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My last car was a 6 spd manual, this one is an auto. I changed after being caught in one traffic jam too many. The A4 (with the performance rear axle ratio) really is a blast to drive. It launches great, and the lock up torque converter effectively makes it an 8 speed by clutching and declutching as needed (ie it is capable of splitting every gear). In the recent ice storm, I had much more control than if I'd been driving the manual (ie I was never in the "wrong gear" for the available traction). I haven't found any driving situation yet where I'd be better off with the manual tranny. My MPG actually improved too since there's now no tendency to stay in a lower gear too long, or lug in too high a gear.
I switched to autos in my trucks years ago. Even farm tractors are now automatics. They are simply a better way to get power to the ground in traction limited situations. The only thing manuals still have going for them is the "fun factor" of shifting the gears yourself, and that gets old real quick in heavy traffic.
Besides, you *can* shift the auto tranny manually if you insist. It can even be a useful technique in some situations, ie to keep the revs up while doing heavy braking into a corner, if you're playing in some twisties.
But all that said, it really depends on what you want out of the car. If it is to be a weekend play toy, then the "fun" of shifting manually may be more important to you than if it is a daily driver as mine is.
Yeah, in the rain/snow too. It's a car. It is meant to be driven. I drive it. Every day. No garage queens for me. You guys who keep them parked all the time don't know what you're missing.
They were kind enough to outfit me with the a6 prototype for testing. But you didn't hear that from me. One word gets out and midnight black flatbed from Bowling Green comes in the darkness ......SHHH!!!!
Until I moved to Houston, the MN6 was my choice. After driving in this traffic for a year, the A4 seems to be my choice. Although I would love to see the new A5 or A6 in the future.
Now with 400 horses. The A4 should give you the feel of the C5 with a MN6.