Myths About Automatic Vs Manual Transmission Decoded

Turbocharger vs Supercharger It looks like the manual vs automatic transmission debate is never going to an end. There are many advantages of a manual transmission. Cars with stick shifts and clutches had their golden era. However, when compared with automatics, many superior and desirable features of manual-transmission vehicles are not proven by facts. Here are myths that you should know about automatic vs manual transmission.

Which one is better?

1. Manual cars get better fuel efficiency than automatic ones

In the past, it is true that manual transmission vehicles would consume less fuel than automatic ones. However, as advanced automatics are equipped with additional gears, they now dethrone manuals in the field of fuel efficiency. With the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Eco, it is true that the automatic version is slightly less fuel-efficient than the manual version. However, for the 2014 Ford Focus, the 2014 Nissan Versa and the 2013 BMW 328i sedan, the six-speed automatic model performs better than the traditional manual transmission.

2. Manual autos are cheaper than automatic cars

This is partially accurate. On average, a manual transmission will cost less than an automatic of the same model. However, thanks to technology advance and mass production, in some cases, both models have the same price. For example, the BMW automatic is offered at the same price as the manual one.

3. Coolest sports autos go with manual transmissions rather than automatic ones

It actually depends on how "cool sports cars" are defined. Though sports cars widely use manual transmissions, the automatic option is also available. The 7th generation 2014 Corvette Stingray of Chevrolet and many versions of the 2014 Porsche 911 come many types of transmission. However, if you choose the 2014 Porsche 911 GT3, you only get the dual-clutch automatic transmission.

A super cool sports car can come with either a manual or automatic transmission

Nowadays, many sports car come with automatic transmissions only, not manual gear-shifting. Though some people still believe that manual boxes make cars faster, they are not that good. Therefore, many major performance-car makers, including Ferrari and Jaguar, do not offer traditional manual transmissions anymore.

4. Every car has a manual and an automatic version

This assumption is totally untrue. There is a small group of autos, particularly sporty models, only available in manuals. The list incorporates the Audi TT RS, the 2014 Ford Focus ST, the Fiat 500 Abarth,  the 2014 Ford Shelby GT500, the Volkswagen Golf R and the Mazdaspeed 3.

5. Teenagers want to drive cars with stick shifts

Most driving teachers do not think so. There are only a few manuals on the car market and only a few people bother to buy ones. Moreover, teenagers don't often get exposed to manuals, so they are not interested in learning to drive them. Actually, they are happy with their automatics.

6. Manual-transmission cars can deter thieves

Many people like stick-shift cars because thieves cannot steal them. This claim has not been proven by fact. These days, fewer people know how to drive manual-transmission autos, so fewer thieves are able to steal them.

Are thieves more interested in manual-or-automatic transmission cars?

7. Stick-shift cars cost less money to repair

Even though replacing a manual transmission is cheaper than replacing an automatic, you seldom have to change modern automatic transmissions. But with manual transmission, you might have to replace it once or twice, which costs higher in the long term.

It is still arguable but many drivers agree that manual transmission autos are more suitable for men. The user is free to adjust the transmission the best performance. Automatic transmission cars, on the other hand, do not require the combination of cone and number. Automatic transmission brings drivers new and different driving experiences with a stable machine, so the car is more suitable for women and the elderly.

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