Ford - Manual or Auto

[XR6T0Y]

Auto, mainly because of the build up of traffic so quickly and the pathetic speed limits now. No use having a manual. From about 11 in the morning till about 6 at night, you can't shift out of 2nd in auto, let alone trying in a manual.
Would rather a manual however

[Silver Ghia]

Originally Posted by Cheese3

People that say auto because of traffic/daily you clearly need to get lessons... A manual in traffic isn't rocket science...

Agreed, but drivers are getting lazier. I can see why some prefer having an auto, as being stuck in stop start very slow moving traffic for 30 minutes or more with a manual FG can be a bit of work. But there is sheer pleasure in having full control of the transmission at whatever speed and situation with no computer in the way, in the right gear at any time by anticipating whats ahead, that is what driving is all about. Not just steering and pushing on the accelerator, with the left leg slowly dying.

I suggest also that driver concentration is better maintained when driving a manual, than when driving an automatic.

[blackf6]

I drive trucks for a living and driving the 18 speed gear box at work all day is fine , but I sometimes like to just sit down and let the car drive me. But really my current car just happened to be an auto on the lot.

[dallasv8]

i own an auto but i prefer a manual.i actually hate autos lol.
only reason i own an auto is because i tow a horse float on occasion and the manuals arent up to the job.
when i do update to a new ranger it will definitely be a manual.

[Trek]

I can't really afford to drive a manual anymore due to my knees. Has to be auto for me, sadly.

[Smoke Pursuit]

FPV Suggest 78% of their cars are Auto.

I have only ever driven one FPV manual I actually liked... an FG Supercharged GTP that a member here bought... Was very solid.

[Rockape]

Poll is much closer than i thought it would be.

[302 XC]

Originally Posted by Ford_The_Win

Auto for me and probably always will be, manuals are fun to drive but I'd never buy one. Put it in D and let the car do the rest, nice and easy.

The AU ute ive just bought is the first auto ive ever had as a daily
Wonder why on earth i never got an auto sooner
Shoe suffling gears, boy racer cars ....

[red_hotxr6]

I own both, nice long drives, manual and traffic driving, going to the city and back, auto, although if i could have found an el ghia in manual i would have bought it..

[MAGPIE]

Originally Posted by Cheese3

People that say auto because of traffic/daily you clearly need to get lessons... A manual in traffic isn't rocket science...

Nobody said it was rocket science, it is simply easier and more relaxing driving an auto in typical big city rush hour traffic.... fact !

[MAGPIE]

I always have one of each.

All things being equal I will choose the manual, but when I lived in the big smoke and commuted the auto would be the first choice.

The Mustang is auto because I wasn't prepared to gamble on the notorious MT-82 when I don't have warranty support and the 6R80 is in the diesel territory which makes parts readily available.

I have a turbo subi if I want to row the gears.


What cracks me up is all these hero's who think your not a man if you have a auto

[pauljh74]

Had an XE manual, got an EL XR6 manual now and just bought a Mazda 3 SP23 6 speed manual (RACV inspection tomorrow). That said, the Borg Warner/BTR transmissions in the first 2 are nothing special and the ZF could be the better pick now (haven't driven one of those). Unless it is something special (which makes it pricier), I haven't found any auto that I'd pick over a manual.

It is nice being lazy at the lights, but once it starts hunting gears or when you give it a little gas to keep up with the car in front, then you hear the revs go up and initially nothing happens to your speed and if you lift off to slow a little, the overdrive gear in the auto coasts in towards the car in front, without slowing as much as it would with a manual in top gear using slight engine braking.

[SXR6]

My BA XR8 is auto, the 4 speed kind of auto lol. When driving it daily it was perfect. Now it gets driven once a week and when I do drive it, I like it alot, but its missing something, apart from power its the 3rd pedal lol.
Have a high stall and stuff, and its all fun and good but its not the same, I test drove an FG GT 6spd manual (5.4) a couple of days ago, and the BA could very well be going in a few weeks.

[MWTB]

I much prefer manual, but it was hard to find a manual BF XR6 so I 'settled' for a ZF 6spd auto. If I had to have an auto then it would have to be the ZF 6 speed.

I agree with Cheese about manual in traffic not being rocket science. I drove a manual in traffic for 3 years and never had an issue, it certainly isn't a deal breaker for me.

