Manual or Auto - which do you prefer?

[GMcL]

I wish there'd been a website like this when I owned my SAAB 900 V6 auto ten years ago. The car was bought used at three years of age with 36k on the clock and a towbar. After about six months the gearbox seemed to be slurring between third and fourth. Took it back to SAAB, had it checked by them and an indie who could find no fault.
Having read this site and remembering the gearbox oil was not the cherry red as most people discuss I would have paid for a gearbox oil change had I known. Unfortunately I would not have still been driving that car had I even done the oil change as it had the Vauxhall 2.5 V6 and the stem seals started leaking at 74k.
Oh well ! at least it's something I'm aware of now though have to say the latest 9-3's would not be on my list which is why I now have an S60...Loved that auto though, so eaaaaasy to drive long distances not that the D5 is a hardship with all that torque.

[John J]

My 2.5 10v 850 is the first and only auto I've ever driven but I would not go back to a manual box now.

It is just so much more relaxing to drive, both over long distances and in traffic. Sure, the fuel consumption is a bit higher but it's worth it as the car is so much more pleasant to drive than a manual. No more sore left leg after a couple of hours on the road, no trying to change gear and indicate at the same time and so easy to park and reverse.

Downsides? - it's a bit heavy on brake pads and they would probably last longer with a manual box. On twisty country roads the car wants to go a bit faster than the road will allow so more use of the brake pedal is required.

As for sitting in queues - it's a good idea to put it into neutral if you are not moving as that is easier on the clutch and I don't feel guilty about dazzling the driver behind me with my brake lights as a lot of drivers in manual cars tend to sit at traffic lights with their brakes on anyway (and I do use the handbrake if I'm sitting for more than a few seconds).

For a track day definitely a manual box but for road use give me an auto every time.

[Jim760]

i prefer manual for "proper" driving but the auto does fine for crusing and in traffic, thats where the auto wins hands down. i love kick down lol

[S80 KMT]

My S80 2.9SE is the first Auto Iv'e had and I would never go back to a manual. Its so smooth and easy or maybe I'm just becoming an old git. I used to have a rare 2.8 Mk2 Granada manual and you almost needed both feet to get the clutch in!

On the subject of Auto's, is it possible to get up to about 100mph and casually slip the stick from D to R ? Can it be done? What would happen? I once talked to a guy at a car show who managed to wind the flywheel off his baby Austin by engaging reverse from top at 30mph. I'm not daft enough to try this, but it's one of those things you wonder about. Surely there must be some form of electronic inhibiter on automatics to prevent engaging reverse at high speed, anyone got any expierience?

[LankyTim]

There was a crap programme on sky the other day where they tried to put an escort automatic into reverse at 60mph.Nothing happened as theres an inhibitor on the box that prevents it actually going in.

[Tarkus]

Auto,
I agree with the Caveman, if you have a luxury car it should have an auto box.
The amount of difference in power/range must be relatively negligible
(I anticipate a few disagreements) but my T5 ('95 - 850 / 143k) will still leap into the gap if I ask it, and in traffic... what can I say.

I commute the "western corridor" and when I had a stick, (Pug 205/309) I always forgot the third pedal when leaving the motorway.

I think its mostly 'history' why we don’t all drive autos like the colonials, that and the ridiculous restriction on the uk license.

Tarkus

[Clan]

The 440 had a CVT gearbox option too of course not forgetting the 300 series as well ! Volvo own the CVT Patents . Even the Williams F1 team experimented with CVT ....

[Frostbite]

My Avatar and Signature say it all....

[pigapumbu]

Manual sequential gearbox will do just fine for me.

In my books, I dislike an auto despite driving one now. For a spirited drive I still want a manual. That said if stuck in a jam, Auto please.

So I wish more car manufacturers will invest in sequential gearboxes and refine it more. DSG on the VW is good I heard. But the one on the BMW that I tries still needs more work.

cheers

[JIM C]

I prefer a manual having had an auto V70 the last 3 years but I think it really depends on the mood your in when driving. Heavy traffic an auto but for quiet roads a manual. Towing I prefer a manual.