I appreciate automatic transmissions
 

I know I know...we all have so much soul and passion that we must shift our own transmissions. Let me tell you you're wrong! A well designed automatic transmission is an amazing device. Even better than the fully automatic is the real paddle shift transmission. Don't even get me started on stop and go traffic and a manual or manuel so some spell it.

Are you looking at a Smart car or a Ferrari?

Big discounts on the Smart's right now in Michigan.

They have their time and/or place, but I still prefer a manual most of the time.

If I only get one, then I'll take the manual.

I'd be willing to try an automatically shifter clutch manual type trans with the flappy paddles. I suspect that with some practice, you could really tear it up in one of those, especially once you got left foot braking down.

Man Card Revoked...hehe

I don't mind automatics in trucks, etc. Our suv has a 300+ hp V8, so an automatic is just fine there. In sportier cars as well as torque deprived 4 bangers (read Honda civics) a manual is a must. I swear I can outrun my friend's automatic civic on foot.

Automatics suck. The new "glorified slush box" transmissions with the pseudo-manual features suck slightly less but I still prefer an honest-to-goodness manual any day.

This was a huge consideration when I bought my Mercedes SLK (went with the 6-speed manual 320 rather than the supercharged, "glorified slushbox" 230 model).

No no no. An SLK is just an SLK (just a computer program to shift the auto). When I say paddle shift I mean ferrari, lamborghini, or PDK-like transmissions. If you haven't driven one I will tell you that there is no human or manual transmission that can physically shift that fast or hard. If you can shift that hard (impossible) on every shift then you will be replacing pressure plates and main shafts on a weekly basis!

Otherwise, what is wrong with an automatic? If I am driving around I could honestly care less what is going on in the tunnel. I can say that its easier to have the car figure it out than having to figure it out myself. So far, every automatic I own also runs like a top with regular maintenance to the 200K zone. I guess a manual is good at times but I'll take an automatic.

I don't disagree that a paddle shift is faster, but regular old automatics bore me. My wife's car (Toyota) is an extremely practical, comfortable car with an automatic that you don't have to think about at all. It bores me to tears driving it, even though it excels at doing what it's supposed to do.

I don't disagree that a paddle shift is faster, but regular old automatics bore me. My wife's car (Toyota) is an extremely practical, comfortable car with an automatic that you don't have to think about at all. It bores me to tears driving it, even though it excels at doing what it's supposed to do. I'm lost - I can never own an automatic. I'd either need an honest-to-goodness manual or maybe paddle shifters (which still engage you with the driving experience since you have to think about your shift points at least).

You can't have a roadster without a manual, IMHO. I felt the same about the Boxster - I hated the tiptronic or sporttronic or whatever-the-hell-it-is-tronic system they have.

We've come a long way!
http://ateupwithmotor.com/technology/246-hydramatic-history-part-1.html
http://ateupwithmotor.com/technology/247-hydramatic-history-part-2.html

I really don't get the "pain to drive in traffic" argument. Clutches nowadays take as much force to operate as the gas pedal. You have to move your right foot anyway so why not just add the reflex action of the left one and avoid the annoying delay and lurch as the torque converter spools up?

the auto is great for running errands in town - esp. if my hand is keeping a pile of lumber from moving around

otherwise...

I've never owned an automatic. But I suspect that a modern, I emphasise modern, automatic would be best for anything other than trackdays or Mulholland (lol). I've heard they are even being used in some quarter mile type cars successfully.

Maybe I'm just getting old :)

This means that you have not experienced the PDK transmission yet? I drove one and if I could retro one of those in my 993 I would do it tomorrow. I have a good bud with a Ferarri 360 with auto and paddles and I don't think in your wildest dreams you can shift faster of better than either of these transmissions

Best for what?

Driving enjoyment? I think not!

I'm with you. I've never owned an automatic (at least not for my own daily driver cars, my wife has an automatic which I guess I technically own too).

For sure, automatics have come a long was since the days of the 3 speeds. Those old 3 speeds sucked any life out of the euro cars they were attached to in the late 70s and early 80s. Not enough torque in the engine and not enough gears in the tranny.

The modern 6-7 speed autos are much smoother, nicer and can keep the engine in the right rpm range.

I still don't like driving them, though. It doesn't matter how much power the car has. ANY automatic car to me is an appliance and no fun to drive (it can be pleasant, soothing, faster, whatever, it's just not FUN to me).

I'm the first to admit, though, that we are in a tiny (and dying) minority of drivers, and that manual transmissions are not for most. Maybe some day I'll come to view driving as mere "transportation by appliance" and move to an automatic, too. Don't see it happening soon, but maybe when I'm 80, who knows.

And I've driven PDK, too. Although the last one was a 2008. I think they've probably become a little better since then. To me PDK is the worst of all worlds. It doesn't shift as smooth as a pure automatic, and it is no substitute for 3 pedals and a clutch.

+1

I suspect a lot of people think they're better drivers than they actually are.

Not sure what that has to do with. Who cares how fast a transmission can shift itself?

Exactly - it isn't about how "good" a driver you are, or for a street car, what is the absolute fastest. It's about what is the most fun.

Sorry, I should have been more clear: by 'good' I was talking about the coordination aspect.

I like the idea of a semi-automatic transmission (SMG, PDK, etc) because I am not very coordinated.

I'm sure back in the day, people lamented the disappearance of the spark advance lever.

My wife is really, really uncoordinated and a manual wouldn't work for her. I've had numerous semi-automatics in rentals before and none really did anything for me - probably because your left foot isn't doing anything, the stick goes one way to upshift, the other way for down (never back and forth) and I coast a lot which means I have to put it in regular drive, then neutral instead of just taking it out of gear.

What really bothers me is the complete loss of the option - it's sort of a loss of freedom or the ability to at least choose what you want. It's not something where one is truly superior to the other like your spark advance. For a lot of us it's fun vs. boring, and boring is taking over because it seems to be more economical to build to one standard basic configuration and modify smaller options from there.

Mustang a 5 speed manual that shifts more smoothly and easily than any manual I've driven. Great fun for longer runs.

Ranger has the 5 speed automatic. Perfect for grocery hauling in town stuff.

It's nice to have a choice.

(edit) The more crowded traffic becomes the less enjoyable driving becomes. This makes me tend to appreciate the comfort features more and the performance features less.

Meaning, in traffic jams that turn freeways into parking lots, I love my stereo and air more than the V-8 power, 5 speed, and tuned suspension. Far too often these days, the performance features go unused because of traffic. The comfort features are used constantly.