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How to Choose a Manual or Automatic Transmission

Manual cars offer more control and better gas mileage, but lower resale value. Automatics are, well, easy. Who should drive which car?



Member advice on How to Choose a Manual or Automatic Transmission Showing 200 per page
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by shoplmart

shoplmart is a Top Reviewer on Epinions 		May 20 '03 Should I buy my Honda Civic with an automatic or manual?
Whether you choose an automobile equipped with an automatic or manual transmission, educate yourself prior to buying.... read full review 		Very Helpful
by bdbaman
 Aug 16 '00 Confessions of a shift changer
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by kelly60
 Sep 20 '00 My Advise - Learn To Drive Both
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by taurusmoon
 Dec 25 '99 Do you like celery?
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by linda1527
 Feb 11 '00 Wouldn't have it any other way!!
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by JDinPA
 Feb 12 '00 There are pro's and con's to both
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by onabreak2
 Jun 25 '00 If I Can Do It So Can You
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by Jaywa
 Apr 25 '00 Manual Versus Automatic = Apple Versus Pear
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by forkids
 Jan 12 '00 Grrrind, Chug, Grrrind, Chug...
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by hamors
 Jan 24 '00 TOTAL CONTROL: Is driving a passion or a chore?
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by netKat
 Jan 16 '00 Stick it, I'll take the Automatic
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by gfxminc
 Feb 16 '05 Transmission choices present and future.
Various types of automatics are the way of the future, but manuals are worth learning here and now.... read full review 		Very Helpful
by SportFury
 Dec 23 '99 The Age Old Debate
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by dkozin
 Mar 29 '01 Manual Or Automatic Transmission - Depends On What You Want To Achieve
The choice depends on your driving habits and conditions.... read full review 		Very Helpful
by teddiec
 Jan 13 '00 Automatic vs. Manual
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by pboy
 Jan 12 '00 How do you eat a whopper, change the radio station, and drive a manual at the same time
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by decyrano
 Jan 21 '00 Safety Features? Yes, if you know when, and how to use them
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by tutti73
 May 31 '00 Teach Them With A Stick!!!
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by MyKidsMom
 Jan 24 '00 Manual shift for me.
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by B_Campbell
 Mar 30 '00 Is manual or auto right for you?
Manual, Automatic, Manumatic, CVT? Which to choose? It's all explained here.... read full review 		Very Helpful
by jwachs2412
 Mar 16 '00 It All Depends Where You Live
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by Volman
 May 07 '00 Often fun, sometimes a pain in the....
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by poseidon
 Dec 27 '99 Fun versus Convenience
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by HawgWyld
 Jul 31 '00 I'm a big traitor
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by Brandie6947
 Mar 05 '00 The Great Debate
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by mgreber
 Jan 21 '00 Use your best judgement...you know we trust you.
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by jpeter
 Aug 20 '01 All too shifty
If you are reading this you have already made up your mind that you want a stick.... read full review 		Very Helpful
by briansdad
 Dec 25 '99 Rhymes with heap
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by mattjoe
 Jan 18 '00 fun vs. FUN
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by bgabel
 Mar 17 '00 Stir Your Own Gears Or Die
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by Gran4piano
 Feb 06 '00 The Clutch! The Clutch! Hit the Clutch!
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by Melissa_M
 Mar 20 '00 I Guess I'm Old...er, Fashioned, but
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by maestro5050
 Jan 19 '00 Looking back in my rearview mirror
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by CallieDog
 May 10 '01 Wisdom from the Alpha Dog
My alpha dog says a stick is fun and also practical in some ways, whereas, an automatic is much more convenient.... read full review 		Very Helpful
by digitalquirk
 Aug 29 '06 I don't crank start my car
Modern automatics have made manual transmissions obsolete, like the electric starter did with the hand crank. Stick with automatic.... read full review 		Very Helpful
by LieutPage
 Apr 08 '00 Something for the left leg to do
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by Staceygill
 Jan 09 '01 To Me, An Automatic Makes More Sense
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by Ellie41799
 Mar 29 '00 I Only Drive Automatic
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by coolest-thng
 Jul 02 '00 HOW TO POP A WHEELIE IN A PICKUP TRUCK
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by Sunliner
 Feb 04 '00 Row Your Own
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by dave_fietz
 Dec 27 '99 Stick Wid Da Stick!
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by BlackBear
 Apr 25 '00 "I'll never buy a standard"
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by roadtripper
 Jun 18 '00 Pay Attention! Drive a Stick!
