I still think automatics suck.
Manual Or Automatic
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Homer, Alaska
I'm getting to old to mess with manuals any more. When I was in high school (a long time ago) I had a 55 Ford, 272 with 3 speed on the column. Power shifted one time and broke the handle off the shifting column (I don't think she was impressed). Used some vise grips for about a year, and could power shift that thing with the grips pretty well. That was an interesting setup. Had a tube (about 1 inch) that ran down the steering column to the xmsn. I like the autos ! Also if you are pushing snow it is the best way to go.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
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Maybe i'm too late to add anything to it....But i like both.
I like my performance cars to have a manual. I like my daily drivers to be automatic.
The only exception is my 71 buick riviera gs is an automatic, and i'm bulding it more towards performance. But it's a full size luxury car, so natuarally it has to be automatic.
I like my performance cars to have a manual. I like my daily drivers to be automatic.
The only exception is my 71 buick riviera gs is an automatic, and i'm bulding it more towards performance. But it's a full size luxury car, so natuarally it has to be automatic.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,736
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From: The County
manual or auto
i tend to lean more to the auto these days.sure miss the first and second gear rubber days though. cant beat a std in the snow and mud.i can kind of feel the traction a little more with the std, and there easier to rock if your stuck. i also like a std in a truck.to me it feels more like a truck with a std 
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From: Fairbanks Alaska
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Idaho
Automatics are for people who can't handle shifting for themselves. Manuals all the way. It's much more rare to see a manual gearbox go bad, although some people can eat up a clutch pretty quickly, most have a good service life. I had a Cherokee with 200,00 on it and the original clutch. I see a Corvette or something like that with an auto, I just have to laugh.
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Joined: Oct 2003
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Re: Manual Or Automatic
Originally posted by logan_85
I know several people who will tell you holding a clutch pedal is stupidity, they will tell you to simply put the shifter in neutral, or you'll end up shortening the life of your clutch. I have never had trouble with a hard to push clutch pedal, besides the weight of you leg should do most of the work, the only work is raising your foot. Dodge has two ratings for the cummins engine for an automatic and manual transmission, of course the manual is rated higher.
Logan
I know several people who will tell you holding a clutch pedal is stupidity, they will tell you to simply put the shifter in neutral, or you'll end up shortening the life of your clutch. I have never had trouble with a hard to push clutch pedal, besides the weight of you leg should do most of the work, the only work is raising your foot. Dodge has two ratings for the cummins engine for an automatic and manual transmission, of course the manual is rated higher.
Logan
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 79
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From: Atlanta, GA
The only thing I dislike about my '03 F-150 is the automatic transmission. (The low HP kinda bugs me, but that wouldn't be so bad if I had a stick.)
This is the only vehicle I've ever owned with an automatic, and the only reason it has one is because it apparantly wasn't even available with a manual tranny. (Believe me, I looked.)
I don't think I'll keep this truck for long, simply because of the auto tranny. I've been a Ford man my whole life, but when I get ready to get rid of this auto tranny, if Ford doesn't offer a manual in a truck I'm interested in, I'll be looking elsewhere.
This is the only vehicle I've ever owned with an automatic, and the only reason it has one is because it apparantly wasn't even available with a manual tranny. (Believe me, I looked.)
I don't think I'll keep this truck for long, simply because of the auto tranny. I've been a Ford man my whole life, but when I get ready to get rid of this auto tranny, if Ford doesn't offer a manual in a truck I'm interested in, I'll be looking elsewhere.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 626
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From: Los Angeles, California
My Explorer is automatic and I wouldnt have it any other way... It is my daily driver and I drive in rush hour traffic for more than 2 hours a day... Living on the 405 freeway would be a pain with a stick... On the other hand since I have always driven an automatic, I have thought I would like to be able to drive a stick if it were a nice fast mustang!