I used to drive manual transmissions for a number of years but the last six I have driven a vehicle with an automatic. I know that the manual will give you a sportier feel and a sense of greater control.

For those with the automatics, how do you like them and do you ever take it out of automatic and shift yourself?

Thanks and sorry if this question has been asked many times.

Excited!

 

Oh no, another opportunity for the AT MT.



I like my AT just fine. Its not quick off the line but it is nimble and I have absolutely no problems passing, merging, or going uphill. I use "D" 90% of the time and I drop it to SS mode when I get to some twisties or a long on-ramp for a little bit of fun.

 

Same here.
It's still got plenty of power and has a little better gas mileage because it's geared less agressively. I'm about 95% highway and i have no problems passing. Every once in a while i'll go crazy and use the SS mode to Vtec is. but recent gas prices have prevented me from doing it as often.
I still do it though.

 

I've been owning a Honda Prelude for almost 5 years now. While I enjoy my manual transmission very much, there are still times when I wish I didn't have to shift so that I could do something else more conveniently, such as answering my cell-phone during traffic or resting my left foot after a long tennis match.

My next car would definitely be an automatic. I have to admit, though, that it is not an easy thing to let go. Once you're used to manual transmission, nothing else feels the same.

 

why can't people decide if they want a stick or auto on their own?

 

auto

 

manual

 

I love Dabuda's sig:


Originally Posted by WWJDWITHCA
Let's face it, if you can't drive a manual, you really don't know how to drive a car. A Monkey can drive a car with an Auto.

That being said, manual!

 

See what I mean :shakehead

 

^
The face of jeleousy

 

It's not that the we think the auto is bad, but face it...the TSX manual tranny is one of the best in the industry, second to the S2000 IMO. Of course we are gonna be snobs about it.

 

The face of frustration at this point.

I'm getting tired of seeing responses like "should have gotten MT" to questions aimed at AT drivers. This thread is a perfect example. The question was:
and you get bullshit answers like HoRRo's

 

true... but honestly I didn't even read the first post. I saw the thread title "Manual or Automatic" and figured it was another "which one should I get..." thread. Maybe Horro didn't notice either

 

Thats fine. I don't care if it happens in "wish I bought MT" or "wanna trade my AT for MT" threads. But, AT drivers chose the transmission for a reason. The AT meets their needs better and thats why they chose it. So when a question comes up regarding the AT I get frustrated in seeing MT responses.

jlukja, who probably needs a thicker skin.

 

LOL at the similar threads below....

 

see above

 

 

My apologies to excited and jlukja, the subject seems to have mislead me, I didn't quite notice the single question asked:

"For those with the automatics, how do you like them and do you ever take it out of automatic and shift yourself?"

TSX.Fury is correct, I didn't notice

 

No worries

jlukja, who thought he tasted piss in his cornflakes this morning

 

 

Love the auto acts. Usually use the SS feature about 30% of the time.

 

What you do in the privacy of your own home, own bedroom, or own car is none of anyones business. If you want to engage in homosexual relations or drive an automatic, who are we to judge.

 

 

Mantomatic.

 

Well Excited, I can speak from both sides. My father owns and LOVES his 2004 ABP 5AT TSX. When I went to visit my parents, he'd let me take it out for spins or borrow it for the day… so, of course, I took him up on the offer frequently since they live about 15 minutes away from me. The manumatic in the TSX is one of the better ones I've tried, and doesn't exhibit much throttle lag between shifts as I've experienced in other cars I've driven in. In fact, based on my experience with my dad's car, I went out and got my own (2005 NBP 6MT Nav). Your comments in the 1st post suggest that you WILL be getting an automatic, but want to know if the manumatic option will give you some of the "feel" of driving a manual transmission car. With regards to that, I can say without question that the answer is no. The auto tranny in the TSX is done very well and feels very refined, but no tiptronic option can duplicate the feeling of rowing through the gears... especially since you must sport-shift in sequence. My father, who used to drive manuals before they had me (some 27 years ago), said that he rarely, if ever, uses the option. Honestly, I don't think you can go wrong with either transmission, but the sport shift mode is not a compromise for getting the automatic over the manual... it's just not even close. If you need the auto for practical reasons and don't yearn for shifting a stick, then rest assured that you'll be getting a solid transmission... but if deep down you yearn to get that "feel" back, you'll regret not making the choice.

