It's about that time again...new auto vs. manual thread

[Aliskerov]

Guys I did my best trying to find this topic on the forum. I found some info but I was wondering if someone could post the 0-60 and 1/4mile times for a 91 automatic, a 91 5-speed, a 93 automatic and a 93 6-speed.

I'm very close to getting a Legend and I'm wondering if I should get auto or stick. I'm into car performance and had loads of fun the few times that I drove the manual. However, I'm wandering if the auto is better for a daily driver. I'm not sure if I'm gonna enjoy shifting as much in traffic or bogging down or stalling going up a hill with cars behind me. I want to know how big of a difference in performance there is between stick and automatic, and how easy it gets once you get the hang of driving stick

[Feuerstoss]

Hm... it's kinda hard to tell, honestly, and the preference between auto and manual mainly lies with you. I've only driven three G2s, the one I own included. Those were a '94 L auto sedan(Type 1), and two '91 L Coupes, both manual. I've never driven a Type 2 Legend in either manual or auto.

I've got a major preference for driving manual. The manual Type 1 cars seem more responsive than the autos, and the shifting action is alright(I suspect the shifter bushings on my coupe are worn and need replacing; the shifting is a little sloppy and sometimes it's a little hard to get it in gear). I've never owned an auto anything, so the 'daily' aspect really doesn't matter to me.

Either way, if they're in good shape these cars seem to perform pretty decently. Acceleration in mine is comparable(but a little slower) than my old 1988 Celica Alltrac.

So, my verdict is: Get a manual if you can, but other than being a little slower you won't be disappointed with an auto G2, either.

[swift]

if your into performance...

stop.
look.
and listen.

By a car with a BHG or i can line you up with someone that can get you an auction legend.

IF you get manual build it the way you want. stage 2 clutch etc. new engine.

auto...put a level ten kit in in it and drop in a 3.5 or something.

But if you want just nice clean stock performance i would go with a type 2 6spd with a 5spd setup.

good luck

[johnnie34]

The only way an automatic is better than a manual is that it makes it a little easier on your left foot in rush hour traffic. Every car I have ever owned for more than a year has been manual. It is certainly easier to drive one once you get used to it. It took me about 3 months at age 16 to feel comfortable in all circumstances driving one. My worst problem was remembering to put the d@mn emergency brake down when I got in the car and remembering to make sure the car wasn't in gear before I cranked it up. Those are the only drawbacks I can think of to a manual.

An automatic on the other hand is almost always slower. It always gets lower gas milage. And it is usually less reliable and more expensive to maintain.

The only reason I would buy an automatic is because my wife can't drive stick.

Regards

[ari_one]

Just to give you a view from the other side. If you use it as a daily driver and that entails a lot of stop and go traffic for more than 10-15 minutes then I would lean towards the automatic. All the civics I've ever owned have been manuals and all my accords and legends auto's. Sitting on the freeway 5 days a week in stop and go it sucks to have a manual, otherwise I love them.

[Black Type II]

ive never driven a manual legend but i had a 94 accord that wasnt hard to use in the mist of traffic....if anything i used to have a stick maxima and u practically have to lift all the way to the top of the pedal travel and that really killed my leg in stop and go traffic....so if i had that option it would be stick.....also noone would be able to drive ur baby lol

[LPB]

Your post appears to me to indicate that you have little to no experince with a manual transmission. All clutches are slightly different in respect to "feel".
You might think about buying some manual trans. beater in which to learn.

In my early to mid 20s I owned manual transmission cars -- 69 Z-28 and a 70 Hemi Cuda were two whose clutches were a bear. While owning the Cuda, I had a chance to spend a week co-driving a 69 Shelby KR-500 auto. while on vacation. The episode of the KR vs the sm block 69 Vette is a story for another time. Made me realize that I could easily live without a manual transmission.

[Black Type II]

lol but those cars are beast...this is paltry hp in comparison

[Pinyix]

Usually I would come in here and arbitrarily proclaim that automatics were obviously superior, but not today. Last night a buddy of mine let me drive his new 04 civic 5 speed and I gotta say, it really made me want to drive a manual. It was the first time since I learned how to drive stick over a year ago and it was just a ball. Damn this JDM console and its inability to cater to a manual tranny swap!

[Socol]

From the sound of it you don't have your heart set on a manual and that combined with the fact that it will be your daily driver; I believe you should simply go with an auto (Unless, by some act of God you find a good deal on a 6 Speed). The auto tranny does feel "sporty" and having drove a stick shift while doing the BHG repair on my Legend (The last time around) trust me when I say "It gets old real fast".

[OverDrive]

if you go with auto, (Which i have) don't put the level 10 in if its going to be a daily driver. The level 10 will eat your transmission alive, As i have one for about 4 months now, my tran is starting to go and it would be worse, when i get the 3.5 done ...... I have an auto since live up in the hills, and im near san fran.. but i don't use my legend as a daily driver......

[FF Drifter]

If you have an opportunity, try driving both a manual Legend and an automatic Legend back to back. Comparing a manual sports car to an automatic sedan isn't really fair, but if you try the same cars back to back you might get a better impression of what you're getting into.

That said, I've driven Legend automatics (Type I like mine) and although I can say it was reasonably fun to drive it was not nearly as immediate, urgent, or reactive as my manual sedan is. The connection between driver and car just wasn't there for me when my right foot had to go through a slushbox.

[Telion]

Ok first I will admit your first post is about all I read, and a few others after that. But having said that unless you can't drive a stick woth a damn and you are concerned about performance you need a manual think of it this way about 15% of your power is lost with an auto tranny; that is pretty damn hard to make up considering someone with a manual and the same mods will still beat you you want performance, you want your car to give you all it can at all times, you want a manual, Now if you are concerned about shifting up and down in traffic then performance is not the ulimate goal here. Just my 2 cents for the moment

[Telion]

Originally Posted by Aliskerov

Guys I did my best trying to find this topic on the forum. I found some info but I was wondering if someone could post the 0-60 and 1/4mile times for a 91 automatic, a 91 5-speed, a 93 automatic and a 93 6-speed.

I'm very close to getting a Legend and I'm wondering if I should get auto or stick. I'm into car performance and had loads of fun the few times that I drove the manual. However, I'm wandering if the auto is better for a daily driver. I'm not sure if I'm gonna enjoy shifting as much in traffic or bogging down or stalling going up a hill with cars behind me. I want to know how big of a difference in performance there is between stick and automatic, and how easy it gets once you get the hang of driving stick

To get you closer to your answer my JDM Type II auto @ 167 hp did 0-60 in about 9 seconds (which in my opinion sucks even at a higher elevation) My manual 7 without trying (with the 3.5). I wasn't yet ready to push her but I was curious. I need to find out what it is with the pedal to the medal as they said in teh old days lol.