Posts: 140
Joined: 4/22/2007 From: Hudson County, NJ Status: offline
Stick.... my last three cars were auto and like its been said, I felt like I was just along for the ride. Do I miss my auto in bumper to bumper traffic for 20 miles....yes but you know what they say. "You want to play.... you have to pay!"
Posts: 546
Joined: 9/30/2006 From: Richmond, VA Status: offline
quote:
ORIGINAL: captainxanax
I think there is this general assumption that people that drive auto's do not have driving skill/ability/experience ... whatever.
I have an auto. I have had my second thoughts, but I return to the fact that I love driving this car, it turns heads, it is classic. I want comfort and ease right now while I pay off the car. I can run a 1/4 consistently and improve the performance as the timeline evolves. Plus, will someone please explain how the auto can be heavier, loose an extra 8% on the converter, but let run an equal (or faster) 1/4 mile stock? Serious, is there something I am missing?
Skeptics who I work with stopped giving me sleet after a cruise in the car - their "idea" of an auto, or lack of a stick, changed after a run up the road.
Oh, and to really stir things up. I am getting a 03-04 Corvette with a stick for more "sports" driving. I think that a certain amount, NOT ALL, of manual drivers who slam autos suffer from "small man syndrome".
So, I will see you on the 1/4 mile with my stang, and the track with my vette. Either way, I am the happy one and that is what counts.
Before I get flamed, I am in my mid-30's, and drove truck for 12 years. I grew up on heavy machinery, and recreationally, I was on dirt bikes at 8. I have been there and done that with all types of equipment and toys. I can probably handle and drive more than you.
But what do I know... I drive an auto
Amen brotha!
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2007GT ATpremium. 4.30 gear,Ford X pipe,Flow Masters,C&L with Diablosport 93 firm shift tune, D spec,Steeda adjustable panhard&brace,sport line,CDC Classic,18x9 FR500 et 24 w/275/40 all around. Daily driven. Less is more johngerber.com
If you're gonna buy a V8, 2 door, rear wheel drive car, then you get a manual transmission. Don't you? Would you also buy an automatic corvette? Seems to defeat the purpose.
Both of my vehicles have been manual (Sentra SE-R and Frontier V6)... all of my motorcycles (sportbikes) have been manual (obviously) and my GT will be manual (6 weeks away!). I have a 27 mile commute into downtown Houston and don't mind the manual at all. I get bored driving my wifes auto (2004 Mazda 6).
As far as being more skilled vs. less skilled drivers... I honestly can't say one way or another because they are two completely different beasts. Between cars and motorcycles I've spent thousands upon thousands of miles on race tracks. I will say that a manual car on the race track is much more intense and involving as you have worry about more than just throttle/brake application. Timing your downshifts, feathering the clutch, engine braking, keeping the RPMs in the powerband are extremely 'involving' aspects of driving a manual... and they are typically absent or not nearly as prevalant in an auto.
If you gave me 10 laps arounda track in an auto and a manual (same car otherwise) I would be faster in the manual because that's what I'm used too... doesn't neccessarily make me a better driver than anyone else though.
< Message edited by Steve O Chap -- 12/15/2007 6:38:36 AM >
Auto owners: Nobody is flaming anyone. I think we're having some clean fun. At least I'M laughing at the ribbing we're giving one another. If I had to deal with city traffic AND if the Stang was my DD, I'd have an auto instead of the manual.
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Rick 07 GT Prem, Alloy, MT, 3.55s, Steeda CAI/Xcal2 w/Brenspeed tunes, 14" shorty, 275/40/18 Goodyear Eagle F1 Allseasons on SVT 2007 Cobras, FRPP Stingers
If you're gonna buy a V8, 2 door, rear wheel drive car, then you get a manual transmission. Don't you? Would you also buy an automatic corvette? Seems to defeat the purpose.
I was driving a friend's C6 Corvette last weekend. It's an automatic. Lots more power than the Mustang, obviously, ZERO delay between shifting gears, especially in sport mode...it really whips your head back. If you take it out of sport mode, then you're back to easy going shifts.
The computer was always selecting the right gear, too. No need for a lame O/D off button. It will even shift out of overdrive going downhill if it senses you're using the brakes too much.
All automatic Corvettes come standard with paddle shifters. Let me tell you there is no delay when shifting that automatic. Not like my automatic GT. It made me wonder why anyone would want a manual Corvette.
The car gets about 29 or 30 mpg on the highway, turns on a dime, BUT it also rides like a luxury car, great road feel, without the need for stupidly stiff suspension components. The ride is a lot better than my Dad's Lincoln.
