Im sick of driving automatic trannys

[AgeOfEmpires]

I don't buy that BS that only youngsters like manuals and as you get older you want an automatic. Maybe for the old farts who get fat and lazy. I'm 56 and I hate automatics. I actually enjoy driving, both my 4Runner and my MR2. Maybe it also depends on the type of vehicle you drive. I hate driving boring sedans.

Well, I am younger than you are, and I am glad I now drive an auto trans. Now, if I had a Ferrari, maybe I would feel differently, but for everyday driving, the automatic is the one for me. And I don't find my 4Runner boring to drive, even with the auto. (Oh, and for the record, I don't have a Ferrari - can't win them all).

I admit that for your typical soccer mom driving the kids around in the minivan, auto is best. But there's just something not right about autos in trucks and sports cars.

I must respectfully disagree here about something not being right about an automatic in a truck. If you will look at towing capacities, you'll find that in virtually every combo of engine/rearend, the auto will outtow the manual, period. I don't think you will find a case where the manual will outpull an auto given the same engine/rearend config.

To each his own, but I'll take my auto anyday.

 

[r_mutt]

Back in the day, I used to think manual trans was cool. Had a 3 or 4 (even one on the column) and have driven more than that. I can tell you that I do prefer the auto. The coolness days are over and I just don't want to have to worry about shifting while I'm driving.

i'm not sure about the others on this thread who have stated a preference for the manual, but i can only guess, like me, it's got nothing to do with being cool. driving an suv isn't really that cool- it's kind of neutral- but much cooler than driving an econobox or a pedestrian sedan. now riding a motorcycle- that's cool

Originally posted by AgeOfEmpires
I must respectfully disagree here about something not being right about an automatic in a truck. If you will look at towing capacities, you'll find that in virtually every combo of engine/rearend, the auto will outtow the manual, period. I don't think you will find a case where the manual will outpull an auto given the same engine/rearend config.

i don't agree with this. the auto box iirc, has a taller final ratio, and less total number of gears which some might say would put it at a disadvantage to the manual. i'm not sure what outpull means, but i'd think that the ability to choose the correct gear for every situation would be a big advantage over having a computer judge what you are thinking and what gear you might want want. isn't that why tractor trailers are manual shift?

 

[AgeOfEmpires]

i don't agree with this. the auto box iirc, has a taller final ratio, and less total number of gears which some might say would put it at a disadvantage to the manual. i'm not sure what outpull means, but i'd think that the ability to choose the correct gear for every situation would be a big advantage over having a computer judge what you are thinking and what gear you might want want. isn't that why tractor trailers are manual shift?

Maybe you are correct, but if you look at the specs on the Ford SD's the Dodge's and the Chevy's, they'll list the towing capacities on the autos above that of the manuals in most situations (the diesels are sometimes the exception - the autos and the manuals are equal with particular rearends).

The F150 manual has a stated capacity, IIRC, quite a bit below that of the auto.

Google towing manual vs. automatic and, obviously, you will find significant discussion. Much is based on opinion, but I think you'll find quite a few articles from orgs that have an interest in towing (camping, etc) that give the edge to automatics.

All of that being said, I would never want to pull a trailer at the limit of whatever my towing capacity was. So manual or auto, I'll stay below the max. I was just trying to refute the fact that there was no good reason for an automatic to be in a truck.

 

[jrs2]

The auto/manual preference is really a matter of personal choice. I don't think of a manual as being cool (well maybe in a mid-engine sports car ), I just enjoy driving with one. I figure, hey, I'm just sitting there anyway...

Probably in most circumstances with most drivers the modern auto is just as good or better than the manual. I do think that when hauling or towing in the mountains the manual is preferable.