To those who drive automatic's

[bbq1988]

Hey guys, i am looking at upgrading my car to somthing abit diferent, only downside is that what i am looking at is an auto.

Its the ONLY thing thats putting me off..

Whats your opinions on auto's?

[xsspeed]

Easy, lazy, manual shift/tiptronic helps. After driving manuals and going back to an auto I once used the non existant clutch lol, caught the brake pedal instead and came to a quick halt. Mrs wasn't happy.

Most late model auto's aren't too bad, older ones can be dogs though.

What sort of car? Would probably help with opinions

[Bradles]

I once used the non existant clutch lol, caught the brake pedal instead and came to a quick halt. Mrs wasn't happy.

I have also done this


Manual > Auto imo.. id never buy one.

[fuel]

if all it's going to be is a reliable practical daily driver that you're likely to do stop-start traffic crawling in, then I don't autos are such a bad idea. It's not like it's going to be a race car, more so a comfortable cruiser. I wouldn't say no to something like a BMW V8 simply because it's an automatic.

[xsspeed]

I'd just say no because its a bmw

[bbq1988]

im looking at an aristo, the 147 turbo barge spec series

[TazzieDevil]

I once swore that i'd never own an auto. Then I bought an auto A31 cefiro (before drifting was heard off) and it was a good daily driver in traffic, put it in drive and cruise. long distances was nice and comfy.

Downside is that they can be a pain to overtake in, unless you have power / overdrive buttons, or a manual/triptronic option to select gears for hills and overtaking.

[darkwolf]

I've owned 2 autos in my life. Swore I never would. First was a 1992 Mazda MS-6 which I bought for $500.00. The auto was ok but I hated it. You lacked the control of the car that you get with a manual. It was terrible for changing gears at weird times like at 55KPH. So cruising around town would cause it to change all the time.

I now own a 1998 BMW 540i. The auto in it is fantastic. It changes really smoothly, it has a sports setting that changes gears faster than I could in any of my manual cars. And it makes driving in traffic a breeze. I still use the tiptronic when I want to do a bit of spirited driving, but mainly because it is RWD with 210KW and little tread on the tyres. The last thing I want is it to spin the wheels leaving a corner. Only issue I've had was on the Saturday just been. I pulled out to overtake at 70KPH (it was a 100KPH zone) I put my foot through the floor (which wasn't necessary) sharply pulled out behind the car in front (shifting 1700KG of car quickly) and I had left it in standard auto. The car promptly saw my need for lots of speed dropped in to 2nd and lit up the rear tyres (or it would have if I didn't have my DSC on ). What did I learn, always leave it in sport when overtaking. Never throw a 1700KG car around when overtaking.

I have found that an auto leaves you wondering what to do with your left foot. I've found it useful for braking.

If you are looking at a small capacity engine < 2L. Don't touch them, you'll be ringing it's tits out every chance you get to get something from it. If you have larger capacity engine it should be fine. I wouldn't recommend a turbo auto though. Lag from the turbo + lag from the auto not changing down fast enough would be a nightmare.

[Twolitre]

They're great cars and there's nothing wrong with the auto's in them either, afterall they are a luxury car so a manual would be a bit out of character with the rest of the car. Take it for a drive first and see if you like it but I wouldn't consider converting it to manual in the future as it'd cost a small fortune.

im looking at an aristo, the 147 turbo barge spec series

[postfach]

I like my auto daily driver, good in traffic on the way to work etc, you can still have fun driving it but if you're buying a car specifically to have a fun car, then you should probably get a manual.

[repowered]

i knew someone that had an ariso (91 shape) they loved it only single spinner diff though. i think they still have it. they got it for pretty much a cruiser but has the get up when you need it. dunno how it handled. shes probably pretty heavy.

yea also like drivng my GF's Primera to work in the traffic. as much as i hate autos, it was nice in stop start traffic.

that one looks cool

[darkwolf]

I like my auto daily driver, good in traffic on the way to work etc, you can still have fun driving it but if you're buying a car specifically to have a fun car, then you should probably get a manual.

QFT.

If I had wanted a fun car I'd have spent the extra $45K to grab a similar year M5

You can still have lots of fun in an auto as well. Having that spare leg means you don't have to sidestep to get a burnout going. Just hold brakes with left hold gas with right

[Mr.Phreak]

Downside is that they can be a pain to overtake in, unless you have power / overdrive buttons, or a manual/triptronic option to select gears for hills and overtaking.

That's what the kickdown switch is for

2jayzgte regularly track days his auto Supra so you might want to ask him what he thinks of them, and theres a few companies out there that do performance kits for the auto if you don't want the hassle of a manual conversion.

[flygt4]

our GT caldina is auto, its actually pretty nice to drive, awesome for long journeys or traffic.

I actually prefer auto now if i'm not reaming the nuts off a car, you can eat a whole burger combo while you drive. its just one less thing to bother with to with.

I wouldnt consider it an issue TBH. you'll either like the car, or you won't, so base your decision on that.

[DeeCee]

I have a subaru forester turbo auto for the work car. Its great as I can just jump in and drive. Gear ratios are lower, so more economical and its great for around town driving and easy on the gas on long journeys

[AE86less]

I've owned a manual and auto aw11.

I didn't really find the same overtaking issues being reported since you have to ream the f*ck out of a bluetop to overtake, even with a manual

I also found it more comfortable, economical and easier. Being able to eat and drive rules.

[pjay]

Nothing wrong with an auto Aristo..

Buy it

[darkwolf]

Nothing wrong with an auto Aristo..

Buy it

I'd be more worried that all the dash lighting works. Bloody expensive to fix/replace.

[the fallen303]

our aristo is fun to drive, even being auto. its no loss, still thrash ours in the corners despite weight/auto. turbo model definitely helps. in saying that, dads n/a auto mk4 was still fun on the track.

if auto is your only problem, then i'd say go for it, you wont regret it.

[bbq1988]

Hmm, im looking at all options at the moment, But i did get this link and i dont think auto would be a problem if it hauls this well.
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=06-sEVP7JWo