[stone]

The reasons i enjoy my automatic gearbox are: Therapeutic. It is quite relaxing not having to manually change gears. The leg does not become tired. If automatics are for lazy drivers then so be it. I enjoy being slack. My auto transmission provides multi tasking. :lol:

With one hand on steering wheel, the cd disc is inserted. Or i can change radio stations. The hand is kept on wheel so that windows can be adjusted. I set up the climate control with spare hand. Please keep in mind, that all of this is done responsibly while concentrating on road. :lol: While driving with one hand, my spare paw can manipulate the flavoured milk carton or a soft drink

The other limb is conveniently used to partake of a snack while driving. This could be slices of pizza, fish and chips or whatever. eace: :shades: opcorn: :lol:

 

[jpark]

I'd rather have a manual transmission, if I could. Unfortunately, the US market seems to be going in the direction of automatics more every day.

At least Ford still offers a manual on the Escape, although not on any model other than the base model.

Also, can we please limit product reviews to actual product reviews (such as Valvoline SYNPower oil, for example), and not reviews of cheese, pencils, paper clips, and bungee cords?

 

[10kpharo]

Well, I gotta say, I'm too lazy to shift, too. Althought two of the three cars in my garage are manual transmissions (the Beetle and the MGB). But I go crazy when I'm caught in slow traffic in my MGB - always feel like I"ll need a knee replacement by the time I get home.

My wife (JP's sister) is also a devoted fan of the manual transmission. Keeps telling me it's safer in winter (better traction, etc). Well, I've driven dozens of cars in my lifetime, and owned a dozen. About half manual and half auto - and the best car in winter was the '88 Horizon with auto. It's all just preference.

 

[jpark]

See the Beetle convertible in the left side of the garage?

That was bro-in-law's present to my sister for her birthday.

A car. And the 'scape lost its space in the garage.

 

[Colleen]

See the Beetle convertible in the left side of the garage?

That was bro-in-law's present to my sister for her birthday.

A car. And the 'scape lost its space in the garage.

Wow, pretty nice b-day gift !! :yes:

Oh, my daughter and I both prefer an automatic. Hubby and son prefer a manual. Son currently drives a manual Ford Ranger. The Ranger used to be hubby's but we gave it to our son. Hubby is driving an automatic Dodge quad cab and very much missing a manual transmission.

 

[arbs]

the maverick is the first auto i've owned and i do like it. very different style to driving manuals as i'm used to but its defo more relaxing and you can just waft along at your own pace!

its also weird having so few ratios (3+OD) when both the last two cars i've been used to were 6 speed boxes!

 

[resq51kmg365]

I enjoyed my 5 speed Mustang. It was the first manual I owned and actually, the first I drove. The salseman taught me on my test drive, then I drove it home. The majority of my driving is not at rush hour so I had the cigarette, cell phone and beverage down to a science! But seriously, it made me concentrate more but I loved the feeling of having more "control" over the vehicle. The reson I got a 04 Escape over an 05 or above, is I like the shifter on the column (even though it is obnoxiously long) instead of by the E brake. Just my prefrence. My friends hate it. With my driving habits, I can go with either, but prefer an auto, although I believe you should have to know how to drive both. I got my motorcylce license two summers ago and it was weird how different it was from driving a stick, for me anyways.

 

[Wingsfan]

I'm very lazy I like the auto

 

[CrashNburn]

i prefer a manual, but with a bad knee and back i think i will be stuck with a machine doing the work for me. when i was younger and not so "smart" i could drive my little 4speed escort with my left foot hovering the clutch the right foot using the gas and brake, and my right hand shifting and applying the parking break all while usually smoking a cigarette. dry pavement and i could slide that car sideways hehe.

 

[SilverAthlon]

OOOOh boy did I wish for a manual 4x4 escape with bells n' whistles!!! I was on the search for a new car this spring, and I had my heart set on a Nissan Xterra 6 speed out in Virginia. I bought a ticket to see a friend out there and see the vehicle, but I had plans to go on a Cruise first. While on vacation, the vehicle sold, and I gave up the idea of having any sort of manual transmission (basically only available in sports cars and base model trucks/suv). I then realized that the Ford Escape was the economical, practical, most functional, and best value for the dollar that there was. Shortly thereafter I was able to find one locally and hooked myself up.

MEGA SATISFIED, but still wish for a manual tx.

 

[jonas1022]

The reson I got a 04 Escape over an 05 or above, is I like the shifter on the column (even though it is obnoxiously long) instead of by the E brake.

FYI, the 08 E/M/T have a parking brake pedal now, no emergency brake handle to clutter up the center console...with the center mounted shifter. :shrug: My wife was looking for the handle in the middle as her last two cars had the e.b. in the center. When I told her it was a pedal on the left side like her Crown Victoria and Exploder she was not a happy camper. ;-| She would have liked the shifter on the column as well...

 

[SilverAthlon]

The reson I got a 04 Escape over an 05 or above, is I like the shifter on the column (even though it is obnoxiously long) instead of by the E brake.

Doesn't it seem like it gets in the way of the H/U? That was one complaint that I had against the tree shifter. If you were to install in-dash nav or something, I wonder how much of a pain that would be while in D...

 

[resq51kmg365]

The reson I got a 04 Escape over an 05 or above, is I like the shifter on the column (even though it is obnoxiously long) instead of by the E brake.

Doesn't it seem like it gets in the way of the H/U? That was one complaint that I had against the tree shifter. If you were to install in-dash nav or something, I wonder how much of a pain that would be while in D...

Get in the way? No. Get annoying? Yes. It gets annoying because it is almost in the way.

 

[SilverAthlon]

:lol: fair enough.

 

[CrashNburn]

i prefer a column shift because you get more room in the console.

 

[Ajax]

Automatic transmissions make me cry. Especially the CD4E.