Pro & Con between life in UK & US

I didn't have a single problem with it. I also knew of no one else in my friendship circle who even had a manual transmission, and they also had no problems traversing hairpin turns in the ice that could have you sliding off the edge of a 6,000 foot high mountain.

One could also argue quite legitimately that having automatic transmission in conditions like that allows one to concentrate more on the road itself, keep both hands on the wheel, etc.  Same with start/stop city driving in congested streets.  Even as somebody who learned with manual transmission, has been driving 24 years and is happy to drive manual, I find that automatic makes for far more relaxed driving in those conditions.

As for the part about lack of engine control on the car when slowing, that's one reason why automatic transmissions have low-gear lockout positions.  If you're going down a steep, twisty hill knock it into "2" and the engine will hold you back just the same as if you changed down with manual.

Automatic gearbox's have improved dramatically in the last 20-30 years.

That's not to say that there weren't some great transmissions before.  Chrysler's old Torqueflite is still extremely well-respected.   I had one in a '66 Plymouth and you couldn't have wished for better -- Very responsive and silky smooth.

manuals rule but automatics have a place in the world...

The only time I used automatics were when I was a young buck and asked my mother if I could borrow her Oldsmobile so I could cruise with my arm around my baby. Kinda hard to do with a manual and look cool.

A plus for the automatic was there was no gear stick in the way when you went parking.   

manual =                          


automatic =    

so I could cruise with my arm around my baby

And weren't the old bench seats great in that respect?      

A plus for the automatic was there was no gear stick in the way when you went parking.

There was manual with column shift.  Kinda hard to change gear with your arm around the aforementioned young lady without strangling her though.  And that's certain to get the evening off to a bad start!    

I always say that driving an automatic is like driving in a coma. I drove an automatic for a good 10 years in America, once I came here I learned to drive a manual (no point in having an automatic license....no point at all) and now, I wouldn't go back to an automatic. I love love love driving my manual. Love it.

I always say that driving an automatic is like driving in a coma. I drove an automatic for a good 10 years in America, once I came here I learned to drive a manual (no point in having an automatic license....no point at all) and now, I wouldn't go back to an automatic. I love love love driving my manual. Love it.

I've been wondering about that.
I was given a manual at Heathrow and had to turn it in the next day because it was so much trouble. I think I could adjust to a manual though and maybe enjoy driving in the UK.
Having said that I just bought a new automatic 10 days ago.

I've been wondering about that.
I was given a manual at Heathrow and had to turn it in the next day because it was so much trouble. I think I could adjust to a manual though and maybe enjoy driving in the UK.
Having said that I just bought a new automatic 10 days ago.

Before I learned to drive, I always thought that the gears would be the hardest part of driving. I used to ask my mum how she knew when to change gears and she told me that you just hear and feel it in the engine, but I couldn't hear anything. However, once I started taking lessons, it became obvious when you needed to change gears - you just knew by the noise/feel of the car.

I think that once you learn how to use the gears, driving a manual becomes simple - I find changing gear the easiest part of driving a car. Chances are I'm going to be driving an automatic when I move to the states next year, but at the moment, I'm scared stiff of not having the gear stick and therefore not being able to control the gears myself when driving.

I always fail to understand the point in debating manual vs automatic. They are apples and oranges. I can drive both but prefer automatics because it's what I'm used to. And I think it's safer to have with children in the car. DH can drive both and likes them both. It's just a matter of personal preference and this notion that you can't 'control' an automatic is just silly to me (and DH now, as he used to believe that, too).

They are apples and oranges.  {.....}   It's just a matter of personal preference and this notion that you can't 'control' an automatic is just silly to me

  - On all counts. 

Yes, but the only reason this discussion is even going on is that the issue was stirred up by a probable troll. 

After spending time in the states my dh believes we like automatics because of all the stop signs.

O.K. then, how about the semi-automatics like Chrysler had in the 1940s?      

In the UK automatics are more expensive, so we'll end up buying a manual.  For us its as simple as that.

O.K. then, how about the semi-automatics like Chrysler had in the 1940s?      

VW had semi automatics in the 70's. I know I had one and what a piece of crap. Never again. Semi's not VW. Still like the VW's. Very Weliable.

Yes, but the only reason this discussion is even going on is that the issue was stirred up by a probable troll. 

yep them ole trolls cast out the line and we bite... 

 

After spending time in the states my dh believes we like automatics because of all the stop signs.

That exactly what my Dh said as well cause we have so many stop signs.