Automatics

[Barcon]

Seems most people who prefer automatics do so as they struggle with gears in traffic.

Why muck about with sloppy gearchanges when the autobox and it's wonderful electronics (in the modern car) can do all the work for you?

We no longer have manual chokes, crank handles, manual window winders, guess which outmoded item is going that way too :)

Seriously Jim, do you see manuals not being around in 10/20 years?

There will always be a place for manual trannys, for instance over here they cost about a grand less than an auto.

 

[andyhinch]

Seems most people who prefer automatics do so as they struggle with gears in traffic.

No, there just better to drive, if you've a tip tronic box you can change gear faster than you can in a manual.

Had an Audi q3 8 speed thing on hire the other day. Had the sports option, paddle gears if you wanted it that way and the up/down option on the gear stick. Just missed shifting the gearstick about. Dangerous thing. Was doing 100mph on the motorway but it felt like 40. In traffic it occasionally stuttered when it couldn't decide whether 1st or 2nd was the right gear.

Don't get me started on the handbrake.

My handbrake is the same as any other car. I drove manuals for 20 years and shuddered at the thought of an auto, wouldn't change back now.

 

[bonespost]

tiptronic best of both worlds,auto and manual .

 

[East Level 2]

I drive a manual, but I've had automatics in the past. Long time ago mind, it was only a three speed box. I think today's 6 and 7 geared auto boxes would be a lot better.
If I could afford one I think I'd like one, on account of being inherently fucking idle. Changing gear is overrated, and unless you're on the track, racing, then I think an auto is definitely preferable.
I'd have to have more money than I'm on now though, autos are generally thirstier, and they get through brakes a lot quicker too.
I dislike driving these days, so anything that makes life easier please.

This sums it up. Automatics from the 70s, 80s and 90s tended to be bloody awful and thirsty alternatives to manuals.
However modern automatics are significantly improved and generally offer improved or equivalent fuel consumption.

 

[stony]

I drive a manual, but I've had automatics in the past. Long time ago mind, it was only a three speed box. I think today's 6 and 7 geared auto boxes would be a lot better.
If I could afford one I think I'd like one, on account of being inherently fucking idle. Changing gear is overrated, and unless you're on the track, racing, then I think an auto is definitely preferable.
I'd have to have more money than I'm on now though, autos are generally thirstier, and they get through brakes a lot quicker too.
I dislike driving these days, so anything that makes life easier please.

This sums it up. Automatics from the 70s, 80s and 90s tended to be bloody awful and thirsty alternatives to manuals.
However modern automatics are significantly improved and generally offer improved or equivalent fuel consumption.

You'll still need to change the brake pads more frequently than a teenage boy changes his socks.

 

[East Level 2]

I think a lot depends on the engine, the Audi is fine but I had a 1.2 cleo auto on lone a bit ago. It was almost un-drivable.

This too. Autos have always been better with bigger engines. In fact one of the reviews of the S-Type Jag was that the 2.7 twin-turbocharged diesel engine worked best with the 6 speed automatic box. That's why I got it.

 

[johnmc]

I think a lot depends on the engine, the Audi is fine but I had a 1.2 cleo auto on lone a bit ago. It was almost un-drivable.

This too. Autos have always been better with bigger engines. In fact one of the reviews of the S-Type Jag was that the 2.7 twin-turbocharged diesel engine worked best with the 6 speed automatic box. That's why I got it.

Look at me. Look at me. ;)

 

[Ronnie the Rep]

I think a lot depends on the engine, the Audi is fine but I had a 1.2 cleo auto on lone a bit ago. It was almost un-drivable.

This too. Autos have always been better with bigger engines. In fact one of the reviews of the S-Type Jag was that the 2.7 twin-turbocharged diesel engine worked best with the 6 speed automatic box. That's why I got it.

Look at me. Look at me. ;)

You been in one of those? Interiors like a coffin. Last car you get before you die

 

[johnmc]

This too. Autos have always been better with bigger engines. In fact one of the reviews of the S-Type Jag was that the 2.7 twin-turbocharged diesel engine worked best with the 6 speed automatic box. That's why I got it.

Look at me. Look at me. ;)

You been in one of those? Interiors like a coffin. Last car you get before you die

Ha ha. Expensive coffin though.

 

[Tuearts right boot]

The wife thinks she drives an automatic. It;s a manual but she leaves it in 2nd.

 

[East Level 2]

Look at me. Look at me. ;)

You been in one of those? Interiors like a coffin. Last car you get before you die

Ha ha. Expensive coffin though.

Leather lined coffins?
Not that expensive when bought four and a half years old with almost 100,000 on the clock.

 

[andyhinch]

I drive a manual, but I've had automatics in the past. Long time ago mind, it was only a three speed box. I think today's 6 and 7 geared auto boxes would be a lot better.
If I could afford one I think I'd like one, on account of being inherently fucking idle. Changing gear is overrated, and unless you're on the track, racing, then I think an auto is definitely preferable.
I'd have to have more money than I'm on now though, autos are generally thirstier, and they get through brakes a lot quicker too.
I dislike driving these days, so anything that makes life easier please.

This sums it up. Automatics from the 70s, 80s and 90s tended to be bloody awful and thirsty alternatives to manuals.
However modern automatics are significantly improved and generally offer improved or equivalent fuel consumption.

