Hey everyone,
I'm doing a persuasive speech for my college human communications class. My topic is why consumers should drive manual over automatic.
I know there are many strong views on this forum over which is better. If you could express some of your views or any information you know of to support it, It would be a great help. I have my own reasons why I prefer manual, but i want to hear everyone else's.
Thanks for your help, if you have any links to any stats that would be most appreciated too. Thanks!
well here is what im goign to say about it.
90% of people out there should drive automatics. It is easier to drive in heavy traffic, and allows the driver to focus more on driving. People cant drive worth jack, dont make them @!#$ around with the clutch and shifter as well. Plus i alway seem some jackass who stalls at a light. the only time im for a manual is in cars that are "built to race". Cars like an Fbody (trans am w00t) corvette etc etc etc.
automatics force drivers to be lazy
it takes away one of the most important part of driving a car: gear selection
would you want the computer in control of the brake? I didn't think so.
if more people were open to driving manuals vs automatics, I think we would have a lot of better drivers on the road. Too often today do I see everyone on cell phones, reading the newspaper, or doing makeup, drinking coffee while driving. If they were driving a manual car, they wouldn't even have the option of doing such since they'd be too busy driving their car.
From a consumer point of view, it gives better gas mileage and better control over the car during normal driving conditions. You can downshift instead of use the brakes, or use both in tandem to slow the car down more quickly than if you were to just use the brakes alone.
Also, its difficult to damage or break a manual transmission to the point of needing a rebuild. At worst, the clutch or flywheel surfaces are the first to go. Automatics need costly repairs, and are not easily servicable by home mechanics due to their complexity.
From an enthusiasts point of view, manual transmissions give complete control over engine power. You can downshift quickly in order to pass someone, or do launches at the track, or hell-toe downshift into those tight corners. Absolute control over how the power gets to the ground.
Manuals are also the most efficient way of transferring power to the ground. Manuals take roughly 10-15% of engine flywheel horsepower meanwhile automatics take roughly 20%. Therefore, even if both transmissions have the same engine, you're putting more power to the ground with a manul than you do with an automatic.
I appreciate both of your points of view. Both have great insight into them. I'm trying to cover all areas in my speech. If anyone else has some more imput it is greatly appreciated.
Thank you
To me driving an automatic makes it feel like the car is driving you. You don't decelerate when you let off the gas, which to me feels like your not in control. You also get to comfortable when driving, which usually makes you less aware of your surroundings and what your car is doing. I learned how to drive with a stick shift. I've never owned an auto and never plan on it. Although I enjoyed the slap-stick in a turbocharged Passat once I still didn't feel in total control and my left foot kept pressing on the floor board where the third pedal was missing
I don't live in a crowded city where you are constantly inching up in a line of traffic, but I live right by a stadium(Packers suck), and when I get stuck in traffic its really annoying pressing the clutch 20-30 times every stop sign.
Out of the 7 cars I have owned, only 2 have been Auto's.
The first was an 81 Impalla I got for my 16th Birthday. The last one was a 01 Cavalier.
I didn't drive the impalla much because 80% of the time it sat in the driveway with something broke. The cavalier... I put 50K on that in 18 months. The Cavalier I bought because I had just had knee surgery and couldn't push in a clutch.
Now The thing I did find with the cavalier that I haven't done in any other car was do just about anything but pay attention to the road. I'd talk on my cell phone, Play with the radio, look for CD's, Eat... I'm amazed that I didn't cause an accident!
With all my manual cars I haven't had time to do any of that, because as soon as I went looking for something, it was time to shift. So I'm kinda forced to pay attention to the road.
ive owned both auto and manual. I must say manual does seem to keep me more alert when driving. I have adapted to the ability of doing mutiply things while driving manual but most of my attention goes to the road. like when i change a cd at a stop light grab the cd when i shift for second, then grab the other cd while still in second, then when i go for 3rd i pop the new one in. I do on the other hand agree that automatic is needed. cause some people cant drive manual due to the fact that there is people that have disabilities. matter of fact i have a co-work that has something wrong with his one hand. also i have hurt myself a few times like my knee and it was to the point i couldnt press the clutch. so there is reasons for having automatics around. but for the majority of people they own automatics for the convenience, there laziness, and just to be able to do other things while driving.
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/827643
Thanks guys, I appreciate your imput.
I heard somewhere that auto's are better for towing? Does anyone have some insight into this?
And what about those clutchless manual transmissions? I've driven one before in a friend's cooper and it was just weird. Seemed like the poser transmission.
Thanks again!
There's definitely more autos in North America.... over in Europe, Australia, Japan, etc... way more manuals. At least it seems like it to me.
Manuals tend to get better gas mileage. I think Europe, Australia, Japan, etc... have much higher gas prices so it drives buyers to get better millage.
For towing, I would guess and I don't know for sure, but it probably eats alot of clutches.
Most people in Europe seem to drive manual because it is cheaper and also less heat so it won't break down as much. Europeans aren't generally into spending as much on cars as Americans. Some countries are different though.
Manuals probably would make better drivers out there, but, so many people just aren't born to drive in the first place.
