What Kind of Transmission Does Your Current Have?

[Charlie]

What kind of transmission does your current Saturn have? A traditional 4- or 5-speed automatic transmission, 5-speed manual, or CVT?

[myoung]

whoa. i got the first vote.

[swoker183]

5 speed automatic

[silverblueL200]

I admit it, I drive an auto :D

[Xanatos]

Auto, but sadly that's the only thing the LS2/L300 comes in.

[piney]

Slushbox for me too. I like the SL2 auto's tranny though - works well and even downshifts in hills for you.

[ProDarwin]

4 speed auto - I hate it. The 5 speed manual is on the kitchen floor. It should be in fairly soon. Clutch is on the way, just need to find a couple clips and retainers, and I am ready to install.

[benpatient]

5 speed manual. you poor, poor souls...

[Nuke-Em]

5 speed manual. I never want to go back to automatic.

Matt

[Galileo]

5-speed manual on my current '01 SC2. Actually, all three of my Saturns have been manuals...... and I learned how to drive a stick shift on my first one, a '92 SL. I prefer the extra involvement in the driving experience that a manual provides. :cool:

[eRic 02sc2]

manual, manual.

[benson500]

Manual X2.

[03VUEAWDVTI]

1959 Merceces 190D - 4 speed manual on the column
1975 Mercedes 240D - 4 speed automatic
1980 Mercedes 240D - 4 speed manual on the floor
1999 Dodge Ram - 5 speed manual
2000 Daewoo Lanos - 4 speed automatic
2003 Saturn - CVT

[BobVVue02]

'02 Vue = Sport Package so it has a manual. Get over 30 MPG on the hightway with it. Worst tank ever was 22.5 in the dead of winter.
'01 SC2 = Manual. Wouldn't have bought it with a Auto.

Had a '95 SW2a Auto was OK, but a 1.9 L motor really doesn't have enough extra "snot" to drive through an auto. Sure it does it, but just not very exciting. Plus it sucks a couple MPG.

When I test drive my '01 SC2, I squealed the tires without trying from a stop light. Then I DID try and I can "chirp" then tires when I shift into 2nd. The auto NEVER did that.

Bob VVue02 (aka Bob01SC2m)

[WHITE98SL2]

Manual on both SL2's.

[WKDave3]

SL2 is a manual and 91 GMC Sonoma is a manual....never converting if i can help it

[cary]

Automatics. Freeway driving at rush hour is murder on the left leg.

[L300Boy]

Automatics all the way!!!

MANUALS SUCK!

[lexington01]

Manuals all the way!!

AUTOMATICS SUCK!

...
:) :) :)

[XtremeGrandAm]

my saturn was a 4 speed auto

[L300Boy]

LOL .. the auto vs. manual war has begun!

[Nuke-Em]

Originally posted by L300Boy
Automatics all the way!!!

MANUALS SUCK!

You make me feel sad.

Matt

[GR898SL2]

My transmission is of the 4-speed automatic variety.:D

:flag:

[silverplum]

I have not driven a manual transmission car since the mid 80s. I had a 1983 Honda Civic FE and a 1986 Hyundai Excel. I found that the manual certainly stopped me from daydreaming. I found myself more alert. This does not mean to say that I fall asleep with an automatic.

[teal95sl1]

Automatic!!! ;)

[mikthehickNC]

Auto, but my next car WILL be a manual, I won't go back on my word!!! :cool:

[Cap138]

I've driven autos since the beginning of my driving career. I wanted to try a manual on my current car but they didn't have one with all the options/color I wanted so I got the auto instead. Now I'm starting to get "manual fever" (it looks like a lot of fun) so I'm thinking my next car will be a stick.

Sorry if I'm betraying the automatics...:p
(looks like the manuals are outnumbered right now)

[Hiddenlites]

My satty's a manual. Might as well get excercise for both legs!

[100KSW2]

I wish Saturns offered an Auto-stick, but I'd rather have electronic stability control (and 4-wheel disc brakes and an independent rear suspension) first!

It will be interesting to see how the ION Quadcoupe with CVT does, performance wise.

