Stick vs automatic

[CoryM]

I bought a manual trans because:
- I can autoX it.
- It's MUCH less likely to be an ex-rental car (I'm too cheap to buy new).

If I were in traffic everyday I would probably go for an auto though. Much more comfortable and faster to left-foot-brake. Thankfully I live >5min from work :D

[TPA5]

To be honest it boils down to this:

Preference.

Test drive an AT and an MT. Pick the one you like. Don't pick one based on what someone else thinks/feels/says. You're the one who will be driving it. Buy what feels good, and call it done.

[ljming99]

Thanks for clearing up the cruising rpm for automatic vs manual, learnt something different =)

Anyway my point is that the conventional automatic gearbox it is always running a heavy torque converter slushing ATF around, hence its effect pretty much the similar to running bigger / heavier rims.

It uses more power from the engine, so it is unlikely that automatic would get better fuel economy vs a manual (assuming similar driving conditions)

[richard_rsp]

My 2012 Yaris is a manual and have owned manuals my entire driving life. My wife, on the other hand, has a 2012 xD with an Automatic. While it is nice having her automatic for being in traffic, I really don't even think about shifting anymore in my Yaris - it's an "automatic" response. So don't worry if you have to think about it at first, it will become an instinct.

I prefer manual transmission for 3 main reasons:
1) Control / Power - I know what gear I am in at all times. I don't have to worry about it up-shifting when I am about to accelerate out of a corner. Also, manuals have less of a parasitic drag on the amount of Horsepower that reaches the wheels (very important in a car with a small, low-power engine).

2) Maintenance - While clutch jobs are semi-expensive, they are nothing to rebuilding a transmission. Autos generally require more maintenance (flushes, etc) compared to manuals and have more electronics. This is less of an issue in newer cars, but if I am keeping a car for 300k miles, I prefer to be as simple to repair as possible.

3) Cost - generally cars with manual transmissions are less expensive than their automatic counterparts. On a new car, you can bet that a car's MSRP will be $800 - $1500 cheaper with a manual versus auto.

But this is just why I prefer them. You HAVE to make sure you are willing to put the effort into driving one. My wife had a manual transmission Mazda 5 before the xD and she really regretted getting the manual. Her reasoning was due to fear of starting off on hills / traffic.

A word of advice regarding the Yaris/xD - Neither of them have telescopic steering and steering wheel is mounted rather close to the dash. In an automatic, I have a tendency to sit further back (as do most people) since there is no clutch to push to the floor. I find this to be an issue when trying to get comfortable in the xD - I sit far back to be more comfortable for the pedals, but i have to move my seat up to reach the steering wheel. This isnt as much of an issue with a manual transmission in my Yaris because I am already close to the wheel (due to the clutch). So be sure to try both before buying.

Hope that helps? :-)

Originally Posted by MadMax

But your correlation makes no sense. It allows for both more and less?!? .

I actually kind of agree with an Auto allowing more AND less concentration. Having an automatic allows people (mainly applies new drivers) to worry less about what gear they are in (since no shifting), and concentrate on the road around them. HOWEVER, since she has gotten an auto, my wife pointed out that she has caught herself wanting to multitask more and her mind wandering more while driving (and she is a decent driver). So I could see how an argument could be made for it allowing more and less concentration.

It allows you to concentrate more on the road, as long as that IS what you are actually concentrating on!

[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!

[cali yaris]

^ have to agree, I test drove a Smart and really disliked the drivetrain. I'd buy an iQ first, much more satisfying to drive.

[eTiMaGo]

People have been driving stick for thousands of years (well, close enough), through traffic, on inclines, on highways, in cities. It's not exactly the end of the world, and it lets you really control the car in ways you just cannot, with an automatic...

[cali yaris]

If I go get a 2012, I would get an automatic. Another Yaris would not be for racing.

[Astroman]

Garm this yaris wasn't supposed to be for racing remember? lol

[GeeToThaEee]

I can only justify buying an AT if you drive through traffic many hours everyday. Otherwise can't see why spending 2k (more or less) on AT and not on other extras or potential tuning.

Almost the majority of car companies give better mpg with a stick on the highway, you got better control of the car and needless to say that you actually participate more to the whole thing. Hell I even remember an offroader telling me it's better having a stick eventhough it might have slightly more damage on the transmission after many miles.

So unless absolutely necessary I'd rather have mine with a manual gearbox.