Support NeoGAF

[Nocty]

can you even buy manual cars anymore? I haven't seen one since like 2010 or so

 

[Highway Star]

Living in a big city. My daily is an automatic, but my Sunday toy is a manual.
Don't like crawling in traffic using a clutch.

 

[Muffdraul]

I followed in my dad's footsteps. His whole like he was militant about manual. "If you're not using manual transmission, you're not in full control of the car." Then when he got old and retired he bought his first automatic and never went back to manual. Well, I'm not retired, but I'm in my mid 50s and after driving manual my entire life I bought a new car last December. 2025 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring. Pretty much every system in the thing is automatic, and I'm loving it.

 

[Fbh]

I learned to drive with manual but my current car is automatic (wasn't even looking for one, but I bought a used one and the best deal on the model I wanted just happened to be an automatic).

If you are going to go for an actual drive manual is way more fun. But for the day to day driving around the city (which is what I do 95% of the time) I prefer automatic.

 

[Susurrus]

I used to drive a manual. Lived a lot more rural at the time, and it could be enjoyable. Now I live in a city (DC) and fuck that noise.

That being, said there's no 3rd option, EV, which are a single gear and have no transmission. A great feeling when you can just floor it and not have to be slowed down by gear changes. No stupid bubububu noises, no buzzing engine, just pure quick, quiet, and smooth acceleration.

 

[IntentionalPun]

I enjoy driving my manual sports car sometimes but also enjoy driving my automatic compact SUV at times.

I don't suddenly grow labia when I'm not driving my manual car, as much as I'd like to.

 

[sharp weiner]

It's fun getting to high RPMs in manual but after my WRX got totaled I had enough fun and went to automatic.

 

[EverydayBeast]

Automatic, I get manual vibes from the motorcycle just shifting gears on that.

 

[readonly]

Drove a manual for 15 years, now an automatic. Manual is way better but in traffic it is the worst.

 

[Paasei]

Manual being the standard here, so I only ever had that. Never even driven an automatic.

All the crossovers, SUVs and EVs are automatic. And seeing that nowadays dealers almost exclusively sell those kind of models, I'll be driving an automatic eventually.

So, for all this time, I prefer manual because I don't know any better.

 

[spookyfish]

My 2010 Jeep Rubicon is a six-speed manual, and I generally love it.

HOWEVER, I've found out that my Jeep is not unique with it popping out of reverse, or just having a difficult time going INTO reverse. Seems to be an issue with most of the manuals of that body style (JKU).

So, when I buy another Jeep, I'll get an automatic. I'm tired of dealing with this.

 

[BadBurger]

I learned on a manual. It just sucks. I don't want to think about switching gears constantly, as I live in the city. Changing to automatic was revelatory.

 

[BennyBlanco]

My first few cars were manuals and my last few were automatics. I do enjoy a manual but convenience has won me over.

I refuse to buy a car with a CVT though.

 

[DeVeAn]

I remember buying a Scion tc standard. Had no clue how to drive that. Learned quick though and prefer it overall. Moved to Seattle and it was FUCKEN TORTURE. I have an automatic now cuz the wife can't drive standard and I can't teach her lol.

 

[calico]

I've only ever driven manual. It becomes second nature soon enough, but I remember it making learning to drive stressful af at first.

 

[DelireMan7]

In France manuals were the only option for years. So all my childhood I saw only manuals. Started to drive on manual.
When hearing in US it was mainly automatic, I find it weird because manuals was the only way to drive. Automatic was easy mode.

Then few years ago I went for a E-car, so automatic, and I would never go back to manual. Now I have a hybrid and love the automatic. No need to think about gears etc... I like how chill it is.
But I am not a lover of cars or driving in general so...

 

[Hudo]

Manual. I do appreciate automatics when it actually makes sense to have them. Like in supercars like a Bugatti Mistral (I don't know if I want to change gears manually in a car that is powered by a W16 engine). Or in buses (automatics tend to optimize better for fuel efficiency and material wear).

 

[MilkyJoe]

Preferring an automatic would be an admission to homosexuality

 

[INC]

manual all day, much more fun

plus you go into auto pilot drving a manual anyway

 

[WhiteWaterM00se]

It depends on the type of vehicle you are talking about. Let's be honest.

Manual vs automatic is not a one size fits all.


Are you talking about Sports cars?
Pickup truck?
Commercial Vehicle?
Construction vehicle?
Motorcycle?
Jeep wrangler (its own category, if you have ever driven one).

In a family sedan or pick up truck, absolutely automatic.

Edit: I would be SHOCKED if the over 50% of people who voted for manual, could actually drive a Manual!