Are you an auto or manual man...or woman !!

The only autos I've driven (quite a lot) were Sprinter luton vans and they were great, especially at the lights!

For me it's the gearbox that works with the car . That is not as easy as it sounds.

If you asked me 5 years ago what I wanted as a 'box I'd say a manual all day long irrespective of choice; I drove a Jag XJR when I was younger. Since then I've driven a variety of cars, many miles and tried differing setups.

It's as simple as this. If the manual works well then yes I am for it. If it's a recalcitrant POS then an Auto.

I was never too keen on the manual in the Dolly Sprint of mine. It was OK but the clutch was a long pedal and the change not the best ; it was long. I thought it was a sports car! I preferred the Stag with the 4 speed ZF Auto ; it really suited the car (that also uses the same manual 'box as a Dolly Sprint).

The strangest thing? I prefer my current car with the 'hater's box over the manual. If I want to crawl back after being shattered I can. If I want a bit of fun I flick a paddle and really get the car into its paces. No hinderances, no compromises, nothing. And with no less lack of engagement despite what 'drivers' tell you. You just have to go about it another way.

As a matter of fact when I had my E36 323i Manual the 'box was the one thing I hated. Never quite it, it could not be rushed at all without a crunch and you never 'quite' knew if it was in gear. FWIW it had a new OEM clutch as well! My friend's E46 isn't massively different. The E46 is the first car I've owned that I actually wished was an auto believe it or not.

Now the manual in the MX-5 ; that's an easy choice and for me the benchmark others should follow.

I thought the same. In reality most people don't know when to change and I include myself ; my friend is a manual man yet always is in wrong gear at junctions and cannot heel and toe to save his life. While it's an extreme example a few of us drove a Renault Clio 220 EDC around the 'ring. We shaved 30 seconds off our laps in Sport Auto and most of us were 'manual' people.

I hate to say it, I shaved off more this time again in May in auto mode :/. It was wet, very wet mind you.

I do honestly wonder if it's a dick length thing wanting a 'proper' box TBH.

I was always anti auto, until i drove a V8 jeep cherokee with an autobox which pretty much converted me to the idea of having an auto. Ive still got a manual, but autos definatly have their place.

TBH I always thought people with autos had small genitals
But I disagree now!!
Don't want the thread to turn into a fight btw
Just like opinions!

I love manuals , but after my smart , semi automatic , my merc e300 automatic and a long drive in a Fisker karma , I can apreciate auto boxes more and more. But I feel so bored driving an autobox. Always feel like I'm falling asleep

I didn't mean that personally Fella or to offend . Some people I admit do just prefer them.

I was referring more to the trend of the markets from what I have seen of others:).

Thats so funny, first time i drove LHD I was doing that all the time. Whats not so funny is forgetting that your driving LHD for the first time and realising you'r placing yourself in in the road as you would when driving a RHD, and noticing your driving along the dotted line instead of to the side of it. I did that. Briefly.

Up until recently, I'd never dream of owning an auto. I'm a hot hatch man at heart and love bouncing up and down the box.

I've recently bought a 3.0 straight 6 beemer with an auto box. I wanted a manual but the rest of the car was so good I compromised on the box and I'm actually really enjoying it. It's long geared and lazy, perfect for daily duties.

That being said it's tiptronic and I drive it like a manual without a clutch pedal all the time....