Why do you drive an automatic (unless you don't)?

[Dave H. (CO)]

I have an auto in the Malibu because that's all I could get.
I have a manual in the hyundai because I wanted a manual.
I have an auto in the 3500 dually because I wanted the strength of the Allison trans.

[pete c]

I have a manual because I like them and auto trannies are expensive to repair.

Also, IMO, knowing how to drive a manual is mandatory in getting your "man card" punched.

[Fat Charlie]

Originally Posted by pete c

Also, IMO, knowing how to drive a manual is mandatory in getting your "man card" punched.

[user removed]

If all you need to be a man is an extra pedal in your cage, then I guess riding a bike at 61 makes me a SUPERMAN LOL! Right now I don't even own a car, waiting for the Fiesta to be inspected and painted. It's the dual clutch 6 speed automated manual, so I am not sure what category that places me in, but I think I like the Superman category better.


regards
Mech

[user removed]

I do RIDE a manual, but for right now I do not DRIVE a manual.

regards
Mech

[Ladogaboy]

Originally Posted by Fat Charlie

lol, I was taught how to drive a manual by a woman, and I know more, better manual drivers who are women than men. Hell, my mom taught me how to rev match, even though she didn't know what it was called.

[tikitime]

I drive automatics because :
wife wants one - even though she is fine with stickshift and has owned several
I used to tow a 14,000 lb boat and trailer ... too big to mess with on the ramp.
(it's gone now, in all of its gas guzzling glory)
and I got may last 2 vehicles used, both were automatic.

[kingsway]

Originally Posted by Cd

I don't like the idea of rolling into the guy behind me at a stop light while on a hill.
I tried to learn to drive a manual car as a teen and completely failed. Now as an adult, I don't see how that i could just go buy a car with a manual and drive home without first getting comfortable with it.
I'd end up stalling at every light, or miss a gear. I have enough to worry about while driving without worrying about what gear i need to be in.

Simple - book yourself a session with a qualified driving instructor! - there is no shame in seeking the help of a trained professional...

I mostly teach people to drive with manual gears - some people take to it straight away, some struggle for a while. Some (usually older folks) either find it too difficult or just can't be bothered, so they buy an automatic.

When I teach a novice I start them off in the auto so they can get used to steering and making it stop and go. Once they are more comfortable with that, then I switch them to the manual. That way they don't have to do the equivalent of juggling three balls at once... Which is, perhaps, what it felt like to you when you first started as a teen.

I help a lot of people from the US/Canada and elsewhere to convert to a stick shift and to get a UK licence. I recently had 3 members of a Canadian family eaach take an hour with me. Just enough for them to feel more comfortable driving around the UK on their vacation.

Invariably the change over from auto to manual is the easiest part - we spend much more time teaching them to drive on our narrow, winding and over-loaded roads as well as how to negotiate our many, many, many round-a-bouts (Traffic circles)!

BTW we have several thousand US Servicemen and women in East Anglia.

They used to have a very high accident rate due to the very different conditions here. A friend of mine specialises in helping them to 'convert' - they have a one hour lecture followed by about an hour in the car (automatic) which has proved to be enough to greatly reduce the accident rate... The USAF will not permit them to drive here until they do the course.

[Fat Charlie]

If you can operate disc brakes without locking them up, you can operate a clutch without stalling. All you're doing differently is lifting the pedal instead of depressing it.

[kingsway]

Why do I drive a thirsty, sluggish, expensive automatic? Only because I use it as a teaching car.

I quite like it in town - If I could afford something with a DSG transmission, I might even switch to automatic and never go back.

Some of the new automatics are more fuel efficient than a manual - and a great deal easier to learn how to drive....

But a 'manual' is always going to be more rewarding to drive - especially if it is rear-wheel drive. (which is why I'm reluctant to give up my 42 year old MGB-GT!)