Preference/Poll 2001 Automatic or Stick?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 940
Likes: 0
From: Surprise Arizona
If you look at sales figures, the automatic wins. Compelling arguments can be made for both. IMO, both perform about as well, so the biggest difference is in the perceived driver "experience". To each his own.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 13,760
Likes: 75
From: Haymarket VA
I just had my 11th major knee surgery - total knee replacement this time - and I was driving my M6 4 weeks later. Luckily it was my right knee and you don't have to push too hard to make the car go real fast. 
My vote manual but I think all sports cars should be ragtops with a stick.
My vote manual but I think all sports cars should be ragtops with a stick.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 512
Likes: 0
I would not let others likes and dislikes make my decisions. 
Rather I would honestly ask what I wanted in a vehicle.
The Manual may be more fun when you want to play around , but maybe not so much fun in everyday stop and go traffic .
On a race course the manual wins.
At the strip the auto may have a advantage ??
Missed shifts, rev limiter ??
Mileage... the auto will win, too many people cant resist the temptation to drive less than economically.
But no matter which plays out neither is right for everybody.
Ask yourself which one matches your driving need the best.
THERE IS NO WRONG ANSWER.
If you buy a auto you will probably have times where you might want to shift. If you have a auto you can still move the stick around.
If you buy the manual you may get tired of shifinng . You will probably not have a choice not to do so.
Mike
Portland Oregon
Rather I would honestly ask what I wanted in a vehicle.
The Manual may be more fun when you want to play around , but maybe not so much fun in everyday stop and go traffic .
On a race course the manual wins.
At the strip the auto may have a advantage ??
Missed shifts, rev limiter ??
Mileage... the auto will win, too many people cant resist the temptation to drive less than economically.
But no matter which plays out neither is right for everybody.
Ask yourself which one matches your driving need the best.
THERE IS NO WRONG ANSWER.
If you buy a auto you will probably have times where you might want to shift. If you have a auto you can still move the stick around.
If you buy the manual you may get tired of shifinng . You will probably not have a choice not to do so.
Mike
Portland Oregon
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
My signature for years on another site was Real hot rods have a clutch!...
I'm sure someone will say...Well, an a/t has a clutch..and to that I say...To each his own.
I'm 59, btw.
I'm sure someone will say...Well, an a/t has a clutch..and to that I say...To each his own.
I'm 59, btw.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Jan 19, 2008 at 07:08 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,868
Likes: 770
From: Kelso Washington
St. Jude Donor '09, '13, '15
While a manual is not as much fun in stop and go traffic, it is WAY more FUN (for me) the rest of the time!
I even looked hard to find a stick shift pickup. I just like the control and the added power at the rear wheels.
Plus, it just seems that automatics are not nearly as bulletproof as they used to be. I don't trust them.
Most people already have their mind strongly made up about this choice. I know mine is.
Hope you enjoy whichever side the fence you fall on
I even looked hard to find a stick shift pickup. I just like the control and the added power at the rear wheels.
Plus, it just seems that automatics are not nearly as bulletproof as they used to be. I don't trust them.
Most people already have their mind strongly made up about this choice. I know mine is.
Hope you enjoy whichever side the fence you fall on
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,594
Likes: 959
From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
I'm 62 an drive a 6 speed.
If you do a lot of city stop and go driving, go for the A4. If you do a lot of highway driving, or this is not your daily driver, go for the 6-speed. I love my manual, but it is not a daily driver. I was actually surprised to see just how many 6-speeds were out there when I went shopping.
What ever you decide, just enjoy it and have fun.
If you do a lot of city stop and go driving, go for the A4. If you do a lot of highway driving, or this is not your daily driver, go for the 6-speed. I love my manual, but it is not a daily driver. I was actually surprised to see just how many 6-speeds were out there when I went shopping.
What ever you decide, just enjoy it and have fun.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 1
From: South of Indy
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
Automatic
I got over the clutch and shifting thing long ago.... I have an auto and love it. Stop and go traffic is merely an aggravation to me now, my knees and feet don't even care. my .02 cents.
Last edited by 04cad; Jan 20, 2008 at 03:21 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,868
Likes: 770
From: Kelso Washington
St. Jude Donor '09, '13, '15
I think it boils down to simple mathematics......
If you can only count to four.....get the automatic.
If you can comprehend beyond that.....get the stick
HA.....okay.....bring on the flaming....I'm ready!
I just couldn't resist.....
If you can only count to four.....get the automatic.
If you can comprehend beyond that.....get the stick
HA.....okay.....bring on the flaming....I'm ready! I just couldn't resist.....
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 330
Likes: 1
From: loves park Illinois
I've had both. The first one was an A4 and I always wished it was a 6 speed. I constantly manually shifted it wishing it was a manual. Now I got what I wanted and couldn't be happier. I mainly drive in town but it becomes a routine thing with the clutch and you don't even think about it. There is no wrong answer but some people only get one chance to own a vette. You will enjoy either way.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 675
Likes: 3
From: Riverside, California
Just sold my 911S and bought a C5 with the automatic. Not a single regret on either getting a 'vette and loosing the manual. You drive in traffic you'll regret the manual shifting, you get older, have weak knees or a bad back (or could get one) you'll love the automatic.
Padrino
Padrino
