Car Talk

[Lil_Green_Demon]

Just thought this would be a good thread idea, so that way @rusninja won't have to constantly make a new thread about another car he wants to purchase AFTER buying a Ninja 250R.


Discuss anything and everything car related here.

[Lil_Green_Demon]

I'll start it off by asking a basic question:

How many of you guys prefer manual transmission over automatics?



... Or should that be another thread in itself? Maybe even include a poll!

[rusninja]

That was only 2 threads i started :P now theres 3 which are my fault. >;[

Lol id love to learn how to drive manual. :S

[Heed]

Automatics are more efficient than manual trans by now.

Semi automatic is fun.

[MotoED]

I know how to drive both. My car is stick-shift. I prefer manual it's more fun, IMO.
It was easier for me to learn how to ride my bike because I've mastered driving manual on a car first.

[Lil_Green_Demon]

Originally Posted by MotoED

I know how to drive both. My car is stick-shift. I prefer manual it's more fun, IMO.
It was easier for me to learn how to ride my bike because I've mastered driving manual on a car first.

Yep. 100% agreed.

Every car I've owned has been a manual transmission.
I don't enjoy autos.

[Gorilla25]

Manual trans > Auto trans

[pilotgeorge747]

Anyone have experience with after learning to ride the bike that they learned more quicly how to drive a manual car?

[Gorilla25]

not i...lol...drove MT all my life, adapting to bikes was as easy as 1, 2, 3

[Heed]

Originally Posted by pilotgeorge747

Anyone have experience with after learning to ride the bike that they learned more quicly how to drive a manual car?

sort of

but i'm glad i DIDN'T know how to drive MT before learning how to ride, because that would make it more difficult

[reaubideux]

Originally Posted by Heed

Automatics are more efficient than manual trans by now.

Semi automatic is fun.

It ain't always about efficiency. If you race your car you'd be a fool to go w/an auto transmission. You just can't keep the RPMs up if you have to deal with an automatic constantly wanting to upshift. And the manu-matics on lower-end cars are still too clunky to be a viable "best of both worlds" option.

[vince_2149]

I've driven manuals all my life and don't think I'll own any automatic vehicle anytime soon. Manuals are just too much fun, even in a Ford Focus Sedan. I've actually even converted 2 of my friends over from automatics when all 3 of us bought new cars. Got one friend to go from an auto Sonata to a manual Mustang and the other from an old auto Civic to a new manual civic. Neither of them regret the change at all. Both regret not going manual sooner!

[Lvr]

Originally Posted by Gorilla25

not i...lol...drove MT all my life, adapting to bikes was as easy as 1, N, 2, 3

Fixed! haha.

I love manuals! some idiot hit my brand new car while it was parked, and it's been in the shop for 2+ weeks while I've had to drive an automatic rental, and it's driving me CRAZY, no pun intended lol.

[Honko]

That was actually pretty good Levi haha

[Heed]

Originally Posted by reaubideux

It ain't always about efficiency. If you race your car you'd be a fool to go w/an auto transmission. You just can't keep the RPMs up if you have to deal with an automatic constantly wanting to upshift. And the manu-matics on lower-end cars are still too clunky to be a viable "best of both worlds" option.

I disagree - it is all about efficiency. Although most people agree that manuals are more fun because you're in command, a computer will always be more precise.

Also, "race your car" is a very broad statement. What kind of race? For instance, automatics are ideal in drag races.

[Cuongism]

How have automatics become more efficient than manuals? Even with CVT or lockup torque converters, they still require a torque converter which adds weight and bleeds power. The only scenario I can think of where automatics will be better efficiently are on turbocharged diesel engines since automatics will shift faster than a human can. I must be behind the times

[Lil_Green_Demon]

One car, 5 years, you only have to pay for gas & insurance.
What would it be?

[Heed]

Originally Posted by Lil_Green_Demon

One car, 5 years, you only have to pay for gas & insurance.
What would it be?

Civic, Accord, Camry, Corolla.

Probably all I can afford to insure.

[Lvr]

Originally Posted by Honko

That was actually pretty good Levi haha

Thanks

as far as efficiency... I am like 90% certain that the auto version of my car (mini cooper s) gets 1-2mpg less than the manual.

Also, correct me if I'm wrong but don't manuals typically have more gears than autos? that would suggest to me that at the hands of a skilled operator a manual would have much greater potential for improved efficiency, since you could more accurately match gears to speed and keep RPMs down.

[Honko]

Originally Posted by Heed

Civic, Accord, Camry, Corolla.

Probably all I can afford to insure.

