News and a question, Manual or automatic transmission. (driver, employee, get out of)

[JD59]

Do you like manual or automatic transmission on your vehicle?

News, Shiftless crooks clutch over stick..

ATLANTA (Reuters) - Two U.S. car thieves failed to make their getaway in a car they had just stolen because they couldn't figure out how to use its manual transmission, a witness said on Wednesday.

The teenagers armed with a gun approached a man outside a pizza restaurant in Marietta, Georgia, late on Monday. They stole his wallet and the keys to his Honda Accord, got into the car but couldn't make it start because it had stick shift, according to John Williamson, 18, a restaurant employee.

Shiftless crooks clutch over stick.. | Oddly Enough | Reuters

[Dolfan]

I prefer automatic. This way I can drive without having to change gear. In fact, I have never driven a car with manual transmission. Automatic transmission is so prevalent now that I doubt most younger drivers (at least in this country) know how to use manual either.

[BrianH]

It depends, Ive had two motorcycles, one fully automatic and one manual, same with cars.

With motorcycles i prefer Manual and cars I prefer Automatic.

In bigger cities auto is essential IMHO because it cuts out the constantly going through gears because of all the stopping and starting.

[ontheroad]

I've only owned cars with stick shift but have driven many automatics.

I prefer a shift because I know I'm driving it, and not auto-piloting myself.

[DontH8Me]

Originally Posted by ontheroad

I've only owned cars with stick shift but have driven many automatics.

I prefer a shift because I know I'm driving it, and not auto-piloting myself.

Amen - I agree completely. Unfortunately, I am driving an automatic right now, which isn't too bad since I live in a major metro area, but even now I still find myself reaching for my "stick" wanting to change gears (after having only manual trannie cars before). You can't do the things with an auto that you can with a stick, and unless someone has driven a stick you don't know what you're missing!

[Racelady88]

I learned to drive with a 3 speed on the column. I much prefer a stick, unless I am stuck in a traffic jam.

[northcountrygirl]

I prefer a maual transmission for no other reason than because It's FUN. I have a Ford F150 that 's an automatic and a 1988 Toyota Celica GT that is an automatic seclect shift. At least with that if I put my foot in it I can still feel it shift. My last toy car was a 1984 Pontiac Firebird with a 5 speed. That was a fun car to drive. I bought my first automatic, though, when I had to start traveling in and out of Boston twice a week, usually during rush hour. I could never get out of second gear unless it was to drop down into first. Too nerve wracking.

[FLPL75]

the new car we got a few months ago is a 6 speed manual.
I actually searched for one. Since I don't drive in traffic the clutch is no problem

plus the 6 speed and the v-tech engine is quite fun to drive
I keep saying one of these days I am going to take it our on the highway and open her up. lol Well my version of "opening her up" I never took my 300z over 85.

karla

[ellie]

I have manual transmission and have had it in all of my vehicles. It's no big deal since it's how I learned to drive to begin with. I don't even think about it.

[SpeedyAZ]

My Yukon is an auto and my Porsche is a stick. I DEFINETLY prefer an auto when commuting and driving in traffic but the stick is fun to take on all those curvy mountain roads on a Saturday afternoon. I absolutely couldn't fathom having to drive a stick everyday, it drive me nuts.