Anyway, enough about Corvettes. The truth is, this is an enthuiast forum, most people are going to have a V8 and the majority will be a manual. The overwhelming majority of GT owners have always purchased an automatic for various reasons.
Popularity of Mustangs always goes in this order:
1) V6 Auto 2) V8 Auto 3) V8 Manual 4) V6 Manual
My questions is, why doesn't Ford offer an automatic GT-500? The Corvette auto has been more popular than the manual for years and those are faster than a GT-500, so why not?
< Message edited by wmtheflash -- 12/15/2007 7:14:39 AM >
Automatic with full-manual valve-body (no P, D, R). Have to start in 1st then shift to 2nd and then to 3rd and then back down to 2nd to 1st to stop, but no clutch. Can't miss or skip a gear. Has separate overdrive and torque converter lockup functions.
< Message edited by forensicsteve -- 12/15/2007 7:21:12 AM >
I chose a manual...with absolutely no second thoughts or regrets. I LOVE IT. Wouldn't ever in a million years get an automatic in a sports car for that matter. Even my Jeep is a stick, but it is sad to see so many people can't even drive a manual.
I can understand why some people get the autos, I guess. I suppose if you have an auto you can talk on your cellphone easier, eat your big mac at the wheel, let your wife drive it (dang women!) and comfortably go through rush hour traffic... But I'd rather experience the car for what it is and have more control over it. But that's just me.
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2007 Mustang GT Premium Tungsten Grey/5-SPEED Kenwood w/ Nav SLP LoudMouth 20" Foose Eibach/Tokico D-spec Push-button start K&N CAI Hurst short throw
O/D OFF button? WTF is that??? OOPS! Sorry! It must be an "automatic thing".
And if that pisses any auto owners off... GOTCHA!
It certainly doesn't bother me. It's something Ford has been doing for awhile. My automatic will typically lose power on the hills at about 45 mph and it takes it a second to kick down. Hit the switch and it will hold the car in 4th.
I also have an automatic GM (Pontiac) and that doesn't need an O/D off button, it selects gears very much like my friend's Corvette, even downshifting on hills if the computer thinks you're using the brakes too much. I've never had to shift it into a different gear.
The automatic is generally good, but it could be better. The technology is in cars of the same price from other manufacturer's. Perhaps we'll see some of these advances in the 2010 Mustang?
I chose a manual...with absolutely no second thoughts or regrets. I LOVE IT. Wouldn't ever in a million years get an automatic in a sports car for that matter. Even my Jeep is a stick, but it is sad to see so many people can't even drive a manual.
I can understand why some people get the autos, I guess. I suppose if you have an auto you can talk on your cellphone easier, eat your big mac at the wheel, let your wife drive it (dang women!) and comfortably go through rush hour traffic... But I'd rather experience the car for what it is and have more control over it. But that's just me.
Gives me the feeling of being more in control of the car than an auto. I've driven too many autos (other people's cars) and thought WTF, why are you shifting into that gear. And hey, if I want to downshift and punch it.....I can!!!!
Like somebody else said, manuals = you drive the car, autos = you're along for the ride. My brother switched to an auto because he got tired of stop and go traffic - not me . So to each his/her own but I choose manual!
Gives me the feeling of being more in control of the car than an auto. I've driven too many autos (other people's cars) and thought WTF, why are you shifting into that gear. And hey, if I want to downshift and punch it.....I can!!!!
Like somebody else said, manuals = you drive the car, autos = you're along for the ride. My brother switched to an auto because he got tired of stop and go traffic - not me . So to each his/her own but I choose manual!
Guess you never hears of the kick down on an auto. Similar to a down shift....wait, it IS the same. Then there's the OD off button. I always thought the acc pedal controlled speed.
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2007 GT Coupe Premium Windveil Blue, 3.31, Auto, 18" Fanblades, Interior Upgrade, Active Anti-Theft, Side Bags, Leather, K&N Drop-in, Splash Guards, 14" Antenna, Rolled Tips, Born on date...3/07
well i deal with traffic alot and have a bumed left knee, skiing accident. so i had to get a auto because my knee likes to lock up when i drive a stick for long periods of time. but i dont car that its a auto, i love it and with a tune i think it shifts as fast if not faster then a stick.i guess that depends on the driver
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13.4 -white 07 gt- sold black 03 evo VIII not gone down track yet.
Printable Version
RE: Auto or Stick ?? Whats Yours - 
Seems to defeat the purpose.
. So to each his/her own but I choose manual!
