Automatic Transmission vs Manual Transmission
in Cars

Nathaniel_B · August 2018

Many times I have seen many boast about the manual transmission, and how people who don't drive it are "losers". I always liked the automatic transmission, never seen the joy or pleasure in shifting gears. I liked to put the car in drive, and simply cruise along the road. I like my BMW, its a fine car, so what do you prefer? The automatic or the manual?

Image: https://static.pakwheels.com/2018/07/Manual-vs-Automatic-transmission-640x360.jpg

Also don't be rude.

someone234 · August 2018

If you don't enjoy the 'focusing' when driving and that part is the chore to you, automatic is better.

If you enjoy immersing yourself into the tiny details and in fact are more likely to focus less if the driving process is too easy to stimulate your brain, manual is better.

MayCaesar · August 2018

From my understanding, from the practical standpoint, manual transmission is superior to a good automatic transmission system only on extremely poor and hilly roads. In other words, when you do extreme off-roading, and you need all control you can squeeze out of the car. In all other situations, automatic transmission will do just as good, if not better, job, with much less effort on your part.

For regular transportation cars which you aren't going to take on a track or off the road, manual transmission makes little sense, unless it is something that gives you more enjoyment out of driving. For me, the fewer unneeded controls, the better, so I go with automatic.

kevin_burke · April 2019

@MayCeaser
If you have to cars that are exactly the same other than the fact that one has manual and one doesn't. If you race them on a straight level and dry path. With experienced drivers in both, the manual will win.

AmericanFurryBoy · April 2019

A long time ago, manual trannys were actually faster than automatics. Now, they are the same. It doesn’t really matter what you have, its just more fun to boast about having a manual

kevin_burke · April 2019

They can be close but the manuals are still faster.

kevin_burke · April 2019

look it up

AlofRI · April 2019

There is no fun in driving an automatic. Even with a manual shift most don't "use" it. STILL, no fun.

I was in Spain for most of my last jobs before retirement (Around 9/11/ 2001). Most rentals were manual shift. It was more fun to drive than I'd had for a while! I had two projects going at once and had to drive between Zaragoza and a small city in the mountains called Olot. I found a road through the mountains I loved, almost no traffic, hairpin curves, short straights, winding areas. I was pretty exhausted by the time I got to the end (22Km, out of shape :-)! Later I found out that the road was a part of an international road race route. An automatic is nice 'n easy, but, no FUN!

George_Horse · May 2019

kevin_burke said:
If you have to cars that are exactly the same other than the fact that one has manual and one doesn't. If you race them on a straight level and dry path. With experienced drivers in both, the manual will win.

This is false. Modern automatic transmissions shift FASTER than manually shifting a gear stick, you should know this.

George_Horse · May 2019

I too am a fan of automatics. They are pretty much better than in the older days. It depends on the car, if you get a car with a bad transmission, it will not last long. Automatics were proven to shift faster than manually shifting .[1] And they get better gas mileage! Though I own a sports car with a manual transmission, its a fun car, and I still would rather drive automatics.

MayCaesar · May 2019

@AlofRI

I have a blast every time I drive my lovely Ford Fusion Hybrid. Lack of a shift stick simply means that I can focus more on the process and less on the mechanics of the process. My car combines a near-luxury level of comfort with pretty sporty driving dynamics, and I can do corners like a boss and be fully in control.

The only problem is, off-roading is nearly non-existent. The two times that I attempted it, both times I got stuck and required someone's help to pull me out. But that goes for any sedan, automatic or not.

CheckerbordStrangler · May 2019

I think today's automatic transmissions are generally spectacular in terms of performance. I still enjoy shifting a manual transmission if I am driving as a pleasure activity but if forced to choose only one I would opt for a new car with the intelligent and computerized automatics PROVIDED that the car does NOT use a KNOB.
That's my pet peeve. I absolutely HATE that some mfrs are substituting the shift lever with a stupid knob.
My car is NOT a WASHING MACHINE, thank you very much.

Image: http://dev1.debateisland.com/uploads/editor/ci/23leronlco5i.png

CheckerbordStrangler · May 2019

I think today's automatic transmissions are generally spectacular in terms of performance. I still enjoy shifting a manual transmission if I am driving as a pleasure activity but if forced to choose only one I would opt for a new car with the intelligent and computerized automatics PROVIDED that the car does NOT use a KNOB.
That's my pet peeve. I absolutely HATE that some mfrs are substituting the shift lever with a stupid knob.
My car is NOT a WASHING MACHINE, thank you very much.

CheckerbordStrangler · May 2019

MayCaesar said:

@AlofRI

The only problem is, off-roading is nearly non-existent. The two times that I attempted it, both times I got stuck and required someone's help to pull me out. But that goes for any sedan, automatic or not.

Yeah, off-road in a sporty sedan not a good choice...unless your "sedan" happens to be a 1962 Opel Kadett, because that car doesn't realize that it's just a car. It's only forty horsepower but it will go almost anywhere as long as you don't ask it to exceed 75 mph.

CheckerbordStrangler · May 2019

kevin_burke said:

@MayCeaser
If you have to cars that are exactly the same other than the fact that one has manual and one doesn't. If you race them on a straight level and dry path. With experienced drivers in both, the manual will win.

Actually that is really not true anymore, not with the latest and greatest automatic transmissions that are being featured in the newest cars.

Here's two Dodge Hellcats, one with an automatic and one with a stick, watch what happens!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dn7CK_jxV_U

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Automatic Transmission vs Manual Transmission
in Cars