Auto Vs Manual
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 830
Likes: 38
From: Chicago/London
Again, when you grow up you will understand these things. I've driven a manual for more years than you have had your driver's license and I used to race several of them regularly at the strip and Willow Springs so don't bother with your poor assumptions.
The TL is fast..... if you've never been in a fast car before. The fastest car you've been in always seems fast until you ride in a faster car. Same can be said about your driving ability, you're the best in the world...to yourself. I have numbers to back up that I'm not too bad at it.
The TL is fast..... if you've never been in a fast car before. The fastest car you've been in always seems fast until you ride in a faster car. Same can be said about your driving ability, you're the best in the world...to yourself. I have numbers to back up that I'm not too bad at it.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 20,172
Likes: 1,818
From: Bakersfield
However, auto cars getting no respect depends on what track you're talking about. Auto cars dominate at the drag strip. I could have saved a ton of money on transmissions if I had gone with a manual but the auto is way faster.
On the road course, it's rare to see an auto. I've had my TL out there and it does extremely well but the auto is definitely holding it back. It's right on par with average drivers in M3s and C6 Vettes on the short course where power does not matter as much. I'm sure with good drivers it would be a different story but the TL holds it's own even in auto form.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 159
Likes: 14
This subject never dies. Why not search the other 100 transmission/flamewar threads instead of starting another.
Lol at the way some people romanticize the 6mt. It's a FWD 258hp car for God's sake. It's slow in 5at form and slow as a 6mt. If you like shifting, get the 6mt. If you don't, get the auto. Rowing your own gears does not make it a driver's car. Get something with balls that you really have to "drive" and you'll see the difference. 258hp, FWD, 3,600lbs, and all of the electronic nannies does not make a driver's car no matter what trans you have.
Lol at the way some people romanticize the 6mt. It's a FWD 258hp car for God's sake. It's slow in 5at form and slow as a 6mt. If you like shifting, get the 6mt. If you don't, get the auto. Rowing your own gears does not make it a driver's car. Get something with balls that you really have to "drive" and you'll see the difference. 258hp, FWD, 3,600lbs, and all of the electronic nannies does not make a driver's car no matter what trans you have.
Out of necessity, I switched from the '06 6MT to an '08 Type S Auto. Given the choice, I would've stayed with the 6MT. If you can find an '08 Type S 6MT, go for it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 830
Likes: 38
From: Chicago/London
Agreed. If the itch is there it's not going to go away over time. If he wants a 6mt he should wait for one.
However, auto cars getting no respect depends on what track you're talking about. Auto cars dominate at the drag strip. I could have saved a ton of money on transmissions if I had gone with a manual but the auto is way faster.
On the road course, it's rare to see an auto. I've had my TL out there and it does extremely well but the auto is definitely holding it back. It's right on par with average drivers in M3s and C6 Vettes on the short course where power does not matter as much. I'm sure with good drivers it would be a different story but the TL holds it's own even in auto form.
However, auto cars getting no respect depends on what track you're talking about. Auto cars dominate at the drag strip. I could have saved a ton of money on transmissions if I had gone with a manual but the auto is way faster.
On the road course, it's rare to see an auto. I've had my TL out there and it does extremely well but the auto is definitely holding it back. It's right on par with average drivers in M3s and C6 Vettes on the short course where power does not matter as much. I'm sure with good drivers it would be a different story but the TL holds it's own even in auto form.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 20,172
Likes: 1,818
From: Bakersfield
Drag strip or road course? That's the point that you're missing. There is so much more going on inside the car than pressing the gas in a high powered auto. Most people would kill themselves if they tried to make a pass in my auto car without lots of practice. Try hanging on with wheel spin at 80mph and you'll change your mind, lots more driving skill required to drive my car than to drive the average manual.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 20,172
Likes: 1,818
From: Bakersfield
I feel like I need to clarify a few things.
Manuals are more involving to drive.
Manuals are more fun 95% of the time but a high stall, high power auto can be fun too.
In the Honda world, manuals are surprisingly quicker.
Those points I'm not debating. There are two main points. One is brought up by Simon that auto cars are as easy as pressing the throttle to the floor to get good times in. The other is that a manual Tl is made out to be a completely different car.
Manuals are more involving to drive.
Manuals are more fun 95% of the time but a high stall, high power auto can be fun too.
In the Honda world, manuals are surprisingly quicker.
Those points I'm not debating. There are two main points. One is brought up by Simon that auto cars are as easy as pressing the throttle to the floor to get good times in. The other is that a manual Tl is made out to be a completely different car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 1
From: Northern VA
Some points to also remember about the manual over the auto- the manual gets a unique (tighter) suspension setup with bigger sways, weighs nearly 100lbs less than the auto car (on the nose, where it really counts in a FWD car), and gets the bigger Brembo brakes.
