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[Martin_1962]

Ok now here is the point

You live in Scotland and have lots of nice driving roads and never get stuck in jams

We get stuck in jams!

Horses for courses... I hate driving autos (including tiptronic and all that crap), and clutching and changing gear isn't the least bit of a hindrance to me, it's as much part of driving as steering. If I'm tired enough that I can't be bothered changing gear, then I'm also tired enough to not be bothered driving at all, and will get someone else to do so. I guess I take the driving instinct from my dad, he's obviously a lot older than me, currently drives a BMW 330Ci sport manual (cracking car to drive BTW, even if it does have a bit of an image problem) and has no intention whatsoever of buying an auto, he still enjoys every bit of driving, even though he's not as aggresive as me in his style these days.

On a sidenote, I've never tried an SMG on the road... I'm absolutely sure I'd prefer it over an auto, getting rid of the torque converter with its rubber band effect is a big plus, but no guarantees I'd like the experience of it even though it's technically superior to a manual (same gearbox and clutch as a manual, just hydraulically activated so can shift really quickly and also blips the throttle on downshifts!)

I am not anti manual just that with todays driving conditions an auto is better for me. I still enjoy driving and to be honest I do get peed off when the car bogs down JUST into second on a steep hill while towing. But constant gear change and clutch operation does get a PITA.

That said a GOOD manual (like Avenger/Sunbeam or RWD Escort) is a pleasure when you are in the mood

[theolodian]

The anti-auto/I want to be in control brigade will never change their view - complete obsession with manual gearboxes.

The anti-manual crew will never change their view - complete obession with exerting as little effort as possible, no interest in enjoying the driving experience. Most of them would have a pair of escalators in their house too given the option, what a chore having to walk up stairs!

I guess that means anyone with a bad back/hip doesn't deserve to drive?  

[Martin_1962]

Lets drop a brick on Paul Ms toe and loan him an auto - he would understand then

[miggy]

When I had my DTI manual I thought it was great, BUT now owning a 2.6 v6 cdx auto I go against what i said, Now, auto everytime for me, total comfort, sit back and enjoy the grunt of the v6

 

[Andy B]

Lets drop a brick on Paul Ms toe and loan him an auto - he would understand then

     

[phil her up]

Wasn't the automatic gearbox invented so women could drive cars too? :-/

[Paul M]

The anti-auto/I want to be in control brigade will never change their view - complete obsession with manual gearboxes.

The anti-manual crew will never change their view - complete obession with exerting as little effort as possible, no interest in enjoying the driving experience. Most of them would have a pair of escalators in their house too given the option, what a chore having to walk up stairs!

I guess that means anyone with a bad back/hip doesn't deserve to drive?  

You can drive whatever you like, with whatever reasons you choose, whether that be medical or otherwise. The point I was making is that for those of us who are enthusiastic about driving, it is much more rewarding to drive a manual car -- gear selection is as much a part of the driving as steering. Not to mention that the torque converter is one of the most horrid devices you can have on your car in terms of fine throttle control, it's akin to having about 30 degrees of movement in the steering wheel before the car actually starts to turn!

Each to their own, if anyone wants to drive an auto that's fine. Just don't pretend that it has no effect on the car's control, or that it's "always in the right gear" when it has no idea of the road ahead, etc. If you're car is simply about getting from A to B as effortlessly as possible that's fine, mine is about getting from A to B and having some fun along the way

[Paul M]

Lets drop a brick on Paul Ms toe and loan him an auto - he would understand then

I'd just take a taxi.... and charge it to the insurance claim

[Paul M]

Wasn't the automatic gearbox invented so women could drive cars too? :-/

And Americans

[theolodian]

Wasn't the automatic gearbox invented so women could drive cars too? :-/

And Americans

I thought that you would like Americans, what with your absolute ideas of right and wrong and he!! with anyone who disagrees.  

[TheBoy]

Wasn't the automatic gearbox invented so women could drive cars too? :-/

And Americans

I thought that you would like Americans, what with your absolute ideas of right and wrong and he!! with anyone who disagrees.  

PMSL

PaulM is absolutely right, manual will give more control.  The newer firmwares are much better, but still not up to a decent brain (though better than the brain of the chav I was following home yesterday - silly arse had no idea how to set up for corners)

[theolodian]

Wasn't the automatic gearbox invented so women could drive cars too? :-/

And Americans

I thought that you would like Americans, what with your absolute ideas of right and wrong and he!! with anyone who disagrees.  

PMSL

PaulM is absolutely right, manual will give more control.  The newer firmwares are much better, but still not up to a decent brain (though better than the brain of the chav I was following home yesterday - silly arse had no idea how to set up for corners)

I'd rather have a manual for when I want to drive, and an automatic for when I have to drive.  These days I don't drive because I want to very often.  

[TheBoy]

Wasn't the automatic gearbox invented so women could drive cars too? :-/

And Americans

I thought that you would like Americans, what with your absolute ideas of right and wrong and he!! with anyone who disagrees.  

PMSL

PaulM is absolutely right, manual will give more control.  The newer firmwares are much better, but still not up to a decent brain (though better than the brain of the chav I was following home yesterday - silly arse had no idea how to set up for corners)

I'd rather have a manual for when I want to drive, and an automatic for when I have to drive.  These days I don't drive because I want to very often.  

My sentiments exactly - though when we were PaulM's age, we probably drove more for fun anyway...

[theolodian]

Wasn't the automatic gearbox invented so women could drive cars too? :-/

And Americans

I thought that you would like Americans, what with your absolute ideas of right and wrong and he!! with anyone who disagrees.  

PMSL

PaulM is absolutely right, manual will give more control.  The newer firmwares are much better, but still not up to a decent brain (though better than the brain of the chav I was following home yesterday - silly arse had no idea how to set up for corners)

I'd rather have a manual for when I want to drive, and an automatic for when I have to drive.  These days I don't drive because I want to very often.  

My sentiments exactly - though when we were PaulM's age, we probably drove more for fun anyway...

I certainly drove more back then.  3,000 miles in 3 days by myself in a manual was feasible.  This summer I did 3,000 miles in 3 weeks, mostly in a manual.  Feasible, but wouldn't have wanted to do a lot more.

[Martin_1962]

Wasn't the automatic gearbox invented so women could drive cars too? :-/

And Americans

I thought that you would like Americans, what with your absolute ideas of right and wrong and he!! with anyone who disagrees.  

PMSL

PaulM is absolutely right, manual will give more control.  The newer firmwares are much better, but still not up to a decent brain (though better than the brain of the chav I was following home yesterday - silly arse had no idea how to set up for corners)

I'd rather have a manual for when I want to drive, and an automatic for when I have to drive.  These days I don't drive because I want to very often.  

My sentiments exactly - though when we were PaulM's age, we probably drove more for fun anyway...

Same here