Manual Transmissions And The Fun To Drive Factor...

[Jelly]

Anyone else find that, regardless of the vehicle in question, one equipped with a manual transmission is much more fun to drive?

Of course there are a few exceptions (vehicles that make LOTS of power), and sometimes a stick can be downright annoying, but for the most part, automatic transmissions turn vehicles into appliances for me...just sit there and do nothing.

 

[JHZR2]

exactly...

I only wish my father's previa had a MT. Then it would really be the best minivan ever!

JMH

 

[buster]

YES. I miss having a manual. I thought it was cool that Nissan decided to offer a 6spd manual for the new 2005 Xterra.

Manuals are also more durable. The more I think about it the more I want that new Mustang.

[ January 19, 2005, 12:02 AM: Message edited by: buster ]

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

Yep, and is the case for most four-bangers: it's a requirement to have a manual shifter in order for the word "fun" to be in the same sentence.

 

[PaJohn]

I'v never owned an automatic and I've been driving for over 35 years. Keeps me feeling young

 

[Steve S]

I hate automatic transmissions, forklifts are the exception.

 

[TallPaul]

My personal vehicles have been sticks since 1977. For the automatics I must put up with (wife's Aerostar and motorhome) a shift kit makes them a lot nicer to drive, but always love coming back to my stick.

 

[SSDude]

Manual are the way to go if you want to have fun driving.

 

[MarkC]

I've never owned an automatic either. The only downsside is if someone needs to drive my Jeep, they may not really know how, or may be uncomfortable.
But it is fun....

 

[John K]

Absolutely. Only auto I've owned is current Odyssey minivan. I worry that someday manuals won't be available, though am heartened by recent number of 6 speeds being announced. I think it ironic that there are more of them on higher powered vehicles when the 4 cylinders which would seem to benefit from them more. I had a 4 spd Rabbit diesel (1981) that just cried for an extra gear or two. Huge gap between 3rd & 4th that made it even more of a dog, but I liked the car. Can't imagine fighting the Corvette arangement where it goes from 1st to 4th! Would love to try out some of the 6 spds. (Maybe a Mini S!) Heard a guy call into Car Talk a few weeks ago asking when should he use 6th gear on his new Sentra!

 

[kevm14]

To me, an automatic is tolerable (even enjoyable) when it's connected to an engine that has plenty of low end torque. Otherwise, it's not fun at all and the car does become an appliance. Manuals I consider a necessity on small engines and optional fun on bigger engines. For example, my Caprice has an auto, and I don't really mind it. I enjoy the smooth power that I get with a torque converter. My camaro, on the other hand, is a 6-speed manual, which fits the car's personality. But I'll admit, the Camaro would still be fun with an auto. Just not as.

 

[jsharp]

I just don't like automatic trnsmissions. When I bought my 4Runner I looked for a while to find one that was a manual...

 

[Brikhead]

Personally, I absolutly love to drive vehicles w/manual trans. I do agree that they can definately up the fun factor and get better MPGs to boot. That said, all of my vehicles are automatics. Why? First of all, my Wife can't drive "stick" and, quite frankly, she just doesn't care to learn. The other factor is that a manual trans simply won't make my daily commute any easier. I spend too much time in stop-n-go traffic and my left leg really doesn't need the extra workout.

 

[Gary Allan]

I can handle autos ..but I FEAR them. I really couldn't see a stick (although they were available with the 4 banger) in a minivan. My wife's 4.0 is like a diesel, with the torque coming up to peak @ 1800 rpm ..so it can be work in town. You're shifting through 3 gears in what seems like 100ft and the engine can't rev freely like a sewing machine.

I ONLY bought an auto in my 4 banger jeep to allow my daughter access to it. It's also the only simple auto available (currently not available) ..and I pay the price in fuel economy and power. Any future vehicles, if bought new, will be manuals.

 

[JMG]

As many of you, I also fear the time when MT will be gone. My Accord is a 5sp, however, my CR-V is an auto. My wife who is really short cant drive stick cause her leg cant push the clutch all the way down. But she can get by if we ever had a time where we only had the Accord, just uncomfortable. When driving an auto I feel I am a passenger with a stearing wheel. I like MT cause it makes me feel like a driver and not a passenger. Also MT are cheaper to maintain, more durable, and cheaper to fix than AT. And on my Accord having a whopping 130HP it helps with a stick.

I dont think I would ever buy a car for myself with a AT. Unless they are gone by then.

Only if my CR-V was a stick it would be much more fun to drive, but it isnt my car and I drive it rarely.

 

[TallPaul]

Although a die hard stick shifter, I must confess there are those occasions when you need to downshift at lightning speed and are not prepared and/or distracted by the road situation (like the lane that suddenly runs out) where it is very nice to have an automatic and be able to just stab the pedal and go. You all know what happens with a stick in that situation--moves out too slow and/or lugs.

 

[Kestas]

Automatic transmissions are okay for the larger cars. For small cars the extra weight of an automatic has a bigger impact on fuel economy.

Remember the argument that the eventual clutch replacement will negate any savings with a manual over automatic? That was okay during the days when automatics lasted the life of the car. But nowadays I'm troubled by all the designs that don't last the life of the car, e.g. Chrysler's Ultradrive A604. It seems we've taken a step backward in technical innovation.

I'm looking at this pragmatically and not just the fun aspect. I often prefer a manual just for the simplicity and reliability it provides. Plus I know I can put it in top gear on the freeway and have all the engine's power at the rear wheels with no losses from the torque converter or pump.

Look out people, here come the 5-spd, 6-spd, and 7-spd automatics and the CVTs.... and they haven't yet perfected the 4-spds!!!!!

 

[crossbow]

I had a 2003 Mazda 6s ATX with a Jatco 5 spd automatic. The car handled great, but the transmission was so floppy. It always had some issues with shifting, wasn't exactly "spirited", and had major overheating problems. 210F idling in 40F ambient!!

I encountered a fantastic deal and was able to trade in my 03 6s ATX for an 04 6s 5spd Manual Transmission.

I don't regret it for a minute...even though this was my first MTX ever, I've steadily increased my shifting skill and continuously enjoy it more and more. Even when your stuck in traffic, you can have some fun. Just play the "no I won't press in the clutch" game.

On the 6 there is a 15 Wheel horsepower difference between the ATX and MTX (mtx dyno's 185, ATX dyno's 160), and the MTX also weighs almost 90 lbs less, with more aggressive gearing, and better gas mileage.

Even though the 6's ATX was manualmatic...it still compares in no way to the ability of the manual shifter. The car just responds, its fantastic and I love it.

 

[Gary Allan]

quote:

---

It seems we've taken a step backward in technical innovation.

---

Ah ..someone who shares my view. Devolution of reliability for ...what

quote:

---

It seems we've taken a step backward in technical innovation.

---

Engineers creating things for the sake of creation. They can ..so they do ..never asking if they should.

 

[Drew99GT]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Whimsey:
I love my manual tranny vehicles until I get stuck in bumper to bumper traffic, all to common here in the NY/NJ/CT area

. Driving in Manhattan with a stick is shear joy

.

---

Took the words out of my mouth! It also sucks driving a stick in a very hilly town like I live in. Starting on hills with my little 4 banger is starting to **** me off.