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by shartion
 Feb 09 '00 Can An Automatic Say.......
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by moonmoods_52
 Jan 12 '00 Who's Driving Whom?
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by Profilewriter
 Feb 10 '00 Help, help! I'm sliding backwards!
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by ldusold
 Mar 28 '00 Do you like to drive or do you like to.......
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by thewebguy
 Mar 02 '00 Vehicle type the deciding factor
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by vice
 Jan 28 '00 Manual or Automatic? That's Easy.
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by zhany2
 Jan 13 '02 Observations of a new standard driver
A standard transmission is no where near as bad as automatic proponents claim, and can be quite fun once you learn it.... read full review 		Very Helpful
by jdanishevsky
 Jan 11 '00 Hmmmm... Manual? or Automatic?
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by mom2spencer98
 Jan 24 '00 Hmmm, decisions...... decisions.....
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by wilkit88
 May 05 '01 It boils down to a personal preference.
Depends on what you drive and where you drive. Many new transmissions blur the old line between manuals and automatics. Test-drive both transmissions for the model you are considering.... read full review 		Very Helpful
by Mecheby
 Jul 13 '00 Are You A Hands On or Go With The Flow Type Of Person?
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by eyestar
 Jan 15 '00 Manuals can be dangerous
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by Jennlee.2
 Jan 27 '00 Case Study and why I like manual
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by bsproles
 Nov 07 '01 Manual for me....decide for yourself!
This choice really comes down to a personal preference. Choose, and most importantly, be safe!... read full review 		Very Helpful
by hwz1
 Mar 17 '00 The Bonuses and Negatives to Driving an Automatic Car
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by MHawkins
 Feb 15 '00 For True Control, Get A Manual
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by darouedu
 Dec 27 '99 Where do you want to go today?
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by dustygold
 Jan 21 '00 Don't Listen to Me, YOU CHOOSE!
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by bittermiss
 May 24 '00 Don't Automatically Choose!
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by vlkm
 May 03 '00 Reluctant Convert......
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by twinturbo
 Apr 15 '00 Just pick one, dammit!
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by Blazer_Bob
 Jan 01 '00 Much more control with a manual
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by dave_huber
 Jan 28 '00 How Do You Feel Today?
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by astrid
 Apr 25 '00 The Legacy of the Green Ghost
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by RiverNH
 Jan 24 '00 Manual Vs Automatic? Surely you are Joking?
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by babypod
 Nov 13 '00 How I learned to drive a stick!
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by amytart
 Jan 20 '00 Automatic Transmissions...*yawn*
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by beartracks
 Sep 10 '00 Manual for performance, automatic for simplicity
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by ferlinghetti
 Jan 24 '00 stick ups and downs
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by JuiceJW
 Jan 24 '00 Yes I have a automatic Jeep...no I am not ashamed
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by SarahBeth
 Jan 25 '00 taking control of the road
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by lora_foster
 Dec 27 '99 Left foot, right foot
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by clooneyfan
 Jan 24 '00 Try driving a clutch with broken toes
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by fingy
 Apr 08 '01 Standard vs automatic??? Standard Of Course!
Unless you have physical limitations, buying a standard is the best choice in almost all situations ... read full review 		Very Helpful
by spoalanm
 Apr 11 '00 Shift Over To Automatics.
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by darkgoddess997
 Jan 07 '00 automatic all the way for me...
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by dc503
 Jan 06 '00 Both should be mandatory
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by pducttape
 Nov 23 '00 who should consider a manual
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by wan3
 Jan 29 '00 Stick it Baby!
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by Pameladugan
 Feb 05 '00 You're really driving now!
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by angeladt
 Jan 25 '00 It all depends on the person
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by economos
 Jan 29 '00 Economy?
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by BSmith24
 Jan 22 '00 I prefer a STICK
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by 1937859
 Dec 25 '99 Manual Is Better
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by PC-00
 Mar 19 '00 Why manual vs. automatic arouses such passions...
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by repastj
 Mar 16 '00 From a drag racer's point of view
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by 12judge
 Jan 03 '01 Driving Should be Fun
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by jaiganesha
 Jan 27 '00 Decide Stick or Auto
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by CarRick
 Apr 24 '00 And the winner is...Stick!!
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by JIBRIL111
 Jan 27 '00 Hard choice, but an automatic takes the cake
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by midnight_10
 Apr 08 '00 I prefer manuals, but...
