Manual vs. Auto
#1
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Manual vs. Auto
Hi,
For those who have driven a manual TL vs. an auto one, can you tell me what they each feel like and which one do you perfer?
For those who have driven a manual TL vs. an auto one, can you tell me what they each feel like and which one do you perfer?
#2
Having owned a 04 TL 5AT and currently an 08 6MT. The 6MT (for me personally) is much more fun to drive. A whole other experience.
I would have had my 04 with a MT but in Canada 04-07 TL's with Navi weren't available in 6 MT
6MT FTW
I would have had my 04 with a MT but in Canada 04-07 TL's with Navi weren't available in 6 MT
6MT FTW
#3
94 DC4 RS LSV/Turbo
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after this past weekends dyno day where in my tl type s auto I put down 248.1hp/220lbs tq... and a 6speed base tl with intake and outlaw spacer kit put down 238hp/210lbs tq... I'd say the 6speed just puts down more power to the ground... which will be more fun to drive
#4
Turd Polisher
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5AT is VERY convenient in Southern California traffic.
6MT is faster. By far.
6MT is faster. By far.
#6
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You are 25 years old. Enjoy the manual transmission while you're young. As you get older, you'll want the automatic transmission. I've got a automatic transmission and really like it. But my younger, faster days were filled with manual transmissions that gave me years of fun and excitement.
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#8
Suzuka Master
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The auto is comfy but the manual is quicker.....I drive the manual.
#9
Pro
Owning Both An 05 Auto Tl, And An 07 Tl-s 6spd, I'd Have To Say The Manual Is Fun...and Fast(besides The Bigger Motor)...but The Auto Has Better Gear Ratios For Gas Mileage On The Highway...but Nothing Beats Chirping 3rd Gear...
#11
Stacking chips.
I was having a hard choice on that too. But let me tell you. The 6mt is where it is at!! I am SOOO glad i got the manual. The brembo's and the limited slip only being on the manual made a big difference for me. Also other people really dig it too when you show the car off. "Nice car....OH DAMN they make a manual?!?!?"
#12
Pro
Originally Posted by jumbosizeme79
isnt tiptronic quicker then manual? gear shifting wise, i know the 6 speed is much faster tho then the auto
YOU BARELY LOSE ANYPOWER THROUGH THE CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL SINCE THEY ACTUALLY COME IN CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER, WHERE AS THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS A FLUID PROPELLED TURBINE.
#14
Advanced
Originally Posted by TLMcLovin
Having owned a 04 TL 5AT and currently an 08 6MT. The 6MT (for me personally) is much more fun to drive. A whole other experience.
I would have had my 04 with a MT but in Canada 04-07 TL's with Navi weren't available in 6 MT
6MT FTW
I would have had my 04 with a MT but in Canada 04-07 TL's with Navi weren't available in 6 MT
6MT FTW
But right on the fact that 6 spd manual is fun to drive, just a little crappy in heavy traffic.
In any case its 6 speed for me!!!
#16
King of NYC
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I wish so much I had the 6MT! I can't even regret it because I was forced to buy 5AT so my wife could drive too. It was so hard to do it, even though I had to and I would be kicking myself for years to come for going with the decision. Before I drove off with mine from the lot, I drove a 6MT to see what I would be missing......Bad idea! I had to actually fight the dampered feeling I had and get hyper-excited about driving my new anthracite TL off the lot. Luckily that new car smell and "4" on the odometer totally gave me amnesia.
But if you can help it......BUY A 6MT, please! And if you don't know how to drive one. LEARN! It's worth it. If you don't think so then you shouldn't be in a TL in the first place....Plenty of Camrys out there for those people.
But if you can help it......BUY A 6MT, please! And if you don't know how to drive one. LEARN! It's worth it. If you don't think so then you shouldn't be in a TL in the first place....Plenty of Camrys out there for those people.
#19
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Originally Posted by lowendz
Quite wrong, ive got a 06' canadian 6spd TL with Navi. comes with the dynamic package.
But right on the fact that 6 spd manual is fun to drive, just a little crappy in heavy traffic.
In any case its 6 speed for me!!!
But right on the fact that 6 spd manual is fun to drive, just a little crappy in heavy traffic.
In any case its 6 speed for me!!!