Higher standards for driving tests and more public trans would make the roads safer.
BTW I own a 6 speed F body and it is sofa-king fun omg!!!!
Autos are nice but can get boring on long drives. Manuals give you more to think about.
Chris Carney wrote:Manuals tend to get better gas mileage. I think Europe, Australia, Japan, etc... have much higher gas prices so it drives buyers to get better millage.
For towing, I would guess and I don't know for sure, but it probably eats alot of clutches.
First thing to come into my mind.
-Aaron
www.TurboTechRacing.com
Performance Parts For Cavalier, Sunfire, Cobalts and More!!!
AHHH you bloody americans and your fear of computers!!
THink of it this way, Euro planes, when they are about to stall, the computer takes over and wont let the pilot pull up and stall the plane. American planes just kind of blink this retarted light at you. Shifting is not the most important, putting oyur car in the right direction is.
I drive a manual and i think it makes me much more aware of my driving. My fiance drives an automatic civic and i cant stand it. I drove it on a vacation once and almost fell asleep. But because of the idiots on the road that cant chew gum and drive at the same time, your right, some people are better off with an automatic. The other issue i'd bring up in your speech is that even if you dont drive a manual trasmission everyday, knowing how never hurts. Especially being in college. Your buddy drives you to a party and gets tanked, your screwed because your not letting him/her drive drunk and you cant drive a stick, that could be bad news. Knowing how never hurt anyone. Take that home and chew it, its delicious.
I own both an automatic and a manual car....
I prefer to drive the automatic- not because of the transmission, its just a nicer car to drive.
I like to drive stick- However, sometimes I really don't feel like driving the manual because of traffic issues or depending on where Im going- steep hills, long trips etc..
It seems, no matter where I am-- if I'm sitting first at a light on a steep hill- some dickhead feels the need to pull up right on my bumper..
I'll let the clutch out slowly, roll back and inch up a little bit- But they insist on pulling up closer. AHHH!!!
Also- When I'm driving the manual- I play closer attention to the road. Always thinking about what gear I'm in and when to shift etc-- I don't talk on my cellphone while driving stick, just because it's a pain.
Automatic cars and more convenient, and easier to drive--
Most people aren't into performance when purchasing a new vehicle- They just want luxury and convenience-- Business people, salesmen... If you are just cruising along- not shifting, its easier to get distracted.
Davide wrote:BTW I own a 6 speed F body and it is sofa-king fun omg!!!!
Autos are nice but can get boring on long drives. Manuals give you more to think about.
Zach Ellis wrote:I drive a manual and i think it makes me much more aware of my driving. My fiance drives an automatic civic and i cant stand it. I drove it on a vacation once and almost fell asleep. But because of the idiots on the road that cant chew gum and drive at the same time, your right, some people are better off with an automatic. The other issue i'd bring up in your speech is that even if you dont drive a manual trasmission everyday, knowing how never hurts. Especially being in college. Your buddy drives you to a party and gets tanked, your screwed because your not letting him/her drive drunk and you cant drive a stick, that could be bad news. Knowing how never hurt anyone. Take that home and chew it, its delicious.
Eh? i don't know about you guys.... but if I'm on a long drive... or going on vacation (highway)... I'm in fifth... and that doesn't change for an hour or more at a time. What's the difference then?
ws6+04cav= FTW wrote:Shifting is not the most important, putting oyur car in the right direction is.
Couldn't agree more with that. I've owned both before. The first car I ever drove was an '83 Mazda GLC Delxue. It has a 4-speed stick. That was when I was 13 on my grandpa's farm. The first car I drove "for real" on the road was my dad's '92 Mustang LX 5.0, with a 5-speed stick. Great fun to learn to drive in an overpowered car (it had mods) with a stiff clutch. My latest stick vehicle was a '95 Nissan truck. The stick shift made that 4-cylinder truck fun to drive.
But being able to choose your own gear is NOT one of the most important parts of driving. Racing? Sure, of course. But when driving in traffic, the priorities are paying attention to what you're doing, anticipating other drivers' moves, and keeping safe distances between you and other cars around you. An automatic transmission fully supports those priorities. Is it as fun? I'd agree that it's not. If you prefer to drive a stick shift, than there's no reason why you shouldn't.
There's no "correct" answer to automatic vs. manual shift. Everyone has different priorities and drives under different environments. You cannot make a blanket recommendation that will be best for any given person.
Jason
North Carolina
1997 Cadillac SLS (147k miles)
2003 Dodge Grand Caravan (50k miles)
Thanks everyone for your help. your opinions and ideas really helped me out in crafting my speech. I'm pretty sure i got an A, but you know...its college and they find every way to knock you down a peg or two.
RedDevil wrote:IIt seems, no matter where I am-- if I'm sitting first at a light on a steep hill- some dickhead feels the need to pull up right on my bumper..
I'll let the clutch out slowly, roll back and inch up a little bit- But they insist on pulling up closer. AHHH!!!
LOL, I know damn well how you feel. This happens to me all the time and drives me fookin nuts. Specially since if you actually do roll into them a tad, you know they'll claim you hit them deliberatly and that "it wasn't their fault"
