Manual or automatic?

[parsley]

I've noticed that most cages in NZ seem to be automatics. Where I'm from (UK) manuals are far more common. I'm told it's because most of them are imported from Japan and they prefer autos there.
Since all bikes are manual (well, all the ones I know anyway) do people here who have a cage as well drive manual or automatic?

[Aitch]

But I drive to get from A to B. so the easier the better! point and shoot is just fine with me in the car.

[sels1]

I've noticed that most cages in NZ seem to be automatics. Where I'm from (UK) manuals are far more common. I'm told it's because most of them are imported from Japan and they prefer autos there.

I think that would be true. Autos were fairly uncommon here (mostly in large/luxury cars) until the mid 80s when import duties changed allowing an influx of used jap cars and now the market is swamped with them.
I have one of each now, but never owned an auto until about 3 years ago

[Odin]

I like to "stir the soup" a bit so manual is the go for me. The only time I'd like an automatic is in stop/start 10-20kmh motoway rushhour traffic.

[Gremlin]

The only time I'd like an automatic is in stop/start 10-20kmh motoway rushhour traffic.
Don't own a cage, but I reckon balancing the clutch on a bike is harder than a car because it is more sensitive (ie try balancing a bike and car on a hill with the clutch and accelerator only).

Oh right, the point. Riding in traffic at slow speeds has really helped my bike skills and balancing the clutch. It is a lot harder crawling at a very slow speed than just accelerating through the gears.

[crashe]

I've noticed that most cages in NZ seem to be automatics. Where I'm from (UK) manuals are far more common. I'm told it's because most of them are imported from Japan and they prefer autos there.
Since all bikes are manual (well, all the ones I know anyway) do people here who have a cage as well drive manual or automatic?


Every vehicle that I have ever owned has been a Manual.
I have never owned a jap import car either.
My Mitzi that I own now was made/assembled here in NZ.

But I have no problems driving a automatic car ...
Have had to drive a few over the years.. Friends cars or when I was transporting a few on a truck from the wharf in Auckland.

Umm scooters are automatic.
There maybe a few scooters that are semi-automatic????

[Badcat]

my mx5 (try telling me face to face it's a chicks car, fucko) is a manuel.
the duchess's legnum is an auto.
i don't mind auto's on a 6 or 8 cyl, but a revvy little 4 - manuals are the go IMHO..
k

[Motu]

Yeah,it's because of Jap Imports,until they arrived and buyers had no choice Kiwi's were very mistrustful of autos,they were only found on Holdens and Falcons,and then only top spec ones.Run of the mill cars were four on the floor and three on the tree.

Our first auto was a Falcon in about 1998,the Pajero last year was my first daily driver in auto.I don't care,or even notice really....I drive a dozen or so cars a day,they are just cars.

[MikeL]

Manual Toyota Starlet (not a Jap import) and an auto BMW. Looking around before buying the Beemer I wanted a manual but couldn't find any Jap import that wasn't auto.
Even 1000-1300cc cars are now commonly found with auto transmission, which doesn't make much sense to me. You might think that with petrol prices steadily increasing there would be a return to manual transmission, but it won't happen because too many people can only drive an auto these days.

[scumdog]

My 7litre big-block V8 hot-rod would shag most manuals, the C-6 auto is shift-kitted and shifts 1-bang-2-bang-3 through the gears.

The 'little' 5litre kit-car is manual- and is heaps of fun. Instant response and a feeling that it has 100hp more than it really has.
Try and control a 3rd gear 'drift' when you're in an auto shifted car!

[oldrider]

I took one of those Suzuki 650cc Burgman scooters for a test run, mainly out of curiosity but also because I am getting older I thought it may be more suitable later on.
I have to say I was very surprised.
Extremely user friendly. Especially agile and nimble in city traffic. Quite amazingly quick away from the lights. Well balanced and performed well out on the motorway. Apparently they will max at about 170kph. Downside for me is they don't have a very long range per tank. If I was a city commuter especially in Auckland I would buy one. It has changed my attitude towards scooters and automatics. Cheers John.