AT + Navi
6MT [Dynamic, no navi]
#20
Banned
6spd ftw! even tho i drive a 5spd.
lol i hate guys who thinks auto is faster and tell me "AUTOMATIC CARS SHIFT FASTER SO THEY ARE TEH FASTAAR!" Idiots, never heard of drivetrain loss?
lol i hate guys who thinks auto is faster and tell me "AUTOMATIC CARS SHIFT FASTER SO THEY ARE TEH FASTAAR!" Idiots, never heard of drivetrain loss?
#21
Registered Member
I'm in a pretty good position to make an assessment on this issue, though I must tell you, I have a very strong bias regarding this topic.
I have one of each: an '04 manual and an '05 automatic. This allows me to make rather direct comparisons between the two platforms. My '04 is my own personal driving machine and the '05 is my wife's.
My '04 is quicker than my '05. Also it feels more connected to both the driver and the road. Part of this is, of course, the transmission. But part is also the slight changes in the suspension between these two cars. Mind you, the automatic TL does feel quick and is up to the task - my wife loves it. But on this car, a manual shines like no one's business. It was made to have a manual transmission as were the other members of the Performance Sedan catagory. Even the shifter location, looks, and feel is right for the car.
As for my stated very strong bias? I would never consider the purchase of a car that is to serve as my personal driving machine with an automatic transmission. Just wouldn't even cross my mind.
Oh, and one other thing. A manual is far less costly to own and operate than is an automatic, if that is a consideration. Your automatic transmission will see the shop more times than your manual.
To Steven Bell;
May I suggest sir, that age is irrelevant in this matter. I have a few years on you and an automatic is not in my future as I see it. Enjoy those things you love for as long as you're able.
I have one of each: an '04 manual and an '05 automatic. This allows me to make rather direct comparisons between the two platforms. My '04 is my own personal driving machine and the '05 is my wife's.
My '04 is quicker than my '05. Also it feels more connected to both the driver and the road. Part of this is, of course, the transmission. But part is also the slight changes in the suspension between these two cars. Mind you, the automatic TL does feel quick and is up to the task - my wife loves it. But on this car, a manual shines like no one's business. It was made to have a manual transmission as were the other members of the Performance Sedan catagory. Even the shifter location, looks, and feel is right for the car.
As for my stated very strong bias? I would never consider the purchase of a car that is to serve as my personal driving machine with an automatic transmission. Just wouldn't even cross my mind.
Oh, and one other thing. A manual is far less costly to own and operate than is an automatic, if that is a consideration. Your automatic transmission will see the shop more times than your manual.
To Steven Bell;
May I suggest sir, that age is irrelevant in this matter. I have a few years on you and an automatic is not in my future as I see it. Enjoy those things you love for as long as you're able.
#22
I owned an '05 TL 6MT,
and I now have an '07 TL-S 5AT.
I developed some arthritis in my clutch knee, which was a factor in trading.
Is the 6MT quicker? Not by much. I know I have more HP, but Acura now has a HP "robber" built into the ECU to minimize torque steer in first and second gear in the 6MT
Good: control, LSD.
Bad: resale value in most areas of the country.
No rev limiter on downshift
Third gear sychro problems in many cases.
5AT for me
and I now have an '07 TL-S 5AT.
I developed some arthritis in my clutch knee, which was a factor in trading.
Is the 6MT quicker? Not by much. I know I have more HP, but Acura now has a HP "robber" built into the ECU to minimize torque steer in first and second gear in the 6MT
Good: control, LSD.
Bad: resale value in most areas of the country.
No rev limiter on downshift
Third gear sychro problems in many cases.
5AT for me
#23
Safety Car
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Originally Posted by S PAW 1
I owned an '05 TL 6MT,
and I now have an '07 TL-S 5AT.
I developed some arthritis in my clutch knee, which was a factor in trading.
Is the 6MT quicker? Not by much. I know I have more HP, but Acura now has a HP "robber" built into the ECU to minimize torque steer in first and second gear in the 6MT
Good: control, LSD.
Bad: resale value in most areas of the country.
No rev limiter on downshift
Third gear sychro problems in many cases.
5AT for me
and I now have an '07 TL-S 5AT.
