Cars - Do you drive a manual or automatic?

[RoadRunner79]

As stated, it can be difficult to find a standard transmission in the US. On new vehicles, you'll mostly find them only on sports cars or some very cheap cars. I would say that I prefer a manual transmission, but there are times I do like an auto as well. When I had my Charger, I really wanted a stick shift. It would have been a blast. It had the auto stick (automatic, but with buttons for manual shifting and no clutch), but for a muscle\sports car it just doesn't have the same feel. I now have a pickup truck, and prefer the automatic for that. Some mentioned control concerns. With the truck, I can put in manual and control the gears with buttons, and also use the buttons in auto to limit the maximum gear. I do this often on hills. For weather issues, lightly applying the brake is the same as pushing in the clutch to remove power.

The differences in thoughts on this from different cultures is interesting. Any small gain in mpg, is seen as negligible in the US. And I'm guessing that we probably drive more as public transportation is worse here. And I have heard of very few issues with auto transmissions, apart from mfg defects covered by warranty. A manual transmission is fun, but it does make it more difficult to drink my coffee, shave, and check my phone all while shifting.

[Whateverist]

An automatic, baby! Free at last, free at last! Thank gawd almighty my knee is free from pedal duty in stop and go traffic.

Grew up driving a stick. Always drove a stick until I bought my last pick up. Was having knee pain at the time so I switched. My wife was the same way. We had to special order her a Toyota Accord in order to get a stick. But she just got a new Fit and I talked her into switching. Automatics are so good now it just doesn't matter .. except for your old joints if you have any.

[Jenny A]

I learned to drive in an automatic power steering 1970s boat of Chevrolet station-wagon. After passing the exam, I became a mostly self taught manual driver as my father's old manual Dodge Colt was the car most available to me and much easier and more fun to drive. Ever since I've always owned at least one manual. With the exception long interstate driving trips, I prefer manual. I particularly like manual in hilly country. I feel more in control.

Currently, we have an automatic mini van which I use for toting children, visiting relatives, and art shows. I prefer the Honda Accord manual. It's more fun to drive and cheaper to operate. I taught both girls to drive in the van. I taught my eldest to drive stick before the exam and she prefers the manual Honda. My youngest is not a natural driver and while we have got her successfully through the drivers' exam in the van, I haven't started to teach her manual yet. I foresee tears in the teaching process.

Driving manual used to have the added benefit of cheaper car rental. But now you practically can't rent a manual in the U.S. and it's getting harder to buy a new manual.

[Dystopia]

Interesting responses. Some people in other internet websites told me that America has a bad public transport system, and therefore it was necessary to find a way to make people drive and afford cars without too much hassle- Hence why it's popular to have an automatic and why apparently there are kids as young as 16 driving. In Europe, public transport is at least decent and many young people wait until mid-20's to take a drivers license. Also, I noted European cars are smaller, but I dunno why. Again, the cost of fuel plays a part, it's damn expensive. I'm learning a manual because it's the standard way to go, I think it's possible to learn only automatic if I pay in a special school, but most only teach manual because it's the normal way and then I can drive both.

[Jackalope]

Driving around Edinburgh which is built on several hills, I can't count the number of times I've had to get into a lower gear for either going up or to use as an engine break coming down.

What would prevent you from doing so in an automatic? They *do* have gears, you know, and you can manually select a gear, there just is no manual clutch.

[Exian]

I had a manual for a few years and I loved it in the country. Drove it down to Columbus once and that was hell. Enough to put me off of them.

[Anomalocaris]

I drive a 2003 BMW Z4 with 6 speed manual. Before that I drove a 1999 Vw Golf with 5 speed manual. Our other cars have all been automatics.

[Dystopia]

As stated, it can be difficult to find a standard transmission in the US. On new vehicles, you'll mostly find them only on sports cars or some very cheap cars. I would say that I prefer a manual transmission, but there are times I do like an auto as well.  When I had my Charger, I really wanted a stick shift.  It would have been a blast. It had the auto stick (automatic, but with buttons for manual shifting and no clutch), but for a muscle\sports car it just doesn't have the same feel.  I now have a pickup truck, and prefer the automatic for that.  Some mentioned control concerns.  With the truck, I can put in manual and control the gears with buttons, and also use the buttons in auto to limit the maximum gear.  I do this often on hills.  For weather issues, lightly applying the brake is the same as pushing in the clutch to remove power.

The differences in thoughts on this from different cultures is interesting.  Any small gain in mpg, is seen as negligible in the US.  And I'm guessing that we probably drive more as public transportation is worse here.  And I have heard of very few issues with auto transmissions, apart from mfg defects covered by warranty.  A manual transmission is fun, but it does make it more difficult to drink my coffee, shave, and check my phone all while shifting.

Like I said, most of Europe has decent public transportation, that's why many young people wait a little until they get their drivers license - I'm 21, but some people wait until they are about to get a steady job to take their drivers license, because it makes circulation easier - Some people begin driving when 18, but those cases are rare. Now that I think of it, most of my friends who are from 20-24 years old can't drive, it's just that I notice those who can more frequently. In Europe, fuel is very important and most prefer Diesel to gasoline, few people want a gasoline car unless they can afford it and it's a spectacularly good car. Also, my driver instructor says driving a gasoline car is more difficult but he could be wrong.

[Thumpalumpacus]

I've only owned one automatic in my life, the other six including my current 95 Ranger have all been manual, which I definitely prefer, for the reasons given by others above.

[Angrboda]

I've owned both. I'm told that modern automatics are as fuel efficient as manuals.