Manual VS Auto???

[zlcrazy]

Hi all,

Considering buying a brand new car in the future an really am struggling with the small decision (Ok big decision) of what transmission id pick.

The cars im looking at are SUVs. Preference being the Kuga while also looking at the new Xtrail, Outlander etc. As i would be keeping the Escape i dont really see the need for a 4WD/AWD variant. An would probably be happy with the Base variants as it would be the daily runabout.

I have discussed the decision of Manual vs Auto with a number of people i know from car enthusiasts to soccer mums lol. The funny thing about that is i am finding my car enthusiast friends are biased towards autos while the "soccer mums" are actually saying manuals

So was hoping some here could please provide some pros and cons, good and bad points etc

Anything is appreciated

Thanks in advance

[bionic2006xr6t]

Test drove a turbo diesel kuga today with/for the misses, the diesel isn't available in a manual, seams allot of other diesel SUV's are going that way behind there diesel motors. Very impressed with the diesel motor and the auto trans and we hammered to **** out of it. Ahhhhh gotta love good dealer/client relation where they just throw you the keys......priceless. Anyway back on track love my manuals but enjoyed the auto very much! Wouldn't be disappointed!

Cheers

[bionic2006xr6t]

Depending on your budget I personally would go diesel motor (but that's my personal preference)

Cheers Ryan

[Simple6]

I like the control I have with a manual, I know auto's now are very good (I have a ZF at the moment) at picking the right gear, but there's just something about picking your own gear for whatever manoeuvre you need to make.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Just did a deal on a diesel outlander.

6sp regular auto box. They are so good now that there is next to nothing between them for economy.

I have a sports car and that's a manual, the car I traded was a manual and it was a pain for slow reversing with a trailer or trying to not roll back onto some twat that decides riding your rear when stopped is smart.

Manual is fun and more engaging, but I'm just happy to pay the few grand more and get the self shifter.

Oh, I would suggest regular box first, then CVT followed by duel clutch in terms of buying preference.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by Simple6

I like the control I have with a manual, I know auto's now are very good (I have a ZF at the moment) at picking the right gear, but there's just something about picking your own gear for whatever manoeuvre you need to make.

Use the auto in manual mode :-) best of both worlds then!

[mik]

For a family hack , i would probably go auto(conventional type), if its not going to be sporty job that your going to give a bit of curry on a regular basis or a hard core 4wd, i cant see the point, autos are pretty good maintenance wise, and easy in city traffic. You get it serviced on time and look after it and it goes for ten years with bugger all problems.
buy a manual , and problems are more likely to crop up, more maintenance etc imo.

[Syndrome]

Manual if you like to drive
Automatic if you like to commute

[nitro50th]

If you want a manual, you may have to be happy with a base model.

The SUV's we looked at (X-Trail, CX5, CR-V) only had manual in the base model, move up a step and it was auto only.

Not sure about the Kuga. We didnt look at one.

[zlcrazy]

Originally Posted by nitro50th

If you want a manual, you may have to be happy with a base model.

The SUV's we looked at (X-Trail, CX5, CR-V) only had manual in the base model, move up a step and it was auto only.

Not sure about the Kuga. We didnt look at one.

The Kuga is only available in base model 2WD form if i want a manual like most other SUVs.

[simon varley]

clutched manuals are rare as rocking horse **** here for some reason, especially if you want a high spec car. It really frustrates me that all the Ford cars have a manual option in UK spec but Ford Oz won't import them.

[thehammer]

Manuals are much more engaging, but if you're constantly battling stop start traffic manuals can be a real engaging pain in the ***

[zlcrazy]

Originally Posted by thehammer

Manuals are much more engaging, but if you're constantly battling stop start traffic manuals can be a real engaging pain in the ***

Traffic in Tassie is well not a real big problem. If people have to wait for five minutes they call it a delay lol. Theres not many traffic jams etc here.

[Windsor220]

I'd go an auto if its a daily. Only thing I would get a manual in is a sports car or an underpowered 4 cyl.

[zlcrazy]

Originally Posted by Windsor220

I'd go an auto if its a daily. Only thing I would get a manual in is a sports car or an underpowered 4 cyl.

Does a Ford Kuga count as a underpowered 4cyl lol?

[Windsor220]

Originally Posted by zlcrazy

Does a Ford Kuga count as a underpowered 4cyl lol?

Haha no. I'm more referring to older cars where the engines had no torque and the autos were too high geared. These days most 4 cyls are decent and autos have improved.

[Adamz Ghia]

For a daily I do t think you can go past an auto. For a weekender then I'd go a manual. My better half on the other half won't touch an auto. Manual all the way. Then I have to listen to her complain when we're stuck in traffic...

