Automatic or Stick Shift?

Lori19 · Post by **Lori19** » Thu Jul 18, 2002 9:30 am

Just curious!

BanditWS6 · Post by **BanditWS6** » Thu Jul 18, 2002 11:28 pm

Wanted that hot, hot GT but my wife hates manual trannys with a passion. And since this is her car...

Frosty · Post by **Frosty** » Fri Jul 19, 2002 1:04 am

Lori: Thanks for opening up this debate/discussion!I have never owned an auto, and never will unless I am too feeble to drive.Here is why.1) Better performance and control over engine speed.2)Better fuel economy3)Less expensive to purchase initially4)Lower maintenance costs. I have never had to do any repairs on any manual transmission I have ever owned over 22 years.5)If the battery, starter....fails, a manual car can be bump or push started.6)Back to reason # 1...Control over engine speed allows for better snow going ability, ie. rocking back and forth, using higher gears to get going etc.....Have I missed anything? Oh Yah Manuals are more fun

Lori19 · Post by **Lori19** » Fri Jul 19, 2002 3:25 am

I kinda thought this might get interesting! Alot of post say stuff like "I wanted the stick, but wife can't drive stick". So I was wondering how many had to "give in" for harmony!

d_m_kolb · Post by **d_m_kolb** » Fri Jul 19, 2002 3:51 am

It really all depends on the driver and what they want. Gears to a point can be controled by selecting what gear you want to run in if you have an auto. You can all ways shift into 1st, 2nd, drive for 3rd and overdrive or click the overdrive button. Some auto tranies I have seen starting to come out are auto 5 and 6 speed tranies.On the rocking back and forth if stuck in the snow I would much rather have a auto than a stick in this case. It's much easier to rock the vehicle because you can shift so much faster form drive to reverse in a auto.A auto can be controled and fun to drive if you know how to drive a auto. It will down shift for you when extra power is needed and change gears with no imput from you. Also upgrading the torque converter and you'll be able to get into the high RPMs before launching like you can a stick.I personally like them both. In city driving it's hard to beat a auto though.

Brator · Post by **Brator** » Fri Jul 19, 2002 4:54 am

I have always owned a manual and I love the ability to have control of what gear my car is in. I have decided to switch to a automatic because of one main thing. I hate sitting in a slow moving traffic jam. This is the worst time to own a manual. Your leg begins to hurt because your pushing in the clutch every two seconds.

Frosty · Post by **Frosty** » Fri Jul 19, 2002 5:39 am

quote:On the rocking back and forth if stuck in the snow I would much rather have a auto than a stick in this case. It's much easier to rock the vehicle because you can shift so much faster form drive to reverse in a auto.It seems too hard on an auto to keep your revs at 2000 or so and switch back and forth from forward to reverse. Whereas you can go back and forth with practice easily with a manual. The best setup I ever had was with my 86 CRX. It had a manual choke (Canadian version with no catalytic converter) so I could pull the choke out to get the revs up to 2000 pop the clutch and get the wheels spinning, get out of the car and push on the door frame while keeping the wheels turned where you want to end up. Of course it helps that car weighed 1800 pounds. Once the car got moving I could jump in and continue on. Try that with a modern auto Of course I could have had something catastrophic go wrong but I am still here to tell about it.

d_m_kolb · Post by **d_m_kolb** » Fri Jul 19, 2002 6:49 am

When you rock a vehicle in a auto I never have the RPMs up. You gas it just enough to get forward movement then once it starts to move let off the gas and put in reverse at the sametime gas it just enough to get reverse movement and so on. Works great. I'd rather have a auto for this.If you do this right it will never stop moving (rocking) It's easy to screw up in a stick. Just alittle off timing either with the clutch or slightly miss the shift from 1st to reverse and you just lost all your momentum.

Chazb · Post by **Chazb** » Fri Jul 19, 2002 6:50 am

I for one would have much rather had the stick....but the wife gave me the look and we bought the auto.The auto is not really that bad though and a lot better than sleeping on the couch!

