Why did you go with an Auto or Manual Transmission?

[gajagfan]

Originally Posted by firedrop

maybe 20 years ago.. now paddle shifters are the best around tracks

I have a lot of trouble buying this statement. I know certain high end cars (some Porsches I know of for sure) only come with an automatic style transmission, but why then did GM only offer manual transmissions in 2 of there three track cars (1LE and Z/28)? I guess its because they did not want them to go as fast as they could. And for the record, I have no problem with folks choosing automatic cars, especially if drag racing is there intent.

[Angrybird 12]

Originally Posted by jman17

A majority of the "kids" stealing cars out there now don't know how to drive a manual, especially one with power on these cars or vettes.

This is the first car in 20 years that I drove with a manual in it, so I had to relearn a stick. I drove in Seattle for 9 months on I-5 with bumper to bumper traffic with this manual car, didn't have a slight problem, just got to get use to it.

Before I bought my 2007 Saturn Sky the last manual I had was a 1979 Jeep CJ5, once you learn to drive a manual and have been out of one for a while it comes back to you pretty quickly. I did drive a few others in between. One funny story. My son had a 96 Trans am and thought he was pretty good at using the manual, until I beat his best time by a second the first time I drove it.
I actually learned to drive a manual in a 73 VW Beetle...it was my first wife's car and she taught me.

[MikeSVX]

The manual was cheaper.......

[Norm Peterson]

Originally Posted by gajagfan

I have a lot of trouble buying this statement. I know certain high end cars (some Porsches I know of for sure) only come with an automatic style transmission, but why then did GM only offer manual transmissions in 2 of there three track cars (1LE and Z/28) are only available with manual transmissions? I guess its because they did not want them to go as fast as they could.

From what I understand, sequential manual gearboxes are at their best when you're out on the track driving hard. Under the much easier pace of normal driving, their shifting can be a little harsh under some conditions and probably outside what GM/Chevy would consider acceptable in any regular production car.


Norm

[Oldag]

Don't live in a traffic jam prone area. Manuals are more fun...

[AGM 1LE]

1LE

and I like shifting

[ThingFish]

Originally Posted by Jenner

That's funny because in the v6 the automaticvis slightly more fuel efficient. Just in case you we're wondering. And good info btw

For the 2LS vs. 1LS, that's because the auto has higher gearing, making it significantly slower off the line. It also doesn't have a LSD.

[Ringo64]

Combination of a lot of personal things drove me to auto. Doesn't bother me, handles everything I need it to and I have a blast driving it!

[agent5]

Manual with the hurst option- just because it adds so much of a fun factor for me and the shifting is surprisingly smooth once you get past the break-in period.

[snizzle]

MT b/c I bought a AT on my last new car. That was enough.

[Stecky]

Manal.. The short throw shift is worth the bucks also.

[rontammy0]

Originally Posted by Angrybird 12

You are correct sir, I usually post a few Car and Track videos from the 60's of several muscle cars with automatics like this one.

Hey angry I love those old videos..you can slolve a lot of debate here with them...maybe you should post some videos of the drivers power shifting these cars ....that's some skill at the wheel of a stick car ..keep em coming

[ssrs2lt]

Automatic, just recently coming from a standard Regal made me realize I'm too lazy to shift a daily driver.

[dkg11]

I have a manual... it wasnt my choice, but wow am i glad that i got the manual heres the story: my dad bought me my car and these were his exact words "if you gonna get a man car your gonna have to learn how to drive like a man."