I have no interest in driving a manual. I live in Philly, where the gridlock is 24x7 and I have had arthritis since high school in the 1960s. I think the "fuzzy logic" automatic in my SW2 performs great (one of the nicknames for my neighborhood is "the Polish Alps"). :-)

[muzikmann]

5-speed manual - I'm so used to it, when I go to drive a car with auto, I end up slamming my foot down on the floorboard, forgetting that there is no clutch to push to start it. I will admit that they're a pain in the butt when you're stuck in traffic, but I live in Colorado Springs where their definition of "heavy traffic" is when people have to drop their speed below 50 on I-25. I won't ever get another auto unless it's a full-sized van. They're a handfull to start with.

[L300Boy]

On a serious note, I have driven both manual and autos .... im a little more partial to automatics though. The technology has advanced to the point where a lot of the old, annoying things autos did are a thing of the past.

Manuals are fun to drive, it gives me something to fiddle with. But sometimes id rather the damn car shift itself.

When my torque converter is locked (in D at 60+ or select 1-3), it feels and acts just like a manual. I can slow to a stop without my brakes just like I can with a stick. I can pull it out of 4th and stay within my powerband (although it eats more gas) ... downshift... whatever...

If you have a stick, there is no "autopilot" and that annoys me.

[Twin_Cam]

5-speed manual, and proud of it:cool:

[unkle bik]

Originally posted by L300Boy
Automatics all the way!!!

MANUALS SUCK!

Driving a slushbox is like having sex and being numbed with novocaine.
All three Sattys have been 5 speeds.

[ProDarwin]

Originally posted by L300Boy
When my torque converter is locked (in D at 60+ or select 1-3), it feels and acts just like a manual.

It acts like a manual with 5-10% less power. Your automatic likes to eat horsepower.

[SilverNickelQC]

Automatic Tranny way faster then any manual guess cause it a V-6 ha ha

[hoperlw1]

Auto, will only consider manual when I retire and leave the city.

[L300Boy]

Originally posted by ProDarwin
It acts like a manual with 5-10% less power. Your automatic likes to eat horsepower.

Im curious if that loss actually exists during torque converter lockup....

[bennett9000]

My first SL2 had a 5-speed man, and my current SW2 has one as well. Took us 9 months to find a 5-speed SW2 in our area. Worth every minute.

My Cougar is also a 5-speed man.

My dad had a 1980 Chevy Citation V6 X-11 coupe that I learned to drive in. I've just always had one.

[ProDarwin]

Originally posted by L300Boy
Im curious if that loss actually exists during torque converter lockup....

Yes. Your auto still weighs more than a manual and you have to spin more mass. It doesn't have as much loss when locked though.

[Xanatos]

Originally posted by muzikmann
5-speed manual - I'm so used to it, when I go to drive a car with auto, I end up slamming my foot down on the floorboard, forgetting that there is no clutch to push to start it. I will admit that they're a pain in the butt when you're stuck in traffic, but I live in Colorado Springs where their definition of "heavy traffic" is when people have to drop their speed below 50 on I-25. I won't ever get another auto unless it's a full-sized van. They're a handfull to start with.

SOoo soo true. I don't think I've gone less than 60 through COS even during "rush hour" down there. You guys are speed demons!

I like the auto for lazyness. However, honestly I want more control over my car. *sniff sniff* I wish I had a manual.

[David 93 SL2m]

Originally posted by cary
Automatics. Freeway driving at rush hour is murder on the left leg. But isn't freeway driving at rush hour murder on the right leg? 1993 SL2 - manual 1996 SC2 - manual 2003 L200 - automaticI always have a hard time deciding on the transmission. Back in 1992 we drove the SL2 with both transmissions and couldn't decide. The salesperson began filling out the order form (there was a 2 month wait for Saturns back then) and when he got up to the part about transmissions I ran out and test drove the SL2 two more times. Then we decided on the manual transmission because it cost less than the automatic and achieved better gasoline mileage. No regrets.

The same thing happened again when we were debating on the L200. Lots of test drives. But with this car the automatic transmission models get slightly better gasoline mileage than the manual transmission models. Also we wanted the Special Edition Premium Package and the supply was dwindling so we "settled" on the automatic because there were more automatics than manuals from which to select. Again, no regrets.

