Team-BHP - Sales of Automatics taking off

I really wanted to go for an Automatic Scorpio - To my surprise it was order to made, no vechile to test drive. So I had to finally settle with a MT. Now everyday I feel for that when I am in the cramped roads.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kadanaJ (Post 1984320)

I agree Automatic is definitely much more convenient in out stop-start traffic, but driving a manual has never bothered me, you don't really tend to notice shifting gears, it become second nature.
Also for me, personally, there is just something so "unmanly" about driving an automatic (no offence to you autobox owners out there), and driving a manual just makes me feel calm.

lol:

One of my earlier manager had a Honda City Automatic and recently switched to manual Civic. When asked why the switch for Manual, he offered two points.

1. Whenever people saw the automatic car, they would ask him if he is a handicap!

2. Now that he has a chauffeur, the focus is not on driving pleasure but on fuel efficiency. :)

The perception of Automatics in India is pretty bad in public eye. It is surprising considering the ease of use and comfort they provide in choc-a-bloc city traffic. But I guess there are only few of us who think automatic are better.

I don't understand, why gear shifting is such a big hassle for want and advent of automatics. I love them but if I were to change to a manual transmission I would not complaint, be it the highway or wading through choc-a-block traffic. The choice of revving and let go for that extra whack is pleasing to me, which is deprived in the automatics.

Quote:

Originally Posted by echo77 (Post 1985718)

Awesome, manim. What speeds & traffic did you experience on the way?

Thanks!

Drove from Tuticorin to Tirunelveli and then to Madurai and returned by the same way.
450 kms in one day, on new 4-lane roads. (Beautiful roads now from Madurai to Kanyakumari, but still not 100% finished yet).
Kept a steady speed of 65 to 75 kmph.
Avoided braking by anticipating. (Braking is a sin when you hypermile).

Started at 5:30 am from Tuticorin and returned at 07:30 pm.
Tired from the drive!