The new camry has 268 horsepower

[Heed]

Originally Posted by Honko

The new camry has 268 horsepower

The 3.5 accord has 271 :P

[Lvr]

Originally Posted by Heed

What kind of race? For instance, automatics are ideal in drag races.

really? but every production car I've ever seen stats for has a slower 0-60 rating for the automatic version. I don't drag race, but I feel like every drag vehicle I've ever seen/heard of is manual.

[Lil_Green_Demon]

Automatics are starting to become more fuel efficient than their manual counterparts, but a slight difference in fuel economy doesn't justify purchasing an auto over a manual in my opinion.
I'd rather enjoy myself while driving than be bored out of my mind. I've driven an automatic Corvette before... Even with the paddle-shifters, it was SOOOOO boring to drive! I love 'Vettes, but I'd even take a manual Miata over an automatic Vette. (Not saying the Miata isn't an awesome car, but compared to a Corvette, the Miata isn't worth bragging about, IMO).

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Lvr

really? but every production car I've ever seen stats for has a slower 0-60 rating for the automatic version. I don't drag race, but I feel like every drag vehicle I've ever seen/heard of is manual.

Turbo cars are sometimes exceptions, due to being able to remain close to full boost during gear changes. The Porsche 911 Turbo has had faster 0-60 times in the auto version compared to the manual for a generation or two.

With the newer dual-clutch type transmissions, where forward drive is never lost, the performance differences between them and a pure manual are smaller than they've ever been.

[Lil_Green_Demon]

My answer to my own question about what car I'd own for 5 years is my current car: Chevy Cobalt SS. It's reliable, fast as hell, & offers relatively good gas mileage (usually average around 25 mpg in city & hwy combined). Plus, simple bolt-ons (exhaust, intake, down pipe, etc) can really bring out huge performance gains on this car.
Mine is stock right now, but it won't be for too much longer. I'll be ordering an intake some time soon.

[Lvr]

Interesting. I didn't know that

[Heed]

Originally Posted by Lvr

really? but every production car I've ever seen stats for has a slower 0-60 rating for the automatic version. I don't drag race, but I feel like every drag vehicle I've ever seen/heard of is manual.

"drag vehicle" =/= production car

Why have a manual transmission when you can have a computer that will give you a perfect launch every single time?

With that said, you can keep both hands on the wheel, which is good in case you lift the front at all.

Manual transmissions are disappearing for emission reasons anyway.

[Lvr]

Originally Posted by Heed

"drag vehicle" =/= production car

Well, I know that. That's why I specified 'production car' instead of just saying 'car.'

while it definitely does seem like manuals are disappearing, I don't think it's for emissions reasons... they're certainly very popular in most European countries, and many of those countries (not all) have more stringent emissions regulations than we do. I think it's just because American drivers tend to prefer autos for some reason.

Just IMO

[Heed]

Originally Posted by Lvr

Well, I know that. That's why I specified 'production car' instead of just saying 'car.'

while it definitely does seem like manuals are disappearing, I don't think it's for emissions reasons... they're certainly very popular in most European countries, and many of those countries (not all) have more stringent emissions regulations than we do. I think it's just because American drivers tend to prefer autos for some reason.

Just IMO

Because we like to drink our coffee and talk on the phone at the same time.

[Lil_Green_Demon]

Originally Posted by Heed

Why have a manual transmission when you can have a computer that will give you a perfect launch every single time?

With that said, you can keep both hands on the wheel, which is good in case you lift the front at all.

Manual transmissions are disappearing for emission reasons anyway.

Back up this b.s claim, please. Manuals are disappearing because lazy @ss drivers prefer just keeping one hand on the steering wheel and the other on a cheeseburger or on their damn cell phone. They aren't dying because automatics offer better launches or crap like that. Most drivers could care less about 0-60 times.
In 2007, only about 7% of all cars sold in the US were manuals. I was one of those 7% of people who prefer rowing their own gears.
You're trying to make automatics sound cool. They're not.
I would even go so far as to say I'd prefer a manual transmission Toyota over an automatic transmission Mercedes-Benz. It's all about the fun-factor for me.
You, sir, must not be much of an automobile enthusiast. I can't imagine ever preferring an automatic slush box over a manual transmission. Never. Not even if I get old with terrible leg problems.