[nitrofumesrule!]

Auto all the way! I've never missed a shift, you can launch an auto out of the hole hella easy, I'm lazy, clutchless down shifts, easier to smoke a pipe while driving, worn out clutch- nope, sitting in traffic-notta problem, the look on a drivers face while he's over there working the clutch and shifting, while I just floor it and say...SEE YA!!:cool:

[ricksLS1]

We have a 4 speed auto in the L and a VTi in the VUE. I put in the VTi as my vote. I never drove a manual but I couldn't live with one in stop and go traffic. I drive over the Tappan Zee bridge in NY and at 06:15 it dosen't move that fast and can be stop and go.

How do you guys stop from going down hills with the manuals? My old girfriend would almost go back into people

[ProDarwin]

Originally posted by ricksLS1
How do you guys stop from going down hills with the manuals? My old girfriend would almost go back into people

Let the clutch out faster, don't slip it as much.

[Byrd112]

Auto. I've never driven Manual. Must learn, that way I can save a grand on my next car.

[Xanatos]

Originally posted by ProDarwin
Let the clutch out faster, don't slip it as much.

I would have to agree. There is definately a "Trick" to it. It takes a lot of time to perfect, I remember killing the car a few times trying to get it right :P

[03VUEAWDVTI]

Parking brake. Pull up on the parking brake, holding the release button down. As the car starts to pull against the brake while easing out on the clutch, release the brake.

As for my Dodge, that thing has so much bottom end torque, I literally just load the clutch a bit before letting off of the brake. I don't even use the clutch to shift gears on the truck.

[unkle bik]

Originally posted by L300Boy


If you have a stick, there is no "autopilot" and that annoys me.

Elaborate, please.

[Qlara]

How did you learn the stick? Officially from driving school or just borrow someone's car and beat it?

[Xanatos]

Originally posted by Qlara
How did you learn the stick? Officially from driving school or just borrow someone's car and beat it?


My mother taught me in her brand new 1997 SC2 at the time :P

[ProDarwin]

You don't have to beat it to learn it. I did, but it took 20k miles and many many burnouts to kill the one on my Hyundai. If I drove normally, I could easily make that clutch go well into the 100s, even with that damned glazed flywheel...

[David 93 SL2m]

There are three ways to becoming good at shifting the gears and working the clutch:[list=1] Practice. Practice. Practice.[/list=1]Yes, when we are learning to drive a manual transmission car we will make the car shake/jerk and maybe stall the engine a few times. Everybody does it when learning. But that goes away quickly and everything becomes second nature in no time flat. Really starting from a stop is the only hard thing to do, especially while on a hill in the other direction. When I'm on a steep hill and/or I don't have much room to "roll" then I use the parking brake as 03VUEAWDVTI described. Other than that I just drive and don't even worry about stuff like "Where is the clutch?" "What gear am I in?" "Should I upshift now?" "Should I downshift now?" "Should I step on the clutch?" "Am I releasing the clutch too quickly?" "Am I releasing the clutch too slowly?" "Am I really in neutral?" I just drive. Sort of like driving an automatic transmission - we only worry about stuff like "Where is the brake pedal?" and "Am I stepping on this pedal too hard?" during the first couple of days. Everything has to be learned and everything is quickly mastered with practice.

Cars have had manual transmissions for a hundred years and almost everybody that has tried to master it succeeded. Anybody can learn and master the manual transmission except perhaps a percentage of the drivers with physical limitations (for example, no left leg, no legs at all, etc.)

