The Great Debate - Manual vs. Automatic

The debate whether or not to drive a manual transmission versus an automatic transmission is one that I see every day. It is an innocuous car buying question and yet people for the most part folks have rigid preferences and are not willing to veer from that preference.

Its a daily occurence, often when couples come to the dealership, one has to defer to the preference of the other. While many women insist on having automatic I have seen my fair share of couples where the lady of the house would rather drive the stick shift but must settle for the automatic because Mr. won't or can't drive one! I have sold cars to men who have never driven a stick and don't know how and I have also sold cars to women who wouldn't buy certain trims because the manual wasn't available.

One thing is for certain, those who drive manual are usually passionate about it! They are proud drivers who would never settle for the 'lazy man's car' and love the control and awareness that comes with the activity of driving a stick shift.

Those who drive automatic, the majority, are usually looking for transportation, be it luxurious or otherwise, and don't want the added responsibility of moving through the gears.

At the end of the day, it really does boil down to personal preference. I understand that there are far more standard shift drivers in Quebec and far more still in Europe. It makes sense, since these vehicle are usually a little less expensive to buy and if you're not driving around like a newly-licensed 16 year old, the gas mileage is better too.

What is my preference? Well I learned to drive a stick shift only about 5 years ago. Now it is my own preference. I like the control, I like the handling in the winter when conditions force me to slow down, it keeps me in touch with the operation of my car.

Now if only I could get into a sexier man. trans. I would be all set!
So which option to do you prefer?

Colours!

You've been shopping for a vehicle, taking test drives, talking to salepeople of wide ranging calibre and you have finally decided what you want to drive home.

What colour do you choose? This is just one of the areas where car buying can get emotional. Its all about looks and feel. How will I look behind the wheel of this 'red' (or insert favourite colour here) car or how will I feel about this 'silver' car?

Some people are quite pragmatic about this, they are more likely to see their vehicle are pure transportation. Many of us however have more intense feelings about our rides. After all, whether you swap your vehicles every couple of years or until it sputters into the dealership 15 years later (maybe alot sooner if you're not driving a Honda!), you have to be able to live with your choice of colour and model for some time.

In our cold climate, people often choose a colour based on how well it hides dirt. In January, when we are in the depths of winter, our cars are often unwashed and covered in salt, grime and snow. If you ask my opinion, all vehicles look grimy in the dead of winter no matter what colour you choose.

I did ask my colleague his opinion about colour and what he felt hid the dirt and scratches best. After 16+ years in the auto business he ought to know and he said without hesitation "silver". White is good too or light colours. He said black showed every scatch, every splotch.

There are alot of silver cars on the road so I guess its not all vanity!

Spring Cleaning

I know I posted a little while ago about Free Car Wash Day and we have had plenty of those days with the poor spring weather we've all grown

accustomed to by now.

But! Its May and we've had some glimmers of hope! So enough of 'Free Car Wash Day' I'm ready to get out the cleaning supplies and baby my car! After a long winter with lots of snow and salt she deserves it!

There are a couple of things to keep in mind though when washing your car if you are at all interested in keeping the exterior finish nice.

1. Don't use common dish detergent! They can be harmful to your vehicle's exterior! Look for a wash specifically designed for vehicles, available in any automotive department of your favourite store!

2. Wash your vehicle in the shade or in cooler temperatures, like early morning or later in the day.

3. Use warm water.

4. Use a soft terrycloth towel or wash mitt.

5. Spray the vehicle often with water.

6. Try to complete one section at a time, rinsing often to prevent soap drying on the paint.

7. Use soft terrycloth or a scratch-free fabric to dry the vehicle.

Keep in mind if this all sounds daunting you can hire your kids who are always looking to make a buck and you can oversee from the lawn chair with a cold beverage to ensure they follow steps 1 through to 7.

Of course if you're too type A to sit back and watch it is a great way to spend time with someone you car about or clear your head or get some exercise.

So no matter how you look at it, your car will look great and you'll feel good too! Have fun!