Pro and Cons Of Auto & Manual Cars - Open Discussion

[LesleyAprotto]

There are advantages and disadvantages of both automatic transmission & manual transmission cars.

What are the advantages ?

What are the setbacks of both ?

Lets discuss...

Hopefully its an open discussion, all postings for or against either transmissions welcomed ! :wavey:

 

[papagoines]

Ol skool thrifter will say manual is more fuel economical
enthusiast will marvel the mechanical involvement of a manual trans

...but that yesterday...

nowaday,
CVT can match or exceed manual in term of fuel economy
dual-clutch far more efficient than a traditional manual even in auto mode...
traditional torque converter are also getting more efficient due to more ratio (lexus's 8 speeder, anyone?)

me? love the mechanical shifting of a good manual tranny although my shifting are not as smooth as me think

but will trade in a good ol auto box anyday in jam-packed kl streets

happy new year to you lesley!

 

[pwhyze]

Manual, cause I actually like driving.

Auto, cause I hate it when my left leg cramps up.

 

[DanzEterna]

i prefer to have both, manual for weekend...dun mind if its a 6puck clutch...& auto for daily driving during jams..

 

[intrigue]

go find a youtube where drift king (keiichi tsuchiya) don't believe DSG is faster than manual in a VW Golf. Well DSG win it hands down.

DSG consider a variant of AUTO GB also. If compare conventional old GB with Manual, is heaven and hell.

 

[peeche]

yup.. DSG would be the best.. but heard got reliability issue with VW

 

[ignn_tion]

Manual for me because its fun

 

[cvkit17]

Manual with stick. Doesn't feel right when there isn't something to grab hold and play! Wakakakaka

But most of the new cars nowadays are with auto trans. Only the lowest spec can get manual, but inside is so basic. If go up to pricier cars, mostly are auto.

 

[paohyean]

All have their pros and cons..
If we rewind back 10 years or less, torque converters still could not match self shifters..
And DSG is still in its infancy..
But in recent years a lot of effort has been put into improving these automated shifters..
Toque converters and DSGs are now much better (be it performance or frugality)..
Even automated manual seems to be improving..

Of course I'm discounting Proton, Perodua, Honda and Toyota here for obvious reasons..
No matter how much efficiency you can squeeze out of the dinosaur-age 4 speeder unit..
It's still the weakest link in modern automotive technology..

However I don't see manual gearbox to be stagnant although progress seems to have slowed down tremendously..
Take Porsche for example..
They still went and develop a 7 speeder self shifter when they can just keep the tried and tested 6 speeder and keep the 7 speed PDK as a marketing ploy..

At the end of the day, I agree with the commenters above me..
Weekdays I may go for auto gearbox for obvious reasons..
For weekends I would prefer to take things into my own hands..
Though I should point out also that in Europe manual transmissions still command a majority of the vehicles sold..
And their jams tend to be worse than ours..
So if the Europeans can do it, why can't us??
;-)

 

[g4i8y0t]

I hate autos! I guess I'll be driving manual as long as my left leg can operate the clutch... I had driven many cars with autobox, dual-clutch and cvt (not mine of course, hehe). From uncle's 3-speed auto in the old saga to my friend's preve and fiesta 1.6 dual-clutch, none of them can beat the experience of changing the gear with your hand and feet, and having the complete control of the whole operation.

It's just like eating some good food. I prefer eating it myself rather than someone feeding me, although the food would taste equally good in both cases...

 

[ExceL]

Manual transmission for the win.

I share most of what bro g4i8y0t says..except for the last sentence. But having said that, a manual feels good only in the right car ;)

 

[Jose]

The only reason i like the DSG is the fart sound. very addictive. 264 km/h en Volkswagen Scirocco R (Option Auto) - YouTube

 

[Supra_Fanatics]

Yes, I agree that most Manual cars seems to have to be the lowest spec of all. Then lots of things that the higher range models got, Manual Models don't have. Take Vios as an example. Spec J and G so much different in gadgets and goodies.

But 1 that I find is fair to both world is the Satria Neo R3. Price wise is RM3K difference but the things that Auto have, Manual model
seems to have.

