Ford - Manual or Auto

[superfly]

Originally Posted by Cheese3

FACT . . . How lazy can you be?

Just because I drive an auto doesn't mean I'm lazy.

As I said this is my first auto. I had to drive my wife's manual WRX the other day in heavy traffic. It really made me appreciate the auto.

I used to say that I'd only ever drive a manual but after driving (and reading about) the ZF, it was an easy choice.

[pottery beige]

not much traffic in radelaide.. bags of fun driving V8 manual to work everyday....

[F6T]

Another vote for manual here. Only choice in my model FPV at the time but suited me fine.

I do get jealous though of the ZF F6's that with the same mods as me can stomp on the throttle and crack into the low 11's high 10's.....

[GT0132]

The thread is a bit pointless as it's based on ownership of auto v manual, not necessarily preference.

Some may have bought used and could only get an auto but wanted a manual, for example.

If we want to see the ownership stats then DASH GT has provided us with that info in his earlier post.

For the record I have a manual but can understand those wanting an auto for a daily driver in city stop/start traffic.

[tweeked]

Your worst drive in a manual will always be nastier than your worst drive in an auto.

But your best drive in an auto will never be anything as sexual as your best drive in a manual.

[a-total-tool]

I cannot and will not drive an automatic. I cannot explin why... they just annoy me.

I have only ever owned 1 manual which was my first car - an EF 6cyl... After months os manually shifting the auto, it was converted to the correct transmission.

I currently have:
EL Ghia - 5L 5spd
NJ Pajero - 6G75 5spd
Honda Motorcycle - 6spd
and the daily - Mazda 3 diesel - which is NOT available as an Auto... only as a 6 speed manual.

I have no issues driving the 6 speed as a daily.

I think that my next 4WD will be an auto - as I feel that off-road is the only place where auto is better than a manual (as long as the Auto has a lock-up torque converter)

only assault rifles should come in Automatic

[LeadFoot81]

Manual during the week, manual on the weekend. Fun all the time.

[flappist]

My personal cars are usually manuals although I have owned the odd auto.
I held on to my EA Fairmont Ghia for far too long (almost 300,000km) because the manual option was not available on Ghias after that model.

In saying this I do not live in a large city and whenever I suffer the misfortune of having to drive in a city I remember why autos are popular there (and remember why I don't live in one).

When I get too old to drive "spiritedly" I am sure I will buy an auto so I can at least pretend that I am good driver and win lots of traffic light grand prixs out the front of maccas car park........

[justrod]

given the way technology is going soon a manual will be on the option list

[Coyote mk3]

I have a great hatred for auto's
I searched for the right priced manual EL xr6 for months before getting mine.
I would not 'settle' for an auto, even if it ticked every other box.

The only auto I can see me getting is an old clunker for a daily, purely because it will most likely be a cheaper buy.

Even with the new autos, I don't care what is quickest in a straight line, I still like my left leg to be doing something and to 'drive' the car. I prefer corners anyway.

I am also intrigued at people saying blipping the throttle when shifting down is 'boy racer' like?
I like to be in the right gear at the right revs before I get to a corner.
Also helps a great deal with a crappy gearbox (such as a mitsubishi express van lol)


EDIT:
First auto I ever drove was as Radio Stations Prado. Hated it straight away.
To me a car wasn't supposed to move all by itself lol - I was probably 10 at the time.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by GT0132

The thread is a bit pointless as it's based on ownership of auto v manual, not necessarily preference.

Some may have bought used and could only get an auto but wanted a manual, for example.

If we want to see the ownership stats then DASH GT has provided us with that info in his earlier post.

Its about Ford and FPV, not just FPV.

[TheInterceptor]

I had a manual, now auto. Manual is great as the car is always in the right gear because you choose it. When spirited driving, you have the quick shifts you want. You also have more engine braking.

I now have an auto. You can still pick what gears you want but the manual shift is slow (lags) both up and down since mines the BTR 4sp non SSS. Just gotta think ahead and shift it in time.
The car still provides good fun so im not fussed!
Engine braking is good aswell if the shifter is kept in third (up to 65kph). I only use overdrive if going above 65kph when normal driving. Spirited driving, overdrive is rarley seen.
Nothing wrong with the BTR imo..tough, reliable, cheap to maintain and replace compared to the ZF...

Preference? Depends on which car and its purpose.

