RE: V8 Stuff (Manual vs. Automatic transmissions)

[Aleksander Mierzwa <alex@matrix.com.pl>]

Agreed. There was a series of articles in "Auto-bild" where famous
Finnish rally driver Rauno Altonen (sp?) was giving driving tips. One of
them was about driving an automatic in slippery conditions. They asked
mr.Altonen which transmission - manual or automatic is better. His
answer was: "a professional driver feels comfortable with any
transmission as long as it works". Nothing to add, IMO.
I think what differs enthusiasts from "it's just transportation" people
is that an enthusiast wants a car unlike others. As far as I know about
90% of cars in USA are automatics - no wonder most American enthusiasts
prefer manual transmission - apart from owning a rare car they're
proving a rare skill of driving manual. On the other hand, what's common
in US is rarity in Europe - I'm proud of the big bumpers and small
licence plate opening of my Audi ;-) I once had a friend from work ride
in my car - as he entered the 5K and saw automatic shift lever he asked:
"My God, WHAT'S THAT???" :-))) Strange as it is, he wasn't aware of
existence of automatic transmissions at all! This is probably the same
kind of satisfaction the guys in USA with manuals feel...

Aleksander Mierzwa
Warsaw, Poland
mailto:alex@matrix.com.pl
87 Audi 5000CS turbo (mine)
88 Renault Medallion wagon (mom's)
91 mountain bike (just in case both cars broke at the same time :-)

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Kang Family [SMTP:kkang@dallas.net]
> Sent:	Saturday, January 17, 1998 5:03 AM
> To:	quattro@coimbra.ans.net
> Subject:	Re: V8 Stuff (Manual vs. Automatic transmissions)
> 
> Are manual transmissions better than automatics?
	[...]
> I would define an enthusiast as anyone who knows the differences and
> appreciates them.
>