Stick or Automatic?

[Mahnarch]

I love manual transmission vehicles. but I can't allow myself to own a manual tranny car because I would beat the living crap out of it - NASCAR time, all the time.

Trucks, on the other hand, don't do this to me.
I drive Semi (seldom burnouts - wet concrete, sand, etc, only)

Autos are nice for traffic jambs, but I'd like to pick the gear I want, not have some computer or inanimate fluid tell me what gear I should be in.

Passing is also easier when you don't have to wait for a slush-box to finally kick down into passing gear.

[Slayzie]

Manual all the way! I find you get more control driving a manual than an automatic, plus if you learn on a manual, you can drive either, whereas if you learn on an auto, you can only drive autos.

[dannyboy]

I think for most things Stick. I have a Dodge Daytona with a 5 speed it seems to have more push than similar cars with an automatic.

I also have a 1980 Pontiac Formula with a manual I like it.

Somethings are better with an automatic but not the cars I have.

[Mahnarch]

Hey! An 80 Forumla.

I have a '79 Formula, in peices.
I started to do a 'Frame-up'.........10 years ago.
I'm procrastinating.

It's got a TH350, though.

[Kimm]

I like automatic. But I know how to drive a manual.

[Blastgirl]

I can drive a stick kind of but not real good.
Classic's Mustang is a 5 speed and I can drive it a little bit but I prefer automatic.

[Phil]

That depends on the vehicle.

Performance vehicles stick. My wife's car, a Buick LeSabre? Automatic.

My pickup [you people have seen it] is automatic, although that would be good either way.
My old truck was a 4 speed.
I could see a good reason for either.
Most of the trucks at work are becoming automatic but hardly any of them were when I started there. I think what happened is that when I started in 1990 most of the trucks were between 1977 and 1990 and it was much more money to buy an automatic transmission so they got sticks.

But from there it was a lesser percentage of the price different to go automatic and the younger guys who don't really drive sticks well would burn out the clutch anyway so they just seemed to have gone automatic.

[skier1]

If it isn't manual, it isn't driving.

[Phil]

I once said that too, but now that I'm getting to be an o/f I'm thinking a little different.

[Jason O'Lewa]

I voted automatic because I can drive my dads truck around the yard but I dont know how to drive a stick. my dad said he will show me when im about to start getting a license but I am only 10.

[cactus1]

not have some computer or inanimate fluid tell me what gear I should be in.

Actually, I think it's a spring-loaded spinnning valve that drives fluid for the transmission

I can't really answer the poll, considering I'm several years from driving.

[Kimm]

Theres internal parts that shift the transmission automatically so the driver doesnt have to if thats what you mean. My brother Dannyboy would know exactly what youre talking about.

I actually called him and he says
what youre describing is called a torque converter, that is bolted to the engine flywheel and geared into the transmissions front pump that drives fluid through the transmission to shift the gears by hydraulic force. Theres a series of gears and clutches inside the transmission but the force of fluid is what mainly makes it happen. *the short version according to dannyboy I really dont know what I just typed in this paragraph.

[werwoof]

The older one gets, the more comfort one wants. I'm 50, so you can forget the stick. I like automatic everything. ;D

[Mahnarch]

Kimm.....err, Danny is right. It's the fluid that does the actual 'work'. Without it the valves would be useless and the clutches would burn up.

That's why when an A/T gets low on fluid is tends to 'slip' and/or not engage a gear.

A physical torque convertor can spin all day long, but without ATF, it ain't doin' squat.

***

Werewoof.
I bet you'd go for an automatic one of these, too?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wK-TXJPiDQ

I bet werewoof is the guy who he's talking about in the 'email' part.

[werwoof]

mahnarch said:

Kimm.....err, Danny is right. It's the fluid that does the actual 'work'. Without it the valves would be useless and the clutches would burn up.

That's why when an A/T gets low on fluid is tends to 'slip' and/or not engage a gear.

A physical torque convertor can spin all day long, but without ATF, it ain't doin' squat.

***

Werewoof.
I bet you'd go for an automatic one of these, too?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wK-TXJPiDQ

I bet werewoof is the guy who he's talking about in the 'email' part.

Dude, that is GNARLY! Only problem, ww not drink beer. Guns and alcohol don't mix (wish someone'd told my uncle that a few years ago).

[Nitro God]

slayerx said:

Manual all the way! I find you get more control driving a manual than an automatic, plus if you learn on a manual, you can drive either, whereas if you learn on an auto, you can only drive autos.

You don't drive?

[Phil]

I think Slayer X is a little too young for a license yet.

If you have an automatic out of fluid it won't move. Old time automatics were actually called fluid drive.

Werwoof has a good point too. I liked shifting better at 1 time than I do now. I don't mind it but the truck I have now is automatic and I'm glad.

[Blastgirl]

I end up driving my own car mostly and hardly ever Classic's cars.

His truck is a high F350 and it's a little big for me although I can drive it. And the Mustang is a five-speed and I can drive that somewhat I'm not good at shifting so I just prefer my car it's automatic and a comfortable size.