Automatics or Manual ?
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Automatics or Manual ?
A colleague of mine with a car with an automatic gearbox said that he didn't see the point of rowing himself along with a gearstick when he had sufficent engine power to do it for him. A valld point I think .
I had both forms in the family all four with Rover 2000's. ( I ran the Club) My only problem was once when I exited a parking place in a field gateway on a blind bend on a steep hill. After looking left and listening for uphill traffic I exited it swiftly downhill in 1st gear and then whipped it smartly into 2nd forgetting that I was in an automatic and reverse was where 2nd would have been in a manual. Wheels locked up in reverse as a ton of metal hurtled downhill and left 30 yards of black tyres marks on the road. Gearbox was fine afterwards. Ho hum !
I had both forms in the family all four with Rover 2000's. ( I ran the Club) My only problem was once when I exited a parking place in a field gateway on a blind bend on a steep hill. After looking left and listening for uphill traffic I exited it swiftly downhill in 1st gear and then whipped it smartly into 2nd forgetting that I was in an automatic and reverse was where 2nd would have been in a manual. Wheels locked up in reverse as a ton of metal hurtled downhill and left 30 yards of black tyres marks on the road. Gearbox was fine afterwards. Ho hum !
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Re: Automatics or Manual ?
I have an auto box on my 1980 devon and love it.my astra est has one too.it makes driving so much easier and having some health problems its a godsend.
john & jenny
1979, cu devon.
1979, cu devon.
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Re: Automatics or Manual ?
Horses for courses, but older traditional autos are less fuel efficient than a manual unless the driver doesn't know when to change gear at the correct time in a manual. The newer dual clutch or robotised gearboxes are on a par with manuals for fuel efficiency.
I've only owned one auto and that was only because the car wasn't available in the engine spec as a manual ('94 Jeep Cherokee 4.0). It was a nice car but the gearbox was too dumb and would change into the wrong gear or hunt between gears at inappropriate times, i.e. certain hills but it was easy to fool it (without touching the gear selector) by careful throttle pressure to stay in a higher gear and still keep the speed up.
Overall autos are a more relaxed drive, but for me the older ones are too compromised.
But it all boils down to personal preference or requirement.
I've only owned one auto and that was only because the car wasn't available in the engine spec as a manual ('94 Jeep Cherokee 4.0). It was a nice car but the gearbox was too dumb and would change into the wrong gear or hunt between gears at inappropriate times, i.e. certain hills but it was easy to fool it (without touching the gear selector) by careful throttle pressure to stay in a higher gear and still keep the speed up.
Overall autos are a more relaxed drive, but for me the older ones are too compromised.
But it all boils down to personal preference or requirement.
Mike
The robots are coming.
(1990 Westy Syncro 2.1 DJ - Converted from a Caravelle)
The robots are coming.
(1990 Westy Syncro 2.1 DJ - Converted from a Caravelle)
Re: Automatics or Manual ?
Love my 2.1 auto
2.1 LPG/Petrol Auto Caravelle
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits"
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits"
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Re: Automatics or Manual ?
Me too!
R0B wrote:Love my 2.1 auto
- The Bishop
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Re: Automatics or Manual ?
Just got my first automatic (car) and love it.
But can't imagine having one in my camper.
But can't imagine having one in my camper.
1986 1.9 Petrol/LPG with Devon pop up.
Re: Automatics or Manual ?
Find it impossible to drive an auto. Manual all the way
1986 1.6 D Bundeswehr T3 Kombi
Re: Automatics or Manual ?
Impossible.Please explain.
2.1 LPG/Petrol Auto Caravelle
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits"
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits"
- weldore
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Re: Automatics or Manual ?
they're alright as long as you remember the left side of the brake isn't the clutch
the word 'pissing' is safe
Dave and gail.....1983 Pop Top 1.9n/a diesel (aka Ready Steady Eddie)
Dave and gail.....1983 Pop Top 1.9n/a diesel (aka Ready Steady Eddie)
- voodoopenguin
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Re: Automatics or Manual ?
Not sure about T25s but my very first automatic vehicle would be 40 years old now and had a three speed box. For an old school "manual must be best" I was smitten, it was beautifully smooth and a joy to drive. No compromise with performance as it did 0-60mph in about 6.5 seconds.
Paul
Paul
1984 Devon Moonraker with Gasure LPG - Now sold
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Re: Automatics or Manual ?
had an auto volvo v70 t5 that went like a scalded cat was so comfortable too
wife had a auto merc e220 diesel i loved driving that auld tractor could sit back enjoy a latte
and plod along now saying that given the choice in an older car/van i'd pick manual every time
wife had a auto merc e220 diesel i loved driving that auld tractor could sit back enjoy a latte
and plod along now saying that given the choice in an older car/van i'd pick manual every time
1989 1y powered panel van camper
1980 1y powerd project
http://www.eireball.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
1980 1y powerd project
http://www.eireball.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- keith
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Re: Automatics or Manual ?
Wish i could have my audi auto box in my van.....best gearbox ever.....with paddle shift if you get bored.
1989 Westfalia Joker TDi
Discovery 5
Couple of motor bikes
Discovery 5
Couple of motor bikes
- voodoopenguin
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Re: Automatics or Manual ?
flyinghitop wrote:What was it?
Paul
1984 Devon Moonraker with Gasure LPG - Now sold