I just find it really satisfying to use the gears, rather than that weird dull 'oomph' jolt you get when an automatic changes the gear for you. I KNOW one can alter automatic to manual, but it just doesn't feel the same.

I prefer to change down a gear when *I* want to slow the car, rather than have the automatic gear box do it as a reaction to me hitting the brake.

I guess I'm a bit old-fashioned.

oh, but that wasn't what the thread was about, was it. sowwee :o#