getting fast cars in automatic....

[Yobz]

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wtf is up with all these "lol automatics are for the gays!" comments.

i know how to drive manual, but its a pain in the ass when you're in traffic, hills parallel parking, etc. When I'm driving, I like to put in as little effort as possible, I'm not out there drag racing Nick Hogan, so what do i care.

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This sentiment is fine. You don't need to drive a manual, autos are fine...for your average car.
The OP was asking about getting a tricked out car, though. You get a tricked out car for one of two reasons:
1. You want to drive aggressively in which case you need to put in effort into your driving and you should get a manual.
2. You get it because you like the way it looks, in which case you care about the way your car looks...which makes you a nancy. Auto is fine, but you're a nancy.

[pokeraz]

Unless you are Ricky Racer, a modern automatic will out perform anyone of you with a manual transmission.

[blinden84]

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Unless you are Ricky Racer, a modern automatic will out perform anyone of you with a manual transmission.

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... if you drive in straight lines.

[Ricky_Bobby]

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Unless you are Ricky Racer, a modern automatic will out perform anyone of you with a manual transmission.

[/ QUOTE ].

Modern automatics are much better than the old slushboxes but they still can't match a stick for fun, which is the point of a sports car. I'd have more fun driving a 4-cylinder corolla or something with a 5 speed than a BMW with an automatic, but that's just me.

[RunDownHouse]

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Unless you are Ricky Racer, a modern automatic will out perform anyone of you with a manual transmission.

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It's about control and enjoyment, not performance. When you can tell me there's a significant efficiency difference on my 12-mile, mostly highway, 3 days-a-week commute, then I'll listen.

Again, the auto v. manual debate is about a lot of marginal issues, or issues that aren't easily quantifiable. Your transmission is going to depend most on your daily traffic conditions. But that's saying that your transmission in any given car depends mostly on the driving conditions it experiences. If you're going to do a ton of off-road in a given car, it makes sense to get a 4WD. If you're doing a 50-mile commute into a city center for work 10 times a week, it makes sense to look for great gas mileage. If you're looking for something that can burn up the road in very short stretches, it makes sense to get a manual transmission.

Saying "Modern automatic transmissions will outrace most people in a manual" is beside the point. If OP wants a fast car to look good or whatever, then it doesn't matter what transmission he gets. If he wants a fast car to outrun people, then he should either learn to drive a manual such that he can beat an identical auto, he should buy a faster auto than anyone he's racing, or he should find a new hobby. No matter what, it's about specifics: what, specifically, he's looking to get out of the car.

[BigPoppa]

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The OP was asking about getting a tricked out car, though. You get a tricked out car for one of two reasons:
1. You want to drive aggressively in which case you need to put in effort into your driving and you should get a manual.
2. You get it because you like the way it looks, in which case you care about the way your car looks...which makes you a nancy. Auto is fine, but you're a nancy.


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This is the correct answer.


Also, you will someday be asked to drive a stickshift. This could be anything from a drunk buddy's Beemer to a moving van. If you cannot do so, you will be mocked mercilessly until the end of time.

[chopsticks]

I have a car with manual gearbox and even my 9 year old cousin knows how to drive it. It's an easy skill to learn and takes about 10 minutes and the joy you get for driving a manual is 1000x compared to auto, trust me.

[Stinger88]

I got an Audi S4 with auto transmission just because I never really grew up with manual, noone in my family has one and most of my friends also don't. One of the main reasons I decided not to learn is because if I got a manual, friends/family wouldn't be able to help move my car, run a quick errand, etc. Also since I didn't grow up with it a stick just seems like unneccessary extra effort and a huge pain on hills especially. If this makes me queer so be it.

[SackUp]

Manual is more fun except in traffic.

[iversonian]

lol at people who think stick = being a REAL man. This psychological complex needs a name of its own.