Two nations separated by a common car transmission (automatic vs standard (manual))
#46
Join Date: Sep 2015
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Other than that (and buying a classic car) I don't think that there is any reason to buy a car with the steering wheel in the "wrong place".
#47
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It was in anticipation of an extended tour in a county that drove on the left where I would be assigned a standard transmission vehicle that prompted me to buy a standard months before to practice at home. I could learn driving on the left or a standard but not both at the same time.
#48
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: It's hot here
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Having lived in basically flat areas and not needing to drive in stop-and-go traffic I almost never found it annoying.
Now, had I lived in a place like San Francisco I probably would have a very different opinion.
Also, in the plus column I'll add one more feature: If you need to stomp on the gas to get out of the way a manual is better than an auto. The auto will rev up the engine, decide it should be in the lower gear, slow the engine, shift and rev it again. The manual will simply let the engine rev. If you stomp on the pedal while driving you don't care about fuel economy at the moment!
Having evaded accidents twice due to this I was very reluctant to go to an auto, but my latest car is a CVT--it doesn't exhibit this behavior. While the transmission does seem to do something it gets out of the way at least as well as I could.
Now, had I lived in a place like San Francisco I probably would have a very different opinion.
Also, in the plus column I'll add one more feature: If you need to stomp on the gas to get out of the way a manual is better than an auto. The auto will rev up the engine, decide it should be in the lower gear, slow the engine, shift and rev it again. The manual will simply let the engine rev. If you stomp on the pedal while driving you don't care about fuel economy at the moment!
Having evaded accidents twice due to this I was very reluctant to go to an auto, but my latest car is a CVT--it doesn't exhibit this behavior. While the transmission does seem to do something it gets out of the way at least as well as I could.
#49
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Join Date: Jun 2005
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I only drive autos when I have to (rentals), but stomping on the gas of a 6-speed in top gear isn't going to get you much. MrsCPs auto 328 will get out of the way faster then my M5. Even with me downshifting, she'll be further out of danger for the critical first 2-3 seconds as I'm shifting. The days of 1-2 seconds shifts are in the past, IMHO. Maybe cheapo cars are worse, but even my rentals kick down faster than I'd shift (and I spent 5 year racing competitively).
I've come to the conclusion that there's not really an objective/measurable argument anymore for a manual. It's an emotional need for those who enjoy driving.
I've come to the conclusion that there's not really an objective/measurable argument anymore for a manual. It's an emotional need for those who enjoy driving.
#50
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Seniors Bus Pass
Posts: 5,529
USA cars were right hand drive until about 1910~1915. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right-...t-hand_traffic
The opposite of right is wrong. RHD is correct
The opposite of right is wrong. RHD is correct
FT being mainly a US centric site, the "changeover date" I gave of 4 July 1776 is the changeover date for the way many things are done differently in the former colonies . It is Independance Day.
However, in Australia and NZ you realise that RHD is right. ^
#51
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I would think that those of us who are not Jeff Gordon brake, not accelerate, to avoid a left turner. <shrugs>
#52
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Not just guys... I'm a woman and have yet to own a car without a manual transmission. I love the extra control, including being able to downshift in a hurry or stay in a lower gear when dealing with snow and hilly roads. I learned to drive on a manual transmission, and when I do drive an automatic (rental cars, driving friends' cars), I'm afraid I'm going to punch a hole through their floorboard where the clutch should be.
#53
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Worse is attempting to depress the non-existent clutch coming to a stoplight only to hit the left side of the much wider brake pedal commonly found on automatics. Oooops...
#56
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Not just guys... I'm a woman and have yet to own a car without a manual transmission. I love the extra control, including being able to downshift in a hurry or stay in a lower gear when dealing with snow and hilly roads. I learned to drive on a manual transmission, and when I do drive an automatic (rental cars, driving friends' cars), I'm afraid I'm going to punch a hole through their floorboard where the clutch should be.
#57
Join Date: Nov 2008
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#58
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I had one agent watch me leave the parking lot at LHR just to make sure I didn't stall.
#59
Join Date: Sep 2015
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The stalling still reminds me of my driving test. It was a driving school car (i.e. with big bright warning stickers and the extra pedals) and the driving instructor was riding shotgun while the man from the DMV equivalent was sitting in the back. At the end of the test, you're supposed to let him out and then go park the car, while the man fills out the paperwork. The moment the guy got out, I stalled the engine. Still got my driving license that day. Good old times.
#60
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,512
I've only ever owned manual cars which is handy as my current car is (was) only available in manual which is a very rare thing these days. Actually, it might be the only car in the last few years that was manual only.
I'll certainly acknowledge that automatics are a hell of a lot better now than 10 years ago, not just the dual clutch boxes either but transmissions like the ZF 8 speed which goes in pretty much everything semi premium these days is a really imp[ressive transmission. However I simply like the control and involvement that a clutch and gearstick provides and even in serious traffic I don't have any issues/difficulties/frustrations with it - it's second nature and I prefer a manual in traffic as the clutch gives you much finer control at crawling pace.
So while I do acknowledge that autos are getting a lot better these days I still think I'm at least 20 years away from buying one.
I'll certainly acknowledge that automatics are a hell of a lot better now than 10 years ago, not just the dual clutch boxes either but transmissions like the ZF 8 speed which goes in pretty much everything semi premium these days is a really imp[ressive transmission. However I simply like the control and involvement that a clutch and gearstick provides and even in serious traffic I don't have any issues/difficulties/frustrations with it - it's second nature and I prefer a manual in traffic as the clutch gives you much finer control at crawling pace.
So while I do acknowledge that autos are getting a lot better these days I still think I'm at least 20 years away from buying one.