Well, for one thing if you're stuck somewhere where you can't listen to the 400hp, like a traffic jam or stop light or any real world situation outside of an ideal open road, some extra entertainment could come in handy. Neither one of my cars have stereos in them, but I still bring my iPod with me just in case of such an event, it helps to pass the time.

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2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
1993 Mercury Topaz GS coupe (soon to be deceased)

who says you need a wide open road, street racing is very popular

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-Escort Racing Development Team

Unlike Buffalo, a great percentage of the U.S. deals with bumper to bumper traffic every day.... which is also part of the reason why even in enthusiast circles, the automatic will still sell.

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02 Ford Mustang GT
4.6 L - 2V - 5 speed
thunderhorse

Automatics make it possible to drive fast without the task of pushing a couple pedals and moving a lever. To some people that's too much work, I personally prefer a manual, but most of the classic muscle cars were Auto simply because the manual boxes couldn't handle the torque. The automatic actually adds more of a nostalgic appeal to those who had an old one from the 60's or 70's.

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2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
1993 Mercury Topaz GS coupe (soon to be deceased)

Autos are very nice for bracket racing at the drag strip aswell. Launching consistantly in a manual can be quite difficult.

That is because automatics work mostly on hydraulic pressure, clutch packs and planetary gears instead of just metal gears in mesh

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-Escort Racing Development Team

That's a very legitimate point, but still... I really enjoy the manual. As soon as I learned it I always dreaded driving my mom's truck just because I couldn't shift. Even when I drove the IS-F... yes it was fast and the paddle shifters were fun, it just wasn't the same. I also think autos are less fun because you can't do sweet downshifts!

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02 Ford Mustang GT
4.6 L - 2V - 5 speed
thunderhorse

but you can go fast by pressing the gas pedal and not have to worry about precise shifting unlike drag racing with a manual

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-Escort Racing Development Team

It's not hard.

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02 Ford Mustang GT
4.6 L - 2V - 5 speed
thunderhorse

i personally enjoy my manual... i dont particularly LIKE automatics but i dont mind them... for everyday run-of-the-mill drivers autos are more convenient but i think that any legit car-guy should prefer a manual based on the fact that you have more personal control over your car and it makes it that much closer of a kind of "bond" with the car your driving...

LOL, i just had thoughts of Die Another Day. i cant w8 til the new 1 cums out

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-Escort Racing Development Team

Well put. Automatics have their place, and unfortunately some really cool cars come auto-only, but given the choice, I'd always choose manual. Downshifting for me is enough to sell.

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02 Ford Mustang GT
4.6 L - 2V - 5 speed
thunderhorse

I know what you mean, kicking it into third in a tunnel. Epic sound and epic feeling. You just can't do that in an auto.

PERSONALLY I WANNA BUY A NEW CAMARO IN MAYBE 2011, WHY SO LATE, SIMPLY B/C ITS GONNA HAVE BUGS AND GM IS GOOD ABOUT FIXING THEM PROMPTLY ON THEIR FLAGSHIP CARS, I'M GONNA GET A SS CAMARO, NOT SURE AS TO WHAT I WANT TRANNY WISE, MANUAL/AUTO, HARD CHOICE FOR ME I LOVE THEM BOTH, BUT I'LL PROBABLY GO WITH THE AUTO B/C OF THE ACTIVE FUEL MANAGEMENT, THEY ESTIMATE 23, WHICH MEANS AS LONG AS I KEEP MY FOOT OUTTA IT I CAN GET 26 OR BETTER, DEPENDING ON THE CONDITIONS, OR I MIGHT GO WITH THE LS3 WITH AN AUTO, YES THEY ARE OFFERING THAT COMBO, I'M THINKING BLACK/BLACK, AS FOR 400 HP AT YOUR TOES, YEA ITS GREAT, BUT I LOVE MUSIC

All I can say is that I'm buying one. I'll have the thing paid off by the end of '09 (maybe spring '10 at latest), and I'll be laughing all the way.