Poll: Escapist: Can you drive a Manual?

[Lilani]

Pretty much the only reason why you would get your license with automatic is if you have some sort of disability, which makes it difficult or impossible to, for example, operate the clutch, or something like that.

Is that the case where you are? I hope you don't think that's universally true.

Here in New Zealand the majority of cars, especially new ones, are automatics (imported from Japan mostly), so the majority of people drive automatics, including myself. I've never heard of this elitist idea that manual drivers are somehow superior or more intelligent or what have you, probably because it's not a stereotype that has been internalised here.

Yeah, even in the US where most cars are automatic there's a bit of elitism attached to the ability to drive a manual.

I don't quite get it, honestly. My dad is the kind of guy who thinks everybody should know a little about everything so in case they're stuck in a jam you can fix something on your own (like change a tire, fix or identify basic electrical problems, etc). And even HE doesn't see much of a point of learning to drive a manual in the US. The VAST majority of cars are automatic, including rentals.

I don't get why the rest of the world is so attached to manuals, last time my family was looking at new cars we discovered manual cars weren't really any cheaper than automatics with the same features (in fact, the automatics usually came with more and for the same price). And they only seem to cause trouble. They have a hard time idling and moving in heavy city traffic, and the hills around here are ridiculous, so seeing them stop at intersections on hills is just sad (and a bit frightening if you're right behind them). I really don't understand it at all.

 

[Sleepy Sol]

I first learned how to drive in an older manual Camaro (forgot the year of the model). Screaming metal death trap and whatnot.

Still, I haven't driven a manual vehicle in a good 3-4 years at this point. So I dunno if I could do it very well anymore.

 

[DefunctTheory]

I don't get why the rest of the world is so attached to manuals

If Top Gear is to trusted, Europe doesn't have a single straight road in it (Besides the Autobahn). I suppose if your driving experience was a perpetual turn, being able to shift gears manually instead of riding your breaks every time it gets a bit more curvy would be a step up.

 

[Lilani]

I don't get why the rest of the world is so attached to manuals

If Top Gear is to trusted, Europe doesn't have a single straight road in it (Besides the Autobahn). I suppose if your driving experience was a perpetual turn, being able to shift gears manually instead of riding your breaks every time it gets a bit more curvy would be a step up.

I suppose that makes sense. America is a lot of hills and long, straight roads that go on for hundreds of miles. I have a basic idea of how gears work just hearing my parents discuss their experience riding their motorcycles (which have manual gear shifts), so if my understanding of what they do is correct then that does make sense.

Which still means the elitism is unfounded, lol. They can feel all superior with their manual transmissions if they want, I'll feel superior knowing I can creep slowly up a hill and not sputter and ruin a clutch.

 

[Caiphus]

I can drive a manual about as well as I can skateboard.

Really poorly. And if I'm on a steep hill, I'm probably going to hurt myself.

 

[Drummodino]

I can drive a manual although most cars in Australia these days are automatic. I wanted to learn just in case I'm in an emergency situation someday where it's the only option, however my personal car is auto. It really is more convenient not having to worry about changing gears and such.

 

[Sassafrass]

I can but probably very badly. Haven't driven a car in over 4 years now.

 

[Arakasi]

I ride a motorbike, which is I guess technically manual.

 

[srm79]

And they only seem to cause trouble. They have a hard time idling and moving in heavy city traffic, and the hills around here are ridiculous, so seeing them stop at intersections on hills is just sad (and a bit frightening if you're right behind them). I really don't understand it at all.

That suggests that in the ones you've seen, the people driving them aren't very good at using the clutch. City traffic is no problem whatsoever, and neither should hill starts be any bother. If it's a really bad hill, or you're going to be sitting at lights for a while, stick on the handbrake. Find the bite point, release and off you trot. I suppose it's a question of what you're used to as much as anything else.

OT: There are almost no circumstances where I'd pick an automatic over a manual 'box, especially in Europe. Need to pass someone and not take all day about it? Shift down a gear and get some extra revs, with none of that mucking around trying to "kick" the automatic into downshifting. Heavy rain, snow or ice? Drive in a higher gear at lower revs. Better traction and less chance of spinning the wheels. The extra control from a manual is just comforting, and we don't have so many long straight roads over here. Also, automatics tend to be less fuel efficient. Europe hasn't really ever had the cheap petrol prices that the US has, which is partly why we've never gone in for cars with massive displacement engines either.

My mate has an imported Mitsubishi Legnum from Japan with an automatic box. The thing is a beast but the automatic 'box is a bit unpredictable sometimes - it seems to be especially bad for being unable to decide which gear to sit in if you're driving around the threshold of two gears. Fun when it kicks down with no warning and the turbo suddenly tries to shove your seat up your arsehole. It's even more "exciting" if it's wet, slippy, dark, or there's lots of traffic about. Had a couple of "intereting" moments coming off motorway sliproads onto roundabouts as well, where the 'box has stayed in too high a gear and the thing has been sluggish as hell when you press the loud pedal again. The only other automatic I've had experience of was a big Merc. It seemed to have a better idea of what gear it wanted to be in, but still had a tendency to stay in too high a gear for too long after any lengthy decelleration. Suffice to say, my experience of automatics hasn't particularly endeared them to me.

