What are your reading habits?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

Our car dealers ask do you want a standard or an automatic transmission?
Hence without your clarification on the post about your friend, I would have been wondering how your friend drove one handed.
Note pesky English to English again.
Editing to add: I think those knobs are illegal here in the US unless one has a permit for them.

Cars with manual transmission are the large majority in the UK, so it would always be assumed that you wanted a manual unless you ordered an automatic especially. It's primarily high-end luxury cars that are automatic here.

A quick search suggests that around 25% of cars in the UK are automatic, compared to 95% in the US.

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Cars with manual transmission are the overwhelming majority in the UK, so it would always be assumed that you wanted a manual unless you ordered an automatic especially. It's primarily high-end luxury cars that are automatic here.

Here it is exactly the opposite. It is pretty much assumed one wants an automatic.
Then too, we drive on opposite sides of the road.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

Here it is exactly the opposite. It is pretty much assumed one wants an automatic.

One possible reason for the difference is that petrol (gasoline) has always been much, MUCH more expensive in the UK than the US, and manual cars are significantly more fuel efficient than automatics. Efficiency is a big factor in choice of cars here for most people.

We're currently paying about £1.10 per litre for petrol, which is about $6.30 per US gallon. A year or so ago it was about £1.35 a litre, or $7.70 a gallon.

[cvkemp]

Originally Posted by HarryT

One possible reason for the difference is that petrol (gasoline) has always been much, MUCH more expensive in the UK than the US, and manual cars are significantly more fuel efficient than automatics. Efficiency is a big factor in choice of cars here for most people.

We're currently paying about £1.10 per litre for petrol, which is about $6.30 per US gallon. A year or so ago it was about £1.35 a litre, or $7.70 a gallon.

Harry with the newer auto transmissions that we have now at least on the open road they are getting better fuel efficiency than the manual transmissions. We are see 8 and 9 speed automatics and in a lot of the cars with them they are not even able to sale manual transmissions due to the lower efficiency.

[Cinisajoy]

7 years ago our gas was $4.00
Last year was $2.50
Last week $1.63.
This is per gallon.
Our rig count is down nearly 300 from last year in our area. 475 to 189.

[cvkemp]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

7 years ago our gas was $4.00
Last year was $2.50
Last week $1.63.
This is per gallon.
Our rig count is down nearly 300 from last year in our area. 475 to 189.

We need to enjoy it while we can it is not going to last that long.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by cvkemp

Harry with the newer auto transmissions that we have now at least on the open road they are getting better fuel efficiency than the manual transmissions. We are see 8 and 9 speed automatics and in a lot of the cars with them they are not even able to sale manual transmissions due to the lower efficiency.

Interesting - I hadn't heard that. Thanks!

I've only ever owned one automatic car and I hated it. Takes all the fun out of driving. I'd never buy one again unless physical infirmity forces me to.

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by cvkemp

We need to enjoy it while we can it is not going to last that long.

The rig count or the gas prices?
Just in our town alone sales taxes are down 14% from the same time last year.
So no, not really enjoying the lower prices due to it actually cuts into the paycheck.
The bonuses are not there and any time now they will be taking away the pay differential.

[Cinisajoy]

HarryT,
Our standard averages between 27 and 32 miles per gallon or 43 and 51 kilometers per gallon or 3.785 litres. It is a 2011 kia.
Depends on whether it is mostly city or highway driving.

[cvkemp]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

HarryT,
Our standard averages between 27 and 32 miles per gallon or 43 and 51 kilometers per gallon or 3.785 litres. It is a 2011 kia.
Depends on whether it is mostly city or highway driving.

We have a new Jeep Grand Cherokee with a 6 and automatic that gets 26 highway easily, and I drive an old Chevy Impala 2007 4 speed automatic that gets about 26 average for me, about 22 in town and about 30 on the open roads.
Now I will say at least here I central Texas our streets are more open road that a load of the open roads I saw in the UK when I was there back in the mid 70s.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

HarryT,
Our standard averages between 27 and 32 miles per gallon or 43 and 51 kilometers per gallon or 3.785 litres. It is a 2011 kia.
Depends on whether it is mostly city or highway driving.

I get about 40 miles per US gallon from my Mini around town, and about 50 miles a gallon on long journeys.

[Cinisajoy]

Note,
I am out here where unless you are actually in the two "cities" it is all open road for miles and miles.
Out here is Odessa/Midland which is basically one now since they meet up on all three roads except for the airport property.

HarryT,
Not giving my opinion of your last comment.
Didn't realize the very small cars got that great gas mileage.

[cvkemp]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

Note,
I am out here where unless you are actually in the two "cities" it is all open road for miles and miles.
Out here is Odessa/Midland which is basically one now since they meet up on all three roads except for the airport property.

HarryT,
Not giving my opinion of your last comment.
Didn't realize the very small cars got that great gas mileage.

Yep you are where it can be 90 degrees one day and the next day have 3 - 6 inches of snow on the ground.
I have been there for one of those weekends.

[MickeyC]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I've only ever owned one automatic car and I hated it. Takes all the fun out of driving. I'd never buy one again unless physical infirmity forces me to.

Me too. Much prefer manual. In fact, when I lived in Bedfordshire, I treated myself to a Lotus Europa manual and loved it.

[Cinisajoy]

For those reading this, cvkemp and I are 350 miles apart. Cvkemp is in the hill country and I am in the desert.