Results 1 to 23 of 23

Thread: Buying an AUTO vs. A Manual vehicle.

  1. #1
    SHOW and GO! Greddypacked's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    In the castle on the HILL. Beachfront.
    Posts
    2,586
    Rep Power
    24

    Default Buying an AUTO vs. A Manual vehicle.

    Well I admit I love driving a manual car and they are usually cheaper to buy when they are manual... BUT... when it comes down to servicing them which one is more costly to fix in the longer run(auto or manual). I say Manuals are because you need to service them more w/ more parts, usually if you maintain a tranny service (flush, new fluids) on the auto's at the right time they last alot longer. Discuss.

  2. #2
    Senior Member | IA Veteran Elbow's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Atlanta
    Posts
    29,397
    Rep Power
    66

    Default

    Automatics by a long shot.

  3. #3
    IA's Blonde Guy Jecht's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Smyrna
    Age
    37
    Posts
    7,182
    Rep Power
    30

    Default

    Automatics always end up more expensive - there are a LOT more parts in them to break.

  4. #4
    IA's MIA'r Sammich's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Killin all imposter Sammiches
    Posts
    59,408
    Rep Power
    140

    Default

    QFT

    I'D ROCK A MANUAL FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE IF MY KNEE WASNT A FACTOR..I CAN SEE ONE OF MY NEXT FEW CARS BEING AUTOMATIC, UNFORTUNATELY



    Quote Originally Posted by Sinfix_15 View Post
    You travel with so much luggage that it wont fit in a wagon? you dating a kardashian?

  5. #5
    IA FIT Member DB4LYFE ™'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    NW Boonies
    Posts
    5,937
    Rep Power
    34

    Default

    i converted.... automatic FTMFL!! i went through two auto trannys.. im in love with my manny!

    ~DB4LYFE
    07 Honda GD3


  6. #6
    IA's MIA'r Sammich's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Killin all imposter Sammiches
    Posts
    59,408
    Rep Power
    140

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by DB4LYFE ™ View Post
    i converted.... automatic FTMFL!! i went through two auto trannys.. im in love with my man!

    ~DB4LYFE



    Quote Originally Posted by Sinfix_15 View Post
    You travel with so much luggage that it wont fit in a wagon? you dating a kardashian?

  7. #7
    Senior Member civicturbo10's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Posts
    1,539
    Rep Power
    22

    Default

    I'd have to says autos cost more to fix. More complex and rebuilds sometimes go awry...
    Manuals seem to take alot of abuse...from what i've seen / read.

    On the other hand -
    On the Supra TT - they come in auto or manual. The auto is good for under 500. The manual on the other hand is damn near bullitt proof. Ryan Woon hits 8 secs. i believe. Granted the manual is manufactured by Getrag.

    Cost to fix :
    Auto - cheap b/c you can find another used one for less than rebuild cost under, $500 back on the road.
    Manual - expensive. rebuild approaches 1 - 3K depending on what u need. (Also not anyone can rebuild getrag for TT and get it right) New $5k - $6k from dealer. Also, so many people are doing manual swap thus keeping used prices up. $2k min for one, used.

  8. #8
    Senior Member sprix!'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Atlanta
    Posts
    1,362
    Rep Power
    22

    Default

    Automatics are much more prone to failure than manuals. I would say it isn't even a close ratio of transmission failures of auto vs manual.
    G37s 6MT/coupe

  9. #9
    R4 slippy > tree AlliRae's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Newburg, MD
    Posts
    2,235
    Rep Power
    23

    Default

    the major factor in this is what are you wanting to do with the car?

    race it? daily drive it? what?

    In general :

    Automatics are much more costly to fix that manuals. If one thing goes wrong with it - it will usually take out many more parts in the transmission. IE torque converter locks up in a tahoe trans (4L60) takes out sunshell, electronics, seals, etc. Cost of parts 500+clutches and steels (add another 150 at least) for a minor rebuild + labor...

    manuals - clutch goes out/slipping. Okay so between 150-500 for a clutch and then labor to put it in. Not saying that other parts might not be messed up - but this is just with normal wear.

    These are all just in general. Yes if you want to go racing with the car, you should know that things are just gonna break more often. You start pushing you car to more limits you are going to start finding them - and that usually involves breaking more parts, no matter what part of the car. High HP neon without motor mounts = axles. High HP camaro = transmission/ torque arm/ you name it.
    RIP Kaleb Mashburn

  10. #10
    ap2 lbp s2k
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Hampton
    Age
    37
    Posts
    856
    Rep Power
    20

    Default

    ever since gettin my first manual i've loved it, and i had an automatic for about 6 years. dont think ill be going back to an auto anytime soon

  11. #11
    LizBiz eats Carpet! bdydrpdmazda's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Flowery Branch, GA
    Age
    41
    Posts
    13,570
    Rep Power
    44

    Default

    I have one of each. there are waaaay too many differences in trannys to try and compare costs when it comes to fixing and maintaining them. One manual may cost you $200 to rebuild and a different manual might cost you $2000 to rebuild, same goes for auto. I prefer driving the manual though

  12. #12
    I love my Z m3dic8d's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    L-burn
    Age
    39
    Posts
    540
    Rep Power
    18

    Default

    Only repair that sucks on MT is replacing the clutch...sucks when they go out (man when I was first learning to drive stick I burned through so many clutches lmao)

  13. #13
    Senior Member | IA Veteran Elbow's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Atlanta
    Posts
    29,397
    Rep Power
    66

    Default

    It sucks to replace a clutch, not hard, just time consuming and boring. I had to drop the tranny in my 240 when I had it twice in a week once.