[Mishdave2003]

Automatic .. had a stick for about 8 years and it still feels a bit funny sometimes. Yes I am one of those people that has accidentally hit the brake (not on the new car) because I was used to putting my foot in the clutch. Do I get some sort of DORK award for that?:dizzy:

[David 93 SL2m]

I use my left foot to feel around for the clutch pedal to step on before starting my L200 with an automatic transmission! :p

If my foot finds a clutch pedal I'll be sure to let you all know! :whoa:

[akide]

reminds me of a story of my friend who normally drives a manual transmission car,
and then one day he had to use automatic vehicle and he would keep putting his hand on the automatic shifter cause he was soo used to a manual shift knob and then when we were stopped and about to drive ahead he put the car into reverse and i'm like HOLY WHAT THE HELL! and for the rest of the drive i kept telling him get your hand off the frigging automatic shifter lol hahaha

[spork]

Originally posted by silverplum
I found that the manual certainly stopped me from daydreaming. I found myself more alert. This does not mean to say that I fall asleep with an automatic.

I agree. I think driving a manual makes me more aware of what I am doing while I am driving.

BTW.. it would be cool if Saturn could give us an idea of how many L's were sold with manuals.

[germ]

Mine is an auto,I wish it was a manual though.

[rfowler17]

2 manuals (94 SL and 99 SL2) and 3 autos (93 SL1, 98 SW1 and 98 SW2). Kids didn't want to learn standard transmission. Hubby and I drive 5 speeds.

[noshooz]

Auto (AWD V6 VUE).
My last car, a 93 SL2, was a stick.

[black92sc]

I drive 5-speed on a my 92 SC, the best transmission ever!

[FrozenPilot]

Auto. I like the automatic, but I'd like manual better. I just couldn't find any car with stick around my area and if I did they were usually beat to hell. BTW, my secret for not rolling back on a hill is to slip the clutch before moving my right foot from brake to gas.

[ProDarwin]

Update - My car now has NO transmission. The auto is out, manual is going in tomorrow when I get the flywheel back.

[ProDarwin]

Update 2 - There is now a Manual in my car. Not completely hooked up yet, but It will be mobile soon enough.

[robert_vue]

Originally posted by FrozenPilot
BTW, my secret for not rolling back on a hill is to slip the clutch before moving my right foot from brake to gas.

Slip the clutch? Would this be like riding the clutch? I want my clutch to last a really long time so I try not to ride it. Just move your foot from the brake to the gas really fast.. ;)

[Greeneyedgrrrl]

Originally posted by benpatient
5 speed manual. you poor, poor souls...

I like my 5-speed matic. I'll always wonder what a 5-speed manual Ion "feels" like, I should go test drive one!!!!

[ProDarwin]

Originally posted by Greeneyedgrrrl
I like my 5-speed matic. I'll always wonder what a 5-speed manual Ion "feels" like, I should go test drive one!!!!

"feels" nice. Shifts nice. Way faster than the 5-speed auto.

[Greeneyedgrrrl]

Originally posted by ProDarwin
"feels" nice. Shifts nice. Way faster than the 5-speed auto.
Yeah, but I'm not too worried about it. When I get all my engine mods in place sometime in the seemingly distant future, I'll drive to Virginia. We'll race. :p

[ItzJustMe281]

Mines an auto. My next one will be a stick. But the performance switch makes a big difference.

[David 93 SL2m]

But using the clutch and shifting the gears ourselves makes the biggest difference. Total control over the shift points!

Back in 1992 when we bought our SL2 we had a very hard time choosing which transmission to buy. At the last minute we chose the standard transmission because it cost less, gets better gasoline mileage, takes a few pounds off the car, and requires less maintenance. Oh yes, it is more fun to drive too. No regrets!

[Arnel]

Originally posted by UNKLE BIK
Driving a slushbox is like having sex and being numbed with novocaine.
All three Sattys have been 5 speeds.


I like that... :)

Ditto here. All three of our Saturns are manuals. In inclement weather, I feel I have more control over the wheelspin than I would with an automatic.

[SilverNickelQC]

I have a 5 speed Manual Now!! Yes!

[SW2Muck]

4-spd. Auto. I miss the PERF Switch!

[jthj]

My '00 SL2 is a manual. It's my first car with a manual. The first few weeks were kinda rough but I picked it up quickly I can count the total number of times I've killed it on two hands which I'm proud of. Most of my buddys killed theirs a lot more when learning. We just had our first snow storm this winter and I will say a manual is much better in snow! You don't need traction control because the clutch gives you very fine grained control over how much power goes to the wheels. The other great thing is the gas milage goes up as well as speed. As far as rush hour goes the clutch is so light on these cars it's hardly working your left leg at all. Now if the car had a heavy clutch I could see that as a minus maybe.

