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One big advantage manual transmissions have is if a vehicle has a dead battery or bad starter they can still be push or roll started. I like both equally and currently drive two vehicles with the excellent C6 Ford auto.
The Mopar Torqueflite automatic transmissions from 1957-1965 could be push-started.
A neighbor once owned a '65 Plymouth Belvedere and we tried it. Put the ignition key in the "on" position, put it in 2nd gear (as the owner's manual says) and we let it roll down a hill. It did start!
It's no longer an automatic that a manual is better for gas these days.
As technology improves, expect the gap to widen. Right now, it's mostly on the higher-end cars because they spend the money on technology, but it will keep trickling down.
It's also true as far as performance goes.
Sorry for the goofy way that posts, I can't get it to work right.
And to add to that, thats only if you drive stick like a normal human being and you don't rev it up to 6k before switching gears every time. I have driven with people that just let the motor coast at high rpms and don't switch gears if possible, I know its a preference, but not good for mileage.
The Mopar Torqueflite automatic transmissions from 1957-1965 could be push-started.
A neighbor once owned a '65 Plymouth Belvedere and we tried it. Put the ignition key in the "on" position, put it in 2nd gear (as the owner's manual says) and we let it roll down a hill. It did start!
Well thats interesting, I knew some early automatics had that feature, just didn't know which ones. They must have some type of external pump on the output shaft of the transmission I would guess.
Well thats interesting, I knew some early automatics had that feature, just didn't know which ones. They must have some type of external pump on the output shaft of the transmission I would guess.
Yes, I think that is what it had... and external pump.
Depends on the car and circumstances. If it's a daily driver, in traffic and daily stop and go, I prefer an auto. If it's a performance car such as a Corvette, Viper, Porsche, etc, then a manual is the only way! Open road or on a twisty road, the manual is nice and fun to downshift and play with. Paddle shifters on autos blur that a bit too. They both have their place.
I agree.
If you live somewhere congested, or hilly, then Manual can be an absolute nightmare.
I like both. I prefer Manual, as, it is more fun, and I feel makes you a better driver because you typically have to be paying more attention, but, an Automatic fits my situation better right now.
A question that has been around since you had the choice on automobiles.
It seems harder and hard to find the old 5 speed manual transmission on newer vehicles these days. Since I first got my license, I have only had one automatic vehicle, the rest have been manual. I feel it offers me more control in bad weather, better fuel efficiency, and more get up and go than an automatic would.
The one automatic car I had, blew the transmission. Never had a transmission problem on a standard. Overall, manual transmissions seem more reliable. You can replace a clutch 10 times over for the cost of a new automatic transmission!
What do you all think? Why is it car makers are taking away the choice? Why is it, if a car comes in four cylinder or six cylinder, I have to have the four to get a manual, or get stuck with a power-sapping automatic with the six?
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