[OFFICIAL] Manual v. Automatic Thread

[scruffydog]

I totally know where you're coming from. I've always love the feel of a manual transmission and I am also in the process of buying a 370z, but one thing I am sure of wanting is a Manual, not an auto. One of the most recent car I bought was a Lexus IS and it comes with an Auto with Paddle shifters. I sold my previous manual car for an auto becaues I figure a Lexus isn't really a true sports car so an Auto just seems more suitable as it is an luxuary car. Plus, I needed a car that can be shared between my fiancee and me. Not to mention, I injured my left foot several years back so having a stage 2 clutch was hurting my left foot as it applied too much pressure on me.

Of course I know a Lexus IS is not comparable with the Nissan 370z auto, but to me, it's not too far different to use in this comparison as we're talking about Manual vs Auto and not Auto vs Auto. Don't get me wrong, I love driving an Auto and i see the benefit of having an auto (esp in traffic), but the reason I am getting a 370z is because I miss driving a manual car. I feel that there's more to the driving experience in a Manual. Not to mention, the 370z is the pretty much the only car out there that is still looking for ways to improve manual transmission technology instead of switching over to twin clutch like most car manufacturers.

Times have change, and I know and admit that Auto is faster and better in almost every way. But after driving an Auto (even with the paddle shifter), it's just not the same feeling - half the time when I'm in an auto, I don't even both with the paddle, because it's still computer controlled. Also, not to mention, most of the time when you're putting the Auto transmission in Manual mode, you're probably doing a crappier job than leaving the computer to do the work. Especially for the cars that have Sports mode, vs normal mode where the designers have research when the best possible scenario case is for the car to downshift or upshift for performance or fuel economy. The computer is programmed to do what's the engineers think is best for the car's performance everytime and never make a mistake like humans do. Of course this could be argued between car manufacturers to manufacturers as this all depends how much research and how well of a job the engineers do when they test out these cars.

Personally, I feel more disconnected to the road experience. The more the computer takes over, the less skill it requires me to have to drive the car. To me, I prefer take control over more things myself, but I can see for someone who only cares about getting the fastest lap time in a track, an auto or twin clutch is the way to go.

By the way, Road and Track has a really good article that talks about Manual vs. Twin Clutch (Auto) I think it's 2 issues back...but it's really worthwhile to read it. To sum it up, for driving experience - go with Manual, but for the best time around lap - go with auto.

PS> Sometimes I just love to depress my clutch pedal to Rev my car and you can't really do that with an auto...unless u shift it to Neutral...so for me, this alone makes a manual transmission all worth it =P muhahahaa j/k