[KawiKid860]

I feel like a poser saying it, but I'd prefer a manual over an automatic. I feel like a poser because I don't even have a car and the cars I have available to drive are automatics :P but shifting on my bike is fun and I learned how to drive stick in my uncles WRX, however I don't think I'm quite good enough to drive one seamlessly yet. Cars were my first passion... then I discovered the magical world of motorcycles lol, now I can never decide which one I like more but I think I prefer bikes :P as for the auto vs stick argument... well I can have fun driving our automatic V8 cadillac because I floor it all the time (horrible on gas I know) and driving a big V8 car with a stick shift would just seem odd to me, but anything sporty I'd prefer a manual. Chicks dig stick shifts too, but you could have 1000 stick shift cars and not be as cool as having a motorcycle

[rockNroll]

An automatic transmission needs to be set up to do what you wanna do. It's expensive! If you set one up for drag racing, it'll do fine as long as it's stout enough to hold the power. If you can do this, your times can be lower than with a manual transmission. No human being can outshift an automatic transmission.

I didn't own an auto tranny until about my 8th vehicle. It was a Lightning edition F150 and they came automatic-only. I always enjoyed a stick more but I do sometimes like being able to drive to work in the morning through downtown traffic with a cup o joe in my right hand

[Heed]

Originally Posted by Lil_Green_Demon

Back up this b.s claim, please. Manuals are disappearing because lazy @ss drivers prefer just keeping one hand on the steering wheel and the other on a cheeseburger or on their damn cell phone. They aren't dying because automatics offer better launches or crap like that. Most drivers could care less about 0-60 times.
In 2007, only about 7% of all cars sold in the US were manuals. I was one of those 7% of people who prefer rowing their own gears.
You're trying to make automatics sound cool. They're not.
I would even go so far as to say I'd prefer a manual transmission Toyota over an automatic transmission Mercedes-Benz. It's all about the fun-factor for me.
You, sir, must not be much of an automobile enthusiast. I can't imagine ever preferring an automatic slush box over a manual transmission. Never. Not even if I get old with terrible leg problems.

Excuse me.

We all love manual transmissions, but the fact is that it is becoming more difficult to meet emissions with a manual transmission.

With an automatic transmission, you can control the shift points with software. You can pick the shift points on the acceleration schedule so that you never close the throttle.

If you're driving a manual; you come out of 1st, you let your foot off the throttle, it closes.

On modern manuals, instead of the fuel shutting off right away, it graduates. The RPMs don't drop suddenly, they drop gradually. That's because they have a damper in it to prevent the throttle from closing too fast.

[DarC]

Originally Posted by Lil_Green_Demon

One car, 5 years, you only have to pay for gas & insurance.
What would it be?

With those as the only stipulations I would go with a Ford GT..and I would probably run a compound turbo+s/c by the end of things. Me and modular fords go wayyyy back.

[CynicalC]

Originally Posted by Alex

Turbo cars are sometimes exceptions, due to being able to remain close to full boost during gear changes. The Porsche 911 Turbo has had faster 0-60 times in the auto version compared to the manual for a generation or two.

With the newer dual-clutch type transmissions, where forward drive is never lost, the performance differences between them and a pure manual are smaller than they've ever been.

There have been some big changes in tuning in the past few years too. Flat foot shifting is pretty much the norm now.

Originally Posted by rockNroll

I do sometimes like being able to drive to work in the morning through downtown traffic with a cup o joe in my right hand

This is no excuse.

[CynicalC]

Originally Posted by Heed

Excuse me.

We all love manual transmissions, but the fact is that it is becoming more difficult to meet emissions with a manual transmission.

With an automatic transmission, you can control the shift points with software. You can pick the shift points on the acceleration schedule so that you never close the throttle.

If you're driving a manual; you come out of 1st, you let your foot off the throttle, it closes.

On modern manuals, instead of the fuel shutting off right away, it graduates. The RPMs don't drop suddenly, they drop gradually. That's because they have a damper in it to prevent the throttle from closing too fast.

You are fighting a losing battle. Your claims are a bit absurd.

You can have a perfect launch in a manual just the same as an automatic. And your claims about emissions need to be backed up.

Link to original page on YouTube.

Link to original page on YouTube.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by CynicalC

And your claims about emissions need to be backed up.

I've heard the emissions issue with manuals come up more than a few times. When the engine goes from load to completely no load (with the clutch disengaged), the nitrous oxides and other contaminants go up to very high levels for that short time period. As the emissions controls get more and more stringent, that is starting to become an issue.

[DarC]

As I see it there are times, places, and preferences for either type of transmission and the choice for daily driven cars is purely subjective. Unless one proves to be significantly better than the other across the board then there will continue to be both.

[Jono]

Manual for LIFE!!!! I will never buy an automatic vehicle as long as I can move my left leg. Automatics suck! For many reasons. Manuals are just so much fun! And us manual drivers are a dying breed.

[Jono]

Originally Posted by Lil_Green_Demon

One car, 5 years, you only have to pay for gas & insurance.
What would it be?

Easy. Ariel Atom 3!!! I want one now!