Sales of Automatics taking off

agbenny · 16th July 2010, 19:33

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.

shankaranand · 16th July 2010, 20:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by kadanaJ

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.

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.

prince_pervez · 16th July 2010, 20:58

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.

manim · 17th July 2010, 20:57

Those who say AT means lesser FE, eat this!
Civic-AT, 17.7 kmpl, 660 kms with 37 litres

.

echo77 · 17th July 2010, 22:02

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

manim · 17th July 2010, 22:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by echo77

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!

16th July 2010, 19:33	#76
agbenny Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: TN38 Posts: 1,069 Thanked: 276 Times	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.
	() Thanks

16th July 2010, 20:58	#78
prince_pervez Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Redwood shores, CA, USA Posts: 4,210 Thanked: 51 Times View My Garage	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.
	() Thanks

17th July 2010, 20:57	#79
manim BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: TN69 Posts: 820 Thanked: 916 Times	Civic-AT FE Those who say AT means lesser FE, eat this! Civic-AT, 17.7 kmpl, 660 kms with 37 litres.
	() Thanks

17th July 2010, 22:02	#80
echo77 BHPian Join Date: May 2010 Location: goa Posts: 359 Thanked: 116 Times View My Garage	Awesome, manim. What speeds & traffic did you experience on the way?
	() Thanks