[velocity]

i own both. the 5 speed is older, but jeez, do i ever drive it more. wish they both were...will not buy another manual if i can help it!
<<<I love my car and my car loves ME>>

[Kender]

94 SC2 automatic
04 ION3 QC with CVT

[jthj]

Originally posted by Kender
94 SC2 automatic
04 ION3 QC with CVT
How do you like the CVT. I got a ride in one when picking up my car the other day. Seemed very smooth.

[Cap138]

Originally posted by Cap138, 04-14-2003 10:56 PM
I've driven autos since the beginning of my driving career. I wanted to try a manual on my current car but they didn't have one with all the options/color I wanted so I got the auto instead. Now I'm starting to get "manual fever" (it looks like a lot of fun) so I'm thinking my next car will be a stick...

I just love these old posts. Looks like a followed through on that decision with the purchase of my manual ION.

I really enjoy driving a manual car now!

[Kender]

How do you like the CVT

I love the CVT. The acceleration is so smooth, that I end up going 80 mph without realizing it. :D It took me a few days to get used to it and to tell myself to SLOW DOWN! I've had no problems with either transmission yet, and I've got over 220,000 miles on my auto tranny in the SC2.

[TheSaturnKid]

Have had both. Currently on an auto.

Manuals rule!

[Cruel Night]

How did you learn the stick? Officially from driving school or just borrow someone's car and beat it?

I had one drivers Ed lesson in an Auto, i was bored out of my mind, so i asked if he would mind teaching me in a car w/ a 5spd... from that point on I have never looked back.

[Niteshooter]

2000 SL2 - 5 speed manual
1999 SL2 - 5 speed manual
1999 SL1 - 5 speed manual
1991 Ford Explorer - 5 speed manual
1986 Jeep CJ7 - 5 speed manual
1986 T-Bird turbo coupe - 5 speed manual

[SilverION]

5 speed manual (my first manual and I never want to go back!)

[scotsman]

2 automatics and 1 manual!

'03 VUE 5sp auto
'00 SL2 5sp manual
'96 SL1 4sp auto

previous Saturns...
'99 SW2 5sp manual
'97 SL1 5sp manual
'94 SL2 5sp manual :D still my personal favorite but the '00 SL2 is close 2nd then the VUE :yes:

[hsv sc2]

I Feel bad, and old...I have a standard transmission. That now translates to manual. Would't go any other way if I could help it. Must be a "hands on" thing. Best thing i know for teaching young kids to drive as well.....Keeps them too busy to mess with the radio, talk on the phone, eat and drink, and all those other things parents worry about their kids doing and getting into an accident. Sorry off the box. No one likes to borrow my car if they have to shift.

[Specialist]

5 speed...

[hickeb215]

I have the cvt in this Saturn,had the 5 speed automatic in previous one,cvt by far superior.

[Old Bob]

5-speed manual.

[beachkeefes]

5 speed manual built in Italy by Getrag

[eric02SC2]

All 4 of my Saturns have been Manual

I would consider a CVT in the future, but will never purcase an Autormatic!

[motorheadkev]

What kind of transmission does your current Saturn have? A traditional 4- or 5-speed automatic transmission, 5-speed manual, or CVT?


wow almost 44% Manual Trans
but what does that say about Saturn Drivers.
could it be that we drive Stadards transmission cars because we are
Enthusiasts like Jay Leno who states “driving has a certain cosmic appeal” and he drives standards transmission cars because he loves to feel connected with the experience and it can be akin to a nirvanick experience. OOOOOOMMMMMMMm.
Saturn,,, Cosmic,,,, could be a Subliminal message? :eek:

[94sc295sl2]

my 94 sc2 5 speed and will have no other
wifes 95 sl2 "autotragic"
my k5 blazer turbo 400 automatic with raybestos kevlar clutches and allison torque convertor

[ChgoBlues]

L300 is auto, 98 SL2 is 5-speed manual. Prefer manuals but with trans offered in the L-series 4 cyl, auto was a better choice. Stick wasnt option with the 6 but really don't mind with that vehicle having an auto.