[Badcat]

I took one of those Suzuki 650cc Burgman scooters for a test run, mainly out of curiosity but also because I am getting older I thought it may be more suitable later on.
I have to say I was very surprised.
Extremely user friendly. Especially agile and nimble in city traffic. Quite amazingly quick away from the lights. Well balanced and performed well out on the motorway. Apparently they will max at about 170kph. Downside for me is they don't have a very long range per tank. If I was a city commuter especially in Auckland I would buy one. It has changed my attitude towards scooters and automatics. Cheers John.

i reviewed the burgman for TONE mag.
i really liked it!
great city bike and excellent in the wet.
CVT means no lurching at gear change so excellent for pillions too..
K

[scumdog]

Autos in Jappas? aaaaah -1- aaaaah -3-ahhhhhh



My C-6 Ford auto? aaahh1ahhhh2aaaah

And a whole lot of wheel-spin along the way.

[Magua]

I bought my second cage recently, after my last one carked (sp) it. It's a manual but I was looking into a few automatics. It doesn't bother me, but it seems to REALLY bother some of my friends. "Eww it's an auto".

[Ixion]

Never owned an auto. Don't like 'em. Problem is , tis damn hard to find manuals nowdays, and very few new cars come in manual. I've been trying to find a manual BMW but I've just about given up, only ones around are the very expensive sports and M models.

Interestingly, the manuals always command a premium. People want them, just can't get them.

[parsley]

Interestingly, the manuals always command a premium. People want them, just can't get them.
Only on certain cars. When I bought mine the manual was actually a grand or so cheaper.

[zadok]

Manual. I've always prefered them. Nearly always had four cylinder cars and the manual tends to give better performance and fuel economy. With the newer generation of cars, that seems to be a lot closer. Plus automatics usually cost at least a grand more (new). If I was to go to the latest V6 craze, I would most probably go auto.

[geoffm]

Manual on both cars, with a terrible auto before that. Having said that, a manual is best for the open road, but wears a bit thin in Auckland motorway traffic. If I was still doing that, I would have an auto.
Worst in the family was a Mazda 626 diesel "supercharged" auto. What a POS - put foot down, wait 2 secs then lurch into the intersection and traffic... A 323 diesel auto was just plain gutless. Autos are ok with a big motor on the front, so it doesn't have to shift much.

[Pixie]

my mx5 (try telling me face to face it's a chicks car, fucko) is a manuel.
the duchess's legnum is an auto.
i don't mind auto's on a 6 or 8 cyl, but a revvy little 4 - manuals are the go IMHO..
k
An auto MX5 is a sin

[FROSTY]

Theres a common misconception that an auto will use more gas than a manual And that auto's are gutless.
I get to drive a shit load of cars in diorklands rush hour and even the 1000cc auto's are pretty peppy. Fuel economy wise they are as good as a manual-
Now this is in town stop start stuff not country driving.

[oldrider]

Bang on there frosty, before I retired I used to average 70/80K per year and got a new car every year. Autos out performed the manuals on fuel every time ( accurate data too) Cheers John.

[Beemer]

my mx5 (try telling me face to face it's a chicks car, fucko) is a manuel.

I'm sorry, but if your MX5 is a Manuel (aka useless Spanish waiter) then I'm afraid it's not a chick's car, it's beyond gay! :rofl:

Learned to drive in an automatic, which my father kindly sold three weeks before I went for my licence! Driven mostly manuals since - current car is a 1.8L Mitsubishi Lancer GLXi - not many manuals around so we were lucky to find it. Apart from rush hour traffic and motorways, I prefer a manual - better for dragging people off at the lights!

[Motu]

What I hate about autos on the open road is that they are hard to hold to a speed,you have to watch the speed all the time....one minute you are doing 85kph,next up to 120kph,following drivers must think I'm crazy! The Diamante has cruise control,so I just set that...the Pajero has a lock up converter,but I still find it hard to maintain a set speed....my manual diesel Vanette will hold any speed I like and hardly ever glance at the speedo,it's always where I want it to be.Could be the noise....cars are very quiet these days,the van is very noisy and I drive it by ear....

I've just finished reading an article on transmissions,and there is plenty of development ahead,6 and 7 speed autos,2 reverse ratios,double clutch automated manuals,chain drive CVT that get better mpg than a manual,torodial infinatly variable transmissions that need to clutch,having a geared neutral.

Poor bikes eh? Stuck with a silly clutch and sequental shifting....

[parsley]

What I hate about autos....
People who sit at the lights and slowly move forward. So you come to a stop a safe distance behind the cage in front and you end up with a car length in front of you!

[myvice]

Poor bikes eh? Stuck with a silly clutch and sequental shifting....
You will be SO happy with the new Honda Goldwing then...

