Automatic vs. Manual Transmission

[leftfield6]

I'll spin this sexist thing around. I taught my wife (25 years ago) to drive a manual transmission in about an hour. This was on a Triumph TR8. This success came about in spite of the fact that both her Dad and older brother had failed at teaching her. Therefore I don't think it's that a certain percentage of women can't learn to drive a manual shift, I think it's that most men are lousy teachers!

After mastering the TR8 clutch and transmission, she went on to buy a 79 Beetle convertible. A 4 speed with a somewhat, ah, vague transmission. She did fine.

I would encourage you to consider the manual for another reason. You will have multiple for sale Spiders to choose from with 5 speeds, you will be shopping from a much smaller selection to buy an autobox.

Out of curiosity - how does the TR8 shifting compare to a Spider? My Spider is an automatic and many years ago, my brother taught me to drive a manual on his Mazda 626 which was very easy to shift; however, I found his TR7 difficult to shift. I figure a TR7 and TR8 wouldn't be much a difference shifting wise (overall acceleration and speed quite another story!)

It's been a number of years since I had the TR8, but from what I call it was an "okay" gearbox. Not as snick-snick as a Spider. Definitely not as good as another former car, a 2001 Miata. Not bad, though. Car was still a boatload of fun. Factory V-8, 4 barrel carb, headers and large diameter dual exhaust makes for a fun car in a small imported convertible.

[Hobo]

I have an automatic and really enjoy it. It also allows for my wife, daughter and son to enjoy and drive the car.

[fiat218]

I have an automatic and really enjoy it. It also allows for my wife, daughter and son to enjoy and drive the car.

i have one and i can't wait till it all done so i can drive it . other then that i have 5 speeds

[paulw106]

I had a 79 auto which is now a manual (converted to 5spd).

It seems a much nicer drive as a manual, although in England we are more used to Manual cars anyway so no learning curve for stick shift!

I always thought the auto in the spider was a lazy gear box and didn't like shifting on kick down (although mine was on it's way out so that might explain that).

Plus the auto never sounded right, it was so long between shifts it always sounder like it was over revving ( but again this might be my auto box being slightly knackered).

Personally I much prefer it as a manual.

[yalcin]

This was a great thread, props especially to John G. for a super useful comparison. I opted for the auto after reading it last year, since my commute is all on city streets, reliability is a factor (it's my daily driver), and the romance thing is also a consideration. I'm happy with the choice, though I agree the auto shifter is amazingly goofy looking, and of course you lose the deeper connection to the car that manual gives you.

BTW whether your the ability to resell the car is compromised because of the auto might depend on where you live... I live in the bay area, and I'm pretty sure I could sell this car in a second to some hipster who is into the retro style but can't drive manual.

It does suck that the auto has only three gears... I have a 1980, I guess the late Spiders just missed the 4+gear auto era. At 70+ on the highway a fourth gear is obviously needed. That does sometimes make me way to swap to a manual. Just curious, I can't imagine anyone's done this, but are there auto boxes for the Spider that go to 4 gears or more?

[vandor]

The auto does not really rev much more on the highway than a 5 speed, as it has a taller rear end.

I am not aware of any overdrive automatics that would fit. You would have to custom adapt something, like a 4 speed from a Volvo 240. However those have a 0.70:1 overdrive, which might be too much for a stock engine.

[Baz]

Hey there Georgie girl...oh..um sorry, poor Seekers Joke.

Mostly members of the opposite look much cooler in a Spider than anyone....I have had my 22 yo daughter and her friends, behind the wheel and the improvement in the overall look was amazing....imagine after you have alighted after parking and some guy has a look at the car and finds it a 5 speed.....cool, I am not a misogenist...misigen....um...love my daughter and my Spider...5 speed is an experience every time...auto is elevator stuff....but ok also ....

Daughter hated 5 speed and only wanted to get license in a auto until she had a go in the Spider....rest my case.

[fiat218]

I have 2 5 speeds,1 auto
Some times it nice not to shift,the 69 is a slow dead engine,so shifting is just ok
The 79 revs high and hauls ass ,I love shifting
Other wise a drive in the 80 ( auto) is just a change in not shifting
I like both

[spidernut]

Re Vandor's comment. At 55 mph and below there's very little difference in RPMs. At 65 mph-70 mph there's enough of a difference to significantly impact engine noise and fuel mileage. I haven't compared recently because I sold my Spider with a manual transmission, but I recall the engine running 200-300 rpm faster with the automatic at 65 mph.

[spiderrey]

A little off topic. The automatic was from the chèvette, a three speed. Question, was that tranny ever eventually reworked into a four speed for a later car?

[vandor]

A little off topic. The automatic was from the chèvette, a three speed. Question, was that tranny ever eventually reworked into a four speed for a later car?

I doubt it, as GM went to front wheel drive.