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Ok. I have wanted to post this for a while. So in my opinion the automatic transmission cars easily out number the 4 speed or stick cars at least 3-1 or even more. Back in the day these were just cars and you can see how the auto was an easy decision for most buyers. So now these are collectables that aren’t driven everyday. So, Do you prefer auto or 4 speed?
I have both but prefer driving my 4 speed car. You?
For my American cars, automatic beyond question. To me the whole point of an American car is to have an effortless driving experience, not shift gears myself, struggle to park it with heavy steering, or even put up with a less than smooth ride because the suspension is set up for responsive handling.
For my small engined tiny European cars, nippy performance, agile handling, a light clutch and slick gearshift is a must. An automatic transmission would draw to much power from its modest output, and fuel economy would suffer - we pay perhaps three time what most of you do for gas.
If I wanted the adavantages of An american car coupled with a dynamic driving experience I would have to look to very upscale German or Japanese cars.
But they cost a staggering amount to run and keep compared to old fashioned American Iron, and are targets for thieves and vandals.
I own and run American cars because I am not a shrinking violet, and enjoy the camaraderie with fellow owners.
Occasionally we are asked to provide transport for weddings or Prom Nights. On one occasion a friend of mine was asked to take a kid to her last day at school in his Smokey an the Bandit tribute Firebird, he arrived at the school along with various other exotic transport and was parked next to a new Aston Martin. Which was ignored because all the kids were flocking around his car.
But this is the UK, in North America stick seems a novelty, so if you enjoy shifting your own gears, well, go have fun.
When I first Visited America I was amazed that lots of normal intelligent people had never learned driving stick. Over here if you pass your driving test (which you have to do to get a licence) in an automatic you are not allowed to drive stick. Normally it is disabled drivers who do this, if their disability means they cant shift gears because they are missing a limb or whatever.
Roger.
Last edited by rustyroger; Oct 15, 2017 at 09:40 AM.
A 4-speed car is way more fun to drive than an automatic. It is a neat feeling grabbing second gear and then hitting third. And then there is the feeling of down shifting.
A 4-speed car is way more fun to drive than an automatic. It is a neat feeling grabbing second gear and then hitting third. And then there is the feeling of down shifting.
I miss driving a 4 speed car that I downshift on my automatic cars
For my American cars, automatic beyond question. To me the hole point of an American car is to have an effortless driving experience, not shift gears myself, struggle to park it with heavy steering, or even put up with a less than smooth ride because the suspension is set up for responsive handling.
For my small engined tiny European cars, nippy performance, agile handling, a light clutch and slick gearshift is a must. An automatic transmission would draw to much power from its modest output, and fuel economy would suffer - we pay perhaps three time what most of you do for gas.
If I wanted the adavantages of An american car coupled with a dynamic driving experience I would have to look to very upscale German or Japanese cars.
But they cost a staggering amount to run and keep compared to old fashioned American Iron, and are targets for thieves and vandals.
I own and run American cars because I am not a shrinking violet, and enjoy the camaraderie with fellow owners.
Occasionally we are asked to provide transport for weddings or Prom Nights. On one occasion a friend of mine was asked to take a kid to her last day at school in his Smokey an the Bandit tribute Firebird, he arrived at the school along with various other exotic transport and was parked next to a new Aston Martin. Which was ignored because all the kids were flocking around his car.
But this is the UK, in North America stick seems a novelty, so if you enjoy shifting your own gears, well, go have fun.
When I first Visited America I was amazed that lots of normal intelligent people had never learned driving stick. Over here if you pass your driving test (which you have to do to get a licence) in an automatic you are not allowed to drive stick. Normally it is disabled drivers who do this, if their disability means they cant shift gears because they are missing a limb or whatever.
Roger.
Well you can’t compare a tiny European car with a 4 speed and an American big block with a 4 speed. Totally different and not just a novelty. I want some effort, I want to feel the gears.
Just put a rebuilt M22 in my W31. Man the sound of those whining gears is music to my ears. A 4 speed is way more fun and you so much more connected to the drive train. With the 3:91’s back in it’s a whole bunch more fun. Yeah I wish there was an extra gear on the highway.
Hey Zeeke. Nothing wrong with a nice car with an auto trans. Just a different driving experience. My W30 convertible is a beast. Not sure if I would enjoy driving it with a stick. It has a 500 cu in Dick Miller stroker in it. That’s running on a quadrajet with a reproduction W30 intake, roller cam and worked C heads. It looks stock except for the Kooks headers.
I kept the original engine.
Hard to say if a 4-speed would be better. I don't have one. But the 6-speed Vette, the 5-speed hot rod and 6 speed shifter kart are WAY more fun than my auto Olds
A 4-speed car is way more fun to drive than an automatic. It is a neat feeling grabbing second gear and then hitting third. And then there is the feeling of down shifting.
So this goes back to my earlier comment. These were bought as just a family car or a dual purpose car where maybe dad had a few street races on a Friday night. Now these are fun cars so it’s clear the manual trans is running away (as most would have predicted). I really like my auto cars but shifting a 4 gear really is a lot more fun. But my perspective is not in heavy traffic and after rush hour with a smile on my face. 😎
Of course, my 70 SX Conv is auto and I like driving it, but I prefer banging my own gears, which is why I kept my college car, a 70 Chevellee SS396 with Muncie.