[oldrider]

Hey there myvice, I read your post and something just said to me, have a look at his profile. The last one I looked at had a photo of a nice Honda ST1300. I nearly pissed myself when yours came up. Caught me by surprise. Good one. Cheers John. :clap:

[dhunt]

last car I had was auto and it ended up costing me a packet when the transmission screwed up without any warning. Hopefully that's the last auto I have.

I also agree with motu that is hard to hold a constant speed. Also much harder to do engine braking etc so I find I rely on the brakes a lot more than in a manual.

[Motu]

You will be SO happy with the new Honda Goldwing then...

I was pretty happy with the FA50.....but I got that for free,if I get a free Goldwing I'll be pretty damn impressed too!

[skidMark]

just to be different i selected what are these gear things :woohoo:

[Waylander]

Havn't driven an auto since my driving test when I was 15. Got in the one here and I kept wanting to hit the clutch but the only other pedal down there was the brake.

I'll stick with the bike whenever possible. It's safer that way.

[Timber020]

In most cases now autos are more economic at least on the open road as they tend to do very low revs at highway speed. My sister had the same model car as I did, but hers was auto and did about 1000rpm less at 100kmph and did another 100kms out of a tank of gas than my manual one did. I had hers for a few weeks while mine was getting a new gearbox and it was much cheaper to run.

I heard that the import auto gearboxes in surfs were stronger than the manuals to because more work and development is put into them, where as the manual gearbox is pretty much left as is year after year.

[Motu]

That's because a torque converter gives a higher than 1:1 drive,on long straight roads the revs will be lower than a manual and you may get better mileage....but come to a hill and put your foot down and the revs will be higher than a manual,unless you have a lockup converter....but then you won't have the converter stepping up over 1:1.

It's possible for an auto to be more economical than a manual,but not normaly - you don't see economy runs done with an auto,they know what gives best mileage.

[phantom]

My company car is an automatic civic, first auto i have driven regularly, it's ok I suppose for around town but I stll prefer a manual

[stify]

I,m gettin to lazy to change gears nowdays, so its auto 4 me when driving, so i can save the energy for when I :ride:

[vifferman]

Don't own a cage, but I reckon balancing the clutch on a bike is harder than a car because it is more sensitive (ie try balancing a bike and car on a hill with the clutch and accelerator only).
Please tell me you're not one of those people who sits there with the clutch on the friction point to park on a hill, instead of using the brake? :nono: It's a friggin' clutch, not a hillholder. If you want one of those, buy a Subaru. :yes:

I've got two manuals and an automatic. I bought the automatic for two reasons: at the time we bought it, the aaaAAaRRRthritis was such that holding a clutch pedal down for long made my left knee feel like it was going to fall apart. Plus driving in D'Auckland's stop/start traffic is easier with a slushbox. But (however!) the progression of the aaaAAAARRRRthritis has been slower than expected, so since buying the auto, I've bought two manuals, both with delighful clutches and good gear changes.

The Peugeot 306 auto has been a revelation - it's simply the best automatic I've ever driven. It's geared higher than the manual, so is more economical, and has a lockup torque convertor, so there's none of that typical auto slushiness. It actually changes down AND engine-brakes when you slow down quickly or brake, so it's a delight to drive in the twisties. Add to that an intelligent processor driving it, and a proper "Sport" mode, and it's almost as good as a manual, but with the advantage that you can forget about gears and let it do its own thing. The only criticisms I have of it is that the 1-2 change is sometimes a wee bit abrupt, and that it has a tendency when driving gently (that processor again) to stay in top gear when if it were a manual I would've changed down. A click of the "S" button soon fxes that. :yes:

[XTC]

The Falcon's an auto. Much better in the traffic than a manual and oh so cruisy on the open road. 1800rpm at 100kph.

[bugjuice]

I know what you mean about the autos. I found that when I first came here. I've bought manuals, cos I prefer to hack them around. But the car I have now (me loved Subby wagon) is an auto. And for my first auto that I've ever owned, I'm starting to get a bit accustomed to being lazy. I'd be happy to do a manual conversion if I had the money for it, but it's not really worth the hassle of it all. I do find it seems to cruise at a lower rpm.. but I've always been under the impression autos suck more motion lotion than manual. And you have to wait for the kick down.. bring on the flappy paddle gear box!

Besides, if it were a manual, how could I text my mates, eat my big mac, drink my coke, eat my fries, watch the TV and look at a map? Don't want to be distracted by having to change gear too..