  14. #14
    Certified Gearhead
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    griffin
    Age
    51
    Posts
    932
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    stick for a 4 banger auto for a v8 or family car

  15. #15
    Oh yeaaaaa j0nbunklah0m's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Norcross
    Age
    37
    Posts
    4,475
    Rep Power
    25

    Default

    manual=fun car
    auto= DD

  16. #16
    IA Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Age
    39
    Posts
    72
    Rep Power
    17

    Default

    Manual all the way around ,with gas prices what they are you can normally get better fuel mileage out of the manual. If you know how to drive a manual and are nice to the clutch it should last you longer than your brake pads. Manuals can be a bit of a pain to drive in stop and go traffic or on alot of hills but thats what makes it fun for me , starting on a hill with no e-brake and without lighting the tires up poses a bit of a challenge even for some veteran drivers . In the end it really always boils down to personal preference.

  17. #17
    Old School Joker Glides's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Age
    55
    Posts
    3,741
    Rep Power
    27

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by AlliRae View Post
    the major factor in this is what are you wanting to do with the car?

    race it? daily drive it? what?

    In general :

    Automatics are much more costly to fix that manuals. If one thing goes wrong with it - it will usually take out many more parts in the transmission. IE torque converter locks up in a tahoe trans (4L60) takes out sunshell, electronics, seals, etc. Cost of parts 500+clutches and steels (add another 150 at least) for a minor rebuild + labor...

    manuals - clutch goes out/slipping. Okay so between 150-500 for a clutch and then labor to put it in. Not saying that other parts might not be messed up - but this is just with normal wear.

    These are all just in general. Yes if you want to go racing with the car, you should know that things are just gonna break more often. You start pushing you car to more limits you are going to start finding them - and that usually involves breaking more parts, no matter what part of the car. High HP neon without motor mounts = axles. High HP camaro = transmission/ torque arm/ you name it.
    Alli wins.

    Everything in this conversations comes down to how you drive, where you drive and why you drive.

    If you are peeling out, racing around town, in traffic all the time. Your manual is going to make you hate life. See it doesn't just boil down to the transmissions. You got to think what that manual makes you do. It's like a woman that won't give it up. it makes you do things y ou wouldn't normally do...such as, but not limited too. Spinning tires, revving high, speed shifting and whatever else you do to impress yourself and others. So with a Manual you will also have the added expense of clutches, tires, axles, syncros and whatnot. Plus, do a daily grind over and over up and down the connector to work and back and your manual will become the devil quickly.

    Automatics on the other hand, usually keep you from boiling tires because let's face it, underpowered cars with automatics are not exciting to watch chug up the road trying to lay drag. Most folks would rather watch 2 men hump than be subjected that that. So that keeps your other bits of maintenance down.

    But, set an Auto on a bench, and a manual on a bench and go through them to replace everything, you will spend more money on an Automatic. Depending on how you drive, you may spend more in the log run on the Manual.

    Garage-Sixgun
    If you're gonna do it, overdo it.

    Dirty Octopus Photography. Magic with a shutter!

  18. #18
    JDM TYTE AnthonyF's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Cumming
    Posts
    24,318
    Rep Power
    61

    Default

    Manual for life. I love the automatic b/c I dont have to shift, but I always get bored.

    Manuals save on brakes, save on gas, and you really don't need to service them as much as you think. A clutch every 100-200k miles (depending on car and how you drive), slave cylinder MAYBE every 100k+ miles?

    Automatics, trans services, trans cooler lines, (if the cooler runs into the radiator, looking at more problems) trans filter kits every 30k-50k (if you do them on time), some of the electronics could go bad in the trans., etc...

    Price (longrun) - Manual > Automatic
    Dependability - Manual > Automatic
    Comfort - Automatic > Manual

    My mustang had 100+k miles on it, with 100 drag passes, burnouts, stupid shit with a near beautiful clutch the last time I saw it at 90k. B/c I daily drove it nice and easy. i babied it. My civic had 190k on the OEM clutch when I got rid of it.

    -Ant.
    The Carbon Fibered R6

  19. #19
    EX Super Mod TIGERJC's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Fayetteville
    Age
    39
    Posts
    9,499
    Rep Power
    33

    Default

    Auto for DD - I have 240k miles on my Camry's auto
    Manuel for anything else - So much fun to drive
    2006 Evo IX - Bolt ons

  20. #20
    Senior Member | IA Veteran ep9716's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Norcross
    Posts
    5,290
    Rep Power
    27

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by j0nbunklah0m View Post
    manual=fun car
    Manual= DD
    Fixed.

  21. #21
    _7seasons Outphase's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    d1gpwoody
    Age
    39
    Posts
    720
    Rep Power
    20

    Default

    Automatics are hard to service...

    Torque converters, the transmission...etc...

    I feel like manual was always easier, iunno, maybe it's just me.

  22. #22
    Senior Member S2KJD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Posts
    1,914
    Rep Power
    22

    Default

    automatics are like only having sex in one postion for the rest of your life...boring.

  23. #23
    SHOW and GO! Greddypacked's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    In the castle on the HILL. Beachfront.
    Posts
    2,586
    Rep Power
    24

    Default

    I admit I like Manuals on sport cars also. Now if its a big truck I would rather have an auto, even though I used to drive 9 spd. semi trucks lol. Though driving 9 spd's would be fun, it would f..k your knees up after 10 hours of driving a day for months at a time.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
About us
ImportAtlanta is a community of gearheads and car enthusiasts. It does not matter what kind of car or bike you drive, IA is an open community for any gearhead. Whether you're looking for advice on a performance build or posting your wheels for sale, you're welcome here!
Announcement
Welcome back to ImportAtlanta. We are currently undergoing many changes, so please report any issues you encounter with the site using the 'Contact Us' button below. Thank you!