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http://www.longlocks.com/salon/ Chit Chat >> Letting Your Hair Down >> Automatic or Manual http://www.longlocks.com/salon/?num=1204079616 Message started by Jerry on Feb 26^th, 2008 at 9:33pm

Title: Automatic or Manual
Post by Jerry on Feb 26^th, 2008 at 9:33pm

If you drive, what do you prefer:

An automatic or a manual (stick shift)?

I was raised on manual shift vechicles so I always said I would never own an automatic vechicle.

But, when we bought our Dodge Neon it is an automatic and after I test drove it I was impressed and the price was right.
So now that I have driven it for almost three years I am used to driving an automatic but luckily if I had to I would be able to drive a manual.

And now I see that when a person buys a new vehicle they almost have to special order them if they want a manual shift (around here anyway).

Jerry

Title: Re: Automatic or Manual
Post by La Diosa on Feb 27^th, 2008 at 2:05am

I can only drive an automatic, but my husband and dad can drive both. I only know about 2 women who can (do) drive a manual. I think it's mainly a guy thing.

Title: Re: Automatic or Manual
Post by bikerbraid on Feb 27^th, 2008 at 7:23am

I drive a manual. I have always driven a manual. I prefer a manual. I like the control it gives me when driving, especially when driving on snow or ice.

Hubby currently drives an automatic, but that is only because you can't get his type of vehicle in a manual.

When our son was learning to drive, we started him on the automatic until he was comfortable on the road, then taught him how to drive my car. We insisted he take his driver's test in my car with the manual. We wanted to make sure he could drive any type of car. He now prefers a manual and that is what his car is (his wife drives the same car but an automatic.)

It is getting harder and harder to find manual transmission cars "on the lot". I've had to special order several of my cars to get what I wanted. I'm afraid my next car will probably be an automatic as I plan to "go green" and get either an electric or hybrid car. Typically a manual transmission is not an option on these types of vehicles.

Title: Re: Automatic or Manual
Post by texian.traveler on Feb 27^th, 2008 at 7:39am

You can see why they wouldn't. The engine is constantly adjusting during intown traffic, and adding a human factor into the calculation would make the computer's job nigh impossible!

Title: Re: Automatic or Manual
Post by bikerbraid on Feb 27^th, 2008 at 7:44am

texian.traveler wrote on Feb 27^th, 2008 at 7:39am:

You can see why they wouldn't. The engine is constantly adjusting during intown traffic, and adding a human factor into the calculation would make the computer's job nigh impossible!

Oh, I understand totally why a manual is not an option! It has left me with having to set my priorities - environment vs personal preference. I'm afraid the environment will win this one. I guess I will just have to borrow my son's car for my fun driving!

Title: Re: Automatic or Manual
Post by Sakina on Feb 27^th, 2008 at 10:20am

Automatic all the way!

Title: Re: Automatic or Manual
Post by waiting4longlocks on Feb 27^th, 2008 at 10:26am

I can only drive automatic. I am completely clueless when it comes to manual ::)

Title: Re: Automatic or Manual
Post by Angel Spun on Feb 27^th, 2008 at 5:22pm

Automatic, bay-bee. 8-)

Title: Re: Automatic or Manual
Post by rodent on Mar 2^nd, 2008 at 11:41pm

Short answer: YES.

Corvette: 4speed manual Muncie rock crusher
Pickup: rare full size 5-speed manual
Explorer: 4 speed auto. I don't like driving manuals in heavy traffic which oscillates between 5mph and zero.

In total I have owned maybe 25 cars. I'm guessing it's a 5:3 ratio auto/manuals.

Her car is 4 speed auto. Junior has a 5 speed manual.