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That's a fair point. I was more thinking of a non-technical person buying an Android/iPhone.
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Just like the answer to most questions on here, it all depends. Manual transmission is like Assembly language. You have the power and control, but it is more work. That being said, want go off road? Manual. Towing? Manual. My last two Chrysler products have what they called 'AutoStick'. Basically I can manually change the gears if I want to or I can just put it in drive and go. Haven't towed anything or gone off road with 'Autostick' so I can't tell if it is the same or different from a manual.
Jack of all trades, master of none, though often times better than master of one.
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As a youngster I would not have contemplated driving an automatic. Now, who can be bothered? I just want to get from A to B as quickly and comfortably as possible.
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It sounds like you are creating an analogy between Android phones and iPhones that parallels a comparison between manual and automatic transmissions. <caveat>I have an Android phone.</caveat>
Android, like a manual transmission, gives you greater choice in how to operate the phone/device. For the performance-minded and those that like to customize their experience, Android would be preferred.
iPhone OTOH, simply works. It does the job and stays out of your way, just like an automatic transmission.
Software Zen: delete this;
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Hey Gary,
What's your phone model? I am considering a switch to Android. Also, what cell phone provider are you with? Thank you.
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I've got a Samsung S5 which is pretty old. They're up to an S8 model now, I believe.
My provider is Verizon, because their coverage is the best here in Ohio, plus my employer gets me a 15% discount on my plan.
Also noteworthy is that Verizon does a good job of supporting older phones. I'm still getting system updates periodically for the S5.
Software Zen: delete this;
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Please note that I'm not a serious phone user. I use it to make calls (imagine that), text and a couple sorts of IM, and Facebook. No games, music, video, etc. Given that, I'm easy to please in the phone market and I'm not terribly discriminating. About my only criteria when I bought the S5 was I wanted Android and I needed a phone that was at least water-resistant, since I carry it when I bike and occasionally when I run.
Software Zen: delete this;
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I'm a lazy bastard so I own an automatic but I love driving and miss the control a manual gearbox give you. Changing to sports mode and manually selecting a gear just isn't the same.
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity
RAH
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Mycroft Holmes wrote: I love driving and miss the control a manual gearbox give you
Our winter weather is nasty here in Ohio, U.S. From November through March it's an ever-varying parade of rain, sleet, freezing rain, snow of various sorts, and ice. I've never felt safe driving an automatic in those conditions. They never shift when you expect them to and they don't do engine braking worth a damn.
That's why my most recent car purchase was a front-wheel drive Honda Civic with a 5-speed manual transmission.
Software Zen: delete this;
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I like manuals but drive a big pickup truck (gas is cheap in the US and I pull a camp trailer for vacation) and no manual is offered for it. The 8 speed trans is silky smooth though. With a 3.21 rear end and 400hp it really flies in a 50-90 mph pass.
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I've always driven manual because it is more fun. Like using VIM. I did preorder a Tesla Model 3. Electric cars have other fun things that will hopefully make up for the lack of a manual transmission in the new vehicle.
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I drove automatics for many years while the family was growing up. Now that the kids have flown, I'm back to manual - just for the enjoyment factor. Wife likes it too (though it took some learning there).
Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend; inside of a dog, it's too dark to read. -- Groucho Marx
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Manual trannies are fun, whereas auto trannies are dull and efficient - comparable to driving a Ferrari or a Yugo...
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Both of my vehicles have manual. More fun to drive. I feel like manual gives me better control when there's a snowstorm or ice.
If I bought a new vehicle today, though, I'd probably go automatic. Shifting's become tiresome as I get older, and I'm mostly in city traffic any more.
My vehicles are 2002 models, so I haven't looked in a long time. But, it seems like last time I looked, it was actually something I had to order special. I guess automatics have become so reliable and perform so well, there's not really a reason to go manual any more.
That being said, I think having the skill is useful. Never know when you'll be somewhere that you need to drive a stick.
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I miss my manual, hope to get one for my next car. I have a motorcycle and its manual, so I'll be okay.
Hogan
Hogan
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Mohibur Rashid wrote: android phone
Not quite, I'd say more like C# vs C++
See, if manual would be an Android phone I wouldn't want it if I am constantly on heavy traffic. And I always want it.
On the other hand:
C# (automatic): Like heavy traffic, tedious or relaxing ride. Less control over the bear metal.