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by DPerrea
 Jan 21 '00 Manual transmission keeps me awake
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by weisenberg
 Jan 27 '00 GET CONTROL OF YOUR CAR
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by kdawe
 Jan 27 '00 Give Me My Stick Back!!
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by y2keclipse
 May 14 '00 Manual vs. Automatic: It depends
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by urbanpagan
 May 02 '00 The more pedals, the better!
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by rabidbulldog
 Jun 08 '00 What's That 3rd Petal For Again?
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by gerhow
 Jan 03 '00 no clutch-no fun!
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by down
 Feb 03 '00 premium shemium
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by jzak
 Apr 01 '00 Driving on the Stick Shift
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by devray
 Jan 25 '00 The Benefits of Auto definitely outweigh those of manual!!!
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by foxspy
 Mar 17 '00 Hard to choose.
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by john_malaise
 Dec 28 '99 Winter Wonderland.
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by Eshdaddy
 Jan 11 '00 The Love Stick
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by sweetcece
 Apr 13 '00 In the City? Automatic
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by classicrock
 Jan 17 '00 What Do You Think Is Better?
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by dkarmol
 Jan 13 '00 More Control. Fewer Problems.
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by KaitiesMommy
 Jun 07 '00 Which is Better??
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by ColinP
 Jan 07 '00 Determine your driving habits before deciding
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by R.Bruce
 Mar 28 '00 You drive the car; the car drives you.
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by Skullmar
 Mar 25 '00 Will this debate exist in the future?
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by jlhensell
 Jan 24 '00 Stick It!!
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by Pisces
 Apr 05 '00 Dear God please deliver us from Manual Transmission Enthusiasts
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by achaholic
 Jan 08 '00 point and go, tiptronic or real thing?
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by legendcpe
 Mar 22 '00 Depends on what your driving
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by dan2jezebel
 Feb 10 '00 shift gears toward more control
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by tdominey
 Mar 20 '00 Automatic Is The Way To Go...
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by BubbaFaye
 Jun 02 '00 Manuals Drive Me Crazy!
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by LuvToMmiE
 Jan 25 '00 Traffic Frequently? Stick with an Auto.
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by danny_hedges
 Dec 10 '00 To shift or not to shift
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by ShawnaJo
 Jan 26 '00 Where do you live?
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by sequenia
 Feb 04 '00 Manual Forever
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by pcomsec
 Mar 06 '00 Stick is a pain in the ...leg
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by gjacks
 Jan 26 '00 Where do you live?
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by Dr.DonkeyPunch
 Jan 26 '00 Automatic Sucks
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by phungus
 Jan 03 '00 Know how to use both
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by JMueksch
 Mar 06 '00 I like my stick!
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by Jim_F
 Mar 11 '00 It depends on what use your vehicle is being used for!
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by DaThaiMan
 Jul 12 '00 For the Dummies
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by LilRdBird
 Jan 20 '00 It's a personal choice I think
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by Hugh-Ogletree
 Feb 03 '00 Manuals Rule
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by Sulzer
 Jan 25 '00 Is the extra hassle worth it?
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by Valenteenie
 Jan 09 '00 Learned on Automatic.
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by wsdorsey
 Apr 28 '00 It's All About Ability
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by denniskim
 Jan 18 '00 Do you want control? Or the car to have it?
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by Crazy4money
 Jun 12 '00 It all depends on what you like
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by Mattyd
 Jan 25 '00 I'm taking a stand: Get yourself a stick
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by Hulkie113
 Mar 24 '00 These days there's no difference
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by BeccaM
 Feb 17 '00 your auto ins. may stick it to the stick shift!
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by mackeystingray
 Jan 11 '00 Gotta Shift?
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by brendancook
 Jun 07 '00 Six Of One...
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by classicrock
 Jan 12 '00 MANUAL IS GINDING FUN
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by josh9966
 Feb 08 '00 Drive your car and stop letting it drive you!!
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by AviJ
 Jan 24 '00 Knowledge is Power
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by jaseroque
 Jan 25 '00 Manual vs. Automatic: pros and cons of both
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by brwnmack
 Jan 29 '00 MANual is the way to go
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by pepprman98
 Dec 24 '99 Manuals are fun, but....
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by gfour20
 Dec 28 '99 TRANSMISSIONS: Automatic vs. Standard
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by eharri3
 Jan 25 '00 stick or slushy box?
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by loyalty
 Jun 05 '00 Stick With Automatics for Traffic...
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by LENDA719
 Jan 26 '00 why automatic?