I choose Manual. I understand more on the disadvantage of A/T ever since i drive the Saga BLM. So manual is the best choice.
The stick is still more effective and nothing beats having a stick with us. Fun starts from the stick

 

[g4i8y0t]

Real drivers drive manual...

 

[6UE5t]

Manual is to really enjoy the full driving experience of having the machine at your total control IF not stuck in traffic jams!
Advantage of auto is just to reduce the agony of stuck in jams and can do left foot braking like playing gokart.

---------- Post added at 11:44 PM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 11:42 PM ----------

Real drivers drive manual...

Does that mean F1 drivers from the last 20yrs are not real drivers? :)

 

[BuroQ]

I still enjoy driving manual whenever I have the chance, sadly all the cars in my family and my siblings family garage are auto. Couldn't agree more that auto has its advantages in traffic jams. Then again, before driving with auto I used to endure the traffic jams with a manual car for a number of years on a daily basis. So no biggie for me hehe.

I do agree with SF that manual cars in malaysia nowadays are given less attention and 'forcing' people to opt for automatic if you want to enjoy the 'ultra' premiums. I suppose thats where the money is.

 

[6UE5t]

Nowadays living in big cities like KL, most of the time just get auto with semi-auto/tiptronic mode for daily use, so at least can get back a bit more control if you need it. Unless your normal routes got no or minimal jams, then get manual.

 

[Supra_Fanatics]

Manual is to really enjoy the full driving experience of having the machine at your total control IF not stuck in traffic jams!
Advantage of auto is just to reduce the agony of stuck in jams and can do left foot braking like playing gokart.

Does that mean F1 drivers from the last 20yrs are not real drivers? :)

He means GTR35 drivers are not real drivers Just kidding...

I still enjoy driving manual whenever I have the chance, sadly all the cars in my family and my siblings family garage are auto. Couldn't agree more that auto has its advantages in traffic jams. Then again, before driving with auto I used to endure the traffic jams with a manual car for a number of years on a daily basis. So no biggie for me hehe.

I do agree with SF that manual cars in malaysia nowadays are given less attention and 'forcing' people to opt for automatic if you want to enjoy the 'ultra' premiums. I suppose thats where the money is.

Yup, to me I think the highest spec should be the Vios Spec J. The Vios Spec J, to me actually deserves the TRD Specs instead of the G Spec Vios to be upgraded to TRD Model.

Spec J vios Manual, really not something to look down at.

Nowadays living in big cities like KL, most of the time just get auto with semi-auto/tiptronic mode for daily use, so at least can get back a bit more control if you need it. Unless your normal routes got no or minimal jams, then get manual.

When go Genting, Auto is the disadvantage already but ya how often we go genting unless working there...

I'm also in a dilemma to get Auto or Manual since gonna be a daily car and working in KL...


Knowing the disadvantage of Auto, i dont want to go on Auto anymore...but then worry about the jam that Im going thru everyday...

 

[Izso]

I dunno. R35.. real drivers? The car does most of the driving. The driver is just an accessory!

Personally I have mixed feelings about both autos and manuals.

FC? My car from auto to manual - my FC dropped with the manual. I can't beat auto for some reason. It's worth noting though that everything was setup to work with the auto, then the only thing changed was the manual GB.

Drivability? Sometime ago I remember seeing a Porsche that was clutchless but had a 6-speed manual. Or was it 5-speed? Either way it was clutchless. That's awesome man.

And these days autos aren't exactly slow. It's just those archaic 3-speed / 4-speed autos that really kill. Bloody long gear ratios and screaming RPMs when pushed. The newer cars have pretty awesome systems, except for CVT though. I've seen too many break when under pressure until it's no longer funny. That belt inside the GB is just too sensitive imho.

Being an auto driver for over 6 years (before that manual), switching from two hands on the steering to one hand is a little tricky. Whats more you can no longer hold your partners hand if driving manual :P

But one thing I do like about manuals is how controllable the car becomes regardless the circumstance. Autos were/are less controllable and rely heavily on the go-fast pedal and brakes.

 

[vr2turbo]

FC? My car from auto to manual - my FC dropped with the manual. I can't beat auto for some reason. It's worth noting though that everything was setup to work with the auto, then the only thing changed was the manual GB.

Auto keeps changing to high gear for fuel efficiency, manual you keep in low gear for power, but bad for FC....