Lori19 · Post by **Lori19** » Fri Jul 19, 2002 8:17 am

Hey Chazb,Did you at least get to pick the color?

ironchef · Post by **ironchef** » Fri Jul 19, 2002 8:29 am

I drive 60 miles a day in stop & go traffic, as much as I'd like a 6 speed GT on the weekends, I'd develop gorilla arm during the week.Larry

Chazb · Post by **Chazb** » Fri Jul 19, 2002 8:54 am

Yes yes I Lori19 I chose the satellite monotone with the wheel's moon & tune's and power pkg.

Lori19 · Post by **Lori19** » Fri Jul 19, 2002 11:45 am

Good for you Chazb! Equality in a relationship...I like that!

cohocarl · Post by **cohocarl** » Fri Jul 19, 2002 11:53 am

quote:1) Better performance and control over engine speed.2)Better fuel economy3)Less expensive to purchase initially4)Lower maintenance costs. I have never had to do any repairs on any manual transmission I have ever owned over 22 years.5)If the battery, starter....fails, a manual car can be bump or push started.6)Back to reason # 1...Control over engine speed allows for better snow going ability, ie. rocking back and forth, using higher gears to get going etc.....Have I missed anything? Oh Yah Manuals are more fun I couldn't agree more. I've had 11 cars, only 2 autos, and the only ones I've had problems with the trannies are the 2 autos. In a stick, there's a solid/direct path of power between the combustion chamber and the tire....no power robbing, heat producing, slipping torque converter. When we ordered my wife's 01 Dodge Stratus R/T 5-speed the salesman was trying to earn some more commission and was trying to tell me about their new auto/stick transmission. I just laughed. I work at G.M., and ordered my wife the Dodge (no employee discount) instead of a Monte Carlo SS because it only came in an auto. Yes...I'm a very lucky man to have a wife that actually likes manual transmissions.I ordered a Shadow Vibe 3 weeks ago, but I was doing some figuring on monthly payments on a new Cadillac CTS Rear wheel drive, 5-speed manual. If you like manuals, check out this car http://www.cadillac.com/cadillacjsp/models/cts/ . They are supposed to put in the LS6 Vette motor in a year or two.....Later,Carl

vibb · Post by **vibb** » Fri Jul 19, 2002 2:03 pm

Q: What goes "zzzz snick snick beep beep beep zzzzz snick snick beeep beep beep zzzz?A: A Vibe GT 6-speed rocking back and forth stuck in the snow.

Frosty · Post by **Frosty** » Sat Jul 20, 2002 6:34 am

quote:If you do this right it will never stop moving (rocking) It's easy to screw up in a stick. Just alittle off timing either with the clutch or slightly miss the shift from 1st to reverse and you just lost all your momentum. Ken humbly replies with a smile I guess practice has made perfect. I have no trouble rocking cars after 30 winters of driving..... BTW I advocate 4 snow tires for this kind of activity. Not all season silliness.

LadyHwk750 · Post by **LadyHwk750** » Sat Jul 20, 2002 7:37 am

Stick shift - definitely! Had a Bronco II with a stick when I lived up in Rochester,NY and loved it until it rolled after sliding on black ice one winter and was totalled. Never could get my ex to agree to another stick shift after that. By the way, he rolled it - not me. Anyway, I swore my next car would have a stick shift and the Vibe handling along with the shifter just grabbed me like fly paper and won't let go.

wrench79 · Post by **wrench79** » Sun Jul 21, 2002 2:33 am

I would choose a stick shift over an auto, but that's cause i drive my cars pretty hard and put on a lot of miles. Manuals get better gas mileage and are much easier to maintain, you dont have replace filters or get tranny services, and you don't have to buy some fancy torque converter to get good performance out of it, all you gotta do is replace the clutch every 70 to 80k miles depending on driving habits. Sure you can shift an auto manually, but it's just not the same. Oh, did i mention they're just alot more fun during agressive driving.But all in all it just depends on what you're buying your car for.......hauling groceries or puttin' the smack down on some hondas.

