| What is the debate really about?
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Location: Blogs The Manual VS Auto Debate |
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| Posted by: HostMaster |
Wednesday, June 13, 2007 1:44 PM |
Before getting into the virtues/vices of manual VS auto sharks, it's important to consider what the car is really inteded for, as well as what it perhaps stands for today.
A 928 is a very 'statement' kind of car, and there's some strength to the argument that it isn't at all about driving these things so much as the aura of ownership which comes with some of the more sublime examples with a Pascha interior and hallucinagenic colour scheme.
Arguing one way or another about the transmission of these cars is missing the point badly. The car is so 'out there' it's unlikely the owner really cares about this detail.
Purists will argue, quite correctly, that a manual gives the driver a lot more feel for the car's attitude through corners etc, but this may be missing the big picture, in part.
The most heated arguments for auto ownership, un-surprisingly, comes from people who own autos. Whether or not this was a deliberate choice, rather than a matter of the car they bought on the day, is unlikely to really weigh into these arguments. Everyone insists they own an auto out of preference.
Soooo - the real question at hand is 'What is it that you really prefer?' If it's a choice between a cheap V8 Porsche and no Porsche at all, most people will err towards the car-that-exists.
Who knows - maybe this is the reason 928s are so cheap in the first place? Either way, there's nothing wrong with this situation if it's a case of all the cars being about the same price.
It's all good.
Pat. |
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Re: What is the debate really about? |
By Patrick on
Wednesday, June 13, 2007 6:40 PM |
| I have been waiting for a 5 speed with a Pascha interior and an immaculate service history. The money I've saved by maintaining this vigil has allowed me to finally lash out on a new Carrera GT and a couple of ponies for the kids :-) |
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Re: What is the debate really about? |
By ElZee on
Thursday, June 14, 2007 1:29 PM |
| [quote Patrick]I have been waiting for a 5 speed with a Pascha interior and an immaculate service history.[/quote]<br><br>Who hasn't? :) <br><br>Upon reflection what I think (know) I want is another 928. A 'vanilla' exterior ie: no rubber ducks, spoilers, or side trim and painted my choice of colour. The rest will be Hybrid .. 32 valve engine, exhaust, brakes & suspension and (probably) a manual gearbox. The interior will be up to date, seating 'tricked' up with pasha, somehow! :)<br><br>Overall I want it to look bog standard on the outside, wild on the inside! Am I asking too much? ;)<br> |
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Re: What is the debate really about? |
By GlennE on
Friday, October 26, 2007 1:15 AM |
| Pat said: "Soooo - the real question at hand is 'What is it that you really prefer?' If it's a choice between a cheap V8 Porsche and no Porsche at all, most people will err towards the car-that-exists."<br><br>Not me. I enjoy driving manuals; even around town. I looked for a 928 to buy over a period of about six months. I never inquired about an advertised auto. If the transmission type wasn't stated, my first question would be to ask whether it was manual or auto. If auto, no further interest. Porsche ownership and an auto, for me, just don't go together. Actually, any car that I consider "mine" has to be a manual.<br><br>If I drive an auto, I hate it doing what I don't want it to do. Admittedly, an auto behind a torquey engine like the 928's wouldn't be too bad much of the time. Then it would shit me only when I wanted to enjoy doing something more than tool around in traffic or along the freeway.<br><br>Would it be inflammatory to confess that I've never missed having a manual when driving a Fairmont/Falcon/Fairlane? (I put Fairmont first because my wife had one as a company car for a couple of years.) Their handling was so bad that I generally avoided pushing them at all. The Fairmont was the only car I've driven that wallowed in the bends on the dual carriageway sections of the Federal highway at 110km/h. |
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Re: What is the debate really about? |
By GlennE on
Friday, October 26, 2007 1:22 AM |
| Len, why would you need an immaculate service history if you're going to update the engine, brakes and suspension? Surely your ideal car would have a perfect body and a clapped out engine, so that you could beat the seller down to next to nothing? Then you could spend more on the updates (and wiring an OB to run LH-Jetronic (and ABS?) certainly will cost you). |
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Re: What is the debate really about? |
By TheTimp on
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 8:49 PM |
| Drove a manual for the first time the other day. Down Mt Glorious with Dave O pushing me along (from behind - in my car). A very different car indeed; to my auto. No sipping on a latte and crusing with the manual, you are definitely driving the car, wheras the auto tends to be a bit more laid back :-)<br> |
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Re: What is the debate really about? |
By John Greenland on
Friday, March 14, 2008 11:49 PM |
| Having two of each I can sit on the fence! I like both. Having driven a manual for over 50 years is is second nature to me...just 'automatic' (pun intended!) I will admit that in very slow, stop/start traffic an auto is nice but as the engine has so much torque from idle I usually just leave it in 2nd and let it idle along (or a bit faster if needed) until a stop is necessary then de-clutch and with great engine braking available, seldom need to use the brake. |
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Re: What is the debate really about? |
By Smiffy on
Sunday, March 16, 2008 4:32 PM |
| I'm with Glen, only a manual for me. What I hate about autos is that when you press the loud pedal, the revs rise, maybe it needs to change down, then, eventually she goes, rather like a lady in a long skirt having to gather it up before she can run. The manual responds as fast as I can press the pedal. Same when I take my foot off the pedal, the car starts to slow down, unlike those peculiar situations in an auto where it momentarily speeds up as the torque converter is given the chance to lock up. A manual is easier to drive quickly without attracting attention, also easy to chirp the tyres if you feel you need the attention. |
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Re: What is the debate really about? |
By Glenn Bannister on
Friday, March 21, 2008 5:50 AM |
| I'm in favour of the auto. After 12 months or so training myself on how to drive my 928 properly, I have found that the auto is the best for that car. I spend more time with both hands on the steering wheel than I would if it had a manual. Basically stick it in 2nd (it's a 3speed) and you can speed range the car from 80 - 140Km/h comfortably. Sure the manual version may accelerated away off the line better but once your up around the above speed theirs nothing in it. That may change if I ever get to drive a manual for a while hey :)<br>Cheers,<br>Glenn B.<br>'81 928 4.5L (M2810) Auto @ 1530Kg's |
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