Cars manual vs automatic

[SFTPhotography]

Semi-auto is best. Get rid of clutch and it's perfect. I may get tempted by DSG VAGs next. The future is electric - single speed "auto". Get used to that idea

VAG DSG is terrific, I've driven standard 140ps golf with it and Golf GTi MkV with it. Seemless and smooth. My only worry is if they do go pop, it's a whole new transmission. In this sense the torque convertor automatics, which feature lock up are 95% as good (try a ZF 6speed or merc 5 or 7 speed) or even an Aisin automatic box and they aren't bad but probably if there are issues cheaper to put right.

Most automatics have a lock up clutch so there is direct drive to the wheels. In saying that, the shift times and quality aren't as good as DSG.

Some of the newer DSGs (VAG 7 speed) drive through a dry clutch and I know Addison Lee ran ford powershift equipped Galaxies for over 200k miles with no issues with the ford power shift DSG's.

 

[nilagin]

Only auto I've driven was my aunts 1974 Mk1 Escort which would have been over 30yrs ago. I've always liked the idea of being in control of the gearbox, it's part of the driving experience. As for parking sensors, my current car is the first I've had with them fitted. Not bothered about them really, if the space is big enough for the car, I'll get it in no problem, but then again if the space is going to be tight due to other cars, I won't park in it, as I don't trust other drivers and my bumpers.

 

[Pookeyhead]

I've never enjoyed automatics. They can be nice to have if all you do is urban driving day in, day out.... but it takes all the fun out of it for me.

You can't bump start an auto if you have a flat battery or starter issues either.

I once ran out of fuel 100 yards short of the fuel station. I drove it in on the starter.... can't do that with an auto.


People will buy what they prefer though. I don' think there's a winner here. They both have advantages, but manual does seem to be the more practical, cheaper, and more reliable option if you look at it logically.

 

[dejongj]

I've never enjoyed automatics. They can be nice to have if all you do is urban driving day in, day out.... but it takes all the fun out of it for me.

You can't bump start an auto if you have a flat battery or starter issues either.

I once ran out of fuel 100 yards short of the fuel station. I drove it in on the starter.... can't do that with an auto.


People will buy what they prefer though. I don' think there's a winner here. They both have advantages, but manual does seem to be the more practical, cheaper, and more reliable option if you look at it logically.

I love your key use cases :grin: a regular occurrence?

 

[Pookeyhead]

I love your key use cases :grin: a regular occurrence?

Running out of fuel = once
Flat battery = too many times to recall actually.

I wasn't asking for an argument incidentally. Nothing against automatics, but the OP did ask for examples of the pros and cons.

However.... seeing as you read my post in that vein... from a personal viewpoint: Automatics are for girls

 

[dejongj]

Running out of fuel = once
Flat battery = too many times to recall actually.

I wasn't asking for an argument incidentally. Nothing against automatics, but the OP did ask for examples of the pros and cons.

However.... seeing as you read my post in that vein... from a personal viewpoint: Automatics are for girls

Jeez, why assume it is an argument! I really thought it was rather funny that those are you key criteria as you mentioned them. Got out of bed on the wrong side or something?

 

[Pookeyhead]

Jeez, why assume it is an argument! I really thought it was rather funny that those are you key criteria as you mentioned them. Got out of bed on the wrong side or something?

Just saying.... wasn't having a go... and now all the Word Cup [PLEASE DON'T TRY TO BYPASS THE SWEAR FILTER] has ended, I'm in a great mood Flat batteries are very common. Just don't understand why listing those are funny. Lead-acid batteries are really quite crap, and fail regularly. With an automatic, you're pretty much screwed.. with a manual, any kind hearted stranger passing by can get you going with a shove. That's pure win right there

 

[dejongj]

Just saying.... wasn't having a go... and now all the Word Cup [PLEASE DON'T TRY TO BYPASS THE SWEAR FILTER] has ended, I'm in a great mood Flat batteries are very common. Just don't understand why listing those are funny. Lead-acid batteries are really quite crap, and fail regularly. With an automatic, you're pretty much screwed.. with a manual, any kind hearted stranger passing by can get you going with a shove. That's pure win right there

I haven't had a need for a jump start since my land rover in my army days back in the eighties...I guess I have a very different experience, if you have regular flat batteries I suggest you have a problematic battery, or alternator or something of that ilk...No reason for such regular fails, and if they fail then it should be replaced as driving it won't charge them either...

But yes technically you are right, alternatively you can have a set of jump leads in the boot