It's sort of a political issue, I guess. Where I come from, almost everyone drives automatics, like in the United States. I practiced on a manual, but I haven't driven one for over three years so I probably would have forgotten how to do so.
Starting to get tired of Europeans telling me that 'you're not driving if you're not driving on manual'. 
In the end, which is better? (safety, efficiency, etc.)
Originally Posted by Noam Chomsky
yanktar wrote:I drive both. My drop-top is a manual, my pickup and the family car are automatics. And, of course, the motorcycle is manual.
Stop and go traffic is really, really hard with a manual. High speed highway driving is no different whichever.
Manual is generally more fun, but functionally absolutely no better, except MAYBE when down-shifting into curves. But I like it better except in traffic jams or when plowing with the truck. Then the automatic is better.
I was told they save more energy?
radomu wrote:
yanktar wrote:I drive both. My drop-top is a manual, my pickup and the family car are automatics. And, of course, the motorcycle is manual.
Stop and go traffic is really, really hard with a manual. High speed highway driving is no different whichever.
Manual is generally more fun, but functionally absolutely no better, except MAYBE when down-shifting into curves. But I like it better except in traffic jams or when plowing with the truck. Then the automatic is better.
I was told they save more energy?
There are now 7-8 speed automatics so the mileage savings of manuals isn't always true. Some automatics can also be faster than a manual gearbox.
newbie chick wrote:
radomu wrote:
yanktar wrote:I drive both. My drop-top is a manual, my pickup and the family car are automatics. And, of course, the motorcycle is manual.
Stop and go traffic is really, really hard with a manual. High speed highway driving is no different whichever.
Manual is generally more fun, but functionally absolutely no better, except MAYBE when down-shifting into curves. But I like it better except in traffic jams or when plowing with the truck. Then the automatic is better.
I was told they save more energy?
There are now 7-8 speed automatics so the mileage savings of manuals isn't always true. Some automatics can also be faster than a manual gearbox.
What do you mean by 7-8? Are you referring to the increasing fuel efficiency?
yanktar wrote:
radomu wrote:
yanktar wrote:I drive both. My drop-top is a manual, my pickup and the family car are automatics. And, of course, the motorcycle is manual.
Stop and go traffic is really, really hard with a manual. High speed highway driving is no different whichever.
Manual is generally more fun, but functionally absolutely no better, except MAYBE when down-shifting into curves. But I like it better except in traffic jams or when plowing with the truck. Then the automatic is better.
I was told they save more energy?
Great excuse! Go with it! Besides there's less people you have to let drive AND you can say "The clutch is really touchy" even if it's not true..
Obviously the amount of oil you save is tiny... but because you do have more control, you probably won't overuse your engine when you don't need to?
Automatics with more gears (7-8) keep the engine in its most efficient range, as well as keeping the engine revolutions low at highway(65-80mph) speed, which helps with the fuel economy. Automatics traditionally only had 4-5 speeds.
Most cars have 6 speed manual transmissions, with the possibly of a 7th speed paddle shifter.
Large trucks have 9 speed gearboxes, with the option of up to 15 forward gears in some applications.
newbie chick wrote:Automatics with more gears (7-8) keep the engine in its most efficient range, as well as keeping the engine revolutions low at highway(65-80mph) speed, which helps with the fuel economy. Automatics traditionally only had 4-5 speeds.
Most cars have 6 speed manual transmissions, with the possibly of a 7th speed paddle shifter.
Large trucks have 9 speed gearboxes, with the option of up to 15 forward gears in some applications.
ah right, didn't know that
radomu wrote:It's sort of a political issue, I guess. Where I come from, almost everyone drives automatics, like in the United States. I practiced on a manual, but I haven't driven one for over three years so I probably would have forgotten how to do so.
Starting to get tired of Europeans telling me that 'you're not driving if you're not driving on manual'.
In the end, which is better? (safety, efficiency, etc.)
Safety comes from the driver, not the transmission.
My pickup is manual, my wife and daughter's cars are automatic, and all three of us can drive either type, so that if either lady need to borrow my truck, they can do so.
About only real difference is that manual vehicles get better gas milage, all other things being equal, and manual transmissions are easier to work on, so are a bit cheaper to get fixed.
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