I'd consider giving a DSG box a try for a test drive but much prefer a manual box for my driving. Being that I drive mainly on more rural roads with only some motorway and town driving a manual suits me better.

As others have mentioned there's that feeling of being in control more and being more involved with the whole experience of driving.

Had a go in a friends BMW 318 auto and hated it - left leg kept wanting to use the clutch pedal whilst slowing down and coming to halts but I expect you get used to them after a while.

Unfortunately I believe that manual boxes will get rarer in the future as auto and flappy paddle boxes get more advanced - try finding a big engined Merc, Jag or BMW with a manual box and the latest AMG auto's and the Lexus IS-F have 7 gears and I really can't imagine anyone developing a 7 speed manual box.

I don't think manufacturers are going to offer manuals on the more sporty or powerful models on the future.

Manual all the way and if it has to be an auto box, something like a volvo that holds the gear and not a BMW which "knows best" and changes up for you. (normally at the worse possible moment!) Mind you never ever ever ever ever ever a manual BMW diesel box.............awful!

If I meet anyone under the age of 40 with an automatic, who isn't:

a) Female

Disabled

Then I suddenly get a huge urge to rip the living **** out of them.

Same here lol. I've learned to accept women with automatics because they can't drive anyway. But men with automatic gearboxes in a cheap and crappy car. Come on...If it were 5. series or Merc, I'd get it but no, they put automatic boxes in crappy Opels or Korean crap. Damnit, I hate that!

Btw, why do you get to have Vauxhalls but we're stuck with Opels ?

Good album cover choice too!

Manual all the way and if it has to be an auto box, something like a volvo that holds the gear and not a BMW which "knows best" and changes up for you. (normally at the worse possible moment!) Mind you never ever ever ever ever ever a manual BMW diesel box.............awful!

I've driven a BMW 120 auto, and it was pretty vile. It changed down every time you pressed the throttle even moderately on the motorway (something the DSG will only do if floored), and was nowhere near fast enough for a thirsty 2 litre.

Left me with a bad impression of a BMW 1. I suspect with better seats and a manual box it would have been fine.

Btw, why do you get to have Vauxhalls but we're stuck with Opels ?

Historic. Vauxhall is a well known brand here, and perceived as British. Opel isn't.

It's only a badge change anyway.

Manual for me.

I've only drive a couple of autos and they were both awful. But then one was a Ford the other a Chrysler.

Having lived in America for a short while, I have to say that auto boxes have their uses. The type of roads and distances covered really don't lend themselves to manual boxes. Linked to cruise and a big yank tank, auto is a much better tool for crossing the plains/deserts

Here in the UK though, I've voted for manual.

Having lived in America for a short while, I have to say that auto boxes have their uses. The type of roads and distances covered really don't lend themselves to manual boxes. Linked to cruise and a big yank tank, auto is a much better tool for crossing the plains/deserts

Here in the UK though, I've voted for manual.

I really don't get that argument; IMO it's pretty much irrelevant what sort of box you have in long distance steady speed cruising, as long as the gear ratios are well suited to the engine.

Three arguments against automatic:

1) Increased fuel consumption (well, depending on how you use your stick on a manual box

2) If your starter gives up you're stuck

3) If your gearbox gives up, the specialist's bill starts at £200...

But when I was a city transport bus driver ages ago I blessed the automatic many times. Didn't have to care about any of the issues above, of course.

But when I was a city transport bus driver ages ago I blessed the automatic many times. Didn't have to care about any of the issues above, of course.

Yup.. agree with you there. Manual busses were always a pain... although the tail happy action couldn't be achieved by the autos!

:+1: - I've already said I reckon autos are better in stop-start conditions.

If I meet anyone under the age of 40 with an automatic, who isn't:

a) Female

Disabled

Then I suddenly get a huge urge to rip the living **** out of them.

what a tit....:lamer:

I've driven a BMW 120 auto, and it was pretty vile. It changed down every time you pressed the throttle even moderately on the motorway (something the DSG will only do if floored), and was nowhere near fast enough for a thirsty 2 litre.

Left me with a bad impression of a BMW 1. I suspect with better seats and a manual box it would have been fine.

The petrol manual bmw is fine, but the diesel (from my experience of a 530d) was awful. So bad there was a nice sense of achievement when it was mastered! On the auto front those new joystick gear sticks they have are useless too imho

Edited 4 November, 200817 yr by mark3844

I really don't get that argument; IMO it's pretty much irrelevant what sort of box you have in long distance steady speed cruising, as long as the gear ratios are well suited to the engine.

I agree with you on that one. I guess I was heading down the whole feel of the thing. Having a Euro buzz box to go from LA to Vegas is less appealing than in a big comfy car with an auto box. I'm talking vibes man..

I agree with you on that one. I guess I was heading down the whole feel of the thing. Having a Euro buzz box to go from LA to Vegas is less appealing than in a big comfy car with an auto box. I'm talking vibes man..

Well yes, but I really meant that, say, an A8 with a manual is every bit as suited to real long-distance travel on quiet roads as a slush-box Caddy!

what a tit....:lamer:

You'd probably find most lads who are into performance + cars who are under the age of 25 will be the same.

If you're a woman, you can't drive, fine its acceptable.

If you're disabled, no questions asked really.

If its in a big Jag or Merc with massive engine, still a bit "whaa" but meh, let you off.

If its in a Corsa with a 1.2 engine or a 206, WHY?

WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY?

I've always though that a conventional automatic means paying more to get fewer gears and worse performance. Even some manufacturers admit the fact, like Citroen putting smaller tyres on automatics "because a typical customer for these vehicles isn't interested in performance".

I've always though that a conventional automatic means paying more to get fewer gears and worse performance. Even some manufacturers admit the fact, like Citroen putting smaller tyres on automatics "because a typical customer for these vehicles isn't interested in performance".

and worse economy, in most cases.

and worse economy, in most cases.

True, but that's an aspect of performance IMO.

I love autos, it makes the car feel more refined, saves the old knee and generally is a lot less hassle on todays urban roads.

Economy does suffer, I'd say about 25% in mine, DSG is another beast though, these are supposed to be almost as economic as a manual, and so it should as no man can change gear as fast as the DSG boxes do, some owners might like to post their consumption and average speed figures here.