Autos have an advantage off the line, as there's some torque multiplication that occurs from a standstill with the torque converter.

 

Not exactly. In modern times, auto tranny only weighs about +50 to 80 lbs more (below avg weigh gain) for 4 bangers. To me, it's negligible.

When you go 6 or 8 cyls, auto tranny fills the market, not enough to really care about it.

Example:
How many people will buy a fullsize, crewcab truck w/ manual?

Of course, AWD gains the weight of 300-500 lbs.


Not exactly either.

Manual can rev higher and get a better launching speed. Auto tranny can only hold revs for so long before the tranny fluid spins itself dry on the TQ-converter. When that happens, you're going to have a toasted auto tranny.

Auto tranny is only good for thw WRX and Supra TT. Don't know why. It just is.

Those people going 10 sec and under using auto tranny is different.

 

Yeah AWD are heavy cars, which is why people are always shocked when something like the evo or STi can do the 0-60 in 4.6 seconds. If the manual driver knows what he's doing, the auto will be killed, off the line it would come down to who can get on the gas faster and better, although in an auto its hard to mess that up.

 

In an auto, you get way more consistent times. That's why people really want to see 6-speed autos.

 

Mercedes has a 7 speed auto, but its not a standard like in the lancer, its a computer controlled clutch. Supposedly the way the gears would be set up (as in the standard H configuration) would be so unusual that they figured no normal human could do it. Autos are good for consistency, but for performance manuals have the edge. Truly performance minded people drive manuals, or as some say "Real men drive stick".

 

"off the line it would come down to who can get on the gas faster and better, although in an auto its hard to mess that up."

True. Auto tranny driver depends a lot on driving error by the manual.


"That's why people really want to see 6-speed autos."
It's freaking going to be expensive and heavy. Manufacturers that have 5, 6, and even yes 7 spd auto tranny are using V8's w/ big money.

You're not going to see any 4 bangers having them.

Also, GM is going to make 5 spd auto . . . if they start cranking them out, the price will drop.

 

from a roll they auto would probably have to put a lil more power to the ground to stay w/ a manual. the disadvantages would be less because auto trannies 'powershift' while most manual drivers don't therefore if the auto had a bit more hp it would take the manual because it doesn't lose acceleration between shifts. autos can't launch as good as a manual unless they have a torque convertor

 

I can get some nice rubber between 1st and 2nd gear when powershifting with my manual. Depends on the driver and how good they can shift.. and how quickly. The only thing I liked when I had my old auto tranny was when you floor it from 25mph it downshifted into first and got some nice acceleration.

 

Well the manual driver could power shift, but is it smart? If you actually race like you should, meaning you don't do things to completely destroy the transmission, like power shifting, the manual will win.

 

if the manual driver sucks though, there is still a chance for the auto tranny cause it shifts faster between gears than a driver with a manual that sucks at driving manual.

 

^---Agreed

 

Well yeah but using that argument I can run faster than a car if he keeps stalling, or if the driver doesn't move it out of park.

 

Manual tranny often lasts longer as long as you don't tear it up.

 

i hold my rpms longer in my auto by keeping it in l 1 2 3 until i hit the proper rev then i let it go to the next and it shifts for me... i kept up with a manual with a sri .... i am stock... so i awsume he either sucked or my car is just naturally peppy.... can this be true? cuz i kno ive beeten stock auto lancers off the line.... maybe its cuz i hold my rpms longer i dunno....

 

yah its just because you know how to drive better. you probably also floored it more than they did. " its not about how fast your car is, its how you drive it!"