Frosty · Post by **Frosty** » Thu Jul 25, 2002 11:35 am

Here is a good article about automatic care and feeding at my favorite car news site:http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jk/020717.htm

ngilbert · Post by **ngilbert** » Thu Jul 25, 2002 1:34 pm

NO question for me, manual tranny, all the way! More fun, better fuel economy, lest costly to operate/repair (aside from the more exotic variants) etc. And more fun! Having said that, what about some of the sequential manuals or semi-automatics that are coming out now? Ferrari started with their F1 system on the 355, now Aston Martin, BMW, even Toyota on their MR2! Could the Vibe be far behind?

MA-VIBE-FAN · Post by **MA-VIBE-FAN** » Mon Jul 29, 2002 10:05 am

Thru July 5th: Base Vibes sold 11% Manual transmission / 89% Automatic transmission

Frosty · Post by **Frosty** » Wed Jul 31, 2002 4:47 am

quote:Thru July 5th: Base Vibes sold 11% Manual transmission / 89% Automatic transmissionSeems like these numbers do not reflect the members on this forum, which might explain why some of us do-it-yourselfers are waiting for our cars if they restrict the # of 5 speeds they build like they did back in June.
[Modified by Frosty, 4:08 PM 7/31/2002]

mayaseye · Post by **mayaseye** » Thu Aug 01, 2002 1:48 pm

quote:Q: What goes "zzzz snick snick beep beep beep zzzzz snick snick beeep beep beep zzzz?A: A Vibe GT 6-speed rocking back and forth stuck in the snow. Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa............that's too funny.......and u know it's so true

vivianyorke · Post by **vivianyorke** » Thu Aug 08, 2002 5:26 am

quote:6)Back to reason # 1...Control over engine speed allows for better snow going ability, ie. rocking back and forth, using higher gears to get going etc.....Have I missed anything? Oh Yah Manuals are more fun Yes. If your battery dies, and worse comes to worse, you can always be push-started.

Frosty · Post by **Frosty** » Thu Aug 08, 2002 5:32 am

quote:6)Back to reason # 1...Control over engine speed allows for better snow going ability, ie. rocking back and forth, using higher gears to get going etc.....Have I missed anything? Oh Yah Manuals are more fun Yes. If your battery dies, and worse comes to worse, you can always be push-started.That was reason # 5 on my list . I could have ranked it higher considering the importance, it could get you home if you left your lights on while you are parking with your honey out at at Lover's Lake.

Lori19 · Post by **Lori19** » Fri Aug 09, 2002 9:39 am

quote:Yup, I would have to sum it up and say that a stick shift is superior to an automatic on many levels.Except on my level, I've tried it and damn! I just can't do it! Especially at the top of a hill!

LadyHwk750 · Post by **LadyHwk750** » Fri Aug 09, 2002 11:09 am

Boy can I relate to that comment Lori! I'm finally getting the hang of it though. I still get the clutch a bit hot when someone gets right up on my bumper on a hill (I panic and give it too much gas too soon) but those episodes are getting fewer and farther between. I think it has something to do with the burning smell coming from the engine compartment.

Lori19 · Post by **Lori19** » Sat Aug 10, 2002 11:29 pm

Jeanne, you mean to tell me you are teaching yourself how to drive stick on your Vibe??? My hubby wanted the GT but he didn't want to replace the clutch every month and I do most of the driving.

LadyHwk750 · Post by **LadyHwk750** » Sun Aug 11, 2002 3:39 am

No! No! I'm relearning what I learned years ago. The last time I drove a stick was over 15 years ago. Just taking a little bit to get it back. I really only had the "burning smell" problem the first week I was driving it. My boyfriend says my shifting has been improving every time we go out and I drive as much as possible now. My poor motorcycle thinks I've abandoned it.

pellmellus · Post by **pellmellus** » Sun Aug 18, 2002 5:56 am

An important consideration in the transmission type is where you live. I live outside of Philadelphia, and definitely don't want to be bothered with all the shifting from slow traffic, stop signs, and lights.

cohocarl · Post by **cohocarl** » Sun Aug 18, 2002 5:13 pm

quote:An important consideration in the transmission type is where you live. I live outside of Philadelphia, and definitely don't want to be bothered with all the shifting from slow traffic, stop signs, and lights.I'm a die-hard manual tranny fan, but most of my driving around here (flat as a pancake mid-Michigan) is easy with a stick. I drove my 5-speed Z-24 down to see some relatives just outside of Latrobe PA a couple years ago, and I have to admit it was a P.I.A. when you came up a 30 degree hill and have to take off after a stoplight and the guy behind you is right on your bumper....

