# What’s your preferred vehicle transmission? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 18, 2019, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-your-preferred-vehicle-transmission/835684 "2019-06-18T14:41:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2019, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-your-preferred-vehicle-transmission/835684/41 "2019-06-18T20:46:33Z")
I know I wouldn’t vote for “manual” but I don’t know what the other 3 are, or what the difference is between them. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2019, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-your-preferred-vehicle-transmission/835684/42 "2019-06-18T20:56:49Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > I know I wouldn’t vote for “manual” but I don’t know what the other 3 are, or what the difference is between them. Effectively they’re three different kinds of automatics. To an enthusiast there are differences in performance and driving experience between them, but to an average driver who doesn’t know or care about the inner workings of their transmission and only cares that there’s no clutch pedal and you don’t have to shift gears they’re probably all the same to you. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2019, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-your-preferred-vehicle-transmission/835684/43 "2019-06-18T20:57:46Z")
> [@Corry\_El](#): > > M2’s do come manual, did in my model year anyway You’re right! :smack: I don’t know how I missed that. The M2 just got a little higher on my list… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2019, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-your-preferred-vehicle-transmission/835684/44 "2019-06-18T21:08:24Z")
> [@Misnomer](#): > > I definitely prefer manuals, but I’ve just started the search for a possible new car (to be purchased sometime in the first quarter of 2020) and I’m finding that several of the vehicles I’m interested in don’t come in a plain ol’ stick anymore. I like small and fast, and so far my best options for a traditional manual are a Mazda Miata or a BMW M2401i. Even with BMW, upgrading to the M2 means a DSG. The Audi TT means a DSG. A Lexus RC means a DSG. > > The “MANUAL OR DIE” part of me wants to ignore everything other than the Miata or M240i, but I think I’m going to wind up test driving at least one of the DSGs. _sigh_ Are you me?😉 I was in a very similar situation, I needed a car to replace my Honda Element, contenders were the Golf and Jetta SportWagen TDI, the manuals were out of my price cap, and the only inexpensive models were DSG, so I had no good options, the JSW DSG models had a bit more storage space (could easily sleep inside with the rear seats folded), but did not have driving lights or paddles on the steering wheel After long consideration, I figured if I was going to have to settle for a DSG, the paddle shifters on the Golf were more valuable to me than the extra 10 cubic feet of storage space of the JSW, the Golf also had driving lights (my first car with them), cloth seats (better than the “leatherette” of the JSW), had slightly lower odometer miles, and was assembled in VW’s Wolfsburg plant So, I went with the Golf. The first couple weeks with the DSG, my hardline manual side was screaming “THIS IS WRONG, YOU SOLD OUT, HOW DARE YOU DRIVE AN AUTOMATIC, YOU KNOW THEY SUCK!!!” After a few more weeks, that voice got a little fainter, replaced by “meh, it’s not a true manual, but it’s not horrible, it does shift crisply, and it doesn’t hunt for gears, it generally shifts when I would in a manual, and the nearly seamless power delivery is nice” yes the hardline side would occasionally scream with frustration, and he still has me searching for an affordable manual Golf TDI, but he’s starting to fade As of now, my mindset is “it’s okay, I do like the ability to override the transmission whenever I want, it is amazingly fast shifting, and the shifts are nearly imperceptible, it’s not a _bad_ transmission per se, but it’s not a manual, it’s acceptable for now Still, hardcore guy still occasionally screams “it’s an automatic, it sucks’” but he’s getting less and less vocal. I’m starting to accept it, it’s okay, it’ll do for now, but if an affordable Golf TDI comes up with a manual, I’ll probably trade, I don’t feel any real attachment to the DSG, but it’s not utterly horrible … that said, I will NEVER own another sludgebox or a CVT. Give the DSG a try, go in with low/zero expectations, expect to hate it, that’s what I did, you might find it’s an acceptable compromise, it’s no true manual, but it blows away the sludgebox/CVT ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2019, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-your-preferred-vehicle-transmission/835684/45 "2019-06-18T21:09:35Z")