[zlcrazy]

So for the manual minded here, what is it that makes you prefer a manual?

[CyberWasp]

You drive a Manual Car, you only steer an Automatic Car.
I think people who drive Manuals are more balanced people as they use both sides of the brain more, whilst driving :p

[mik]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

You drive a Manual Car, you only steer an Automatic Car.
I think people who drive Manuals are more balanced people as they use both sides of the brain more, whilst driving :p

yep also end up with hip displacia and a curved spine .

[NTF6]

Originally Posted by Windsor220

I'd go an auto if its a daily. Only thing I would get a manual in is a sports car or an underpowered 4 cyl.

I'm with him, if you want to drive it everyday then get an auto, if you pull it out once a week or it's as gutless as all crap then get a manual.

[XR6WGN]

Originally Posted by zlcrazy

So for the manual minded here, what is it that makes you prefer a manual?

I've been driving manuals for so long now, it's hard to imagine driving anything else.

But, I would love either the last BF Ghia or a G6E to replace my wagon as my daily. I know I can adapt but I just feel uncomfortable not using both my feet.

[jstanovic]

Originally Posted by XR6WGN

... but I just feel uncomfortable not using both my feet.

Easy, right foot accelerator, left foot brake! The only car I do this in is my FG work ute, my other auto is all right foot. Not sure why but it just feels right...

[bionic2006xr6t]

At the end off the day you will get plenty of opinions. Drive both in the same luxury level and see what you prefer. End of story.

Cheers Ryan

[bionic2006xr6t]

At the end of the day it's you car and your car only. Your the one who has to live with it.

Cheers Ryan

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

All my 'fun cars' are manual, my drive/family car is an auto, work vehicle is an auto. I quite like it that way.

[Rene.S]

Having driven both manual and automatic Kugas for an extended period of time I would wholeheartedly recommend the manual Kuga ($28,990 driveaway) as a fantastic family runabout with plenty of poke from the Ecoboost turbo, a playful chassis and a smooth, precise gearshift. I also believe the ride quality is unmatched in the medium SUV class.

The AWD-only automatic option ($32,490 driveaway) is still good, but the performance is dulled by both the torque converter auto and also the extra weight the AWD system creates.

There have been a few comments about "underpowered 4-cylinders". The 1.6 Ecoboost powering the Kuga is certainly not! It's a fantastic torquey motor with minimal lag, excellent fuel economy and loves a bit of a rev.

Check this review:

http://www.caradvice.com.au/259833/f...view-ambiente/

Also - with Ford's Factory cashback on at the moment, 2014 plate manual kugas are running out at $25,990 driveaway which is exceptional value!

Disclaimer: whilst I do work at a Ford dealership, I still believe that this is the most underrated vehicle on the new car market, and a particular favourite of mine. In my opinion, it is the equal or better of the top-selling Mazda CX-5

Best of luck with the car hunting! Let us know how you go

[zlcrazy]

Originally Posted by Rene.S

Having driven both manual and automatic Kugas for an extended period of time I would wholeheartedly recommend the manual Kuga ($28,990 driveaway) as a fantastic family runabout with plenty of poke from the Ecoboost turbo, a playful chassis and a smooth, precise gearshift. I also believe the ride quality is unmatched in the medium SUV class.

The AWD-only automatic option ($32,490 driveaway) is still good, but the performance is dulled by both the torque converter auto and also the extra weight the AWD system creates.

There have been a few comments about "underpowered 4-cylinders". The 1.6 Ecoboost powering the Kuga is certainly not! It's a fantastic torquey motor with minimal lag, excellent fuel economy and loves a bit of a rev.

Check this review:

http://www.caradvice.com.au/259833/f...view-ambiente/

Also - with Ford's Factory cashback on at the moment, 2014 plate manual kugas are running out at $25,990 driveaway which is exceptional value!

Disclaimer: whilst I do work at a Ford dealership, I still believe that this is the most underrated vehicle on the new car market, and a particular favourite of mine. In my opinion, it is the equal or better of the top-selling Mazda CX-5

Best of luck with the car hunting! Let us know how you go

Hey

Thanks for a great response. I too work at a Ford Dealer i have moved a handful of manual Kugas around the yard but haven't been able to take one for a proper drive. We dont order manuals for stock so when one arrives its for customer an isnt avaliable for test drives. We have sold numerous autos an stock them too.

The Kuga is my favorite current model Ford now too, I think its a very under rated SUV that now a FWD auto has been annouced for the MK2 Kuga may hopefully spark some interest with the general public.

Its good to read a positive view about the Kuga manual. Thanks again

[DJM83]

Manual for me, but heavy traffic sucks the big one.

[Polyal]

Manuals have there place, dont know if it really is in the SUV market though.