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[Paul M]

Manual every time, had some bad expeiriences and big bills with the miggy auto boxes over the years.

Yeah this is another point I missed.... as a car gets older and higher mileage, I'm much more confident owning a manual for reliability reasons. At 170,000 on my Omega it's just had the clutch replaced for the first time at a total cost of £180 including labour (genuine VX full kit). I expect that clutch will last another 170,000 before it needs any attention, and more than likely the gearbox will too (it's still very tight and smooth, makes no noises or crunches etc). I don't see many slushboxes lasting till 340,000 miles with only £180 of maintenance . Of course, either the engine or the tin worm will probably see to the car long before that, but still

[Tony H]

This has been done to death on here, and I think my opinions are well known but...

Manual for me every time. I loathe autos, pretty much the only time I'll drive one is when I'm in the US as that's only because it's damn near impossible to hire a manual over there (due to the abysmal standard of the average driver). Doesn't matter so much on motorways and the like where most time is spent in top gear anyway, but on twisty roads I find the car isn't anywhere near as balanced with an auto. You can't get into the right gear before going into the corner, meaning you don't get the same engine braking and the gear is often wrong for coming  out. Not to mention that shifting half way through a bend when pressing on is not a particularly good idea either!

Add to that torque converters are pure evil (like having a slippy clutch) and that most autos are geared *far* too high kinda completes the reasons I loathe them. Each to their own of course, but personally I enjoy driving and I just don't feel in control without a proper gearbox, if I ever get to the point where I hate driving enough to want a slushy I'll probably just jack it in completely and take a taxi or hire a chauffeur (if I can afford it) lol.

As for the twisty bits sticking the auto selector into 2nd and leaving it their give you a top speed of over 80 mph and the abilty to kick down into 1st, and gives you some engine braking, which improves drivabilty, that said I don't think I would get another auto because manuals are more fun to drive and the relative cost of autos if they go wrong. two weeks after buying my meega with 50K on the clock the box went "pop" verdict new box required, total cost £3000 fortunatly for me it was under warrenty  

[craykent]

In my experience manual is more fun & economical but to be fair my auto is very good dealing with a heavy caravan plus the wife is partly disabled so she loves the auto  

[Chopsdad]

I've had 2 manual Omega's and wouldn't change.

Curious really as the Vx Dealer said "that auto's are more common in a big luxury car and I would get around £1000 less at trade in time"

So I've kept it for 4 years - ha, ha no commission for you Mr Vx  

That said, the manual box in the Omega is taken straight out of a Mack Truck and not as smooth as any of the other Vx range.

PS Manual WITH cruise is a must

[omegadan2.2i]

In a big car I ALWAYS prefer an auto - when I was looking for my last Carlton, it had to be an auto.  My first Carlton was a 1.8 manual and that always felt clumsy to drive.

So hence when I was looking for an Omega it just HAD to be an auto again!! .

It's all down to personal choice and having a car to match your own personal driving style!

[Paul M]

In a big car I ALWAYS prefer an auto - when I was looking for my last Carlton, it had to be an auto.  My first Carlton was a 1.8 manual and that always felt clumsy to drive.

With a 1.8 I'm surprised it moved.... maybe you should've tried a Lotus Carlton, that would have enlightened you to the benefits of a manual

[Joneyentee]

As for the twisty bits sticking the auto selector into 2nd and leaving it their give you a top speed of over 80 mph and the abilty to kick down into 1st, and gives you some engine braking

If you're going to be doing that you might as well be in a manual surely?  

[RossPhim]

For the barge it has to be an auto.
Two reasons really.

a). I'ma lazy bar-steward  
b). It's a luxo-barge, not a sports car.  

[Martin_1962]

In a big car I ALWAYS prefer an auto - when I was looking for my last Carlton, it had to be an auto.  My first Carlton was a 1.8 manual and that always felt clumsy to drive.

So hence when I was looking for an Omega it just HAD to be an auto again!! .

It's all down to personal choice and having a car to match your own personal driving style!

1.8 Carlton - never has 200cc meant so much, the early 2.0 Motronic equipped cars were excellent and that engine suited the car so well

[Auto Addict]

What's a Manual? :-?

[Elite Pete]

wasn't he the waiter off Faulty Towers

[Danny]

wasn't he the waiter off Faulty Towers

no that was tiptronic  

[Tony H]

As for the twisty bits sticking the auto selector into 2nd and leaving it their give you a top speed of over 80 mph and the abilty to kick down into 1st, and gives you some engine braking

If you're going to be doing that you might as well be in a manual surely?  

Just gives you the opportunity to get a bit more drivabilaty out of an auto box especially with the "S" button engaged

[Bo Bo]

wasn't he the waiter off Faulty Towers

We have a manual system at work & the engineers have put little plaques on them saying manuel, I can't help but laugh everytime I walk past  

[Taxi_Driver]

Well.....ummm ive driven autos for over 20 years.....but ive been driving a manual for the last week...and have to say altho i like autos.....ive had more fun in the manual....ive been pushing it harder and driving faster than i would an auto....altho manual has been a veccy....auto is my omega.
Plus enjoying the ecomony of the veccy.  

So ideal car.....for work purposes.....would be an auto veccy.....who fancies a project....to convert a manual veccy to an auto