching and shifting without the clutch. Going from first to neutral is easy enough but trying to put it into first while coasting takes a little more concentration. But then, that is just one of the fun aspects of having a manual.

Its a good skill to have in case your clutch becomes inoperative. Ive even heard you can put the car in first and crank the engine to start it. The car will move and start without the clutch!