Friday, December 02, 2005

reader poll, do you like to shift for yourself?


OK, here's a question for you, or a couple of questions.
1 Can you drive a manual transmission?
2 Do you drive a manual transmission?
3 Do you prefer an automatic or manual transmission?
4 Would you pay a premium for a manual or automatic?
5 Are you frustrated when you can't get your choice of transmission with a particular option package or trim level?
6 Do you think Manual transmissions offer better control when driving?
7 Do you think Manumatic type of transmission are as good as a manual?

I'm interested in hearing from anyone and everyone on this.
Please post your answers in the comments section, or email me at myforddreams@aol.com and I will post them for you.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

1. yes
2. no
3. Manual
4. no
5. yes
6. yes
7. Not yet

Midnight Magnum

Anonymous said...

1. Yes

2. Yes

3. Manual

4. Possible premium for SMG/F1 type gearbox over a manual.

5. Yes, domestics (read:GM) seemed to miss the mark on this quite often in the past. I think they're catching on finally.

6. Yes, no doubt about it.

7. Manumatics are still torque converter systems with a slicker PRNDS1 setup, so no, not even close.

Unknown said...

I own and drive a manual. I would pay extra to own one. Manumatics suck--gotta have a clutch to do it right.

Brian Vermette said...

1. no
2. no
3. automatic transmission
4. yes and no, depending on the vehicle, automatic a must.
5. yes
6. never tryied a manual and really don't want too.
7. not yet

Unknown said...

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Manual, quite strongly I must say.
4. Yes, I'd pay a premium for a Manual, though I feel all cars should be built standard as Manuals, with automatics as options.
5. I don't have that issue as only buy European cars. About the only thing that really frustrates me is that in the US, I couldn't buy a BMW, Jag, or Merc with cloth interiors, as I could in Europe.
6. Yes, without a doubt, albeit the driver still needs a certain level of skil
7. I only feel that Volkswagen/Audi gruppe and their DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) with two clutche discs and staggered gearing could change my mind, but then again, it is still in its own league.

http://autoviews.blogspot.com

Eric

Anonymous said...

1 Yes, actually learned in England when I was studying art in college.

2 No.

3 Not in my lifestyle right now (Rushing to work in the morning with coffee, cell phone ringing every 3 minutes, electronics in my car demanding my attention... AHHHHH!)

4 No.

5 Yes

6 In the econo class, yes. In the luxury class, no.

7 It is very close on a technical/mechanical level. It doesn't give you the emotional connection, but the ones I have driven, BMW & Audi, both performed very well.

Anonymous said...

1. Yes I know how, and think everyone should have to learn to drive a manual first.
2. No - Auto
3. Depends on the vehicle
4. I could understand paying more for an Auto because of the added complexity (electrical/hydraulic systems)
5. Yes
6. There's no doubt that a manual provides more control.
7. I think the mainstream manumatics are too constrained by mass production budgets to be as good as a manual. I'd love to have the chance to drive the higher quality systems available, like Ford/Aston Martin's ASM/SSM system.

I drive with hand controls, so while I'd usually prefer a manual, I'm relegated to autos. While many people [enthusiasts] are frustrated by manuals not being available on some sporty cars, I'm frustrated when auto's (or rather high quality autos) aren't available on some sports/sporty cars. I have a lot of interest in manumatics, but I foresee them disappearing from the mainstream [mass production] market as the fad fades and manufacturers spend development dollars elsewhere.

NLPRacing said...

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. A manual in small and/or sporty cars & automatics in everything else
4. Depends on the situation
5. Yes!
6. Yes
7. No, but I would prefer a "manumatic" over a regular automatic.