Manual vs Auto

[Diesel_vert]

95% of Aussies only sees cars as appliances to get from A to B reliably and cheaply and don't give a hoot about the experience of driving and enjoying the drive

As does 95% of the population in Europe.

Europeans overwhelmingly favour manual transmissions simply because market conditions make it the most pragmatic choice for most people.

Similarly, the automatic transmission is simply the most pragmatic choice for most people in North American, Japanese and Australian markets.

[Bug_racer]

European marques have historically sold in smaller numbers in Australia until relatively recently.

The VW beetle at one stage was the second highest selling car in Australia .



Auto is better for car that have bigger power . You dont see many H pattern manuals in drag racing anymore yet plenty of Auto cars .

[JimmyVR6]

I've always preferred manual myself, and IMO it does make you a better driver to learn manual from the get go, but modern autos are getting better and better...that being said the closest I'll tolerate is a dual clutch. I'll row gears until there are no more gears to row.
DSG's and performance autos might be able to downshift pre-emptively and blip the throttle and all that crap, but there's nothing like feeling the engine roar underneath your left foot as you execute a heel and toe or feel the gritty snick of your shifter sliding into each gear. It gives your car a part of your personality and vice versa. You're just along for the ride otherwise, really.


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[bluey]

... there's nothing like feeling the engine roar underneath your left foot as you execute a heel and toe or feel the gritty snick of your shifter sliding into each gear...

I get the impression the modern engine computer is ruining my heel and toe experience. Our VAG engines don't seem to respond the same as older cars did to a throttle blip. I presume the engine management computer has something programmed to lower emissions...

[mfl]

That is entirely down to the perceptions of the driver, and of the gearbox in question. I love driving, and I enjoy both manuals and autos. If I were driving a current Commodore or Falcon V8, there's no question I'd opt for the auto in either for the 99% of circumstances under which I'd perceive it to work better. This isn't the case for all cars and all manual gearboxes of course, but the current Australian V8 product uses some really agricultural manuals, with not much precision or tactile feedback to speak of.

I don't think any australian v8, with a manual gearbox have ever had 'much precision or tactile feel', let alone the modern ones.
Top loaders and M21 gearboxes where never praised for their finesse.

Nothing like the sound of a v8 with a manual box, recently I went to eastern creek with the Golf drive day. Was the Scirocco R fun with dsg box, yes it was and technically very impressive, but I would have preferred the manual gearbox, just for the satisfaction.

[JimmyVR6]

I don't think any australian v8, with a manual gearbox have ever had 'much precision or tactile feel', let alone the modern ones.

Agreed. I remember my uncle took the liberty of teaching me on my learners (this was around four years ago) in his SS, the clutch made my calf ache and the gearbox and throw was dense and heavy. It felt good in your hand though, reassuring.

Only other box that's on par with it for heftyness is the WrX STI's 6 speed, it's nigh on indestructable and you can feel it when you shift.



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[db_101]

Your observations pretty close to the mark. After a serious accident at speed in the WA Outback - tyre blowout, I vowed never to drive autos again - I could not 'wash off' the speed quickly & safely with the auto. I have driven manuals in heavy traffic and its not an issue. Recently purchased the manual Golf and have to say it is enjoyable stirring through the gears - when I had a loan DSG vehicle last week it left me completely uninspired. Also teaching my eldest now to drive a manual and even his observation is how much more control and attention it forces on the driver both consciously and unconsciously.

I will drive one till they carry me off

I certainly agree with you with regards to being more at attention and feeling more in control with a manual. I will defiantly stick to my manuals as i find them more fun to drive, but again guys this is my personal view and opinion.

[Tom87]

My first slushbox was behind a turbo diesel. The manual had too much changing gears in its silly little torque window which was realistically between 1500rpm and 3500rpm. Slush box auto is definitely superior to manual and automated manuals for turbo diesels. Dual clutch like DSG helps this common condition but I reckon riding the torque wave through a fluid coupling is better. Plus the slushbox can be built to handle the aggressive torque delivery of a modern diesel whereas manual gearboxes have to be built big and heavy plus transmit alot more NVH into the vehicle. Most modern turbo diesels with a manual gearbox are torque limited through 1st and 2nd gears in order to protect the gearbox and clutch, which says enough about it really.

With the GTI, i was happy with whatever I ended up with. Although I did want a manual, I ended up with DSG. It helps that the 2.0L turbo engine is so flexible in its power delivery it is happy to laze about or be flogged.

The reason there's so many GTI DSG on the road compared to manual is due to the price point of the vehicle. Not many people spending $40,000+ on a new small to medium car expect to be swapping cogs themselves as the price is that of a premium vehicle in its class. So automatic is going to be the overall pick, and also option of having automatic is what has attracted many buyers to the GTI to begin with. From the Mk5's release until about 2010 it was the only hot hatch which really offered an auto.

[Ideo]

Because most Australians are
a) lazy
b) unable to drive even an auto
c) incapable of seeing the fun in driving
d) buying a car for prestige only.

So we are stuck with tedious slushboxes.

The 8 speed auto from BMW is ok, the DSG is ok if it was actually somewhat reliable. Apart from that, you might as well just go and get a beige Avalon and float around, detached from everything that is happening.,

[VW Convert]

Because most Australians are
a) lazy
b) unable to drive even an auto
c) incapable of seeing the fun in driving
d) buying a car for prestige only.

So we are stuck with tedious slushboxes.

The 8 speed auto from BMW is ok, the DSG is ok if it was actually somewhat reliable. Apart from that, you might as well just go and get a beige Avalon and float around, detached from everything that is happening.,

Pretty sweeping statement there!

None of a,b,c or d applies to myself but I drive an auto (DSG) and love it, clearly head and shoulders above a conventional auto IMO and much more suited to my needs than a manual especially when driving on the congested streets of Sydney.

Horses for courses I say, autos suit the needs of most people on our roads, there's no right or wrong, simply personal choice in action.

Cheers

George