[Bucknaked]

Auto for sure. I have a 6 speed manual in the sedan, and a 4spd auto in the ute. Would take the 4spd auto over 6 manual any day. Why change gears when the car will do it for you. Auto all the way

I dont think its a case of rocket science or being lazy. Seriously, how much skill does it take to press a pedal and move a stick. But I guess if it makes you feel like your more in tune with the car, or makes you feel like a race car driver, then more power to you. Thats what manuals are for.

[Bazil]

The BA GTP is the weekend toy and by choice is a manual. The FG ute is for work and is an auto also by choice.
For the sheer pleasure of driving nothing beats manual but for the stop start of city driving, especially inner city driving, the FG auto is much better than my previous AU manual. With the AU the firewall broke, the clutch cable became stiff and I went through 3 clutch's in 200,000 km of city driving.

[au adam]

1 manual,AU2 ute
2 autos,EL Fairmont and the newest edition NL Concorde.

[Pepscobra]

Monday?... Manual
Tuesday?... Manual
Wednesday?... Manual
Thursday?... Manual
Friday?... Manual
Saturday?... Manual
Sunday?... Manual

Manual any day of the week for me.

[IDT]

I can pat my head, rub my belly and burb at the same time and reving my car in traffic holds no attraction so any pleasure gained from a manual is wasted on me. I'll stick with autos thanks

[Iggypoppin']

Manual for me, however the next car I'm buying is an auto and only because they didn't come in a manual.


Hey pottery, dunno what you're on about, I commute every day and there's tons of traffic, I'll swap you for a week see how it feels!

[Cheese3]

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

Auto for sure. I have a 6 speed manual in the sedan, and a 4spd auto in the ute. Would take the 4spd auto over 6 manual any day. Why change gears when the car will do it for you. Auto all the way

I dont think its a case of rocket science or being lazy. Seriously, how much skill does it take to press a pedal and move a stick. But I guess if it makes you feel like your more in tune with the car, or makes you feel like a race car driver, then more power to you. Thats what manuals are for.

Not lazy?

- Why cut salad for dinner when there is pre package salad at the supermarket?
- Why spend some quality time with my son and kick the footy with him outside when ill turn on the WII and have a window open for free air?
- Why is every roundabout being converted to a intersection? people are lazy and need to be told to turn now instead of thinking for themselfs

Just another excuse, why bother doing anything when i can get something or someone to do it for me. No wonder the world is stuffed with unfit/over emotional people who are scared of doing a bit of work these days . . .

It disgusts me . . .



I know alot i mentioned is irrelevant with the auto vs manual poll but the excuses i read is just the begining to a bigger problem . . .

/end rant

[290GTP]

I have 2 V8 manual Fords & wouldn't have it any other way, although i will acknowledge that towing even a small trailer with a T5 is a PITFA especially reversing. Why the hell is the reverse cog so damn tall? It feels taller than 1st & it really fries your clutch trying to back a trailer up even a semi-steep driveway.

[P6LTD351]

Originally Posted by Cheese3

Not lazy?

- Why cut salad for dinner when there is pre package salad at the supermarket?
- Why spend some quality time with my son and kick the footy with him outside when ill turn on the WII and have a window open for free air?
- Why is every roundabout being converted to a intersection? people are lazy and need to be told to turn now instead of thinking for themselfs

Just another excuse, why bother doing anything when i can get something or someone to do it for me. No wonder the world is stuffed with unfit/over emotional people who are scared of doing a bit of work these days . . .

It disgusts me . . .



I know alot i mentioned is irrelevant with the auto vs manual poll but the excuses i read is just the begining to a bigger problem . . .

/end rant

I have both manual and autos. Horses for courses.

When I drive my autos, it has nothing to do with being lazy. I don't WANT my LTD or Fairlane to be a manual. My EF XR8 on the other hand is great in manual. I love changing the gears in that.

What I do disagree with is this elitest mentality and a MINORITY - (yes we are a MINORITY as enthusiasts) that it takes skill to drive a manual and real men drive manuals. Maybe it has something to do with 'holding their stick?' When you learn how to drive manual, it becomes second nature; not much skill involved after that point.

Me, I find nothing better than cruising in my LTD which is like a lounge room on wheels.

I guess I'm lucky I have the best of both worlds.

[Rodge]

Originally Posted by eb2monty

I have both manual and autos. Horses for courses.

