Poll: Manual vs. Automatic? OK, OK, all you wags, make with the jokes about "driving stick" if you must, but due to my festive and spectacular car wreck Monday, I have to scrounge up a used (but new to me!) car. I've always preferred a manual transmission, but am driving a rental that's an automatic, and it ain't so bad. So - manual 5-speed vs. automatic.... What do you all prefer, and why?

Automatic! I was a long time preferer of manual until I got older and started having carpal tunnel stuff. Automatic is so much easier to drive, and I forget why I like manual so much! good luck finding a new car. That sucks!

You do get better mileage with a stick shift and more control of the engine's power BUT automatic is so much easier! I was a die-hard manual driver until I sat in LA traffic on a 30 mile commute. I love my automatic now.

i can't drive well enough for a stick but i'm constantly seeing used cars i'd like to have that are 5-speed. do care to share any updates on that situation? did they get a statement from that guy?

Auto is easier , prefer manual

like both but for my in town driving, coffee, water, , phones, and any potential hand holding.. auto all the way.

mmmm....hand holding good.....

Automatic, Baby That way I can text, answer the phone, put on makeup, comb my hair, eat some sushi....;-)

look at mapquest directions change the radio station and most importantly, stop and start on hills!

stop and start on hills!

I am so not driving behind you. Manual for me. My left leg gets bored driving automatic.

Naw, left leg never gets bored. Just roll down the drivers window and let the freshly applied toenail polish dry in the wind! ;-)

but NPR has no rhythm

sure it does they often play music in the background

but, but I do it with style....left foot out the window. :-) huh, can you do that?

only on the open road.

manual x-speed! *zoom!*

Is that your bike? Nice! The high handle bars make sure you have a good view of everything I'll bet. I like the slanted cross bar too.

not exactly mine but close. have a x-speed hybrid, red and chrome, tiger-striped seat cover (rowr!), and brakes in serious need of tinkering.

Breaks are easy to adjust I would do it but we are too far apart. I am putting new cables on my ride this weekend. I peddle too. My next bike will be a either single speed freewheel or x speed not decided yet. Mostly city riding and I prefer a road bike over hybrid. happy peddling