My car has a snow button tho. I need to find snow before I sell it, cos I want to know what it does.. The power button deactivates when the snow button is on. It doesn't reduce the power, or lock any diffs, the 70/30 ratio is still the same (I think), the suspension doesn't alter, still redlines as before etc etc.. the only thing that changes, is I get a little snow flake on the dashboard..

[vifferman]

My car has a snow button tho. I need to find snow before I sell it, cos I want to know what it does.. The power button deactivates when the snow button is on. It doesn't reduce the power, or lock any diffs, the 70/30 ratio is still the same (I think), the suspension doesn't alter, still redlines as before etc etc.. the only thing that changes, is I get a little snow flake on the dashboard..
So does the Peugeot; it is used when starting off in slippery conditions, and it starts in second gear, rather than first, so it tends to wheelspin less (slips the torque convertor instead).

[Motu]

Our Laurel has a button that makes it start in 2nd,but I think that is for limo mode so it doesn't shift as much.The oooold Mercs,say mid 60s had a 4 speed auto,but 1st was only brought in if you floored it,otherwise starting in 2nd was standard mode.

[bugjuice]

So does the Peugeot; it is used when starting off in slippery conditions, and it starts in second gear, rather than first, so it tends to wheelspin less (slips the torque convertor instead).
but it's all paw drive.. can't get the bloody thing to spin up even for trying! Didn't think of it that way tho..

[ManDownUnder]

I far prefer manuals 'coz I'm a control freak... and I got a turbo that just loves being on full boost (it's much better for the engine... really it is)

Only time I'd prefer an auto is in heavy traffic... and then only in the cage (where splitting isn't an option)

MDU

[Wolf]

Autos blow goats! They're OK for around town with all the stop-start shit, but on the open road I like to know what my vehicle is going to do when I open the throttle and that it will do it instantly. I hate waiting around for the automatic system to decide whether to chop down a gear or just feed power (like our work's old auto)

Manual all the way for me. My bikes have been manual transmission and a car is enough of a step down from a bike without making it an auto as well :devil2:

[bugjuice]

Autos blow goats! They're OK for around town with all the stop-start shit, but on the open road I like to know what my vehicle is going to do when I open the throttle and that it will do it instantly. I hate waiting around for the automatic system to decide whether to chop down a gear or just feed power (like our work's old auto)

Manual all the way for me. My bikes have been manual transmission and a car is enough of a step down from a bike without making it an auto as well :devil2:
but isn't that why we ride manual bikes? A manual car in the open is good, but a bike is better.. so why not just have an auto for the boring bits..?? that's kinda how I see it, I've got the bike to blow off steam.. auto to let it build up..

[Blackbird]

Both family cars are manual BY CHOICE. My wife has an MX5 (and I agree that an auto version is gay or a hairdressers car at the very least, hehe) and I have a 2 litre Impreza.

Geoff

[bkrwench]

i hate autos
usually ride everywhere
flatmate has a manual car thats handy for groceries
i like the instant power access when you need it.
i find autos a bit laggy

[inlinefour]

I wont own a auto for all the tea in China. Makes it harder to find what I want when its time to upgrade though :violin:

[Lou Girardin]

My wife needs an auto for the morning crawl to work, but it's got a sequential mode that's almost as good as a real manual, best of both worlds.

[scumdog]

Our Laurel has a button that makes it start in 2nd,but I think that is for limo mode so it doesn't shift as much.The oooold Mercs,say mid 60s had a 4 speed auto,but 1st was only brought in if you floored it,otherwise starting in 2nd was standard mode.

The C-6 auto in my F100 takes off in 2nd if you put it into 2nd when at a standstill, also STAYS in 2nd until you move the shifter.

Accidently did that at a 1/4 mile once (time was a tad slower) - all the rubes thought I'd done the whole 1/4 mile in first gear!! :woohoo: :clap:

[SARGE]

I've noticed that most cages in NZ seem to be automatics. Where I'm from (UK) manuals are far more common. I'm told it's because most of them are imported from Japan and they prefer autos there.
Since all bikes are manual (well, all the ones I know anyway) do people here who have a cage as well drive manual or automatic?


i have a jappa mitubishi RVR thats an auto... only use it for grocery shopping and taking the kid to school ( single dad)..

all my cars back in the states were ( are ) manuals..pickups and Mustangs mostly, a few Camero's scattered in there as well.. an auto Mustang is Blasphamy

[raster]

I wish my subaru was manual, cannot get it to launch properly with the auto, waste gate doesn't seem to work either.

The mercedes is wonderfull as auto, wouldn't want that to be manual. Beautifull cruizer.