I developed some arthritis in my clutch knee, which was a factor in trading.
Is the 6MT quicker? Not by much. I know I have more HP, but Acura now has a HP "robber" built into the ECU to minimize torque steer in first and second gear in the 6MT
Good: control, LSD.
Bad: resale value in most areas of the country.
No rev limiter on downshift
Third gear sychro problems in many cases.
5AT for me
i dont know if there is a real debate here or not, but there is no real comparison for two identical cars one with an auto and one with a 6sp mt...a mt will always win no matter what the case is...unless ofcourse we are talking about a ferrari...in which case, the F1 option would be the only way to go...
#24
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Originally Posted by vinnier6
are you suggesting that mt has more hp than the at...i cant tell if i misread your post....anyway, no doubt the mt can put more usable hp to the ground much faster but hp numbers will be the same for both cars
At full throttle acceleration the computer pulls power out of the 6MT at the top of first & second gears to control torque steer unless you push the button on the dash to turn it off.
#25
too many hobbies...
Originally Posted by Black_dc2
Also other people really dig it too when you show the car off. "Nice car....OH DAMN they make a manual?!?!?"
Originally Posted by rockyfeller
I wish so much I had the 6MT! I can't even regret it because I was forced to buy 5AT so my wife could drive too. It was so hard to do it, even though I had to and I would be kicking myself for years to come for going with the decision. Before I drove off with mine from the lot, I drove a 6MT to see what I would be missing......Bad idea! I had to actually fight the dampered feeling I had and get hyper-excited about driving my new anthracite TL off the lot. Luckily that new car smell and "4" on the odometer totally gave me amnesia.
But if you can help it......BUY A 6MT, please! And if you don't know how to drive one. LEARN! It's worth it. If you don't think so then you shouldn't be in a TL in the first place....Plenty of Camrys out there for those people.
But if you can help it......BUY A 6MT, please! And if you don't know how to drive one. LEARN! It's worth it. If you don't think so then you shouldn't be in a TL in the first place....Plenty of Camrys out there for those people.
On your other "Camry" comment. So true, so true... Here in northern VA there are SO MANY BMW's on the road it gets annoying (there are a ton of TL's as well). BMW's get great reviews in the motor mags because they are great performance cars, but most of them here lallygag in the left lane under the speed limit while their drivers are putting on make-up. It's sad to see such awesome cars snatched up by idiots looking for a status symbol. What a waste.
#26
Safety Car
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my wife is afraid to drive my car...atleast for now anyway since its still pretty new....i told her she could take it out to dinner with her girlfriends, but if you curb rashes my rims she would be in deep shit...she took a pass, her rims on the town and country are all whacked up....i dont get the whole girls and curbs attraction....
#27
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I totally agree with Rockyfeller. I love MT's, have them in my Austin Healey, MG and had one in my S2000. When we purchased the TL, that is what we were going to get. Wrong; wifey said no way because of driving in heavy traffic and yes, she can easily drive a manual. So, like a fool, I thought that with Sportshift, we could both have what we wanted; wrong again, it just ain't the same and I don't get that warm fuzzy feeling driving the TL that I get in a MT car. So if you even have to ask the question, get the MT. BTW, age is not a factor, I am 60.
#28
AZ Community Team
Get a manual over the auto, the driving experience is just much better in the 5AT 3G TL. Also for the 04-07 TL's there are stiffer sway bars, a Torsen-type limited slip differential, and fron Brembo 4 piston calipers. I've driven the auto's at Lexus driving events and own a 05 manual (3 years and 34K miles). The only disadvantage to the manual is the clutch on the 04-07's is very sensitive and does not give much feedback, I've gotten used to it but it does take awhile.
#30
Man of God.....
Originally Posted by cbptls
Get the manual transmission. A lot more fun to drive - if that's what you're looking for.
#31
There's just no comparison. 6MT owns. Just about everything re: 6MT beats auto , EXCEPT, in heavy traffic. Example: Manhattan bridges and tunnels. And even then, it's only a nuisance.
If you've never driven a manual, the TL shouldn't be your first. Get a $500 beater, and learn on it. Then pick up a TL 6MT.
My father owns the stock TL (06 I think) with auto. He wanted to swap for my 6MT type-S.
No no no no no..