C++ (manual): Like driving for fun, even on a race track. Needs to extract performance by taking advantage of some control skills.
To alcohol! The cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems - Homer Simpson
Our heads are round so our thoughts can change direction - Francis Picabia
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I have been driving Manual transmission cars since I got out of the Navy in 1973 and bought a VW Beetle. My wife's car (I got married then too) has always been an automatic transmission. I currently drive a 2004 Honda Accord V6 Coupe with 178500+ miles on it and it still has the original clutch.
Living in New Orleans it is no problem. When I have to drive through Atlanta, however stop and go on the interstate is a MAJOR hassle. Those living in the Atlanta area know what I am talking about.
That said, given the choice, I will always buy/drive a car with a manual transmission.
Old programmers need work and love too...
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I only drove manuals from 1963 until 2013. Then my wife decided she needed a Merc. I'm still trying to get used to those silly plastic flappy things on the steering wheel for changing gear. They are not as satisfying as a good solid gear stick.
We're philosophical about power outages here. A.C. come, A.C. go.
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I know what you mean. My wife's Acura has the floppy paddles and I just don't bother when I drive her car.
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My dad tried for a year to teach me to drive a standard in 1971. I have an aspergian level of clumsiness and it came down to I can drive well and pay attention or I can shift gears and hit something. When asked to move a standard my usual mode of operation is: Engage Clutch - Shift Gear - Let clutch out gently while subtly increasing gas - Restart engine after it dies. Repeat until car is moved to where desired by small jerks. People do not ask me twice.
Seven years later the military spent two months trying to teach me to drive a standard. I did just fine as long as there were no hills and I was on ice. When summer came I couldn't get the thing to move to save my life. Ended up driving an armored personnel carrier... automatic transmission and I already had the 11-ton license... to carry my computer system in the field, instead of the jeep.
Now I am 63. Except for occasional problems with a truck rental company for moving... yes, I want the automatic... I've been stuck with automatics for all those years. You know what? Some folks simply do not have the coordination to drive and shift... and I have a perfect driving record. You are much safer with me on the road, and with me on an automatic.
In the same vein, I cannot drive a horse, either. I've tried several times, they buck me off.
I can't dribble a basketball, catch a fly ball, or kick a football. But women love me and I can
code like the devil himself, from assembler and Fortran to Java and Android aps... I've done several.
And thanks to forty years of karate, I can walk without falling over, most of the time.
So... some folks NEED automatics. I am very happy for those who are more concerned with their "driving experience" and the feeling of power, control, and masculinity that their operation of a vehicle brings. Me, I just want to get there in one piece.
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Quote: "The only people who would buy an old-fashioned gearstick manual are the sort who choose not to have a washing machine because they prefer to clean their clothes in the local river."
Jeremy Clarkson
So there you have it.
Cheers,
Mike Fidler
"I intend to live forever - so far, so good." Steven Wright
"I almost had a psychic girlfriend but she left me before we met." Also Steven Wright
"I'm addicted to placebos. I could quit, but it wouldn't matter." Steven Wright yet again.
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There was a time people enjoyed Manual transmission(now a days, fewer people enjoy, less than 5%). But the need of easy learning and easy use Automatic transmission got popular.
Here is a future that I predict, the demand of self driven car will rapidly increase. At some point people would feel the requirement of having a car that can drop off kids to school and then drive back to school to pick up the kids. or in simple, people will rather enjoy doing something else than bother with driving at all. Government will have to force people from not driving on the road, because voice of people who would love driving by themselves would be weaker than the voice of the rest(Just like now, 95% people in japan and in USA use Automatic, and get surprised when they hear that I am learning Manual). Government will look at road safety differently.
This is far fetched. But there will be a time when driving by human will be obsolete. Required driving skill will reach the level of Driving a train. Driving would be job of absolute professional who would do rescue task on the road after accident or off the road special assignment.
May be that would be the time, when I will accept this analogy 
I do not fear of failure. I fear of giving up out of frustration.
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How about no transmission. My electric car is all direct drive. What phone is that one?
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I understand people who prefers the manual transmission to feel they control the machine
(this discussion is similar to the robotics/handcrafted issue, or the vynil/CD DJs,...). Personally I prefer to put my attention in other things: the environment, the traffic or the route and not to worry in mechanical issues.
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