Triton · Post by **Triton** » Wed Aug 21, 2002 1:43 am

Definately manual. My last car was a '95 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS with a 5 speed. I loved that car. I just sold it last week and now I'm driving a '94 Dodge Caravan. YUK! Man, I miss that Eclipse. I sure am glad driving this minivan is temporary! Loved having the control over speed and RPMs. Although it only had 130 HP, it could still get up and go pretty good. Nothing near the Vibe GT that I will be getting!

Lancer · Post by **Lancer** » Fri Aug 23, 2002 4:44 pm

I'm curious, what would it take to switch from a auto to a manual, and about how much might that cost? I might consider it if I were to win the lottery!

vibb · Post by **vibb** » Sun Aug 25, 2002 1:57 pm

quote:I'm curious, what would it take to switch from a auto to a manual, and about how much might that cost? I might consider it if I were to win the lottery!If you won say the Powerball lottery jackpot, my guess is that you would buy something a little upscale, like maybe a Ferrari with F-1 paddle shift control.

Katapat · Post by **Katapat** » Tue Aug 27, 2002 12:41 am

you might want to also consider where you live. If you live in the city where traffic is heavy, I would get tired of the constant shifting I would have to do in traffic. Also consider the road conditions as well. My opinion

rasermon · Post by **rasermon** » Wed Aug 28, 2002 8:44 am

Alot of people said I would be sorry going back to a manual, well I'm not. It makes driving fun again.

veloce · Post by **veloce** » Fri Aug 30, 2002 4:26 am

Actually the GT has the Celica GT-S' engine and tranny. Is there any chance that they implement the Celica's auto tranny with the 180hp engine???Anybody?

hesredbird · Post by **hesredbird** » Fri Aug 30, 2002 7:14 pm

I wanted a GT but I didn't want the stick shift. I can just imagine driving in city traffic. drinking coffee, using a phone, smoking and shifting. I got a base.

d_m_kolb · Post by **d_m_kolb** » Wed Sep 25, 2002 10:27 pm

For anyone that wants to put some kind of forced induction on there vehicle or nitrous also a auto trany will probably work out best for you.With Nitrous has anyone ever seen a vehicle that missed a shift while spraying nitrous? It's not pretty when the engine goes way beyond redline. Your not fast enough to back off the gas before you destroy your engine.As for turbos you never have to let up off the gas to shift meaning your intake manifold will all ways be presurized. Also anyone with a manual can't shift as fast a auto can. Turbos and superchargers in my opinion like the taller gears so they can really pull through them without shifting quite as much.Also anyone that watches NHRA Drag racing knows that the funny cars making thousands of HP use auto transmissions for this main reason. They shift faster. Better for drag racing.In your stock daily driver you'll need to add a trany cooler and I'd switch to a synthetic trany fluid but this is your call. You might have to up grade your TC but I'm not sure about that yet. Still finding info on this.

NovaResource · Post by **NovaResource** » Wed Sep 25, 2002 11:31 pm

quote:Also anyone that watches NHRA Drag racing knows that the funny cars making thousands of HP use auto transmissions for this main reason.Funny cars (and top fuel dragsters) don't use automatic transmissions. Actually, they don't use any transmission. There is a direct link from the clutch to the rear. Funny cars and dragsters use an air activated, 5-disc, pneumatic clutch that just applies more pressure as the car goes down the track. No shifting.

d_m_kolb · Post by **d_m_kolb** » Thu Sep 26, 2002 2:58 am

I'm sorry I wasn't meaning the top fuel guys. I'm talking about the Comp Eliminator and Super Stock classes. I should have said that. Sorry.Yes the top fuel guys don't use a trany. The engine is direct connection to the rear end with no gears to change. It's just got the gear in the rear end. Of cousre there is a clutch to engage and disengage the engine.