> [@Corry\_El](#): > > Everybody realizes at some level how non-representative of real life internet discussions can be but this topic particularly reinforces it whenever it comes up. 2/3’s say manual is their favorite, a feature offered on low single digit % of new cars sold in North America where most posters seem to originate (and contrary to some popular belief, automatics dominate in many other markets outside Europe, North America is not the outlier). Car co’s ignoring consumer will in a huge way, or huge selection bias in poll/thread? There’s also a big difference between what people say they want, and what they actually buy. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2019, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-your-preferred-vehicle-transmission/835684/46 "2019-06-18T21:41:17Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > There’s also a big difference between what people say they want, and what they actually buy. MGB, MGB, MGB, Porsche 924, Chevy Sprint, Porsche 911SC… Jeep Cherokee. I regretted getting the automatic transmission in the Jeep, and still wish I had gotten a standard transmission. Prius, Prius, MGB. A friend sold me his Prius, and I loved the mileage. I wrecked it, and got another one. That’s the only reason I have a Prius. It’s not a bad car – comfortable, in fact – but it would never be described as a fun car to drive. The '66 MGB is, of course, manual. (I should never have sold the 911! ☹ ) So what I actually buy have manual transmissions… Except for the error in judgement (the Jeep) and the non-option Priuses. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2019, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-your-preferred-vehicle-transmission/835684/47 "2019-06-18T21:43:23Z")
> [@MacTech](#): > > Are you me?😉 😃 > [@](#): > > As of now, my mindset is “it’s okay, I do like the ability to override the transmission whenever I want, it is amazingly fast shifting, and the shifts are nearly imperceptible, it’s not a _bad_ transmission per se, but it’s not a manual, it’s acceptable for now How long have you had it now? > [@](#): > > Give the DSG a try, go in with low/zero expectations, expect to hate it, that’s what I did, you might find it’s an acceptable compromise, it’s no true manual, but it blows away the sludgebox/CVT I could see myself test-driving the Audi TTS. It has less hp than my current car, but I think it and the BMWs are the only real contenders at this point\*. The Lexus RC is pretty much just a data point; I don’t really see myself driving one. And six years ago I was in love with the Subaru BRZ, but for some reason these days I’m feeling “meh” about it (I think it’s the low hp). \*Ooooo, except I might have to test-drive the tiny, low-hp Miata…just because what if I \*love \*it and can save $$$?? ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2019, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-your-preferred-vehicle-transmission/835684/48 "2019-06-18T21:57:43Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > I know I wouldn’t vote for “manual” but I don’t know what the other 3 are, or what the difference is between them. 2 is the standard automatic popular for decades, there are 3+ gears that it chooses automatically when you put it on D. Some may have further spots on the shifter where you can put it to where it will set the maximum gear lower, for when you need more torque or it keeps switching gears like on hills. 3 works the same as 2, but there is a side section on the gear shift that allows you to optionally shift up and down, no clutch pedal needed. Some owners may never touch it. This has [many, many different names](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manumatic) depending on manufacturer (DSG is Volkswagen). Also the 3 names used in the OP aren’t the same thing I think, but are similar enough on the driver’s end. 4 is an automatic, but there aren’t traditional gear ratios so you don’t feel it shift. Early ones had issues but now it’s mostly ironed out. With 2 and 3, you shouldn’t be able to damage your transmission like in 1 with improper gear, it’s more of a suggestion than a limit, and the computer will stop you from doing too much damage. Some manufacturers love CVT (Subaru) others don’t (Mazda). ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2019, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-your-preferred-vehicle-transmission/835684/49 "2019-06-18T22:13:38Z")