 

I drove nothing but manuals for over 15 years. My last new car was Saab 9-3 manual. I tested both transmissions but opted for the familiar MT. Then I had the same car as a loner in an AT for a few days and really I kind of liked the simplicity. I liked not having to shift ALL the time (stop and go on the interstate, long 4-way stops around the house, taking a business call, etc). Ever since I wondered if I should have bought the AT instead (it didn't keep me up at night -- just wondered). My next car was a used Saab 9-5 and I could only find one with an AT. I figured I'd get use to it and in no time I actually preferred it to the MT 9-3. So, when it came to the TSX I opted for the AT since it does have manual mode. I've only had the car for about 6 weeks now and really enjoy the car. I've used the manual mode a few times on some twisty roads and when the car wants to lug it in 5th gear when it should be in 4th. One feature which is nice is D3. On the interstate you can switch from D to D3 before passing. Its a quick and smooth way to shift 5th to 3rd -- more importantly it gives you the passing feel of a MT.

 

 

 

Gosh this debate can go on forever. And here I am perpetuating it.....

The auto is great. I came from cars with good/great trannies in their day (e36 325is and Integra LS) and have driven the 6mt on occassion. No doubt, the 6MT is one of the best gearboxes, and this is coming from a guy that rented a 360 Modena MT for my wedding (thats the one thing my wife put me in charge of ). My compliments to you 6MTers. But do I yearn for MT? Definitely not.

I definitely use the SS mode, in traffic or not, etc. It may not be the marvel of engineering that the 6mt is nor is it an SMG/DSG, but I can't help but say I really enjoy it. I just learn how to drive the and exploit the SS mode, or neat tricks like cmf pointed out like the 5th to 3rd downshift which is quicker than any MT can do (w/o destroying your synchros). Really finding those sweet spots in the powerband also great fun. And handling for the most part doesn't change from the 6mt to the 5at, so the TSX's true strength is still there for you to enjoy.

Would I have gotten the 6MT if my commute was closer? Sure. But do I ever look back and yearn for the 6MT? Not one bit. I love my car AND the AT.

 

Thanks for all of the advice. My question did get answered.

I haven't decided what to get yet as I do still remember all of the fun with a stick but have been spoiled the last few years driving an automatic.

It sounds like you can't make a bad decision. All of the praise for the MT from the posts and the reviews I have read really makes me want to try it out. I have driven the AT and will take the MT out for a test drive this weekend.

I want to buy the TSX right now but will suffer waiting for the 06's. The dealer is talking about taking some $ off the 05's since I started mentioning that I was going to wait for the 06's. I know that I can save thousands of dollars through the lower initial cost and the lower financing interest rates, but I do like the 06 features speculated on in other posts.

Thanks again for your tips. I eagerly await the test drive this weekend.

Excited!

 

AT if your a beginner MT if your an enthusiast!

 

But not homosexual relations WHILE driving an automatic. Important distinction!

 

I test drove the MT this morning and was it really great. Very, very smooth and the feeling of acceleration was terrific when I sped up on the merge lane onto the freeway. Pretty sure that I will get the MT

I am now considering getting the 05. Are all of those little changes on the 06 worth five grand? I love the bluetooth, extra horses, fog lamps, improved nav and memory seats but are they worth five grand!

Exicted and pondering!

 

where did 5 grand come from?

 

I figure that I can purchase the 05 MT with Nav for 39,000 Cdn with a spoiler, fog lights and floor mats thrown in. The 06 will likely cost me about 41,000 for the same vehicle. When you take the 2,000 difference and the difference in the financing over 4 years between 2.9% and 4.5 % for these amounts (about $75 per month) it comes to over $5,000.

I will put some money down and have a trade in, so I called it an even $5000.

I can afford the 06 and like the new features, but it is hard to ignore $5000 difference.

Excited!

 

gotcha. personally i have the manual and love it

 

I am officially old today.

I test drove the MT today with my wife and she also drove it. The clutch was alot more sensitive and my shifts were not as smooth. Traffic was a little more congested and I had alot more stop and go starts. The AT is alot easier to deal with the start and stops. I guess I am just old now but I will chose the AT. I'm not buying the TSX as a sports car but more as a luxury commuter and touring car. I will play the SS when I want a little more fun.

My wife loved the navi feature.

I also decided that I will wait for the 06. The extra features that it is rumored to have are all ones that I want.

Now for the wait to order then receive the 06.

Excited

 

Who do u think will win in a race the AT Vs Ml.

 

 

A good question is, who will win the race between the 06 higher horsepower AT or the 05 MT?

Excited

(As soon as I see the 06 colours, I will order my TSX. I hope that I stay more in control than I did when I waited for my last vehicle.)