Automatic or Manual..

[smokeysmoo]

[QUOTE 5002196, member: 9609"]My mother has a 12 plate Peugeot with a hideous auto, it is just purely and simply awful (may be its faulty)[/QUOTE]
Sounds like she's actually got an EGC model, which if the case isn't a true auto.

The true autos in Pugs are great, whereas the EGC is an absolute pig of a thing. It's actually a manual box that shifts electronically and is a horribly ponderous piece of $h1te to drive as a result.

 

[screenman]

Every automatic I've had you have the ability to manually change gear if you want, but why would you!

I was thinking the same thing.

 

[MacB]

Every automatic I've had you have the ability to manually change gear if you want, but why would you!

Only a real man can understand, worryingly I seem to be as clueless on the subject as you

 

[Spinney]

My manual has a display which tells me which gear the engine management system thinks I should be in. On winding country roads or hilly roads, I find it frequently recommends a gear higher than the one I think I should be in. If I follow its recommendations the engine sounds like its struggling (it may not be, of course, but there's an annoying very low note).

So if the automatic version did the same thing, I can quite see why I would want to change gear myself.

Does that make me a real man?

 

[vickster]

Automatic (Skoda DSG). Changed about 6 years ago due to a dodgy left knee

Would never go back to a manual now, just too much traffic and thanks to my car being super and turbo charged it goes like the proverbial (I believe the model I have is actually quicker in auto than manual guise). It has flappy paddles but never used

As a 1.4, its much more economical than some previous manual cars with similarish (albeit lower) acceleration (ST170, Mini Cooper S works, Fiat Coupe 20v)

Urban driving, maybe 40mpg, motorway cruising much more

Always hire auto cars too (mostly in US)

 

[MacB]

Does that make me a real man?

Possibly but maybe you'd need the surgery first

 

[Bazzer]

I'd get an auto for my next car. Found modern ones induce a more relaxed driving style, but maybe that's just me.
Wife was lent a Honda for a few days by a dealer whilst hers was being worked on and that started me thinking more about them. Then had some hire ones through work. Merc and Skoda (large saloon) were particularly enjoyable and pleasant to drive IIRC. A friend has an E220 Merc, which has a lovely smooth gear change.

 

[green1]

I currently have a automatic Quattro, only reason being you can't get a manual Quattro anymore. Absolutly hateful even in manual mode as the computer won't let you change into the gear you want to be in.

 

[potsy]

My manual has a display which tells me which gear the engine management system thinks I should be in. On winding country roads or hilly roads, I find it frequently recommends a gear higher than the one I think I should be in. If I follow its recommendations the engine sounds like its struggling (it may not be, of course, but there's an annoying very low note).

My current one has this too, I tend to ignore it

 

[Spinney]

My current one has this too, I tend to ignore it

That's my remedy too, having experimented a bit.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Only a real man can understand, worryingly I seem to be as clueless on the subject as you

You must be a dainty type like me then.

 

[Cycleops]

If you're an old man/woman you're much more likely to drive an auto. Thats why nearly all Mercs are auto to suit their aging clientele. Younger people like to wring the last drop of performance. Simple as that. I drive auto.

 

[vickster]

Nothing like a stereotype
...My brother got his auto Alpina 3.3 in his 30s...there's nothing sedate about that car (it's a very practical estate though)!!

I had an auto SLK in my 30s too (pre knee)

 

[Drago]

I had an Alpina B10 BiTurbo when I was with my ex Wife. Stupidly, ridiculously, ludicrously fast. Made the M5 seem pedestrian.

 

[Dave7]

Driven autos for many years. Used to "live" on motorways when I worked and auto was a god-send in traffic. Stuck with them ever since.........and Mrs Dave has also gone auto.
I now drive a 65 plate Astra...............lovely car. very smooth and comfy.