this post was submitted on 22 Sep 2023
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I dont know if youve recently used an automatic but my 2017 Audi A3 shifts extremely well on european streets, never had any problems or efficiency issues. I would say it shifts way better than most people could manually. Also with automatics theres not even a need to 'hold back on a shift', it can just shift and then shift back in a split second without any noticable change in momentum. I think what you are describing might have been a problem years ago.
Right. Modern, well-tuned AT can out shift about 95% of drivers on the road, in every situation. Plus a lot of them have sport mode and steering wheel paddles for manual control, if you want to roll that way.
It's definitely improved, but it feels distinctly different to drive. Also, not all cars do it as well as that, some (cheaper) cars are still quite clunky with it.
Beyond that, their inertia effects. If you're used to manual, an automatic feels "wrong". Therefore most car buyers buy manual. This means most 2nd hand cars are also manual. This makes automatics more expensive and so even less desirable. I suspect America has the opposite situation.
Most people don't buy manuals everywhere in Europe anymore. Most people here in Norway have turned to automatic already.
Your last argument is probably accurate but just shows how little thought people give to big decisions like buying a car. Thats like bathing in mud for years and when someone offers you a shower youre like 'nah Im kinda not used to that, Ill keep buying mud'. Also most people are used to manual because automatics havent been around forever, including myself. It doesnt feel wrong at all for me, got used to it on the first day.
It's not about the shift itself. It's about how long it takes from the input of my foot, to the power at the wheels.
A great example is spontaneous overtaking. For my taste, it takes way too long for the AT to shift down, while with MT I can shift down before I press the accelerator.
That, and getting stuck in snow or dirt. With MT you can also sort of sway yourself out of a problem.
Anyway, preference, etc. Both has pros and cons, it's up to the driver to decide what pros matter to them.