Automatic or Stick?

[ktun 0]

Much prefer a manual transmission. It's what I learnt in and I like being move active in the driving. We have an automatic here and it is so dull to drive, it really is. Also have the lurching problem and it shifts far too late, like it shifts at 35 and then after screaming for ages will shift again at 60. Yeah, I know it is an old banger ready for the scrap heap, but still.....doesn't accelerate well either. We're looking for a new (new to us anyway) car at the moment and hope to find a 5 door, 5 speed hatchback, but it seems impossible to find. It will be interesting to see how easy it is to switch from shifting with the left hand in the UK to shifting with the right here!

[de_sjiem 0]

my current car is automatic but eventually I'd like to get a manual.. can't drive it yet but i figure I can learn... My car is 20 years old but its transmission still actually shifts fairly well (no lurching or anything really..) but its only 3 speed so it doesn't shift that often anyways...

[almaty 19]

got a stick..like it much better than automatic

[moondancer627 0]

I have driven stick ever since I learned in college on a 69 Dodge Pickup. It had the shifter on the column. I worked grounds crew for 4 years in college and even got to drive a dump truck. Now I have an 86 Honda CRX.

Stick keeps my driving in control, I need to think as I drive, and I can also feel like a race car driver when

I get the urge to get aggressive in my driving.

Moondancer

[ChristinaM 0]

We're looking for a new (new to us anyway) car at the moment and hope to find a 5 door, 5 speed hatchback, but it seems impossible to find.

If I were looking for what you're looking for, I'd have my eye out for a Ford Focus ZX5.

[tom&tata 2]

I drive stick mostly - I do not have preference although automatic is a bliss when you are in heavy traffic.

Hubby drive automatic mostly, but can handle stick.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

We're looking for a new (new to us anyway) car at the moment and hope to find a 5 door, 5 speed hatchback, but it seems impossible to find.

If I were looking for what you're looking for, I'd have my eye out for a Ford Focus ZX5.

Actually, the Focus is a car to stay away from.

F.O.R.D. = Fix Or Repair Daily.

(and Ford certainly hasn't learned to design any car smaller than the Crown Vic to fit a large American driver or passengers).

[ChristinaM 0]

I had two Ford Ka's back in the UK, both of which were sound and reliable cars on which I never had to do anything except routine maintenance.

Also, I rolled one over and the other was involved in a four-way crash and both times I walked out without a mark on my body - in a car as small as the Ka, that's pretty impressive.

I will stand by my Fords!!

[silvanski 1]

Hey, you did it!

I drive automatic.

you know stick people are just driving snobs!

In most of Europe it's just the other way round... people going automatic are considered to be "less adequate drivers"

[ladybird216 2]

Have always driven stick, but we travel lots of miles in our job so we thought we'd get an automatic this time and I must admit I like it!!!

[Fischkoepfin 1]

I had two Ford Ka's back in the UK, both of which were sound and reliable cars on which I never had to do anything except routine maintenance.

Also, I rolled one over and the other was involved in a four-way crash and both times I walked out without a mark on my body - in a car as small as the Ka, that's pretty impressive.

I will stand by my Fords!!

European Fords are different from American Fords. Same company, different R&D crews, different safety standards. It's ridiculous, but true.

We're looking for a new (new to us anyway) car at the moment and hope to find a 5 door, 5 speed hatchback, but it seems impossible to find. It will be interesting to see how easy it is to switch from shifting with the left hand in the UK to shifting with the right here!

I'd look for a VW Golf or a Honda Civic, which is easier to find. Only problem is those cars are not cheap to come by.

[Ladylethal 12]

I like stick better, I drive stick in Brasil. Fiance doesn´t drive stick as it´s rare in PR, and wants me to switch to automatic driving when I am there, saying he won´t give me a car that´s stick, ´cus then he won´t be able to drive it, meh!

I will get a stick, and he´ll learn. I actually taught him here, but he never practiced it there.

[ktun 0]

I had two Ford Ka's back in the UK, both of which were sound and reliable cars on which I never had to do anything except routine maintenance.

Also, I rolled one over and the other was involved in a four-way crash and both times I walked out without a mark on my body - in a car as small as the Ka, that's pretty impressive.

I will stand by my Fords!!

European Fords are different from American Fords. Same company, different R&D crews, different safety standards. It's ridiculous, but true.

We're looking for a new (new to us anyway) car at the moment and hope to find a 5 door, 5 speed hatchback, but it seems impossible to find. It will be interesting to see how easy it is to switch from shifting with the left hand in the UK to shifting with the right here!

I'd look for a VW Golf or a Honda Civic, which is easier to find. Only problem is those cars are not cheap to come by.

Exactly, completely different cars!! I love the Ford Focus, my Mum has one in the UK and it's a great car. Never had a problem with it. I had a 3 door Renault Clio in England and I just adored that car, it saved mine and my husband's lives literally. It seemed perfectly big enough for me, and the boot space was great. We managed to get 3 rather large suitcases in there and a couple of smaller carryons on the back seat easily when we were doing airport runs. I'm sure we could find a nice 5 door here, but they seem to be harder to find and therefore much more expensive, I dont think our budget would stretch to a Golf of Civic Our budget is extremely tight, well to be honest, kinda none existant right now. It is more for when I get a job and our income is more stable that we are looking. In the meantime, hope the old banger in the driveway will keep going til then, although with the noises it is making, I have my doubts. It has been a much abused car poor thing even had a German Shepherd (not ours) rip the seats apart!!

As far as the stick goes, apart from the extra control, I'd prefer it to keep up my driving skills. I dont want to get too used to automatics and find I have a problem driving manuals back in the UK, since automatics are a rarity there.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I like stick better, I drive stick in Brasil. Fiance doesn´t drive stick as it´s rare in PR, and wants me to switch to automatic driving when I am there, saying he won´t give me a car that´s stick, ´cus then he won´t be able to drive it, meh!

I will get a stick, and he´ll learn. I actually taught him here, but he never practiced it there.

So, how is Brazilian driver mentality (in native environment) as a whole?

Desi driving mentality in India--the pits! Although I can drive a stick, I would not dare to practice it in India--as you also add dealing with animals (dogs, cows, buffaloes, etc), lots of two-wheelers (mopeds to 350 cc), etc.

More sepcifically, is Brazilian driver mentality (in Brazil) closer to American/Canadian or to desi on Indian road?

[Bootylicious!! 2]

I love me a stick shift. Automatics are easier when in traffic but you can't beat a stick when you want to blow past someone. I love driving a stick.