[pete376403]

Wifes car (Accord 2.2 wagon) is auto, my work car (Lancer) is a manual.
Re speed creep on the open road with the auto - cruise control takes care of that.

[XP@]

Don't like driving cars manual or auto, need a people mover so went for an auto cos its easier to drive.

bloody cars, 5 wheels to worry about is way too many.

[kels]

I am bi-transmission ....I have a manual and an auto!

[Sniper]

Don't own a car

[Wiki Drifter]

Learned to drive on manuals, but don't have any manual cars at present. I think knowing how to drive manuals made the transition onto bikes fairly easy. Never had a problem with stalls even in my n00bish days.

[deanohit]

Nope, unless something happens to prevent me from clutching, I'll only own manuals, I cant stand autos unless theres a big V8 in the front!

[Matt_TG]

I've got a Mazda 6 Sports with Auto and Tiptronic. It screams away in auto and changes just on redline every gear if you floor it. I did a comparison with the tiptronic and the auto was faster (if you go past redline it cuts out - or seems to 'bounce' so you tend to change a bit early) but it will change up thru the gears sedately if you don't put your foot to the floor. It seems to adapt for your driving style at the time.

In saying that though, Tiptronic is where it's at in the twisties. I regularly do the Coro Loop (yeah, in the car - for work, bugger) and I just use 2nd and 3rd. 2nd's good to about 85km/h, and the engine braking on the corners coupled with the way it sticks to the road makes for fun times :)

My 2c.

[Bullitt]

Ive never owned an auto but have driven a few for work, friends cars etc. Maybe I havnt driven the right ones but Ive never found one Ive liked.

As long as I have a choice Ill always drive manuals, even if it means missing out on a particular type of car...though I did manage to find a manual BMW.

The only time Id have an auto is if I was regularly stuck in heavy traffic...But if I was regularly stuck in traffic Id move and/or take a bike instead....must be why I dont live in Auckland:lol:

[The Pastor]

I own an auto now - hate it. (cost me 900 bux tho so cant complain).

Manual is the only way to go for performance cars. - yet to of driven any expensive auto car.

I drove manual only for a good 2 years before i jumped in my bosses auto, put it into R take the foot off the brake and the dam thing starts moving, gave me a big fright lol.

[The Pastor]

lol @ old thread.

[Laava]

I had a VL 3.0 auto Holden Royale. Worst car ever! Never have another auto or Holden! Needed a cargo net dragging behind it to pick up all the bits that used to fall off. And I paid $11,500 for it!:eek5:

[McJim]

We have a 4L Falcon and a 2L Mondeo. The Falcon is auto (although it has a tiptronic gearbox to give some drivers the illusion that they have some control over the transmission!) and the Mondeo is a manual.

I'm from the UK too and got really pissed off at first trying to get a car with a real gearbox.

Spent 3 years commuting through London and on the M25 in a 1.4L manual then had to commute along the Southern Motorway in a Toyota 1.5L auto. Got a very sore right leg from always using the gas and the brake - didn't realise how much I used the clutch for control on the manual balancing the effort between each legs.

For stop/start traffic gimme a manual every time.

[Jantar]

Last two times I bough a new car I also had trouble getting a manual. Both times the dealer has tried to tell me its because there is no demand for manuals, just automatics. Thsi is despite the fact that I am standing there as a cash buyer and asking for a manual.

The Ford dealer in Tokoroa missed a sale when he told me that I couldn't get a manual Falcon (1990 EA model). The cambridge dealer managed to get an Aussie assembeled one for me and at a cheaper price than the New Zealand asembled ones.

[NotaGoth]

Has to be a manual. :)

[JimO]

Last two times I bough a new car I also had trouble getting a manual. Both times the dealer has tried to tell me its because there is no demand for manuals, just automatics. Thsi is despite the fact that I am standing there as a cash buyer and asking for a manual.

The Ford dealer in Tokoroa missed a sale when he told me that I couldn't get a manual Falcon (1990 EA model). The cambridge dealer managed to get an Aussie assembeled one for me and at a cheaper price than the New Zealand asembled ones.

EA coons are shit anyway .....i have 2 autos and a manual in fact i sold my 05 deisel hilux because i was sick of the gearchange and bought a auto one far smoother power delivery and much nicer to drive

[Street Gerbil]

You learn to appreciate an auto after the first emergency gear shift with a sandwich sandwiched between your hand and a shiftstick. I know I did.