car question

[BootSlick55]

Any car-buffs here?

Question... Automatic gears/transmission are standard in USA, and this makes it a hell of a lot easier/less hassle to drive, IMO. Yet, in Ire, Eng etc driving involves manual gear changes.

Why hasn't automatic superceded manual everywhere? Like in an evolutionary process, where the better idea spreads to render the old way defunct.

I was going to post this on the Straight Dope website, but I think you lot here are smarter than a bunch of geeky know-it-alls. And I'm banned there for claiming to be in the IRA (true story).

I await your insight. (Apologies for any inaccurate car jargon.)

[aml]

Personally for me manual gears,The problem with automatics is you have less control over your car in weather conditions such as heavy rainfall or snow.Over here we also tend to have poor roads in the countryside.Nothings better than moving up gears for me.

[nicegirlsarenice]

Automatic is for women.

[aml]

Automatic is for women.

This does bring up a point does what would be the ratio of men/women who use automatics be?

[nibb]

one of my cars is auto it drinks petrol autos are catching on here now

[Dirty Harry]

Automatic is for women.

wrong automatic cars are for lazy buggers who can't be botherd to learn how to drive

[aml]

wrong automatic cars are for lazy buggers who can't be botherd to learn how to drive

Harsh but fair

[Westsidex]

wrong automatic cars are for lazy buggers who can't be botherd to learn how to drive

I thought a load of ppl drove automatics in the US. Maybe anita might be around and see this.

?????
Westside.

[Dirty Harry]

I thought a load of ppl drove automatics in the US. Maybe anita might be around and see this.

?????
Westside.

i like anita a lot she knows that but i still stand by what i said

[inpanties]

the attraction with manual - is you can drive them to your taste (usually faster!!) and change gear when you ready to .. not when the gear box wants you to....
I suppose it ma be a control thing? that keeps us happy with a maunal approach.:-)

tha manual approch cums in handy elswhere too.!!