You'll still need to change the brake pads more frequently than a teenage boy changes his socks.

Just changed my front pads on 70k miles in mine, it's a lot about how you drive.

 

[BigJimLittleJim]

Seems most people who prefer automatics do so as they struggle with gears in traffic.

Why muck about with sloppy gearchanges when the autobox and it's wonderful electronics (in the modern car) can do all the work for you?

We no longer have manual chokes, crank handles, manual window winders, guess which outmoded item is going that way too :)

Seriously Jim, do you see manuals not being around in 10/20 years?

I expect there still will be the die hards on this sceptred isle of ours who insist that manuals are better fun and all that, but auto's are the way forward for the majority of regular users, slowly dying a little inside as they crawl to work and back in the rush hour gridlock!<br /><br />-- Thu Oct 03, 2013 10:57 pm --<br /><br />

This sums it up. Automatics from the 70s, 80s and 90s tended to be bloody awful and thirsty alternatives to manuals.
However modern automatics are significantly improved and generally offer improved or equivalent fuel consumption.

You'll still need to change the brake pads more frequently than a teenage boy changes his socks.

Just changed my front pads on 70k miles in mine, it's a lot about how you drive.

Mrs BJLJ has a company Lexus LS250 petrol auto, and is still on the original brake pads and tyres all round, which is probably due to the interstellar mileage she does, the car is on 42k so far, and from what I can see, there's still loads of life left in them - ridiculously reliable, the only thing gone wrong in three years is the battery in her keyfob has needed changing twice.

 

[DiscoSteve]

Depends what you want out of a car. In today's gridlocked roads an auto wins hands down - i've been driving them for 10 years. And if you get one with enough horsepower you can have as much fun in them as a manual. And who gives a sh*t about MPG

 

[Barcon]

I drive a manual, but I've had automatics in the past. Long time ago mind, it was only a three speed box. I think today's 6 and 7 geared auto boxes would be a lot better.
If I could afford one I think I'd like one, on account of being inherently fucking idle. Changing gear is overrated, and unless you're on the track, racing, then I think an auto is definitely preferable.
I'd have to have more money than I'm on now though, autos are generally thirstier, and they get through brakes a lot quicker too.
I dislike driving these days, so anything that makes life easier please.

This sums it up. Automatics from the 70s, 80s and 90s tended to be bloody awful and thirsty alternatives to manuals.
However modern automatics are significantly improved and generally offer improved or equivalent fuel consumption.

You'll still need to change the brake pads more frequently than a teenage boy changes his socks.

How often are we talking stony? I just traded in my 1/2 ton pick up and I never had to change them in four years. My mate who bought the same truck at the same time had to get new rotors and pads all round reccently.

 

[andyhinch]

Trying to work this out myself. Is it an urban myth?

4.2 v8 changed the front pads after 70K

Done about 40k in that and don't need changing both auto's

 

[wayne71]

Automatic and with flappy paddles if its a performance car, I wouldn't get a manual again. I can understand people choosing a manual for racing or a high performance car but pissing around changing gears in a 2 litre ford focus is a complete waste of time.

 

[syedorf]

Trying to work this out myself. Is it an urban myth?

4.2 v8 changed the front pads after 70K

Done about 40k in that and don't need changing both auto's

wow that's some going 70k in an auto cabrio with a v8 engine you must just drive on the motorway and 40 k on the pickups good too by the way clean your wheels or the brake dust will ruin your front alloys ;-) and learn to park

 

[stonerblue]

Why muck about with sloppy gearchanges when the autobox and it's wonderful electronics (in the modern car) can do all the work for you?

We no longer have manual chokes, crank handles, manual window winders, guess which outmoded item is going that way too :)

Seriously Jim, do you see manuals not being around in 10/20 years?

I expect there still will be the die hards on this sceptred isle of ours who insist that manuals are better fun and all that, but auto's are the way forward for the majority of regular users, slowly dying a little inside as they crawl to work and back in the rush hour gridlock!

-- Thu Oct 03, 2013 10:57 pm --

You'll still need to change the brake pads more frequently than a teenage boy changes his socks.

Just changed my front pads on 70k miles in mine, it's a lot about how you drive.

Mrs BJLJ has a company Lexus LS250 petrol auto, and is still on the original brake pads and tyres all round, which is probably due to the interstellar mileage she does, the car is on 42k so far, and from what I can see, there's still loads of life left in them - ridiculously reliable, the only thing gone wrong in three years is the battery in her keyfob has needed changing twice.

can'tbeat a toyota<br /><br />-- Thu Oct 03, 2013 11:45 pm --<br /><br />

Trying to work this out myself. Is it an urban myth?

4.2 v8 changed the front pads after 70K

Done about 40k in that and don't need changing both auto's

You wanna get one of them knobs on your steering wheel..

 

[andyhinch]

Trying to work this out myself. Is it an urban myth?

4.2 v8 changed the front pads after 70K

Done about 40k in that and don't need changing both auto's

wow that's some going 70k in an auto cabrio with a v8 engine you must just drive on the motorway and 40 k on the pickups good too by the way clean your wheels or the brake dust will ruin your front alloys ;-) and learn to park

It's my car park, the wheels had a bit of action on the holiday, a few thousand miles in the alps will do that to them, some great driving over there mind.