Originally Posted by Hairydalek
Automatic + cruise control. What the hell do I do with my feet?!?!
I have to say that manual transmission is partly a personal choice. I really like the physical process of driving, and the whole clutch/gear change routine is as important to me as steering. It’s me controlling the car, changing gear when I want to and when I need to. The clutch really helps at times for braking, getting round bends.
We have some great windy country roads here, and to be totally honest, I really can’t imagine driving around them in an automatic. The whole fun of it would be missing.
I agree. Cruise control is great on long trips. especially in the minivan where the driver
has nothing to do for quite a while.
I enjoy most , the control of the car using the engine for inputs both accelerating and deccelerating. Came of the highway this morning at high speed only to be confronted with a pile of cars stopped while a tourist (?) was contemplating which way to turn. Pulled the trans from 5th to 2nd and used the clutch to help with the braking. I had much more control of the steering because the front wheels were spinning relatively free while the back wheels dramatically slowed down my progress in way I controlled.
With the stick, antilock brakes are a non sequetor as you can use the clutch and brake pedals to maintain wheel rotation and yet apply maximum braking. You can adjust to the conditions not depend on the ABS brake system operating inside a preprogramed set of parameters.
Not easily accomplished with the average automatic but available on just about any manual drive vehicle.
roadster with a stick