What's with all the automatic hate?

[Hulkamaniac]

Originally Posted by AutomaticZL1

I recently purchased my dream car, a Black 2014 ZL1, and I decided to go the automatic route because my wife wouldn't let me get standard because she wants to drive it sometimes, haha.. But anyways, I see lots of people hate on the Automatic, and why is that? From what I can tell it is essentially the same performance, if anyone could tell me why people dislike the autos please leave a post!

Every car and truck I've owned excepty my first car have been automatics.

I used to drive a truck for a living so I'm over the "shifting thing".

I always get razzed by folks at car shows or wherever when they saw my Camaros had automatics. But when it was time to line them up and put power to the pavement, the nay-sayers were nowhere to be found.

Can't wait to hear the nay-sayers when my C7 shows up.

[BigBoyBlue]

There is no doubt that the "NEW" automatics are faster. No one is arguing that! That said, unless I was a professional drag racer or LeMans driver, I couldn't care less about those fractions of a second. There is MUCH less challenge in driving an auto. Some aren't looking for that challenge and that is fine. The auto is much more convenient. To each their own.

I love the challenge involved in getting my shifting more efficient. I've been driving stick for almost 20 years and I still feel like I'm getting better. With an auto, once you get the launch down there is little room for improvement.

Driving is a passion of mine, not something that I just want to get through or for it to be easier. Much like when the German cars first started coming over here they didn't have cup holders or other creature comforts. That is because to the Germans (at least at that period in time) driving was an experience.

I am happy that automatics have gotten much better. I remember the crap that they had in the 90's. I like automatics in my SUVs and trucks, but not in my fast cars. Yes, manuals can be a pain in traffic. I've lived in NYC and DC, so I know how annoying they can be. Once that traffic breaks I'm in heaven again.

[PQ]

Originally Posted by Z51Stingray

Every car and truck I've owned excepty my first car have been automatics.

I used to drive a truck for a living so I'm over the "shifting thing".

I always get razzed by folks at car shows or wherever when they saw my Camaros had automatics. But when it was time to line them up and put power to the pavement, the nay-sayers were nowhere to be found.

Can't wait to hear the nay-sayers when my C7 shows up.

My standard answer is ........... "I bought this car to drink coffee and win".

It is a fun topic imo. Like a rivalry.

What I think is funny is the ones on either side who speak generally about why someone else bought what they bought or why they, themselves, bought what they bought.

For an auto guy to claim that the manual guy bought his stick shift car because 'He's trying to prove something, or he's trying to show off, or he cant' afford the extra money for the auto tranny OR for the manual guy to claim the opposite, that the auto guy bought his automatic car because he can't shift gears, lacks skill, or whatever the case is telltale sign that he or she themselves are in fact trying to prove something.

That puts them in the 'Man'ual guy or 'Slush'guy category. Which is THAT guy. The one who has the problem. This category is usually only a really small percentage of automatic drivers and a much larger percentage albeit still minority of the manual drivers.

Also, if you characterize your choice of transmission with the reason being anything other than you prefer or had to buy what you have then you also fall into this category. ie... "I got the stick because only wimps drive autos" ....... In that case you let someone else make your choice for you and you are 'Man'ual guy. Or vice-versa.

All just an opinion of course.

Me? I bought my auto because manuals are for poopyheads. Plain and simple.

[jessrayo]

Originally Posted by PQ

My standard answer is ........... "I bought this car to drink coffee and win".

It is a fun topic imo. Like a rivalry.

What I think is funny is the ones on either side who speak generally about why someone else bought what they bought or why they, themselves, bought what they bought.

For an auto guy to claim that the manual guy bought his stick shift car because 'He's trying to prove something, or he's trying to show off, or he cant' afford the extra money for the auto tranny OR for the manual guy to claim the opposite, that the auto guy bought his automatic car because he can't shift gears, lacks skill, or whatever the case is telltale sign that he or she themselves are in fact trying to prove something.

That puts them in the 'Man'ual guy or 'Slush'guy category. Which is THAT guy. The one who has the problem. This category is usually only a really small percentage of automatic drivers and a much larger percentage albeit still minority of the manual drivers.

Also, if you characterize your choice of transmission with the reason being anything other than you prefer or had to buy what you have then you also fall into this category. ie... "I got the stick because only wimps drive autos" ....... In that case you let someone else make your choice for you and you are 'Man'ual guy. Or vice-versa.

All just an opinion of course.

Me? I bought my auto because manuals are for poopyheads. Plain and simple.

I agree with a lot of what you have said above. (not the poopyhead stuff though) I feel much more engaged in the driving experience when shifting the gears myself and I like driving. It is currently my favorite hobby. that is why I bought a manual.

The original post said why do people with manuals give auto drivers a hard time. I understand the auto, sometimes I wish I had an auto, more often than not I'm glad I have a manual, I enjoy shifting gears. If I give anyone with an auto a hard time it is because you chose the easy route..... could be considered the smart route... but it takes less skill to let the car do the shifting than it does to shift it yourself. Especially when trying to push the limits of speed.

[digdeep0169]

Originally Posted by Angrybird 12

People that make fun of people that buy an automatic have things to learn in life. They have to learn that it does not matter the kind of car you drive, the number of cylinders it has or even if you have to shift your own gears. It's how you treat your fellow human. Only small people look down on others for petty things like that.

besides... I'd rather have my right hand on "her" than on a stick!

[tpower]

It makes me feel kinda funny when I have a knob in my hand LMAO

[jessrayo]

Originally Posted by tpower

It makes me feel kinda funny when I have a knob in my hand LMAO

OMG TMI.

[Mvp_Me]

Originally Posted by digdeep0169

besides... I'd rather have my right hand on "her" than on a stick!

Did i mention that im a good at multitasking

Originally Posted by jessrayo

OMG TMI.

[Rob3D]

Originally Posted by tpower

It makes me feel kinda funny when I have a knob in my hand LMAO

...like when you scratch your head.

[PQ]

Originally Posted by jessrayo

I agree with a lot of what you have said above. (not the poopyhead stuff though) I feel much more engaged in the driving experience when shifting the gears myself and I like driving. It is currently my favorite hobby. that is why I bought a manual.

The original post said why do people with manuals give auto drivers a hard time. I understand the auto, sometimes I wish I had an auto, more often than not I'm glad I have a manual, I enjoy shifting gears. If I give anyone with an auto a hard time it is because you chose the easy route..... could be considered the smart route... but it takes less skill to let the car do the shifting than it does to shift it yourself. Especially when trying to push the limits of speed.

Oh there are definitely times when I wish I'd got the manual.

I have 4 vehicles in my driveway and NONE are manuals. Mainly by chance. I'd like to get one to make sure my kids know how to drive it. Everyone should at least know how.

[tpower]

Originally Posted by Rob3D

...like when you scratch your head.

Now that's funny

[mrmarklin]

[QUOTE=Msmall143;7363160]Dude, just a piece of avice. Don't lead your first post on this forum with "my wife wouldn't let me"

QUOTE]

[Diode Dynamics]

[QUOTE=mrmarklin;7375651]

Originally Posted by Msmall143

Dude, just a piece of avice. Don't lead your first post on this forum with "my wife wouldn't let me"

QUOTE]

Nick C.

[DrkPhx]

I'm an auto guy at heart; but I got such a smoking deal on my car I couldn't pass it up. Besides the clutch and shifter on this car make it easy to drive. Also, the NLS feature really helps and I've gotten pretty good at launching the car; it's become almost second nature. To each their own.