Just Musing About Stick Shift Versus Automatic

[OLE PONY]

Do you really enjoy driving a stick shift all the time?

I've owned several stick shift cars over the years including several MG's, 74 Plymouth Duster, 70 Mustang Sportsroof, and others. The thrill of a stick shift has always been appealing to me.

My 73 Mustang Convertible and my 04 Mustang Mach 1 are both automatics. I've recently been driving my son's 2001 Mustang Bullitt with a five speed and it has been a real thrill for the most part. But after driving it most of the time for several weeks including some traffic jams and a lot of stop and go driving the stick shift became a little bit of a chore, especially with the strong clutch pedal pressure needed.

When I got back behind the wheel of my 04 Mach 1 I felt like the automatic was a lot more responsive (well it does have more HP) and easier to drive. While I like the thrill of shifting up to speed and down shifting through the curves with the stick shift, I have come to like my automatic for everyday driving comfort, response, and control.

Anyway, I think I always like getting behind the wheel with a stick shift on occasion, but really like my automatics too! Maybe I'm getting old!

Be honest, how many of you get tired of your stick shifts?

 

[JimNiki]

I drive automatics for one technical reason. I'm bloody lazy!...

 

[OLE PONY]

It's a lot easier to talk on the phone and eat your McDonald's sandwich with an auto too! :>

 

[goodnigh]

The reason I like my stick........

It makes me pay more attention to driving.

When driving a Mustang you need both ears,

eyes, hands and feet.

mike

 

[c9zx]

If it is just transportation an automatic is fine. if the object is to enjoy driving, rather than just steering, a standard shift is always my choice. That is why I wish my 72 was a four speed but, I'll still keep it. Chuck

 

[Tnfastbk]

Normally our cars are not for everyday use so I like my 4 speed. But I also have the hydraulic setup like a new car so................... but my new one is a 6 speed also and is a piece of cake also. Now my daily driver is a auto and its just that driven daily. Nothing special just a ok off to work we go type deal.

 

[Don65Stang]

I like both for the very same reasons as you stated Mike. My daily driver is a torquey little VW Golf diesel with a 5 speed. I've never gotten tired of driving it or regretted that it's a stick. I like it better because of that reason. The few times it has bothered me is on the interstate where there has been an accident and it's stop and go for a few miles. In the Machs the 4 speed is great but I also like the autos. Rowing a top loader is a double-edged sword. There is nothing like it in the world.

I'm at a cross road with the 65 and have the choice of putting in an auto or putting in a top loader. I have both sitting beside the car on the garage floor awaiting my decision. Actually I also have a Tremmec 5 speed sitting on the floor so I really have a choice of three trannys that could go into the car. What would you do?

 

[73StangCoupe]

Automatics are for the daily drivers. I love driving my 4 speed, it is an absolute blast to drive! It really does make you pay more attention to driving, which seems to be in short supply these days. Save the manuals!

 

[Tnfastbk]

Automatics are for the daily drivers. I love driving my 4 speed, it is an absolute blast to drive! It really does make you pay more attention to driving, which seems to be in short supply these days. Save the manuals!

+1 on that my car definitely takes 2 hands and 2 feet to drive it. There is no talking on the phone (like you could hear it anyway) or that kind of stuff.

 

[TheJ]

I have yet to own a manual car and am still looking for one. I drive a 3 speed auto dodge shadow daily and it's an awesome little car but it would be just that much better with a 5 speed, in my opinion. As for auto vs stick, sometimes I feel that driving can get boring with an auto and you defiantly have to pay attention more in a stick car.

 

[73 MACH 1 MAN]

I'll have the best of both world's with mine, its a C6 auto with a manual/reverse valve body so no clutch but I still have to shift it and with the reverse pattern I'll be pulling it back for 1st 2nd and 3rd instead of pushing it. I made it even better by installing a B&M ProRatchet shifter in it!!

 

[Steven Harris]

Give me a standard. Go figure, everything I drive is an automatic. But given a preference I would only drive standards. I hope to convert my Mach 1 to standard even before I get it running. Just looking for the needed parts.

Did I mention that I love to stir the stick!

 

[cobrajet99]

For Me, It Has To Be A Stick. Automatics Are Just No Fun, Just Drop Into Gear, And Go. I Think It Keeps You Awake When You Are Driving A Stick. I've Had Four Mach 1s Since High School, First One Was A Four Speed, Then Two Automatics. I Told Myself That The Next One Will Be A Four Speed. I Looked At A Few Really Nice Automatics, That I Could Have Had A Little Cheaper Than My Stick,,,,,,,,But I Sure Do Love My Mach 1 With A Four Speed!!

 

[matrixx]

My daily is a 4.0 frontier with 6 spd, the 73 is a stick and my wife can't drive either. I forgot how to drive an automatic. Everytime I get in my wife's mustang I'm at a daze for a few seconds bumping my left foot around the floor and yanking the shifter side to side and it wont move..then I'm like damn oh yeah just start it and pull back..then I'm OK

Until the stop sign I start to stop and I'm waiting for the engine to Buck and stall out..whew I really don't drive her car much...

 

[OLE PONY]

My daily is a 4.0 frontier with 6 spd, the 73 is a stick and my wife can't drive either. I forgot how to drive an automatic. Everytime I get in my wife's mustang I'm at a daze for a few seconds bumping my left foot around the floor and yanking the shifter side to side and it wont move..then I'm like damn oh yeah just start it and pull back..then I'm OK

Until the stop sign I start to stop and I'm waiting for the engine to Buck and stall out..whew I really don't drive her car much...

I know how that goes, when I went back to my 04 Mach 1 Auto from the 01 Bullitt stick I found myself trying to push the non-existent clutch in on the Mach 1.

 

[matrixx]

Yep, Then you just feel really stupid afterwards. ha ha.

 

[Knoxferatu]

I do prefer a manual transmission, but a well setup automatic, with the right torque converter, and a ratchet shifter, can be awesome. To me, the greater issue is that of having an overdrive top gear, so you don't have to cruise 60 MPH at 3000 RPM.

 

[72 R Code]

I don't care for automatics at all. I guess it goes back to my first car, a 1960 Buick with a Dynaflow. The Nailhead engine was great, but I hated that transmission and have had manuals ever since. I know that modern automatics are fine and probably faster, but if it has no clutch pedal, I prefer to let someone else drive it. That is just my preference and I know that many of you have very nice cars with automatics. I am glad that I was able to buy a new car with a manual transmission. Someday they may be a thing of the past.

 

[matrixx]

I don't care for automatics at all. I guess it goes back to my first car, a 1960 Buick with a Dynaflow. The Nailhead engine was great, but I hated that transmission and have had manuals ever since. I know that modern automatics are fine and probably faster, but if it has no clutch pedal, I prefer to let someone else drive it. That is just my preference and I know that many of you have very nice cars with automatics. I am glad that I was able to buy a new car with a manual transmission. Someday they may be a thing of the past.

I feel you on that its kinda sad you go to a car lot and ask to test drive a new mustang and no manual in sight. "But hey this one has the manual select automatic" I'm sorry I prefer to drive my cars not ride in them. Oh well maybe when I'm older ill settle down with the old cruise-o-matic.