Auto Vs Manual - over the range

[Xr6tBug]

Hi all,

I've just ordered an XR6T Lux pack, sports wheel and AUTO???. I know its a question which has been asked more times than you can point a stick at but I've read'em all and driven both the auto and the manual and now I'm more confused than ever. :wacko:

I live on the Atherton Tablelands which provides some of the most enjoyable and scenic driving pleasure which you will probably find anywere in Australia. Very little trafic, winding roads with some nice long straight sections and every weekend I have a choice of around four ranges to drive down to get wherever it is I'm going.

I do enjoy driving a car rather than just steering as many have previously said and on the test drive I didn't find the manual to be as bad as all the mags make it out to be (a little slow and a tight shift esp. going down into second). I currently drive a VX SS and probably the only thing I would have changed on it was to get the manual version. However the mag reviews and the criticism the manual has received got the better of me so I ordered an Auto.

My question is does the SSS in manual mode give those with this box enough control to go through a twisting range with a level of enjoyment close to that of driving a manual. Or is it the case that when taking the twisty and hilly stuff you find yourself yearning a manual.

And for those of you with the manual are you happy with your decision or have the slow changes, heavy clutch ect. got you wishing you got the auto.

Basically who thinks I should change my order?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

[Mondie]

  Xr6tBug said:

My question is does the SSS in manual mode give those with this box enough control to go through a twisting range with a level of enjoyment close to that of driving a manual.  Or is it the case that when taking the twisty and hilly stuff you find yourself yearning a manual.

And for those of you with the manual are you happy with your decision or have the slow changes, heavy clutch ect. got you wishing you got the auto.

IMO, no.

Dont listen to the mags, it isnt that bad. You have to keep in mind what sorts of cars those clowns get to flog each day. Compared to an M5 it may not be the best, but l think its ok and certainly good enough to not buy an auto. We used to own a FTE TS50 that had the tiptronic shift mounted on the steering wheel. It was good fun for the first week but the novelty soon wore off. There is no substitute for a manual. You dont drive in heavy traffic so dont need an auto for the daily stop/start grind.

You really answered your own question when you said you wished your SS was a manual. Cancel the auto and option up the 18's :wacko:

[turb06]

I have an auto, not by choice mind you. It gives you the feeling and control of driving a manual car with the added benefit of a regular auto when you want to be lazy. The only thing I could complain about it is, it needs another gear.

[TURBO4LT]

Hi

I too have a manual and most my driving is on twisty country roads (kangaroo valley)and I have to say I prefer the manual for shear control and fun , even though mine is starting to sound a bit second hand. My previous car was a bmw with triptronic and like Mondie said the novelty wears off real quick. If I had to do alot of city driving I would go for the auto as the manual becomes a pain.

Cheers

Edited 18/04/04 09:16 PM by TURBO4LT

[ktford]

From what I've read about the FNQ guys, it's more important to accertain where you're going to get 98 ron fuel from. As it's important with the heat/humidity up there to run good fuel.

Scotty

[cvanxr]

I have an auto. The semi auto mode is good fun every now and again, but not something that I use often. It was like a cool new toy when I first got it, had to give it a go. Now it gets left in full auto mode and once a blue moon I remember that it has an extra feature. that's just me though a bit lazy to bother with gears.

[Buf-Phoon]

As I spend quite a bit of time in traffic , I opted for the Auto , but find myself driving it in "manual" mode anyway as it is more fun and gives you better control and power through the twisty bits.

Some forum members are having some issues with Autos due to significant increases in power after mods ,whilst there are similar issues with the manual these appear somewhat less prevalent.

I would probably go a manual next time.

[Falchoon]

I have an auto mainly because I'm a lazy bugger. I have driven on Great Ocean Road and through the Snowy Mountains and find the auto is fine. It really comes into it's own on the highway I reckon when you want to overtake, just push the gear lever over to the left and squeeze the throttle towards the floor and you will be around the car in front in no time.

AT the end of the day it's what you want and prefer.

[Blown BA]

  Falchoon said:

I have an auto mainly because I'm a lazy bugger. I have driven on Great Ocean Road and through the Snowy Mountains and find the auto is fine. It really comes into it's own on the highway I reckon when you want to overtake, just push the gear lever over to the left and squeeze the throttle towards the floor and you will be around the car in front in no time.

AT the end of the day it's what you want and prefer.

What he said

[jetute]

I have a manual and have stated on this forum in the past that I could not change from 5th to 3rd on a downchange... However since I posted that, for some unknown reason I can change in this manner every single time now.... maybe the box just took 6900 km to wear in,... who knows...

if your a manual man, go the manual.... not the best box in the world but it gives you the opprtunity to play a little... they are good fun :o

And the manual really is not that bad in traffic... I find it quite comfortable in traffic... that's just MO