If I had my way, I'd have a 6 speed manual but unfortunately it wasn't on the cards. I'm not disappointed with my 6 speed auto, I just prefer manual on the whole.

[OffRoadFalcon]

I've been driving autos since I was 3, we've always owned them, and only driven a couple of manuals.

At the moment, I reckon I'd take an auto for everyday, manual in a sports car or rally car.

I haven't had much manual driving experience, and haven't had the chance to get good enough yet to actually enjoy it, tolerate yes. I can see myself enjoying it though once I get some more experience! I know the basics... but I just need to practice.

[Revolver]

Interesting to see the poll is almost a 50-50 split ATM 50.88 vs 49.12.

My Fairlane is an auto (obviously) but My next car would most probably be a Manual. I have only driven Auto's, (although I can drive manual). But as much as I love my Fairlane, My next car needs to be a Manual. Im sort of sick of Auto's.

And no for those of you who are thinking, my 94 Fairlane is NOT getting a Manual conversion. If Fairlane's were meant to have a manual box, there would have damn well been an option for it.

[mr smith]

The FG manuals I have driven are shocking. Some blokes wont even drive the Falcon manuals we have had at work and I couldnt argue with them. My Ranger manual was great even though sitting in peak traffic ended up giving me the s&*ts.

[vanman_75]

i love me manuals ...but am very happy most people drive autos now , for what ever reason ...use to really annoy me people rolling backwards at you while they try to take off .its funny how we are a minority in the world with the auto though ...pretty rare sight in europe .could have something to do with our obesity problem ...

[FBT002]

Got an NL Fairlane... obviously and auto until a few months ago Much better to drive now.

[atmoxr6]

auto zf by choice

[pauljh74]

Originally Posted by vanman_75

i love me manuals ...but am very happy most people drive autos now , for what ever reason ...use to really annoy me people rolling backwards at you while they try to take off .its funny how we are a minority in the world with the auto though ...pretty rare sight in europe .could have something to do with our obesity problem ...

Now they mindlessly come up behind you at the lights on a hill and sit up your bumper because it's something they don't think about in an auto.

[MattsDisturbed]

This poll seems a bit flawed because if you're in a situation like me, I'd love to own a manual falcon but can't afford one right now. My overall choice would always be manual.

[Cheese3]

Originally Posted by MAGPIE

Nobody said it was rocket science, it is simply easier and more relaxing driving an auto in typical big city rush hour traffic.... fact !

FACT . . . How lazy can you be? Soon you'll be saying "I'm to lazy to use a knife and fork to eat my steak because it requires 2 hands, thats why I use a spork"


In another thread which sums this topic up perfectly . . .

Originally Posted by tex

I've said this to others who've posted the exact same question on manual v automatic...

If you are so undecided on the choice of transmission that youre compelled to ask others, GET the AUTO!

A manual man knows the answere to your question. Infact, there isn't even a question to be asked by a manual man, as the automatic isn't even up for consideration.

Good luck in any case mate, if you need an engaging car that you want to drive, as opposed to steer...... .....

Tex

So if people who have a auto but say "I wish i had a manual" your an auto person, someone who loves manual would find a way to drive a manual if he was missing his left arm and leg . . .

[Rob 351]

Had a BF GT with the ZF but to me it never felt right! When I replaced it earlier this year with a 335, I had to search a bit as they are harder to come by, but it was the 6 sp manual for me & it is brilliant!

[Nikked]

Autos are only acceptable if manualised and linked with a stall converter.

[mcnews]

I have an Auto as the GT-E only comes in Auto, but in a perfect world I would have a manual GT-E.

[Rodge]

Originally Posted by Rockape

Poll is much closer than i thought it would be.

You're not the only one who is surprised

[mik]

i like manuals and auto`s any thing beats walking to work , but two reasons made me buy an auto,
i could`nt be bothered driving an manual after grinding gears all day and Melbourne traffic was the other............

[Tysonv48]

Auto so that I can tow more on my ute

[XR Davo]

Last Ford I had was manual AU1 XR6 but had big probs with fire wall cracking and clutch cable adjustment. Didn't want the grief this time so went for the auto (it's a 5sp) Plus got a good deal at the time