Why are automatics more popular than manuals?

[cypressbog]

My knees are shot, but still enjoy the manual.

[special-K]

A clutch is a lot easier than walking

[jjzepplin]

I LOVE a good four speed-linkage adjusted right- nice and tight shifter- popping the clutch have way in and then jamming the throttle and getting 70 mile an hour scratch is just plain fun!
My 4x4 has a doubler that makes the granny gear in a 465 a pretty fast gear. Fourth gear with both cases in low I think it would red line at 15mph.
Never tried. Sure was nice going through the Rubicon.
My 700r4 in the 4x4 is quite built and has never failed me.
My 4 speed never did either.
No garage queens here.
Jamming gears is fun and I miss it.
But hauling across the states I drove my auto. Hmm-Like them both!

[collin70k/20]

I'm changing the turbo 400 trans out of my 1970 k/20 truck to a four speed. I'm changing it cause I love driving stick and it would be better for towing and getting the Rpm higher while pulling a load.

[kehstr]

I personally love manuals, but so many people like to just get in their car put it in gear, and hit the gas. But once you learn how to drive a manual, you can't go back, it's just not as much fun as picking your gear, then controlling the slip of the clutch, you just have the control of everything that the trans does.
Automatics do have their place, if you build a rock crawler, you want an automatic so you can stomp on the throttle to get over those stuff climbs, mostly just depends on what the car is used for

[tommys72]

More cars and traffic is a big part of it. A manual trans sucks in traffic

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by tommys72

More cars and traffic is a big part of it. A manual trans sucks in traffic

Exactly. Imagine owning a manual transmission and commuting in a place like Seattle. It's inconvenient and you'll run through clutches.

[cleszkie]

I once watched a fully sponsored competition tube buggy burn to the ground while wheeling out at the Hammers in Johnson Valley, CA (not in my Blazer, but in my own rock buggy). The fully built TH400 auto overheated from severe use while the buggy was in a nose down position. The tranny fluid boiled up and out of the dipstick tube, which had a locking cap, and poured over the hot exhaust manifold. After trying to douse the flames with no less than seven fire extinguishers, the fire kept reigniting since the ATF continued to pour on the manifold. Ultimately, everyone had to just back away and let it burn. I'm pretty sure the 90w oil in my buggy's SM 465 wouldn't ignite like that, much less get hot enough to boil out! Not saying that auto trannys don't work great for wheeling, just saying that there are definitely some added risks.

[marvgarr68]

I like both worlds in one. It is a blast to have a manual valve body automatic. All else is manual after all I have 15 gears in my dually to go through.

[Bad70sbchevy]

I have to agree manuals are fun to drive, but the reason I have a TH400 in mine is automatics are generally faster/consistant at the strip plus not as violent on your drivetrain on launch if you are footbraking.

[special-K]

If all cars were still manual you wouldn't have people driving too fast and not realizing it. You shift up a gear as you need in a manual, so you are conscious of your speed. In an automatic it is "ON" and they are going as fast as they can till something in front of them slows them down.People going down hill on Main St. 50 mph because they are in O/D in a 25 zone. 40 mph across the grocery store parking lot. In a manual I'm in second going 15-20 and when I let off the gas it slows right down. When you choose the gear you are in you aware of your speed. You decide to go faster and do what is needed to increase speed. YOU drive the car, not the car drives itself.

[92GMCDriver]

Its mostly personal preference, i used to daily drive a 2003 dodge cummins diesel with a 6 speed, that thing was amazing for towing but drive that thing around in traffic long enough and it would really wear on you. for all my toys i like to have manuals as i do agree it is a better driving experience but daily drivers i like an auto. when i get up in the morning to go to work at 6 am i like to be able to drink my coffee and just hammer down and go.

['68 Newtricks]

6 days a week and you'll understand

http://media2.govtech.com/images/770...os-angeles.jpg

[Canuckvetter]

I am very fortunate to have 2-67 LWB. The vermillion truck is manual everything, 283, no radio, 3 on the tree, farm truck. The medium blue is CST, PS, PB, 350THM. I love to drive both truck and nice to be able to choose which one. Going to the cruise nights, power steering is nice for parking. Personal preference is the manual.


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1452053047

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Back in the day I drove a truck like this one below........on a ranch. I never paid much attention (my stepdads), but I'm pretty sure it was a straight 6, with an oiled air cleaner (not sure what called). Talk about a granny gear, we're talking 1 MPH before having to shift into 2nd.

It was cool. The "city boy" tending horses early in the morning on a 70 acre boarding ranch.....Busting up ice in horse troughs, bailing hay. I once got high centered, stepdad wasn't happy. I learned how to use jacks and blocks............fun. I have a special appreciation for horse manure......So did my sweet toy cocker spaniel, because she liked to roll in it. That dog was as smart as they come, and training to her was an insult. She understood the first time.

[hamjet]

Originally Posted by '68 Newtricks

6 days a week and you'll understand

http://media2.govtech.com/images/770...os-angeles.jpg

Where's everybody going????

[cleszkie]

I guess we should all just be happy that we have a choice of which transmission we operate. From what I'm reading these days, autonomous cars are in our future, which will do ALL the driving for us while we sit on out thumbs in the back seat

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by cleszkie

I guess we should all just be happy that we have a choice of which transmission we operate. From what I'm reading these days, autonomous cars are in our future, which will do ALL the driving for us while we sit on out thumbs in the back seat

And we wonder why mental illnesses continue to climb.

[1972RedNeck]

Originally Posted by cleszkie

From what I'm reading these days, autonomous cars are in our future, which will do ALL the driving for us while we sit on out thumbs in the back seat

Maybe in your future, but there ain't none in mine!

[flashed]

There wont be no self driving car in my future either unless its free .I like my old stuff just fine thankyou .

[jeffahart]

Kind of a silly question, but let me answer.
Automatics were designed back when vehicles were still unreliable. What would happen is you would kick the vehicle in anger when it would not start... leaving only one good leg to drive... very hard shifting one legged with a manual stick. So, the automatic transmission was invented. Now when it doesn't start, you can kick the damn thing in anger. And still drive home safely while all greasy, dirty, bitter and angry from getting it started. And the sore leg is not an issue.

In closing... it's obvious..... Angry people drive automatics!!!

Next question!

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by jeffahart

Kind of a silly question, but let me answer.
Automatics were designed back when vehicles were still unreliable. What would happen is you would kick the vehicle in anger when it would not start... leaving only one good leg to drive... very hard shifting one legged with a manual stick. So, the automatic transmission was invented. Now when it doesn't start, you can kick the damn thing in anger. And still drive home safely while all greasy, dirty, bitter and angry from getting it started. And the sore leg is not an issue.

In closing... it's obvious..... Angry people drive automatics!!!

Next question!

Makes perfect sense.