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by inscrutable_po
 Feb 01 '00 Stick shift snob
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by pquirk
 May 18 '00 Other considerations
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by nognx
 Jan 15 '00 Wife too aggresive with my stick
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by dave-wilks
 Jan 19 '00 disadvantages vs. advantages
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by book75
 May 30 '00 stick or auto
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by heidi95842
 Jan 15 '00 The never ending debate
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by zazoo
 May 21 '00 I wish I had both.
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by calif827
 Jan 28 '00 Go smooth with an automatic
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by MK2K
 May 17 '00 I want Stick
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by SOHCRX
 Jan 08 '00 Keep It Simple Stupid
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by nealb18
 Dec 30 '99 Standard is in
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by Mischief007
 Jan 20 '00 Take Off VS. Gas?
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by jay_sykes
 Jan 29 '00 Do you love cars or not?
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by boro_mike
 Jul 09 '00 Own one of each
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by ford_amf
 Jan 07 '00 It Depends on Who You Are
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by psychkase
 Jan 07 '00 cant find it, grind it
... read full review 		Very Helpful
by believeme1
 Mar 16 '00 drive what fits your needs
... read full review 		Helpful
by Rufster
 Aug 13 '01 Which One Is Right For You...
A manual transmission is cheaper, but are you up for the work? An automatic would be nice but it's got a price, are you up for the money?... read full review 		Helpful
by Sandra4673
 Jun 13 '00 Just Learned
... read full review 		Helpful
by honey39167
 Feb 14 '00 ups and down of gearing up and down
... read full review 		Helpful
by eaglecatcher
 Jun 05 '07 The Final Word
If you care about driving, get a manual. If you want to be a passenger with no control, and merely steer the car, not drive it, then get the slushie.... read full review 		Helpful
by potownrob
 Oct 25 '05 The Tale of Manny Tranny
Read the tale of Manny and Slushy, two brothers who might as well be from two different planets. Also, don't forget to stop by standardshift.com for some entertaining stickshift talk!... read full review 		Helpful
by shan60
 Apr 20 '00 Make It Easy On Mom
... read full review 		Helpful
by fixxxerny
 Feb 24 '00 Automatic for the People!
... read full review 		Helpful
by nysteak
 May 20 '00 Coordination
... read full review 		Helpful
by MX3_Chick
 Sep 16 '00 Are you a Driver or Being Driven?
... read full review 		Helpful
by tylerjp
 Apr 11 '00 Get The Right Transmission 4 U
... read full review 		Helpful
by mig125
 May 18 '00 What you crave for...
... read full review 		Helpful
by dkarmol
 Apr 05 '00 Stuck in heavy traffic with a stick?
... read full review 		Helpful
by mindtrap
 Jan 11 '03 My first 2 days of driving standard
If you like control and fun I would recommend getting a standard. If you are easily frustrated or just want to drive and sip your coffee get an automatic... read full review 		Helpful
by Kinderteacher
 Jun 17 '00 Ladies, Get in Gear!
... read full review 		Helpful
by ttsui01
 Jun 03 '00 Which is more dangerous?
... read full review 		Helpful
by Eridani
 May 14 '00 The Danger's of Being Lazy..
... read full review 		Helpful
by rwolff
 Jan 26 '00 I hate 5 speeds
... read full review 		Helpful
by Paneless
 Aug 13 '01 Automatic? So much Easy!
The title says it all, it is just easier!... read full review 		Helpful
by dpc126
 Jan 04 '00 Drive Or Be Driven
... read full review 		Helpful
by YODA_6
 Apr 15 '00 The age old contreversy
... read full review 		Helpful
by KopyKat
 May 30 '00 Automatic all the way
... read full review 		Helpful
by honeypigg
 Feb 07 '00 Automatic better then manual?
... read full review 		Helpful
by r0b3rt
 Nov 23 '00 IH8BRAKELIGHTS
... read full review 		Helpful
by Joe_R
 Jan 04 '00 Depends....
... read full review 		Helpful
by welshed
 Feb 24 '00 auto.vr.standerd or auto vr. retarded
... read full review 		Helpful
by Overload1000
 Jan 05 '00 Stick it to 'em!
... read full review 		Helpful
by ImagiBear
 Jan 14 '00 I'll Take the Easy Way Out
... read full review 		Helpful
by OjosAzules
 Apr 26 '00 Manual all the Way!!!
... read full review 		Helpful
by shan1
 Feb 10 '00 Manual's nice UNTIL the knees give out!
... read full review 		Helpful
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