NovaResource · Post by **NovaResource** » Thu Sep 26, 2002 3:16 am

Yeah, the sportsman guys go with the more consistent auto trans. Many even use 2-speeds to eliminate that extra shift. The torque multiplication of a converter and the ability to use a trans brake all make for better launches too.

NUMMI Guy · Post by **NUMMI Guy** » Tue Oct 01, 2002 1:12 am

On the Vibe, I like the 5 Speed manual. The auto needs a little more tweaking to get it to burst like the stick. The 6 Speed GT transmission is nice, but there is just something about it that doesn't feel quite right. Of course, this is just my opinion.

cohocarl · Post by **cohocarl** » Tue Oct 01, 2002 8:11 am

quote:With Nitrous has anyone ever seen a vehicle that missed a shift while spraying nitrous? It's not pretty when the engine goes way beyond redline. Your not fast enough to back off the gas before you destroy your engine.I had a Yamaha Seca turbo with the boost upped from stock 9 to 15. Once and a while I'd miss 2nd.......I'm amazed the motor stayed together a couple times.quote:Also anyone that watches NHRA Drag racing knows that the funny cars making thousands of HP use auto transmissions for this main reason. They shift faster. Better for drag racing.I don't want this to get into a lengthy debate, but from what I've read, manuals are more efficient. Pro stocks use manuals. In stock form, manuals can be launched better. I will admit that autos are easier for those less talented in mixing gears.

NovaResource · Post by **NovaResource** » Tue Oct 01, 2002 8:22 am

quote: Pro stocks use manuals.Not totally true. Pro Stocks use a combination trans. It has a clutch and is manually shifted but it uses "automatic-style" planetary gears. This allows them to shift without using the clutch. So in reality, they use a manually shifted automatic.

Frosty · Post by **Frosty** » Fri Oct 11, 2002 5:32 am

For you (us) gear heads, an article explaining manual shift operation. http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jk/021009.htm

Big_Red · Post by **Big_Red** » Sun Oct 27, 2002 11:25 pm

I chose Automatic for a simple reason....one hand on the wheel, the other on my wife's leg. If I had to push 3 pedals and shift with my right hand, it would just be too much exercise for me. Plus, it is just plain easier. Automatic is good....hell I can even purchase a Ferrari in automatic (if I could only afford one!)

Frosty · Post by **Frosty** » Tue Oct 29, 2002 4:12 am

quote:hell I can even purchase a Ferrari in automatic (if I could only afford one!)The Automatic that intriques me is the new BMW SMG equipped M3 with an automatically shifted, manual transmission. The thing can be set up with Formula One style launch control so you can hold your revs at 2000 rpm, with your foot to the floor, then release the shifter and you have lift off. This article doesn't have hard data, http://www.canadiandriver.com/testdrives/02m3_smg.htm but I believe the 0-60 times drop by 1/2 a sec compared to the 6 speed manual. Come on Lotto 6/49!

mark and jaclyn · Post by **mark and jaclyn** » Tue Oct 29, 2002 11:34 pm

Call me crazy but I find automatic's feel all wrong. I've only ever driven standard's. When I was looking for my new car I test drove a Auto Matrix. everytime I was coming to a stop I'd cram my foot down on the firewall looking for the clutch because it felt like the thing was going to stall. Furthmore I felt like I was totally out of control. on an unrelated topic what is up with this Icon of the guy about to be hit in the head with a hammer????

Frosty · Post by **Frosty** » Wed Oct 30, 2002 12:04 am

quote:Call me crazy but I find automatic's feel all wrong. I've only ever driven standard's. When I was looking for my new car I test drove a Auto Matrix. everytime I was coming to a stop I'd cram my foot down on the firewall looking for the clutch because it felt like the thing was going to stall. Furthmore I felt like I was totally out of controlTotally understand. My daughter says the same thing when she drives an auto. However I do think my daughter is crazy when it comes to other issues so you may still have a problem. Quote what is up with this Icon of the guy about to be hit in the head with a hammer???? I am not sure if it means the author should be hit with a hammer or the subject of the rant, I have used it interchangeably.