Al as you know driving in Vancouver is a nightmare. The roads are slow moving parking lots most of the time. Don't even get me started on the 2nd narrows bridge. 30 minutes to drive 7 km is ridiculous. That when shifting and clutching is not so much fun. I once spent 4 hours in a San Francisco traffic jamb in the 32 hot rod. We had to pull over after we got through the Golden Gate my leg/knee was so sore from 10 thousand clutch pushes.
But when there is open road give me a 4/5/6 speed any time.
Hey Mike. Vancouver has no traffic in the middle of the night. Pick your times to drive that 4 gear car. But seriously I agree and you can see why back in the day so many people opted for the automatic. Easy peasy.
I just turned 70 and passed my computer test only missing 2 BUTT now my left eye is 20/30 and my right eye is 20/200 with a cataract being taken care of later. I have been driving with two feet one on the gas and left foot for brake, I guess they will tell me I can't drive like that is been 50 yrs. doing it no problem. My brother drives like that too so no changing now its way to late. Started driving and bracket racing right out of the Army till now. I have to see my regular Doc. to get his take on paper then to my eye Doc. for his then send it in to Ca. DMV i'll see what happens. So looks like a behind the wheel test and another eye test and computer test as well all over again. I'm just venting sorry its late too. I did have a 64 Cutlass 4 spd. with a auto col. shift but a Corvette 4 spd shifter on the floor with a W-27 3.91 gear rear end. Ran 12.50 at 110 MPH all day long. Once got $50 at Fremont drags for running 12.50 on my dial in 3 times in a row.
Gerald
So this goes back to my earlier comment. These were bought as just a family car or a dual purpose car where maybe dad had a few street races on a Friday night. Now these are fun cars so it’s clear the manual trans is running away (as most would have predicted). I really like my auto cars but shifting a 4 gear really is a lot more fun. But my perspective is not in heavy traffic and after rush hour with a smile on my face. 😎
Rush hour, I remember that as a kid many years ago. Now rush hour around these parts starts about noon on Sunday and ends about Midnight Saturday. I've been told as a youngster don't rush your life, but I can't wait to move to a place where someone say "what's rush hour?"
Well you can’t compare a tiny European car with a 4 speed and an American big block with a 4 speed. Totally different and not just a novelty. I want some effort, I want to feel the gears.
I have driven stick big Mercedes, BMWs And Jaguars. as much fun a the trucks I used to drive for a living, but at least I was paid to do it.
The only American stick I ever drove was a Chevy Monza. on a par with a Massey Ferguson tractor imo.
But if you drive for fun and like shifting your own gears, enjoy! No sarcasm intended btw.
Here I am where automatic is almost a novelty, bored many years ago with shifting my own gears.
And you guys are where stick is almost a novelty, bored many years ago with the car doing its own shifting.
I am surprised by the overwhelming support for stick, having driven through most big cities in Texas many times.
Of course most of you are driving your Oldsmobiles for fun, car shows and cruise-ins don't normally involve rush hour traffic.
How many of you have a stick daily driver?. Of those who do, do you often drive in heavy stop-go traffic?.
I have to say that I did take my 4 speed bench W31 for a long drive the other day and got caught in some heavier traffic and yah it was a pain idling along starting and stopping with a stick. But once I got away from that the smile on my face returned. 😎
Good point to make well on the 1/4 mike track. I would also take the auto on a nice day with the top down well cruising along listening to period music. 😎
Best of both worlds! Hurst lighting rods! My Rocket ship on rails.
Go either way.
Hurst lighting rods
All levers down, in first gear. Gas petal to the floor and never let it up!
6,000 on tachometer(Sometime a little higher) Move right lever forward 1/2'' to second (Gas petal to the floor and never let it up!) Instantly changes gear better than I ever could with manual. Smoking sticky Kumo tires.
Back up 6,000 or higher. move middle lever 1/2'' to third. (Gas petal to the floor and never let it up!) Instantly changes gear. Smoking tires a some more.
Back up 6,000 or higher. (Gas petal to the floor and never let it up!)
Moral of this story(Gas petal to the floor and never let it up!)
Oh hold the steering wheel from the bottom. I broke the pin for the tilt steering column two times. Form holding it from the top.
Can, reverse order to downshift.
Drive it in OD like a normal person. Automatic races OK.
Killer light weight 350 with many extras, Polygraphite bushings, big bear brakes all around, frame stiffening, 8.5 10 bolt(Have not broken it yet).
And believe it or not, Monroe Sensa matic shocks all around. Great just cruising around. Stiff - flat going around 90 degree turns at 55 mp
If driving 100 mph at night on the highway at 2:00 am. And no one's on the interstate. Put four ford light bulb gives you 4 high beam on relay on separate switch. Green toggle switch by large tach.
Last edited by HighwayStar 442; Oct 20, 2017 at 04:45 PM.
No sarcasm intended btw.
