Ok I need some opinions on which one is better. I have never driven a manual and have heard good things and bad things. Same things for an auto. Would like some good info on each.

Good, solid info- I can't drive manual, therefore auto is better.

I'd say it depends on the car and what type of driving you do. Performance wise, nothing beats a manual for fun although on the street a high power auto will hold its on.

your going to get a wide variety of answers on this one..

my opinion.. manual.. my stang was auto when i got it.. loved it.. nothing beating the **** out of ricers with your right arm always around your girl.. :) but to the truth after i got my beater, i am changing the stang to manual.. it's just so much funner to drive..

After driving manual, I can't stand auto anymore. It's the little things:
Auto drivers think everyone drives auto - On steep hills, automatic transmission cars stop only inches behind me, expecting my fancy schmancy transmission computer to keep me in place.
Left-foot boredom leads to two-footed driving - This is extremely dangerous, as it causes power-braking and loss of control. All my fault.
More transmission breakdowns with autos. It's a more complicated system, so it's more prone to breakdowns. For no apparent reason, you have to dump another grand or more into your car. Fun.
Idiocy results when you don't have enough to do just driving. I'll never talk on my cell in the car, because handling the gears keeps both hands busy in the city. One less cause of my next accident.

This argument is almost as old as the automatic transmission.

Here are some truths.

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Automatic transmissions turn hard, so manual transmissions deliver more power to the wheels, where ever they are.
Automatic transmissions weigh more, another power loss.
You dont have to shift automatic transmissions so you have one hand free for whatever you want.
Automatic transmissions use consistant shift points and generaly don't make errors.
Automaic transmissions shift very quickly, quicker than most people can achieve with a manual transmission.
Heavy cars with a manual are no fun.
Light cars with short throw shifting manuals are fun.
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I think u8 just about summed it up!

manual all the way! I hope I NEVER have to own another auto.

Why? Control.. I want to be able to have control of all of my power..I want to be able to shift gears when I see it fit, not some POS computer that thinks I should slip from 1-2 at 400rpms below redline.. I want to jam and slam it into 2nd at 100rpm OVER redline!

My wife and I were looking at Jeep Liberty's this weekend... she said she wouldn't take a limited since you can't get it with a stick now! She has been converted!


other reasons?

Cheaper
Cheaper to fix
Better MPG
MORE FUN

I will play devils advocate...

I used to drive a taurus (big slow autobox) and now drive a GT (faster manual).

I do a LOT of driving. For example, 16K in like 9 months. A lot of it is LA traffic driving which CAN suck with a manual. It definately is more work. The auto is NICE in traffic.

But after 3-4 months of getting used to the manual, it was just as easy in traffic as the auto, just more work. Further, I couldn't imagine owning a 'performance' car and not having a stick. I can't imagine smashing the trottle and not shifting. It is the greatest feeling shifting while going form 0-90+...

So really, for me, it depends on the car.

If/when i get a family type car, or an economy car, I'd get an auto, simply for ease and relaxing. My next performance car, and everyone after that will have a stick.

When you a kid stick seems more fun. After years and years (20 for me) of driving, it doesnt seem so fun anymore, its more like work. I like to go and go fast! NOTHING shifts faster than a tweeked auto. Nothing!

Another vote for the manual, even today's auto-sticks can't hold the gear in a corner the right way, it's just the only way to drive a car, it's more fun.

If you commute in horrendous traffic both ways at rush hour, I can see the argument being made for an auto...

Thanks for the heads up guys.

I am looking into getting a mustang so I am starting to say toward a manual. But I will also be doing a lot of driving in it so I still have an auto in mind. I will try and take test drives in both kinds and see which kind seams to fit my needs better.

I'm with Manu. If its a performance car, OR an underpowered car that you really have to work to get any performance from, go with a stick. If its just a commuter, get an auto, especially if you drive in traffic.

just to let you know after you drive an manual for a about a month, driving an auto feels strange.. it's a lazy man's car for sure.. i mean once you get use to it.. traffic don't even bother you..

Both are the best choice, depending on your needs.

For city commuting, an automatic is best.

For drag racing, a properly prepared automatic is best. I put the disclaimer in there because a stock manual car is nearly always faster than its automatic-equipped counterpart.

For fun, sporty street driving, a stick wins. For racing fun with turns involved, sticks are best.

Originally posted by Wedge4876
just to let you know after you drive an manual for a about a month, driving an auto feels strange.. it's a lazy man's car for sure.. i mean once you get use to it.. traffic don't even bother you.. I have to say I've been driving a stick for ten years, and it still bothers me in traffic. It never fails that traffic will start moving again as soon as you stop so you HAVE to go own to first :mad: But that's only in rush hour and the fun I have the rest of the time more than makes up for it.

Well I took a drive in my bro's stick, and it felt very strange at first. After some time I was able to get the car to move without stalling. But the car he has is a Passat, and I am looking at a Stang, so they are two different engines, and don't know how hard it will be to learn on a powerfull engine.

Originally posted by Samurai Jack
Well I took a drive in my bro's stick, and it felt very strange at first. After some time I was able to get the car to move without stalling. But the car he has is a Passat, and I am looking at a Stang, so they are two different engines, and don't know how hard it will be to learn on a powerfull engine.


shouldn't be hard at all.. once you get the feel of it, it will be fine

my wife learned on my old truck, but didn't drive it much..after a few days of driving (and starting out in 3rd gear with the E-Brake on) she was a pro in her new Stang :D

I basically learned on my GT...

I spent 2 hours my first time in a stick driving around a ****ty old truck, after that bought the GT and finsihed my learning on that.

I think I was born shifting gears. Thats all anyone in my family ever had. After growing up and watching people shift all my life (and sometimes shifting for my dad as a child for fun) I got in my first stick shift VW bug at 15 and drove like a pro without ever having to think about it. BTW my first 4 cars/trucks were ALL 3 on the tree! that a manual 3 speed shifter on the sterring column for you kids ;)

granted sticks are fun but no one can out shift a well prepped auto.

I have both in my driveway right now...

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First and foremost it's a matter of personal taste.
Contrary to popular opinion, you do not "gain more control" with a stick, since you can also manually shift an auto...however, you're less likely to blow your engine trying to downshift to first at 60, since the auto won't do it...LOL
When at the strip, if you're pushing a clutch, you've already lost the race to me...
When you're old like me, it can be a pain to have to shift...when you could be relaxing...
Left foot boredom??? You don't have enough hosses...LOL
There are times when I need to brace my left foot against the floor to keep me planted... if I were driving a stick, I'd be out of gear...
When on a road course, sometimes it's easier to run a stick, because you can downshift at any RPM...
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Stick. The only downside I can possibly think of is replacing the clutch when it goes, and that's not really a bad job most of the time, but it is a pain in the ass. I've done at least ten clutch/pressure plate/throwout bearing jobs.

Just don't ride the clutch and it will last, but unfortunately, a clutch is like a spring loaded brake pad, and eventually, it will wear out. If it's a heavy duty clutch with a heavy duty pressure plate, you may never own the car long enough to even worry about it, but someone else may have to put a clutch in it down the road.