# 5-Speed or Automatic?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-speed-or-automatic/535142>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [April 6, 2010, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-speed-or-automatic/535142 "2010-04-06T14:01:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 6

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**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\
**Post date:** [April 8, 2010, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-speed-or-automatic/535142/101 "2010-04-08T21:54:39Z")

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> [@shiftless](#):
>
> \<snip\>
> 
> The last car I bought, in 2001, there were limited choices for a stick. I also wanted hand cranked windows and those are gone as far as I can tell.

The Toyota Corolla I bought in 2005 (as a lightly-used 2005 model car) came with a manual transmission and hand-cranked windows.

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**Author:** ![Perciful](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b38774/32.png) [@Perciful](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Perciful)\
**Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-speed-or-automatic/535142/102 "2010-04-09T02:26:17Z")

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[quote=“Duhkecco, post:84, topic:535142”]

So it’s about drag racing? 😕

No, You don’t have to drag race anyone or get a speeding ticket. Just enjoying the open road. It is being at one with your car. I just don’t get the same feeling in an automatic. Hard to explain…

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**Author:** ![Duhkecco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8491ac/32.png) [@Duhkecco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duhkecco)\
**Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-speed-or-automatic/535142/103 "2010-04-09T02:59:24Z")

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> [@Perciful](#):
>
> No, You don’t have to drag race anyone or get a speeding ticket. Just enjoying the open road. It is being at one with your car. I just don’t get the same feeling in an automatic. Hard to explain…

Thanks. I think I get it. I feel “at one with my car” when the car is responsive when accelerating, braking, and steering, and when the suspension is the right mix of firm and compliant. Other factors: the ergonomics, the seats, and the visibility.

I enjoy driving, but I no longer have any interest in “trying to get every ounce of speed” out of the car. At least, not on the road, “open” or otherwise. On the track, it’s a different story. 🆒

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