When I drive my autos, it has nothing to do with being lazy. I don't WANT my LTD or Fairlane to be a manual. My EF XR8 on the other hand is great in manual. I love changing the gears in that.

What I do disagree with is this elitest mentality and a MINORITY - (yes we are a MINORITY as enthusiasts) that it takes skill to drive a manual and real men drive manuals. Maybe it has something to do with 'holding their stick?' When you learn how to drive manual, it becomes second nature; not much skill involved after that point.
Me, I find nothing better than cruising in my LTD which is like a lounge room on wheels.

I guess I'm lucky I have the best of both worlds.

Best humour of the thread is that real men drive manuals.

Dash GT FPV Suggest 78% of their cars are Auto.

78% of FPV's sales must be to women then
Some of your manual gearchange blokes make me laugh...here's a head's-up...playing with your stick does not make you a real man

[crazy67]

Ohh hear we go all the manual blokes gonna come out and say how gay all the auto drivers are and then the get smoked at the lights ......what do you drive? Manual broooooooo Hahahahahhahaha get over it

[PaddyB671]

Its a horses for courses deal, I live in the country and commute 100kms a day for work I have zero need for a auto, not in my 4WD, not in my hatchback and certainly not in my ford, its got nothing to do with boy racer attitude for most of us is more to do with more concentration on what you should be doing when you are in a car which is driving it, if I lived in the city however there would be a 50% chance of me owning an auto but seeing as traffic in adelaide is sedate at best I don't see that as a possibility.

[Cheese3]

Originally Posted by eb2monty

I have both manual and autos. Horses for courses.

When I drive my autos, it has nothing to do with being lazy. I don't WANT my LTD or Fairlane to be a manual. My EF XR8 on the other hand is great in manual. I love changing the gears in that.

What I do disagree with is this elitest mentality and a MINORITY - (yes we are a MINORITY as enthusiasts) that it takes skill to drive a manual and real men drive manuals. Maybe it has something to do with 'holding their stick?' When you learn how to drive manual, it becomes second nature; not much skill involved after that point.

Me, I find nothing better than cruising in my LTD which is like a lounge room on wheels.

I guess I'm lucky I have the best of both worlds.

I'm like you, i have a fairlane(TL) and its a beautiful car and if it came in manual i would of bought one in manual. hmm that could be the reason im toying with the idea of 351W KB 6speed manual TL50 . . . Watch the build thread in the coming months ! ! !

I did mention earlier on page one.

Originally Posted by Cheese3

People that say auto because of traffic/daily you clearly need to get lessons... A manual in traffic isn't rocket science...

It takes little/no skill and i totally agree with you. Just when i hear/read "i would love a manual but traffic is to hard or its too much effort" i have to ask if basic movement of the human body is too hard as right foot (off gas) left foot (push clutch) to left arm (change gear) to left foot (out clutch) to right foot (neck snapping) there is a serious problem with society if a simple sequence of human movement is HARD . . .

[Fiesta_Man69]

Those who can drive only drive a manual, people who can't drive choose automatic.

[madmelon]

I have one of each currently. I originally had the AUIII XR8 manual but started a new job with 1 hour commute in Sydney traffic. By its self, this wouldn't be so bad but I've had niggling injuries to left knee and left ankle (bushwalking and waterskiing respectively...) and they tended to get very sore over that drive so went for a BF XR6 with 6 speed auto, which has been an excellent car. This transmission leaves every other auto I've experienced for dead, bar Merc 7 speed.

The XR6 will at some point get replaced with G6E turbo but if I could have that in manual, I would...so I've put down manual.

[AU Mont]

Originally Posted by Cheese3

Just another excuse, why bother doing anything when i can get something or someone to do it for me.

at a wild guess, id say automatics shift & choose the gears better than 90% of the general population can behind a manual.

thank god for automatics.

[Smoke Pursuit]

I must be cool, I can drive an 18 speed road ranger with no syncros!

[vanman_75]

Why the argument , manual = better fuel economy and more engaging for driver .auto := effortless driving and a little penalty at the servo .living in city obviously would get annoying if the traffic is backed up - but in general would be little extra effort to drive .
The post before assuming that manual won't be around long also needs to see we are a minority .even taxis are manual in Europe ...they hate autos , and their traffic in cities is far worse than ours .
I like changing gears some don't , its only personal choice nothing more nothing less .
Also surprised at the poll though ..must be because we are enthusiasts I guess .