I definitely respect your opinion, especially having owned a Z06. I've driven one and it was a handful with the traction control off but lots of fun.
I wouldn't mind the fun factor once in a while but mine is more a point a to b car with a great stereo so I can relax on the way home from work. I drove a stick for a bunch of years and I don't hate it at all.
I just can't get used to most foreign car's shifters and clutches. They feel too fragile to me, I can't even feel the clutch pedal. I have an old pair of worn out shoes that I used to wear to the track so I can feel the pedals better. I wore those when I did my test driving and I'm glad I did. I test drove a manual base, auto and manual TL-S and I could just barely tell a difference from my 5at base. The difference was there but I really had to pay attention to feel it. I don't street race this car except for the random once a year encounter so a few tenths doesn't make a difference to me. If I get serious I'll take the TL home and bring out the GN.
I have to ask though, why did you get rid of the Z06? That's one of my all time favorite cars. One of my friends is looking at used C6 Z06s so hopefully he gets one soon. I never got a chance to run a Z06 but I did get a casual encounter with a ZR1 right before my GN broke. Lots of respect for those cars.
I wouldn't mind the fun factor once in a while but mine is more a point a to b car with a great stereo so I can relax on the way home from work. I drove a stick for a bunch of years and I don't hate it at all.
I just can't get used to most foreign car's shifters and clutches. They feel too fragile to me, I can't even feel the clutch pedal. I have an old pair of worn out shoes that I used to wear to the track so I can feel the pedals better. I wore those when I did my test driving and I'm glad I did. I test drove a manual base, auto and manual TL-S and I could just barely tell a difference from my 5at base. The difference was there but I really had to pay attention to feel it. I don't street race this car except for the random once a year encounter so a few tenths doesn't make a difference to me. If I get serious I'll take the TL home and bring out the GN.
I have to ask though, why did you get rid of the Z06? That's one of my all time favorite cars. One of my friends is looking at used C6 Z06s so hopefully he gets one soon. I never got a chance to run a Z06 but I did get a casual encounter with a ZR1 right before my GN broke. Lots of respect for those cars.
Senior Moderator
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,414
Likes: 71
From: Toronto, ON, Canada
I've only drivin my manual TL Type S for 1 day (stupid unexpected snow fall on Wednesday kept the TL in doors, and its still in door probably until Monday) but BOY AM I GLAD I WAITED IT OUT! I have been looking for a 6mt TL type S for months, finally one came and it was almost gone but lucky for me the previous buyers financing fell through so the car was mine for the picking!
I drove it to work on Tuesday with traffic, didn't have a problem (I've been driving an autotragic for 6 years to work). I can't compare it against an auto TL because I haven't test driven one but my faith in Honda automatics is very low hence why I wanted the manual.
I drove it to work on Tuesday with traffic, didn't have a problem (I've been driving an autotragic for 6 years to work). I can't compare it against an auto TL because I haven't test driven one but my faith in Honda automatics is very low hence why I wanted the manual.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 830
Likes: 38
From: Chicago/London
I feel like I need to clarify a few things.
Manuals are more involving to drive.
Manuals are more fun 95% of the time but a high stall, high power auto can be fun too.
In the Honda world, manuals are surprisingly quicker.
Those points I'm not debating. There are two main points. One is brought up by Simon that auto cars are as easy as pressing the throttle to the floor to get good times in. The other is that a manual Tl is made out to be a completely different car.
Manuals are more involving to drive.
Manuals are more fun 95% of the time but a high stall, high power auto can be fun too.
In the Honda world, manuals are surprisingly quicker.
Those points I'm not debating. There are two main points. One is brought up by Simon that auto cars are as easy as pressing the throttle to the floor to get good times in. The other is that a manual Tl is made out to be a completely different car.
most of them are. all those paddle shifters do is tell the computer you want it to "shift"; but even then the ECU is still in control, because it will not downshift the transmission either, until it is safe for the engine to rev that high (basically so it can't be mechanically overrevved)
RAR
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,783
Likes: 1,286
From: DC Metro
You will learn nothing here that a simple test drive wont answer for you.
AZ Community Team
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 19,103
Likes: 4,763
From: Maryland
, just wadded through all the remaining ramblings in this thread and that's the best wisdom yet!I drove non-Type-S 5AT and 6MT back to back. To me it was a big difference in driving experience as well worth the wait to get the color combo and 6MT. As they say your results may vary.
