Automatic cars?

[GoldenMerc]

aha, i noticed that aswel Edan.
Anyways both my parents have Automatic, they say its far easier specially for the morning its just switch on and go like. They have a Honda Accord and a Mercedes SLK. so ye but my mum says the next slk she wants it to be a manual and a higher engine aswel

[GommeInc]

I think you got too carried away with 'manual'

Hush your face/fingers

Automatics are good for long journeys in terms of economical usage, but never let them do simple pop out to the shops or drive around towns, cities or country lane jobs. The big ones are terrible with them at least.

A manual is just a good all rounder - can do motorways because, simply, you can sit in fifth gear most of the time unless traffics and accidents happens. And in stop-start traffic they burn away less fuel because an automatic is always pushing forward (thus you always see break lights on when stopped next to an automatic, though manual drivers do the same usually). Speaking of automatics, they're awful to drive passed when stopped behind one when a car is passing. I thought the one infront was trying to reverse but seems they were just changing from R to D

[tdi]

i agree that a manual's a good all rounder, although i'd still prefer my car to an automatic even on a motorway, just stick it in 6th and go.. bang the cruise control on if I'm feeling exceptionally lazy but it rarely gets used. ^^

[GTA-Andy]

Couple of words, fuel economy. While it is improving most cars get about 10 UK MPG less than it's manual counterpart, because the car changes gear at the 'best' time, not the most economical.

[Metric1]

Couple of words, fuel economy. While it is improving most cars get about 10 UK MPG less than it's manual counterpart, because the car changes gear at the 'best' time, not the most economical.

over here it's 1 MAYBE 2 mpg the automatic sacrifices.

[tdi]

Let's use a typical affordable family car as an example, a Mondeo 2.0 Ghia X.. First figure's Manual, the other one's Auto

Weight (kg): 1386 - 1432
Top Speed (mph): 134 - 118
0-60 (s): 9.6 - 11.1
Power (bhp): 142 - 142
MPG: 36 - 31
CO2 Emissions (g/kg): 187 - 218
Tax Band: J (£235) - K (£245)

[Jin]

Saying that, a Porsche tiptronic gearbox beats any manul gearbox hands down. Please don't disagree with me unless you have actually driven one.

Based upon that, please don't tell me it beats manuals unless you have tried a good 100 or so manual cars.

I must say I prefer manual over automatic I like how I have a better feel for the road also generally associated with automatics are endless and endless transmission control settings about how you want it to change gears and what not with a manual none of that messing around.

Also I find it entertaining that the DVLA or whoever find that drivers who pass their test in an automatic are not competent enough to drive a manual and must forever stick to an automatic yet it works both ways for a manual test-passer.

But from an American/Canadian point of view UK are better drivers Quoting two friends (one us and one ca both living in the UK).

The english have the ability to change gears, drive on roads instead of runways and actually use a steering wheel!

[Metric1]

Based upon that, please don't tell me it beats manuals unless you have tried a good 100 or so manual cars.

I must say I prefer manual over automatic I like how I have a better feel for the road also generally associated with automatics are endless and endless transmission control settings about how you want it to change gears and what not with a manual none of that messing around.

Also I find it entertaining that the DVLA or whoever find that drivers who pass their test in an automatic are not competent enough to drive a manual and must forever stick to an automatic yet it works both ways for a manual test-passer.

But from an American/Canadian point of view UK are better drivers Quoting two friends (one us and one ca both living in the UK).

I've driven everything from a 4-speed auto to a 7-speed auto. IMO, the more gears you have, the more control you feel.

[Black_Apalachi]

manual. except right now because my clutch fluid is leaking.

[GommeInc]

But from an American/Canadian point of view UK are better drivers Quoting two friends (one us and one ca both living in the UK).

They've clearly never been to the East/Southeast of England Drivers here are scary things... But what you quoted is true, we do need to use a steering wheel