 

[Darren716]

I've only had my licence for about a year now and the only car I've driven is an automatic with no practice in a manual.

 

[Zak757]

On a motorcycle, yes. Never driven a manual car though. I can fly a plane just fine, how hard can driving a car manual be?

 

[Imperioratorex Caprae]

Yes, it is my preferred transmission and the type I learned to drive first. Feel much more in control of the car with a manual shift.

 

[shootthebandit]

Another UK person here. 90% of us drive a manual, I personally have a 6-speed manual box. I dont think id go back to a 5 again

Also how many of us have every had a hire car which tend to be autos (im guessing its easier for tourists and stuff) and pressing what you expect to be a clutch which is actually the brake

I don't get why the rest of the world is so attached to manuals

If Top Gear is to trusted, Europe doesn't have a single straight road in it (Besides the Autobahn). I suppose if your driving experience was a perpetual turn, being able to shift gears manually instead of riding your breaks every time it gets a bit more curvy would be a step up.

I suppose that makes sense. America is a lot of hills and long, straight roads that go on for hundreds of miles. I have a basic idea of how gears work just hearing my parents discuss their experience riding their motorcycles (which have manual gear shifts), so if my understanding of what they do is correct then that does make sense.

Which still means the elitism is unfounded, lol. They can feel all superior with their manual transmissions if they want, I'll feel superior knowing I can creep slowly up a hill and not sputter and ruin a clutch.

If you ruin a clutch creeping up a hill then you are a moron.

Advantages to a manual:

- faster, you can decide to change gear when you hit the red line for optimum speed
- more economical, you can decide to change gear at much lower revs
- more control, automatics terrify me when im on a hill. How do I trust it without a clutch
- cheaper, a similar car with an auto box is a lot more expensive and again more expensive to service

Advantages to an auto:

- laziness

 

[WouldYouKindly]

I'm from the UK, so yup. I've never actually driven an automatic so I can only imagine it's basically a giant go-kart.

Accurate, except it doesn't accelerate as well because on top of being less fun it generally has less gears and can't really be made to cycle through them most efficiently for either speed or gas mileage.

Back on topic. My first two cars were automatic. The one I got roughly a month ago is a 5 speed manual. I don't think I'm ever going back, not willingly anyway.

I like to describe it like the difference between walking on a sidewalk and walking on the rocks at the beach. Walking is a mundane everyday task, but when you're on the rocks at the beach you need to actually think about it and execute your steps well.

Some cars have a sport shift automatic, essentially an automatic that allows you to shift when you want if you want to. It still tends to downshift for you and you can't skip gears. It's a compromise, and not one I'd be willing to make anymore.

 

[Loop Stricken]

Yes, yes I can. Because I'm British, and because it's normal, and because it's better, God damn it.

 

[Taylor Becktold]

Yeah, my car is a five speed. Probably won't ever go back to auto. I still kill it at times because I throw it into too high a gear at start. But eh. I like it.

 

[Godhead]

My dad does not want a manual transmission car in his fleet, so I guess I'm not going to learn any time soon.

 

[mitchell271]

Yeah, I can, but I prefer automatic. Sure, manual gives me more control but I don't drive at a level where I need to have that much control.

 

[DefunctTheory]

- faster, you can decide to change gear when you hit the red line for optimum speed
- more economical, you can decide to change gear at much lower revs
- more control, automatics terrify me when im on a hill. How do I trust it without a clutch
- cheaper, a similar car with an auto box is a lot more expensive and again more expensive to service

Advantages to an auto:

- laziness

Manuals
- Why does speed matter when most road systems have speed limits far below what your vehicle can manage?
- I suppose you mean 'fuel effecient.' if that's your argument, then we should all switch to CVTs, which have been shown to have an advantage over manuals in many vehicles. It should also be noted that manuals do not always have better gas mileage - some cars are starting to come out with automatic transmissions that beat out their manuals in gas mileage.
- If automatics on hills scares a person, they are scaredy cat with no courage and about a third of the spine of a normal man. Which is as legitimate as the blanket 'Automatic transmissions are for the lazies' assumption you seem to be making.
- The price of automatic transmissions continues to drop (or stay level), even as they get better and more sophisticated. And this isn't even entirely true, if you want to be fair - Cheap manual transmissions are cheaper then automatics. The more elaborate manuals are retardly expensive.

Autos
-Impressive tower, Ivory Wizard

All of which doesn't mean autos are better then manuals, of course. Only that your elitism, while hilarious, is unfounded and blind.

Also...

Automatic Advantage

- Can play thumb war with passenger completely uninterrupted from beginning location to destination.
- Leaves hand free to flip the bird at fellow motorist while performing complicated swerving maneuvers at variable speed.
- Leaves hand free to pass objects to/hold hands with/fondle passenger.

 

[Irridium]

Nope. Here in the US most cars are automatic. Never cared or had a reason to learn. All I need my car for is to get to/from work, so yeah.

Besides, I hate driving anyway. The last thing I'd want to do is learn something that gets me more involved with it. Seems like too much added stress to an already stressful activity. But that's just me.