RANT: I HATE Automatic Transmissions.

[microchip13]

I don't intend to point fingers in anyway
I don't mean to offend anyone
These are just my thoughts
Just my opinions

Mods, remove this thread if it gets out of control.

I HATE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.

They're ugly, slow, pathetic.

They're almost like American stupidity devices, for those people who are simply too * lazy to shift themselves, who don't want the extra effort.


Does it really take that much extra effort to shift? Not really.
In my mind, I think it keeps your head in the game, having to shift that is.

Having to shift means that it's harder to do other things, like eat chinese food, or shave while driving.


I see automatics as little go carts, and have a hard time thinking of them as cars.

There's an extra level between you and the car that shouldn't be there, another step, just so one has to do less work.

I'm disgusted by the fact when I ask my friends if they're going to learn how to drive a 5 speed, and the answer is unfortunatly no. I think that it's at least good to even know.


I find it amazing that manual transmissions here are as rare as automatic transmissions in other countries, I just find it insane that it seems that America as a whole is lazy.

And unfortunatly, I'm going to be reduced to driving one, a disgusting slow automatic, for at least one year, and can only get out of it when I can afford to buy a car.


Again, no intentions to offend anyone, just frustrated in general.

[Kramerica]

I feel the opposite. I'm constantly amazed that manuals still exist in this day and age. If it weren't for cost, I'm not sure they would, outside of racing/enthusiast circles. I have no problem with those sport-shift combination type things. I can appreciate that shifting might be "fun" in some circumstance, but required? Nah.

[mattkime]

>>can appreciate that shifting might be "fun" in some circumstance, but required?

Apparently someone that has never had to let up on the gas to go _faster_ in an automatic.

[spearmint]

I remember not knowing and renting a manual and nearly nailing a pedestrian in front in the parking garage. I like manuals but hate clutches and the mayhem that can result. The Porsche Tiptronic and the like seems to be the answer. Sorry.

[microchip13]

While not perfect, at least TipTronic is better than an Auto in my opinion.

[rz]

yeah! And while we're at it, let's get rid of those stupid Graphical User Interfaces on computers! We're all getting too damn lazy, pointing and clicking on "pictures" instead of typing in the commands we want!

Chill, dude. At least you have a choice. What are you, 16 now? And you're whining about a feature in a car that you don't like? I had to share a crappy old car (Chevy Vega) with my sister from age 18-21, and the first car that was "mine" was a 20 year old junker. Be thankful that being forced to drive an automatic is all you have to whine about.

[microchip13]

You'll have to force me a whole lot.

[ajakeski]

My 400 C.I.D. 1972 Plymouth roadrunner has a 727 automatic transmission. Not slow by any measure. In fact back in the super stock drag racing days of the 1960's, cars with the 727 had faster E.T.'s than manual shifted ones. In fact, the only driver of the day who could out-shift an auto was Ronnie Sox of the Sox and Martin race team.
Even today, drag cars are automatic. A shift lever for each gear and each is automatically shifted by an air driven ram that is computer controlled.
I agree that manual shift cars are more fun to drive than automatic ones (like my MINI S) but manual cars are not necessarily faster, especially when you factor in human error.

[JEBB]

Automatic transmissions are much more likely to need repair than are standard transmissions and those repairs are usually very expensive.

[voodoopenguin]

Here in the UK where manual transmissions are way more common than automatics I grew up having to use a stick for shifting gears. I was always of the opinion that this was the best way and yes, automatics were for lazy old people but then I finally bought a car that was my dream back in 1966, a Jensen Interceptor. My model was from 1971 (I think) and this would have been about 1994 and at the time it was the fastest car I had ever owned. Chrysler 440 ci with just a 3 speed auto that blew away most other cars on our roads at the time even when it was over 20 years old. It was a different way of driving as despite the performance it was not a sports car but a true luxury Grand Touring car. I was swung over to autos for certain situations. Since then I have had three Alfas which were all manual and they were great fun but now have a 1991 Maserati 228 which has an automatic box. Once again it's a luxury high speed tourer and not a sports car but again it is now the fastest car I have ever had both in acceleration and top speed. The auto box fits well with the walnut, leather, suede and gold.

At some point I want to try a Morgan or a Lotus 7 but for them I will want a manual box.