Last time you Drove an Automatic?

Interesting that so many people took this as a crusade for/against the Auto. I don't neccessarily have any issue with Automatics. They have their place I just don't happen to own any at this time. I've actually only ever had 1 Daily driver that was an Auto and that was a DSG equiped GTI.

Intersting Range of responses. It does seem that in this country automatics are nearly unavoidable, Rentals, Work vehicles, and even heavy equipment are all going this way. A few years ago I rented a Budget truck that was an Isuzu NPR type thing that had a Manual, but last time I checked those are not available anymore. I really expected someone to say 20 years or something like that but am surprised that my 7 months is quite long.

Yesterday. I haven't left the house today, but that will change soon enough as a post office visit is upcoming.

About an hour ago to lunch. My P71.

Yesterday drove the funky focus.

The 4 speed auto in my mercedes is pretty good, people fetishize rare mercedes with 4 or 5 manual speeds but aside from shifting yourself the manual doen't offer all that much. Even the 5 speed ends up having the same ratios as the 4 speed so you won't get any better mileage. If I shift my car into S it feels like it took a sniff of a little white powder and will chirp the tires.

I drive an automatic daily.

I find it humorous how self proclaimed car guys profess at how anything with an auto equals not being a car guy. I have an exceedingly boring daily commute. Driving a stick wouldn't make it anymore exciting.

if you drive an auto it's not like you're gonna lose your man card ya know

Last one I drove was several months.

Can't remember when cause it was so forgettable.

Every day. The only manual in the fleet right now is the E30, and that doesn't move yet.

I just got home, so say about 15 minutes. For everyday transportation in traffic and 60-80K miles a year, I'll stick with the autotragic. Call me lazy, but a stick is just more trouble than it's worth in that situation. Especially in an E150. BTDT

This morning on my way to work. I decided to be a gangsta today and drive the Brougham since my girlfriend took the Protege.

10 minutes ago....... silly family members not understanding the magical third pedal

Yesterday. My DD is an auto. I like it that way, because it makes me 10X less likely to modify it. It also makes me more comfortable letting others drive it, makes traffic somewhat tolerable sometimes, and will make resale when I decide to get rid of it in the next year or two 10X easier.

I drove an auto Altima with the 2.5 while I was on vacation last week. It was a newer one with a 6 speed. I was damn surprised by that thing. Not a manual by any means, but pretty responsive, and programmed well to get good economy. I somehow averaged 31mpg while averaging only 30mph (mostly urban driving in Denver). Its rated at 5mpg highway/3mpg city better than the same car with the 4 speed auto.

Everyday now that my DD is a crew cab diesel truck. Looking to get something more fun and economical with a manual transmission for my DD though...

subrew wrote: I drive an automatic daily. I find it humorous how self proclaimed car guys profess at how anything with an auto equals not being a car guy. I have an exceedingly boring daily commute. Driving a stick wouldn't make it anymore exciting.

I find it funny as well. People frequently imply that my DD looks boring and must be hateful to drive. Traveling from one stoplight to the next, then staring at the bumper of the Prius in front of me is no more boring an automatic econobox than it would be from the driver's seat of a Lotus.

Happy to say I don't own vehicle with an auto. I did lock up the brakes on my deceased FIL's pickup while approaching a traffic light a few months ago.

The Camaro has a 4L65E with a custom billet converter. There is nothing slushy about it. It's all about the calibration and the converter design. Every shift is a quick, pronounced "oomph!", but never harsh. It's a blast to drive street or road course.

And I'm working on a Chrysler NAG1 swap for it (That's a Benz-derived 5 speed auto with full engine braking).

I love 3 pedal cars, as well. I have no hang-ups either way, whatsoever.

Last weekend I drove my Dakota. That's an automatic.

My 3 and my CSX are manuals, and everything else (the Dakota, the wife's 3, and the Trans Am) are all automatics. I like driving manuals, especially in little 4-cylinder cars, but automatics have their place too.

Unfortunately everyday, my CTS is an auto. Tho admittedly its a pretty good auto, 5spd that adapts to your driving habits and even engine brakes. Still not as much fun as a regular ol manual trans though!

Has been at least a few months for me, all of our cars are manuals so I only drive an auto when I visit family or have a rental.

I always find myself looking for the clutch to start the car when I am in one.

Pretty sure it was September 2011 for me - we flew out to Portland and did a driving tour of the PNW National Parks. We rented a Toyota Camry for the trip, which was pretty impressive for gas mileage. I got more than 600 miles per tank if I remember right.

So 10 months and counting.

Last week to the take Mrs. Zero's 740i out for fuel up.

I drive it in Sport mode

Cone_Junky wrote: My DD is an auto, the wife's is an auto and just about every customer's German car is automatic. I like not having to "work" to drive

this part is me as well.

About 2 hours ago when I went to the store. I started driving in 1959 and had never had an automatic(wife has always had autos but I seldom drive her car) until I got the Transit Connect in 2010.

After I retired from teaching my daily commute to other jobs was 3-5 miles a day thru the city with a traffic light at each corner. Now I wonder why I didn't get an automatic sooner

To me, if you are going a long time without ever driving one, it just means you aren't driving a wide variety of vehicles.

True dat. I drive automatic customer cars every day. It's a good day when an interesting manual vehicle comes in..

Funny anecdote.. My fiancee drives an auto and her ac broke. I say 'i'll take it to work and fix it if you drive one of the other cars'.. which are all manual. Finally after 4.5 years i have the necessary blackmail to make her learn manual! So far shes fine on the highway but not quite there in stop and go yet...

Last weekend I drove from WV to MN in my E-150 van.

All 3 of my normal cars are sticks - I usually only drive the van on weekends if/when we all go some place together.

I don't have problems with trying to use the brake as a clutch. My problem is that after dd'ing my miata for years, I still reach for the center console to lower the windows in the WRX. I've been doing it since last fall.