[AzBlondeRocket]

My very first car was an auto, but since then, they all have been manual tranmission.
1976 Ford LTD Country Squire, 3-spd auto
1987 Hyundai Excel L, 4-spd manual
1993 Hyundai Excel GS, 5-spd manual
1995 Dodge Neon Sport, 5-spd manual

Currently:
2001 Saturn SL2, 5-spd
2004 Pontiac Vibe GT, 6-spd manual

I will drive a manual as long as my knee holds out; when it goes I'll replace it and drive some more.

[Powerarranger]

Manual. Wouldn't drive anything else.

Automatics have their place, just not in my car. :)

Performance switch? Got one between my ears. :D

I agree that driving an automatic is like numbed sex. Also, I outgrew driving go-carts years ago! :D

HOWEVER - I did have a helluva lot of fun when I rented a Grand Prix this summer. Would like to see how it drives with a manual, though...

I guess I feel more 'part of the car' when I'm doing the shifting. It's too bad that most Drivers Ed cars are automatics. Everyone should at least know how to drive a manual, just in case they ever have to borrow one. Ever rent a car in England? Yup. All manuals...

[snydley]

5 speed manual. I like the gas mileage!!

[spclvue]

manual 5 speed

[gdf]

5 speed Manual
-better performance / better in the winter / better economy ...LuvIt

[romac]

5spd manual in my ZX3 and the gf's SC1

manuals > automatics :yes:

[1995 SC2]

5 Speed Manual! Automatics are for Girls!

[SaturnPower93]

5 speed manual :cool:

[05VUE]

1995 SL2 manual
1999 SL2 manual
2003 ION2 automatic
2005 VUE manual

We missed the manual when we had the ION.

[Tethys]

All four of my Saturns have been manuals. I haven't owned a slushbox-equipped car since my first, which was back in 1985. I've been slushbox-free since 1989 and plan to stay that way for quite a while...

[Dante]

We have an auto SL2 and a Vue RL AWD (which of course means auto as well). I sure with it had a 5 or even 6 speed manual in it. That would be a blast. I miss the stick in my truck now and then, but I'm glad I don't have to deal with the clutch when I'm in heavy traffic. I'm hoping my next car will be a really sporty car (or even a true sports car), like a SKY or a 350Z. If that's the case, it will for sure be a stick. If I get an Aura RL around 2008 or 2009, I hope to get a 6-spd manual. :D That will be loads of fun.

[binkybaby]

My Vue has a VTi. It's funny, as i drive a standard-transmission equipped truck every day (a Mack with an 8-speed Maxitorque) , but have never owned a vehicle with one.

[laybac]

5 speed manual

[peppermrj]

You Know you are getting older when you get an auto trans to save the time and expense of a clutch replacement :arr:

[rixter]

95 SW2 with automatic with performance switch. Have 6 cars in the garage and only one has a manual and its the H word. Peace :usa:

[eric19446]

5 speed, just need a new clutch every 100k or so. Also better performance and mileage.

[my99sl1]

AUTOMATIC

you push the pedal and it goes

dont have to worry bout it rollin backwards or stalling

[KenGreene]

Automatic

[kvngwynth]

:usa: 5 speed manual.

[UberAxel]

A manual is the only way to go. People who are too lazy to learn and practice deserve to roll back and stall all the time.

[SaturnVLN]

My '01 SL2 is an automatic. While my '97 SL1, which my son mostly drives now, is a manual. I like both transmissions. They get the job done!

[ktb]

2003 ION3 auto (mine)
1993 SL1 manual (son's)
1991 SL1 auto (mom's)
1996 SC2 auto (mine)
1992 SL1 manual (son's girlfriend)

[bc3tech]

2004 Ion2 QC manual

[silverion254]

94 SL1 5 speed :yes:
97 SW2 Auto :cry:
94 SL1 (in 97) Auto :cry:
01 SW2 Auto :cry:
05 Ion2 5 speed :D :cool:

With the 5 speed, I drive the car, it doesn't drive me!