Do you prefer an automatic transmission or straight shift?

[JetMaxx]

Even I've always loved sports cars, racing, and 18 wheelers (gave serious thought about going to truck driving school when I was 21); I've never driven many vehicles with a straight shift transmission (ie- four in the floor). In fact, I've never owned a car with a straight shift...and didn't learn to drive one until I was 33 (I learned by driving sis's VW Rabbit all over central Mississippi

While I've always owned a vehicle with an automatic transmission, I'll confess I'm thinking seriously about buying myself a small Nissan pickup truck with a 5 speed manual (like the one my dad owns).

Which do you prefer....a vehicle with a straight shift or an automatic transmission?

[OtherHD]

Automatic all the way. Manual looks too confusing. :?

[ColdFront77]

"None of the Above" -- Never drove and never will.

I agree, Lyle.

[Stormsfury]

Automatic Transmission...hands down.

I tried driving a friend's stick shift, and ended up putting my friend's car into a ditch (fortunately the embankment, brakes, and the ditch wasn't deep at all, and I was able to back the car out, and let my friend take over his own car without any damage!)

SF

[azsnowman]

Stick shift baby! We own both, actually 2 autos, 1 manual........I LOVE the stick for driving in the sticks "LOL!" Much more power and control in the mud, snow etc....our business takes us off road 99.99% of the time. Now "if" and "when" we drive into a city (very seldom, about once a year MAYBE) then I'll drive the auto, so much easier with all the stop lights etc. PLUS........with a stick, you get FAR better gas mileage!

Dennis

[weatherlover427]

I put automatic because I would have no clue how to shift a stickshift nor when to; I'd be more likely to stall the poor thing. Then again, I don't even have my insurance or a license yet, so... .

[Guest]

Driving a manual transmission actually isn't that hard. Chad taught me a few years ago and now I feel like a pro, LOL. Only took a few weeks of practice, but unfortunately I learned at the cost of a new clutch.

[Amanzi]

Have to have a shift... I feel so much more in control of my car (Only confusing part was when I had to learn to pull of on a hill.. lucky there are no hills here in Florida though!)

[JetMaxx]

Bronwyn, I know what you mean...I was soooh lucky I learned to drive a volkswagon in Jackson, Mississippi. It was also very flat terrain...the steepest hills I ever encountered were the interstate ramps

Metro Atlanta is a totally different place...very hilly here in the foothills of the Appalachains. Driving a straight shift is much more of a challenge here than central Mississippi was.

[breeze]

I LOVE to shift! About 10 years ago, I actually BOUGHT a new
SUV with a 5-speed stick....I didn't know how to drive one, so,
I figured if I BOUGHT the darn thing, well, I'd have to
learn to drive it. And, drive I did! And, oh, Bronnie, I learned
to sit perfectly still on a steep hill and never roll back!
LOL, I love a stick - but, being Ms. Cheapskate, I got a deal
on the automatic transmission Chevrolet that I drive,now...

[ameriwx2003]

Auto. Transmission all the way for me:):). I never could get the hang of shifting:):)

[mf_dolphin]

Nothing like a stick shift! Give me 4 on the floor anytime!!!!!!

[David]

I'm not driving yet, I really don't want to, but I have to. But, anyways, back to the topic at hand... I like automatic. I don't wanna shift gears 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.

[CajunMama]

I drive an automatic but I know how to drive a manual. My car has both but the manual cheats! It's a sportronic transmission. You shift but there is no clutch. Kind of messes up your left foot!

Driving a manual is like riding a bike, once you learn you never forget.

[Lindaloo]

if the car has get up and go i prefer an automatic. when i used to drive a race car at our local round track i prefer standard. lol.

[weatherwunder]

Gotta have the stick shift. Guess it goes with the lead foot that I have!

[bfez1]

Have always driven an automatic with power steering.

[Stephanie]

I've tried to learn the stick shift but I think that I'll stick with my automatic! Marty knows how to drive a stick shift.

[wx247]

Automatic. I can drive both, but being where there are lots of hills and stoplights it is a pain driving a manual shift.

[Rainband]

Automatic....toooooo many stops and go's here :o