Manual or Automatic Transmission. Which do you prefer?

[vibenvy]

I prefer a manual over an automatic any time. Funny story, I used to work for a car rental company and we occasionally get tourists from eastern Europe. One time this young couple rented a car. After all the paper work has been done and they hopped into the car, and then I notice them sitting on the lot for about 5 minutes. So I went outside and see if I could assist, thinking maybe they needed direction or something. So I opened the door and ask them if they needed help, the guy looked at me and said:" we don't know how to drive an automatic." That was quite a stunner for me, lol.

I literally laughed out loud when I read that !

[trtlflwrs]

I totally prefer manual. Even convinced my hubby to get a manual Tacoma... I told him it wouldn't be a "real" truck unless it was stick!
He has since admitted that I can drive it better than he does.

Might have something to do with the fact that I have always owned a manual! I learned to drive on my mom's '93 camry and haven't looked back. I mean, I never would have been alble to cruise in my dad's MiniCoop if I didn't know how to drive a manual tranny!

Couple of reasons why I like it (keep in mind, I'm very rarely in gridlock-ish traffic conditions)... I feel more in control... I'm more focused on my driving... If I wasn't shifting, I KNOW I'd be doing other distracting things while driving!

The next vehicle (assuming my Vibe lasts another 5 years!) will probably be an AWD, so we'll see about an automatic then... it'd be a first!

[Brandort3]

Quote, originally posted by GMJAP »There is a lot of negative posts about the Vibe manual, but I've had no issues. It's already got over 100,000 miles on it, and later this year will mark 8 yrs and I've never had a transmission issue. I even used it to start teaching my wife manual, during which it took quite a bit of abuse! (Don't tell her I said that )your sig says you have an 05. you got the improved bearing design over the 03/04 so you should be able to drive for a long time without issue. My previous 07 was the same way. It never gave an issue for the over 100k miles i drove it and was a great car. My 03 sucked when i hit 110k and had to swap the transmission out.

Was your '03 the 5 speed or the 6 speed GT? I have an '03 GT and at 157,000 miles, she's still scooting along!

[meinmi]

I have to vote for the automatic. I drive close to 50,000 miles a year, much of it with the cruise on, and like the set it and forget it aspect of an automatic. As far as fuel economy goes if you drive a stick so it's fun most of the fuel savings go out the window.

[Kincaid]

I use the cruise a lot w/the manual, even in town. Having only had Hondas before, I really like the cruise control stalk set up in the 2009 Vibe. Seems much more intuitive and less fussy than the way Honda does it.

[DiveNut]

I like stick, but prefer an Auto for my daily driver, as I drive 28 miles each way to and from work. Most of which is in gridlock bumper to bumper traffic. I prefer a nice Reverse Manual Valve Body on my drag cars. They provide VERY positive, and quick shift....manuals will do it too, but a missed shift will cost you a race every time.

Pat

[CharlesinGA]

You need at least one automatic in your "fleet". Many years ago, in college, I broke my ankle, my right ankle. While I had been driving my Dad's '67 Falcon with a 3 speed most of the time (he had bought a '71 Torino by that time), I ended up driving my '70 Mustang while I was in a cast and for some time after that.

I like a stick shift, I learned on that Falcon, but I want an automatic for times when I feel lazy or if something happens to me, like that broken ankle. I have a '91 Ranger with a 5 speed when I feel like shifting.

Charles

[Wingnut]

Manual all the way!! I have had 2 automatics in my life. Both of which had to be replaced twice in each vehicle. I will never buy another vehicle I can't get a manual in. Easier and cheaper to maintain, better gas mileage and power when and where I want it!