Do you prefer an automatic transmission or a manual one with a clutch?
By spalladino
@spalladino (17891)
United States
December 28, 2008 8:06pm CST
When I first got my driver's license my father designated an old VW as "my" car. It had a manual transmission and I have to say that it was a fun car to drive. When I bought my first car it was an automatic but then I drove another manual for awhile. It's been years since I've driven one but I had the opportunity to drive my nephew's truck yesterday and it has a manual transmission. It seems like such a bother now. Maybe it's because I'm getting older...I just want to point and drive. 
What about you, what do you drive and what do you prefer?
What about you, what do you drive and what do you prefer?1 person likes this
5 responses
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
29 Dec 08
I learned how to drive on a manual and I never knew how to drive an automatic. I really like a manual better but currently I am driving an automatic. My stick was much better in the snow and bad weather. After my accident this week I really miss it although it probably wouldn't have made a difference
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
29 Dec 08
I had forgotten about snow...I haven't seen any in awhile you know...but I agree with you about a stick shift bgeing better than an automatic when it comes to getting around in that. 
@shalybhe29 (162)
• Philippines
29 Dec 08
I prefer to have the manual transmission because it can make my arm muscles firm. But as long as you have a car. . and you're enjoying it. . .transmission is really not important, its the fun that counts. . . . = )
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
29 Dec 08
I agree with you completely..which is why I'd love to trade my truck in for a car. We don't NEED two trucks but my husband wants to pay off both trucks before we take out another loan.
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
29 Dec 08
I can drive both but prefer an automatic especially driving in a very crowded congested city.
@gr8life (6251)
• Malaysia
6 Jan 09
Hello spalladino,
I can drive both manual and auto cars. Most of my friends can only drive auto car and they feel it is quite a hassle to drive a manual car. But for me, I prefer manual car as I feel more alert while driving. No doubt that driving an auto car is easier but I still prefer the manual car.
@agihcam (1914)
• Philippines
29 Dec 08
I have my own Mitsubishi Galant and it has a manual transmission. I go with manual rather than automatic, since it is more efficient and consume less fuel than automatic. If the car is new, yes, automatic is better as long as it is still functioning based on the expected outcome. But as it grows older, then it is becoming costly.
You can observed from start that before shifting to the second gear, the automatic transmission need to reach a certain speed, but in manual transmission you have the control over it.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
29 Dec 08
Good points and I agree. Right now I drive a Ford pick up truck because we live in the country and first gear does wind out a lot longer than I'd let it if I was manually shifting into second myself.
