Mine's an automatic cuz I've never learned to drive manual...I also wear heels all the time, so that would make it difficult. And the slow thing is also true...it takes a while to get up to speed at first.

That is the caveat of driving an automatic in traffic. Sure you don't have to keep putting it in gear constantly, but you have to keep your damn foot on the brake all the time :evil_lau:

I bought an Auto for the wife, but then I am getting a bit lazy these days anyway ;)

I drive an auto, simply because i do at least 3,000 miles a month through london and the rest of the uk and suffer from a slight hint of road rage :2gun:

I am tempted to get a manual Integra Type R though for evening and weekend playtime. :O))

Nickos.

I guess it was not that important a factor in my decision to buy. In retrospect, though, I don't think I would be able to eat nearly as much taco bell driving in the city in a manual.

I like my autos. Wil probably never go manual. Mayeb F1 paddle shifters...

A mediocre driver in a well programmed automatic (which this BMW sure is) can beat a mediocre driver in a manual any day. My friend has a 1997 standard Ti and I have a 1998 auto, I know I have .1L on him but he's not even close at 1/4mile. Maybe 1/8th, and I'm gone in traffic.

He's never owned an auto in 10 years of driving (I know, we're young) and I've never owned a standard. I use the free hand to keep my woman happy on long rides, wouldn't want my gearshift to replace me.

Its mostly preference, but not many purebread racers use manuals, padals at best, autos in the rest.

Just MHO

Same here.

plus 2

Manual for me, I could never drive an auto again. Its something that keeps you busy, and makes me feel more part of the car.

I've got the manual,.. it's a good tranny but with a I-6 the tranny would be put to better use,.. although when downshift on 3rd doing 100km/h it's fun :wink:

I hate Autos, I have owned only one in my life(1965 Stang Coupe), but everytime I drive my sister's focus I drive it as a manual, same with my mom's mustang. It is always funny when I get accelerating, and let off the gas to shift and realize there isn't a clutch there. I know that any talented driver in a stick should beat an automatic, in practically any type of vehicle. And I don't know about that ti manual losing to an at. I mean, AlaskaBlue's ti owns my moms 94 stang, but we roughly have the same hp, and the stang has about 1000lbs on him. I could beat the 01 v6 stang we used to race, Andy would usually beat him by a car length and i would by about 1.5-2 car lengths, before I got gears!! I hate automatics!!!! No offense guys
Andrew
P.S. I have owned 3 5speeds in my 3.5 years of driving(00' 4cy s10, 89 taurus sho, and my baby 98 4.3L s10!!:evil_lau: ) And yes I do put any auto i am driving in neutral when I stop at lights and in traffic! I am lazy!!!

personally, i can't STAND autos, especially in a 4 cyl car with a limited power band. i want to be able to choose when/where to shift, that's part of the enjoyment of the car. when tracking (if i did it), an auto's not an option as you need to be able to choose your shift points when cornering, etc.

I love driving, so I have a manual. Honestly, it's still pretty slow off the line and perhaps the 4.44 rear end in the automatics is really better suited to the limited low-end torque of the M43/4. I've never driven an automatic ti ...

I really don't get the whole "automatics are easier in stop and go traffic" thing. You're already using one of your feet for the gas and brakes. What's the big deal about using your second foot?

To each, his/her own, but I really don't understand why you would drive an automatic unless you are physically impaired or just plain lazy. I know this sounds harsh, but I guess I am just getting bitter about the increasing lack of cars available in this country with manual transmissions.

Many of the highline sports cars only give you automatic, e.g. Mercedes Benz SL500, Lexus SC430, etc. That essentially kills a good sports car.

I hate my auto and plan to get rid of it as soon as possible.