If you've never driven a manual, the TL shouldn't be your first. Get a $500 beater, and learn on it. Then pick up a TL 6MT.
My father owns the stock TL (06 I think) with auto. He wanted to swap for my 6MT type-S.
No no no no no..
#32
Suzuka Master
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Originally Posted by pkarandi
I love when people say that to me! I guess if you don't read up on cars, it's easy to assume any sedan only comes in automatic.
I agree whoeheartedly! My wife can't drive a manual either but I just couldn't give up driving a manual. Talk about taking the fun out of driving. The thing that pisses me off though is that she just REFUSES to even try to learn. Her loss I guess - she'll never be able to drive my TL-S (although she has a 2004 G35X auto, so no need to cry for her).
On your other "Camry" comment. So true, so true... Here in northern VA there are SO MANY BMW's on the road it gets annoying (there are a ton of TL's as well). BMW's get great reviews in the motor mags because they are great performance cars, but most of them here lallygag in the left lane under the speed limit while their drivers are putting on make-up. It's sad to see such awesome cars snatched up by idiots looking for a status symbol. What a waste.
I agree whoeheartedly! My wife can't drive a manual either but I just couldn't give up driving a manual. Talk about taking the fun out of driving. The thing that pisses me off though is that she just REFUSES to even try to learn. Her loss I guess - she'll never be able to drive my TL-S (although she has a 2004 G35X auto, so no need to cry for her).
On your other "Camry" comment. So true, so true... Here in northern VA there are SO MANY BMW's on the road it gets annoying (there are a ton of TL's as well). BMW's get great reviews in the motor mags because they are great performance cars, but most of them here lallygag in the left lane under the speed limit while their drivers are putting on make-up. It's sad to see such awesome cars snatched up by idiots looking for a status symbol. What a waste.
#33
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I did end up getting a 6MT when I bought my '08 TL-S, but I must say that I did seriously consider the 5AT. The auto does drive beautifully and in Sport mode it does shift very quick.
The amateur Schumachers may disagree, but today's automatics with Sport modes shift as quick, and in some cases quicker, than a manual. In the end, I do like my 6MT because I do enjoy the complete driving experience but there are times when the 5AT would be preferable. Honestly, you can't go wrong with either....it's not a "night & day" difference despite what some say....try out both and see what you prefer...
The amateur Schumachers may disagree, but today's automatics with Sport modes shift as quick, and in some cases quicker, than a manual. In the end, I do like my 6MT because I do enjoy the complete driving experience but there are times when the 5AT would be preferable. Honestly, you can't go wrong with either....it's not a "night & day" difference despite what some say....try out both and see what you prefer...
#36
2010 CBP SH-AWD
I have had 2 major knee surgeries on my left knee, thus I bought an auto as shifting in rush hour traffic is a major pain. Otherwise I would have bought the manual.
#37
Registered Member
Originally Posted by Ramrodthrusterpuppy
it's not a "night & day" difference despite what some say....try out both and see what you prefer...
#38
2006 Acura TL
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Originally Posted by Phil05
Hi,
For those who have driven a manual TL vs. an auto one, can you tell me what they each feel like and which one do you perfer?
For those who have driven a manual TL vs. an auto one, can you tell me what they each feel like and which one do you perfer?
#39
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Originally Posted by jumbosizeme79
isnt tiptronic quicker then manual? gear shifting wise, i know the 6 speed is much faster tho then the auto
You maybe confused with the DSG or SMG transmissions that Audi/VM and BMW offer... that is a whole different ballgame. Acura's tiptronic is nothing like these transmissions.
I think this is a big misconception
#40
Registered Member
Originally Posted by rajunwild
I will say that I love my '06AT, but I have also had MT before. For one they are cheaper when purchasing. Secondly, they are fun to drive. After awhile, I just got bored with it and wanted to just be able to drive without having to shift. The new AT's do allow you the option to switch over so you somewhat have that feel of manual shifting. I guess it is just a personal thing.
Interesting difference in perceptions. You got bored with a manual and I would have been bored to tears with an automatic (I do own an '05 automatic but it's the wife's).
As for costs, a manual can be considerably less expensive to own and operate over the life of the car. However, your statement, "I guess it is just a personal thing" is dead on the money.