Manual vs Automatic

[GasSavers_Brock]

All it takes is a couple of people who are set against anything other then what they choose and know and it messes up a thread. I am all for better mileage no matter what the car or truck. The way I see it, it should be hybrid's, TDI's and great FE regular gassers all against big unnecessary gas guzzlers. So it is funny to see fighting between these groups. I don’t have a problem with trucks or SUV’s if they NEED to be used that way. If your hauling 3000lbs of equipment get a truck, if you’re hauling 8 people out in the woods get a SUV. Just please don’t drive an SUV to and from work by yourself. The right tool for the right job…

I agree that they tend to be newer folks who jump on anything they don't understand on any of the boards, be it hybrid, TDI or gassers. The folks who tend to stick around more to be more open to new ideas and more interested in other options.

Metro I am surprised as well. Everyone kept saying the DSG was as good as, if not better then straight manual, yet the numbers don't seem to bear it out. They just had a thread about it on TDI as a matter of fact and they still say they are better then straight manual. I just said until I see real world numbers equal to or better then a manual, I will keep using sticks. Keep in mind the 98-03 had the smaller more efficient ALH 1.9L engines, while 04- and newer have the slightly larger 2.0L PD engines. Overall they get lower mpg, but have more power. But even in the 04 and newer the manuals still get better mileage. I do often wonder though if FE "freaks" (like me) tend to buy manuals and those that are not as concerned about FE buy autos, which in itself could skew the results. Again nothing against autos, they certainly have their place.

[onegammyleg]

Originally Posted by Brock

I do often wonder though if FE "freaks" (like me) tend to buy manuals and those that are not as concerned about FE buy autos, which in itself could skew the results. Again nothing against autos, they certainly have their place.

In the old days the difference between manuals and autos was huge , both in performance and FE.
But over the last 15 years in particular the auto's have improved a lot in both departments.

I enjoy both , but for different reasons. and although manuals still have the upper hand , I wouldn't feel too guilty in owning a modern auto.