Last edited by Legend2TL; Mar 27, 2011 at 08:09 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,356
Likes: 270
From: PA
I remember years ago when I was looking at buying a TL(upgrading from my automatic CL) and the first TL I drove was a auto(they didnt have a manual). I didnt even want a TL after driving it. A few months after that I went to the dealership with the intention of getting a TSX because the TL in my mind was a boring car. They happened to have a TL manual on the lot. I test drove the TL first--for like 30 minutes. I then test drove the TSX for like 5 minutes. Game over. Bought the manual TL and never looked back.
Again, when you grow up you will understand these things. I've driven a manual for more years than you have had your driver's license and I used to race several of them regularly at the strip and Willow Springs so don't bother with your poor assumptions.
The TL is fast..... if you've never been in a fast car before. The fastest car you've been in always seems fast until you ride in a faster car. Same can be said about your driving ability, you're the best in the world...to yourself. I have numbers to back up that I'm not too bad at it.
The TL is fast..... if you've never been in a fast car before. The fastest car you've been in always seems fast until you ride in a faster car. Same can be said about your driving ability, you're the best in the world...to yourself. I have numbers to back up that I'm not too bad at it.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 403
Likes: 32
From: Scarborough
I've driven the manual and the auto back to back when I made my choice and I actually went with the auto instead. As Ihatecars said, it depends on what you want this for. For me, it's my daily driver and also my VIP style ride. I wouldn't wanna be switching gears when I'm just cruising to and from work which requires me to drive 9 hours a day already.
I've driven the manual and the auto back to back when I made my choice and I actually went with the auto instead. As Ihatecars said, it depends on what you want this for. For me, it's my daily driver and also my VIP style ride. I wouldn't wanna be switching gears when I'm just cruising to and from work which requires me to drive 9 hours a day already.
that can be a whole different story though
16GS FSprt,03Max,12 335is
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 976
Likes: 7
From: Manhattan Beach, Ca / Dallas, Tx
[QUOTE=I hate cars;12816022]I feel like I need to clarify a few things.
Manuals are more involving to drive.
Manuals are more fun 95% of the time but a high stall, high power auto can be fun too.
In the Honda world, manuals are surprisingly quicker.
QUOTE]
My god how true how true, been trying to explain this to a few in others sub forums........Honda's automatics leave a lot to be desired vs their manual compadre. Their always is a bigger difference in Honda based products auto to manual vs other mfgs, we will see how this new 6spd auto in the new TL compares to its manual brother.
Manuals are more involving to drive.
Manuals are more fun 95% of the time but a high stall, high power auto can be fun too.
In the Honda world, manuals are surprisingly quicker.
QUOTE]
My god how true how true, been trying to explain this to a few in others sub forums........Honda's automatics leave a lot to be desired vs their manual compadre. Their always is a bigger difference in Honda based products auto to manual vs other mfgs, we will see how this new 6spd auto in the new TL compares to its manual brother.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 357
Likes: 33
You would probably regret not getting manual but if you are like me and prefer to have an auto for longer road trips and so other people could drive that do not know how to drive stick then get auto, also for daily driver.
I sure as hell miss driving stick though, cannot wait to get a second car thats manual for myself. MMMMmmmmm 370z.....
Love the TL and will keep it till' it blows up though.
When I opted for a TL I chose auto just for the simple fact that its more of a family oriented car and not a "sports car". To me, the TL is just an auto type of car. Manual is nice but I dont think it belongs in a TL.
I sure as hell miss driving stick though, cannot wait to get a second car thats manual for myself. MMMMmmmmm 370z.....
Love the TL and will keep it till' it blows up though.
When I opted for a TL I chose auto just for the simple fact that its more of a family oriented car and not a "sports car". To me, the TL is just an auto type of car. Manual is nice but I dont think it belongs in a TL.
Last edited by dc5k20z1; Mar 28, 2011 at 07:32 AM.
the overexplainer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 385
From: OC, CA
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 64
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
Kinda lurking here cause I own a TSX 5at. I also have an EM1. The EM1 is fun to drive for the manual shifting. I don't want to shift all the time though while driving hence the auto TSX. I have to agree it's about personal preference.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 357
Likes: 33
no clue what that video was about, not even in english, lol
the overexplainer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 385
From: OC, CA
haha there was a subtitled one on the web some time ago but I couldnt locate it.
but there were some things I understood:
-"Feels good!"
-"I wish they brought this over to Japan"
-"It's a good car!" "I told you so!"
but there were some things I understood:
-"Feels good!"
-"I wish they brought this over to Japan"
-"It's a good car!" "I told you so!"
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