Why do people prefer automatic transmission over manual transmission?

Ease of operation, plus 7-speed or the CVT type autos with paddle shifters are fairly economical and kinda' fun to drive. In my case, my experiences in Southern Cal traffic forced me away from manuals forever. 2 hours in "rush hour" traffic and it is time for left knee surgery!

Most modern cars are going towards a auto type setup as there are so many versions of auto to choose from.

The mistake is to believe that automatics are just place in D and and go and then it is a slow drive around in D all day whilst Automatics come in a mass of forms and which all differ between each other many have extra controls over the box to alter when it changes and also many have a mix of buttons to alter from a town to sports to bad weather mode,then there are ones which can be driven auto or part manually.

As for more fun that all comes down to the car,myself have driven some slow boring manuals to so really fun fast manuals but that is all down to the car,as i have done the same thing vice versa.

After all i am sure a low cc stick car is not going to be more fun or easier to drive than an Automatic Ferrari Enzo.

So if stick makes anyone feel like they are in a racing car and makes them have more fun then good for them,myself i used to watch the motorbike GP and finish watching that jump on my 50cc motorbike and for a while i was in the GP also.

Most makers are moving away from normal stick versions this can see seen on family cars to cars like the Enzo F430 Porsche 911 turbo tiptronic DB9 GT-R Challenger Mustang Merc SLR Mcalren supra mk4 f1 cars veryron and so on.

So alot dpends on which auto setup to which car and vice versa and each will make a good or bad car.

But slow boring automatics are out there with just as many slow and boring manuals.

There are plenty of rapid auto's out there and are more than just a place in D.

Mpg issues again depends on the vehicle as some are slightly less nowdays or even at all less than a manual version.

well, buying a manual transmission would require the new owner to actually learn how to use it. have you ever met some people and then wondered how they make it through every day life at all, much less learn something new and somewhat complex? yes... that is why.

plus, parents are spending much less time with their children these days. they don't take the time to teach their children the things that they need to learn. therefore, yes, manual transmissions are becoming more obsolete. they're being phased out more and more with each new generation.

it doesn't change the old fact though: chicks still dig a dude that can operate a stick shift. and a chick that can drive a manual? hell, that's just shameless bait ;) trust me- i drive one! ;oP

parents should still be teaching their children how to drive anything. they just don't.

Automatics are simple, easy and convenient to use. Manuals are more difficult to use as you have to learn the gears and use the clutch with the brake and accelerator etc. Not to mention you have to use all four of your limbs to drive. With automatics you just have to put it in drive. As to cost efficiency, I've heard automatics are more economical as it doesn't guzzle petrol with gear shifting like manuals do. On top of that, the most economical cars are Hybrids, which are auto's.

Yes, manuals are becoming obsolete as most people prefer automatics. Thus, the reason why companies don't produce as many manual vehicles anymore.

I prefer a manual trans.

No one knows how to drive a manual anymore.

Drivers Ed doesn't teach it because the teachers cant drive a manual.

Its really pitiful.

Just try driving a manual as I do and note that although it's a lot of fun,it does limit one's ability to answer the cell phone,eat hamburgers,drink milk shakes,or perhaps smoke cigarettes if you do.In this respect it may be somewhat dangeros.

many people unwilling or unable to learn manual and take the easier way out. This is very true with women.

but manual is still popular in third world.

People don't like complex things so they take the easier way out.

Autos are easier to drive. Simple as that.

We are lazy.