We all have a preference for Auto or Manual cars - why?

[diplomat2.6]

A number of conversations in recent times have revealed a clear personal preference over which is best. However, this seems to more clearly related to the demography of the owners rather than the car. For example, in a BMW 530d there would be no question that I'd have a manual to enjoy the Tarmac rippling torque. However, a mk3 Carlton 2.0 Cat as a manual is quite a tiresome beast to drive. The auto is outstanding, however. So...what do you suppose is the greatest influence in our choice?

[Mitch1965]

I have a preference for a manual. I have always bought manuals, right upto the point i bought the red mk2 carlton.  So far, its proving manuals ftw, with the trouble i've had so far with it..
 Changing gear has never been an issue for me, the clutch in the Callibra is the heaviest i have ever had, but it don't bother me..

[flash911]

i have the same size engine with both, love the manual in the gsi for fun , but love the auto in the estate for cruising 

[Johnraka]

First auto was a Satin Red Dippy, got a manual Rembrandt Silver Dippy after that but went back to an auto as fast as possible...

Haven't looked back since... auto, auto, auto 

[melinx]

For me the virtually 'seamless' operation of the auto power transfer is far more preferable.

My dream car would be a superconducting (at 'normal' temperatures) electric motor driven car with 100% efficiency regenerative braking.

It would be capable of delivering at least 150 hp and a power storage capacity weighing less than 200 pounds sufficient for 300 to 400 miles 

Almost totally silent  (I stopped wanting noisy methods of transport at about the same time that I stopped taping pieces of cardboard to my bike forks that produced a rasping noise against the spokes)
and totally seamless power transfer 

[Scatmancraig]

For everyday use, auto's all the way for me!!  Especially if your daily commute involves standing in some traffic somewhere.  The AR35 takes some beating when it's working properly!  Auto's are great for relaxed cruising, and fairly economical too, well at least when the torque converter is locking up properly like it should.

For "enthusiastic" use, a manual anyday.  I tried taking an auto GSi to Marham once, and it was crap.  Ok, it was a 12v GSi with Asin-Warner box, but still crap. 

I tend to prefer the 24v's with auto boxes and 12v's with manuals.  I'd love to get my hands on another decent GSi 24v auto, or a Senny!!  One day soon!!

[Pedro]

My daily driver is an Omega MV6 auto - and I bought it because it is an auto.

Carlton is a manual - more fun until you wanna drive through York, then it's bloody hard work!

[Whippit]

Auto .......cos I'm Lazy

[Dave the Builder]

Manual for me
If i'm driving a car ,then i want to drive it !
Not have some dodgey 90's circuitry and electrickery decide what gear i should be in. 

[Land-Barge]

I like autos for town driving, my g/f has an automatic and it's great for nipping around town, but on the open stretches it's gutless plus with a manual you just seem to get that extra oopmh for getting out of tight situations.

[Winky]

Depends on the car I'm driving.

My Senny is auto & sooooo easy to drive but if I want to get it going (or need to in the traffic light Grand Prix) I can hit the sports button or use the box manually & it'll take off up the road.
LC obviously manual. Cruise effortlessly on a m-way but hit traffic & the clutch is a bugger especially with a dodgy left knee but if want to play you've got the box to use.
SWMBO Corsa 1.2 - well, its a 1.2. You can't have an auto in that as you'd thrash the nuts of it in 5 minutes but as its a new car the clutch & gear change is really smooth, well a lot smoother and easier than I'm used to in my own manual. 

[melinx]

My Senny is auto & sooooo easy to drive but if I want to get it going (or need to in the traffic light Grand Prix) I can hit the sports button or use the box manually & it'll take off up the road.

Perhaps we should always use the sports button in stop go traffic ? more engine revs. = less torque converter slip

It may then more closely approach manual gearbox characteristics ? after all, 'D' position is for economic driving, which is not what is required in order to teach the 'boy racers' to have some respect

[chrismec]

Auto .......cos I'm Lazy

Exactely what I was going to say, auto all the way for me

[Winky]

My Senny is auto & sooooo easy to drive but if I want to get it going (or need to in the traffic light Grand Prix) I can hit the sports button or use the box manually & it'll take off up the road.

It may then more closely approach manual gearbox characteristics ? after all, 'D' position is for economic driving, which is not what is required in order to teach the 'boy racers' to have some respect

Hence using the box manually. Most of the cars the 'yoot' of today drive will need at least two gear changes & be close to a third to get to 60mph whilst 1st gear in an auto 24v Senny is good for 60 & bye bye. 

[diplomat2.6]

A most interesting debate and my preference would generally be automatics. If electronics can decide when and how long to control ignition timing and injection pulse width almost fautlessly for nearly 20 years, it should be able to change gear. Reduced engine wear, never needing a clutch and being able to eat an icecream are all additional bonuses.

That said, these comments don't hold true for the Allegro auto!

[Jimmy]

iv always had manuals, i like to drive my car, you can also tell how fast you are going from wat gera you are in and the sound of the revs without looking at ya speedo, well i have learned that, can keep my eyes on the road abit more then, but also the gear ratio's are different, as the auto has a 4speed and the manual has a 5speed, but like other people have said ''its all preference'' i have the 2.0 and iv never had a problem with it, even through traffic, besides... pulling away in 2nd aint hard and the carlton has no problem with it

[MEZ]

Auto 

[U.D. - Omega DTM Rep]

I like both Auto's and Manual's pretty much equally and I've only got a preference with specific models in the Carlrton and Senator range. Currently I own 2 x GSi 24v's which are both Manuals and 2 x Senator B's which are both Automatics.

Most of the 2.0i 8v OHC engine Carlton's I've bought over the years have been Automatics because these have mainly been daily run abouts that are frequently used in heavily congested traffic.

I also like my 3.0i 12v CIH engine'd GSi's or Senny's to be Auto's too because the clutch cable on the R25 manual gearbox can be a little on the heavy side for my liking (not as heavy as a Lotus, granted but not as light as a 24v is either) and the Automatic gearbox is just so smooth it just really suits this type of engine IMHO.

Exactly opposite to the statement above, I prefer my 3.0i 24v DOHC engine'd GSi's or Senny's to be Manuals because to me every AR35 Auto box vehicle I've personally driven seems to fight itself as its software seems to be at odds with this engines Dual-Ram function. As I also mentioned above, the R25/28's Manual gearbox has a hydraulic clutch which means that the pedal action on these vehicles is nice and light and not a problem to use constantly in heavy traffic.

So that's M2PW, I'm eactly 50/50 with a foot in each transmission camp!