Manual VS Auto???

[Franco Cozzo]

I prefer manual cars, converted my EL Fairmont Ghia to manual as well.

Yeah manual can be a pain in the *** to drive in heavy traffic sometimes, but once you get used to how it drives its really no problem at all.

If you're in heavy traffic I find just hanging back rolling along at idle in 1st gear you can minimise doing the clutch in/out/in/out/in/out/in/out routine in traffic if you just sit back a little instead of accelerating up to a stop 30m later, by the time you get to that 30m in the distance they're off and moving again

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

If you're in heavy traffic I find just hanging back rolling along at idle in 1st gear you can minimise doing the clutch in/out/in/out/in/out/in/out routine in traffic if you just sit back a little instead of accelerating up to a stop 30m later, by the time you get to that 30m in the distance they're off and moving again

Exactly what i do

[Lunch]

Daily drive: auto ( the zf is a sweet piece )
Weekend: manual

[Blue Roo]

As it has been said here, I to prefer Manual cars. But unfortunately this time I had to buy an Auto as Ford doesn't use a heavier clutch and tail shaft in the FG's for towing.

[Giant Cranium]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

I prefer manual cars, converted my EL Fairmont Ghia to manual as well.

Yeah manual can be a pain in the *** to drive in heavy traffic sometimes, but once you get used to how it drives its really no problem at all.

If you're in heavy traffic I find just hanging back rolling along at idle in 1st gear you can minimise doing the clutch in/out/in/out/in/out/in/out routine in traffic if you just sit back a little instead of accelerating up to a stop 30m later, by the time you get to that 30m in the distance they're off and moving again

So painful following people who do that. It ruins traffic flow and can hang people out to dry in the intersections. I will watch traffic, see it move so move through the intersection, only to have someone rolling slowly along and be stuck out in the intersection. Please just close the gap and look after the people behind you.

[CoupeKing]

Auto, its just easier. Especially if you got a bunch of kids screaming behind you trying to audition for some talent show. Least you got one arm free to wave the wooden-spoon around.

I'm a Lefty so manual to me...just sounds so much better in the right configuration.

[1TUFFUTE]

Don't know about everyone else but I tend to find myself gravitating from manual one car....then auto the next. Then back to manual! I'm using the auto ZF atm and so far havnt even come close to feeling over it yet...or ready to go back to manual!

The only vehicles I could see myself going back too manual would be a roughish beater 4wd or a good handling powerfull small car.(focus RS or megane for eg)

[Batmobile]

Always drove a manual . But having sampled the ZF auto, the fun factor just goes up 10 folder , without very much effort ... Manual is fun, however , in the auto, you seem to have much more time to take in the noise, whine from the supercharger.

[In Focus]

If you're not sure, probably best to go for the auto.

I was tossing up both last time I bought a car, and I couldn't convince myself to take the manual: I figured I would enjoy it 20% of the time, be indifferent 60% of the time, and really hate it for the other 20%.

[GCRXR6]

I have to admit, I'm converted. I drive an auto and have done since the EF. All manuals up until then. Maybe driving Ambulance vehicles made me lazy?

I used to shy away from the autos, as the sound of an EJ Holden auto, with a sports muffler, was a painful impression in my memory. I thought all auto would be that bad...even Fords.

[chopstar87]

Revy little 4cylinder or Small Sports car / Small capacity = Manual
V6/I6 or V8/V10,Medium to Large car / Large capacity = Auto
All out performance in med to large cars = Auto
Off road (proper 4wding) = Manual

Your Toy that's is only used for fun = what ever floats your boat as fun and that achieves your desired goal from a car.

[JC]

Auto with SSS function - as good as a manual, won't change gears once in manual mode til you change (just like a manual). Changes faster than a manual (at least faster than I can), but is still an auto at heart for when you get sick of the manual changing (back to D and let it do the changing for you).

I use the GT in manual mode around 80% of the time - really only use D once I get to the speed I want to sit on, but then it's back to manual mode at the next roundabout or lights etc.

So if you can find an auto that has some form of manual mode, then you have the best of both worlds but without the clutch, but if you just get a manual, you are stuck always changing gears....

[fordomatic]

Always had manuals, bought FG XR6T with the ZF thinking it would convert me, it didn't

Manual all the way, i would swap back to one in a heartbeat

[AGH]

Originally Posted by GCRXR6

I have to admit, I'm converted. I drive an auto and have done since the EF. All manuals up until then. Maybe driving Ambulance vehicles made me lazy?

I used to shy away from the autos, as the sound of an EJ Holden auto, with a sports muffler, was a painful impression in my memory. I thought all auto would be that bad...even Fords.

Oh man....I know how you feel....that sound was even bad without the sports muffler....used to make me feel sick......and your makin me feel old!!!...you know why. That sound turned me off auto's full stop. In saying that I use a ZF now for the non daily drive and a manual for a daily drive....BUT I don't have to deal with stop start traffic...or rarely...

[Sox]

Autos have come a long way, but as a drivers car, they're still not even close IMO.

Having said that, it's only an SUV, so it doesn't really matter...

[BPXR6T]

4x4 is a manual, if I lose a cog generally I can get to safety. Last time my auto **** itself we had to drive home in reverse. Don't fancy doing that for a few hundred kms down a rough track.

Sports car is a tiptronic, semi auto. Fun using the steering wheel controls whilst smashing through the twisties from corner to corner.

Muscle car is manual, because dumping the clutch and frying the tyres is fun.

Daily falcons are all autos. Taxi duties...

[Ben73]

I know a few people who think they are better than others because they own manuals. They don't say it in those words but you can tell if the topic ever comes up. Best one I have heard is 'auto is too hard to drive'. If you find auto hard to drive, hand in your license.
These people don't really get into driving either, just have basic cars.

Personally I will probably always get auto as a daily. Would enjoy manual as a weekender though.
I find where I live and places I often drive to, I often seam to be always getting held at red lights or slowing to make turns. I would get sick of driving that in manual quick smart. I'd be lucky if I could drive for more than 2 minutes without slowing down to turn or stop on an average day.