Misnomer, I’ve had it for about a month now, it’s a decent car, but it’s no manual Golf, I don’t think i’ll _EVER_ completely like the DSG, as my hardcore manual side is quite the extremist, the _ONLY_ thing HMG will accept is a clutched manual. no negotiations, if it’s not a manual, it’s wrong. my practical side however, is perfectly fine with the DSG, i’m sure if all i’d ever driven were sludgeboxen, i’d be absolutely _ecstatic_ with the DSG, viewed against the sludgebox/CVT, the DSG utterly decimates them, performance and engagement-wise, viewed against a clutched manual, it can _NEVER_ compete with the immersion and engagement of the manual and will always be found lacking, judging a DSG against a clutched manual by the standards of fun/engagement/immersion, the DSG will always fail, it’ll be close, damn close, but the manual is simply more engaging, that’s just the facts comparing shift speed, the DSG will utterly destroy the manual, the DSG is just plain faster, period, that’s a technical fact, when you have two nested transmissions and two nested clutch paks where the next gear is pre-selected on the idling transmission cluster and the only thing you need to do is swap the active and idling clutch paks, , the shift speed is lightning fast. The DSG needs to be considered on it’s own, it’s not a manual, and it’s not a sludgebox, it’s its own unique critter. [How the DSG works](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj1Vk7SE-TI&t=366s) ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2019, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-your-preferred-vehicle-transmission/835684/50 "2019-06-18T22:28:15Z")
> [@Corry\_El](#): > > Everybody realizes at some level how non-representative of real life internet discussions can be but this topic particularly reinforces it whenever it comes up. Yeah; I was going to post that this thread is a poster child for why self-selected polls like this aren’t remotely scientific. (I voted “CVT” because that’s what kind of transmission my car has–which I had to Google to find out. Or I guess I could have gone out and looked through the manual in the glove box.) ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2019, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-your-preferred-vehicle-transmission/835684/51 "2019-06-18T22:45:11Z")
Manual - my preference for car control and because it requires you to pay attention to your driving. We need more of that. Automatic - what I currently because the doggone car companies insist on only offering manual for the low end SUVs. In my case, to get the engine I wanted, I had to get an automatic. Automated manual/Sport mode - what I call a fake manual, because every time I’ve tried it, the computer has overridden my choice. Now you know how I drive. 😉 DSG - not quite the same as sport mode, but I haven’t driven it enough to really make a decision. The expense of a possible repair does make me shy away. CVT - Just no. I hate the admittedly short overlap of when the engine is still increasing power even though I just applied the brake. I simply don’t trust it. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2019, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-your-preferred-vehicle-transmission/835684/52 "2019-06-18T22:52:34Z")
The CVT in a gen 2+ Prius does NOT use the rubber band system but rather a set of planetary gears which shift between the 2 motor/generators and the gas engine constantly. Brian ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2019, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-your-preferred-vehicle-transmission/835684/53 "2019-06-18T23:05:15Z")
I voted CVT because my Prius works well and gets awesome mileage (54 mpg). I have never experienced “fun” while driving any car, so that doesn’t enter into it for me. ---
**Author:** ![YamatoTwinkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/cc9497/32.png) [@YamatoTwinkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YamatoTwinkie)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2019, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-your-preferred-vehicle-transmission/835684/54 "2019-06-19T13:01:42Z")
> [@CrimeThink](#): > > None of the above. I prefer the single gear of my EV to any other transmission system I’ve previously used. Smooth with loads of torque ready anytime. This, but manual would be my second choice. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2019, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-your-preferred-vehicle-transmission/835684/55 "2019-06-19T13:13:30Z")
> [@carnut](#): > > Manual - my preference for car control and because it requires you to pay attention to your driving. We need more of that. > Automatic - what I currently because the doggone car companies insist on only offering manual for the low end SUVs. In my case, to get the engine I wanted, I had to get an automatic. > Automated manual/Sport mode - what I call a fake manual, because every time I’ve tried it, the computer has overridden my choice. Now you know how I drive. 😉 > DSG - not quite the same as sport mode, but I haven’t driven it enough to really make a decision. The expense of a possible repair does make me shy away. > CVT - Just no. I hate the admittedly short overlap of when the engine is still increasing power even though I just applied the brake. I simply don’t trust it. Due to MPG and emission requirements, and dam near everything else that a car does, engines and transmissions are now very closely synchronized and really almost operate as one unit. Manual transmissions are going to go away. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2019, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-your-preferred-vehicle-transmission/835684/56 "2019-06-19T14:12:00Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Manual transmissions are going to go away. Hopefully after I’m gone, not before. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2019, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-your-preferred-vehicle-transmission/835684/57 "2019-06-19T15:19:00Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > People who have a preferred transmission prefer manuals. > > People who don’t care about transmissions buy automatics. Nah. My wife drove an manual for years and decided that it sucked for her city commute and went with an automatic. She definitely had an opinion and a preferred choice and it wasn’t for the manual. ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2019, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-your-preferred-vehicle-transmission/835684/58 "2019-06-19T16:24:21Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Manual transmissions are going to go away. I doubt it, there will always be a niche for manuals, it may be a tiny niche, but it’ll be there. it’d be more accurate to say that manuals may no longer be available in mainstream vehicles, but there will most likely be some form of tiny enthusiast groups refusing to let go of that third pedal. I will _NEVER_ abandon the clutched manual, my current daily is a DSG equipped Golf, yes, but I also have a manual '07 Rabbit as backup car, when that car eventually dies, i’ll probably replace it with a first or second generation Mazda Miata with manual transmission, a small, brilliant handling roadster with rear wheel drive and a manual, what’s not to love? the Miata is only considered a “chick car” by knuckle dragging morons, anyone with any knowledge of small, sporty roadsters know that the Miata is in fact a true _DRIVER’S_ car! ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2019, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-your-preferred-vehicle-transmission/835684/59 "2019-06-19T16:25:05Z")
I’ve driven both for years and for me, a manual is not something I want to drive, it’s something that particular circumstances force me to drive. I am not a Formula I driver, I don’t change lanes like a madman while I’m on the highway, and I’m not trying to drive up and down 35 degree slopes using my transmission as a driver’s assist. Not to mention, starting with my 1994 Mercury Villager minivan, every automatic transmission has done a better job of shifting than I can. The only advantage to driving a manual is when I’m stuck driving in the 30-40 mph range in traffic and an automatic is trying to decide what gear to shift into. But newer transmissions are so smooth I hardly notice it. My daughter’s tiny car has a CVT. It’s certainly acceptable for her putting around the city, but it feels like a 60s or 70s era automatic to me. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2019, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-your-preferred-vehicle-transmission/835684/60 "2019-06-19T16:43:45Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > 2 is the standard automatic popular for decades, there are 3+ gears that it chooses automatically when you put it on D. Some may have further spots on the shifter where you can put it to where it will set the maximum gear lower, for when you need more torque or it keeps switching gears like on hills. > > 3 works the same as 2, but there is a side section on the gear shift that allows you to optionally shift up and down, no clutch pedal needed. Some owners may never touch it. This has [many, many different names](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manumatic) depending on manufacturer (DSG is Volkswagen). Also the 3 names used in the OP aren’t the same thing I think, but are similar enough on the driver’s end. > > 4 is an automatic, but there aren’t traditional gear ratios so you don’t feel it shift. Early ones had issues but now it’s mostly ironed out. > > With 2 and 3, you shouldn’t be able to damage your transmission like in 1 with improper gear, it’s more of a suggestion than a limit, and the computer will stop you from doing too much damage. > > Some manufacturers love CVT (Subaru) others don’t (Mazda). Based upon my understanding of this post, I’m going to assume all three automatics listed are the exact same 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-your-preferred-vehicle-transmission/835684.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-your-preferred-vehicle-transmission/835684.md?page=4)