Automatic transmission - preferences

[HDi fun]

A lot of members have written within their posts that they dislike automatic transmission and would always choose manual in preference.

I have to admit a preference for automatics over manuals, although I don't like the old fashioned 3 speed units particularly.

[waynne]

We should also discuss the newer paddle shift arrangements as seen in everything from Ferrari to VAG models. Personally I like the "stick" but having never really used an automatic long term I am biased.

I think I feel more in control with a stick, but auto boxes have come so far and almost have an intuition about what you are wanting it seems silly to blindly hang on to a gearstick is better philosophy. The paddles are very quick and are more of a clutchless gearchange so I can see these as a good compromise or middle ground.

[Izo Azlion]

Frankly I enjoy having a stick to shift. Auto's are boring to me, i mean sure, give me a Bentley Continental GT and I wont care what it is, but if I was buying a sports car for the purpose of driving rather than just driving (if you get me) I'd always go stick.

Flappy Paddle Gearboxes strike me as drawing you away from the feel of the car, although I cant say I know, as I've never driven one.

[HDi fun]

A lot of current model autos are in fact self shifting manuals with automatically operated clutches. I like the idea of ditching the clutch but still having the chance to override the box when necessary.

I have driven a couple of paddle and sequential stick units - they're great. Even better, leave 'em in full auto mode and they learn your driving over a few hundred miles.

[pgarner]

i prefer stick manual but its based on the fact i have never driven the flappy paddle and the autos ive driven im just starting to get used to them when giving them back.

with more time i would prob consider a auto as its handier in stop / start

[waynne]

Its when you see a Toyota Supra Auto do a 10 second run that you sit up and take notice!

[HDi fun]

That gets rid of the 'automatic equals slow' thing. Now, what if the automatic car had a DIESEL engine too???

Ooops, here I go again

[ascaudio]

i find automatics dangerous when entering a fast corner with a manual you can down change and get the car slowing under braking if you over cook a corner in an auto all you can do is break usually means offski

[HDi fun]

Why not get your braking done in a straight line and enter the bend under neutral conditions?

That way you can drive out of it under acceleration rather than sliding all over the place and making a plonker of yourself.

You'll find that you can corner a bloody sight quicker if you get things in shape before you commit to a bend.

Incidentally, you can force autos down to lower gears manually but halfway round a corner is not the time to be doing this, auto or manual.

[fingers]

Originally Posted by ascaudio

i find automatics dangerous when entering a fast corner with a manual you can down change and get the car slowing under braking if you over cook a corner in an auto all you can do is break usually means offski

Actually, thats completley wrong. Even with an old 3 speed auto box like I have in the Near Lee I can still shift down a gear to use the engine to brake and I have to on a regular basis (the brakes on that are not the best, drums all round and no servo ). On a 3 speed the selector idicator reads P R N D 2 1, When approaching a corner I simply move the shifter out of D and into 2 and if I slow down enough 1. Also by doing this the engine is already at revs when you come out of the corner and I can accelerate smoothly. Idrive the Volvo the same way when I'm in a hurry to keep the revs up and the turbo spooling.

Weather I prefer a manual or auto depends very much on the car. I personally find small cars with little engines boring with an auto box. Automatic cars need to be big and grunty.

[HDi fun]

Fingers, you seem to have a similar approach to my own. Good on ya - I'm in need of support on this one.

I'm sticking to my guns about changing down halfway round a bend or corner, and I think your thoughts concur with mine.

Auto or manual, none of us want to be either making changes halfway round a bend or provoking them by kicking the autobox down to the lowest available gear.

Perhaps a new thread is due;-

Road Cornering Techniques: Approach, Assessment, and Execution.

This can be analysed to the Nth degree - let's see how granular it can get?

Why don't you lead this for me (for once I'm stuck for words!!)

Cheers,

P.

[waynne]

(They get like this sometimes ASC it seems to be contagious. First we start getting people liking diesels and now automatics. It's best to just nod and smile )