Standard vs. Automatic - HELP ME DECIDE

[The Rebel]

I basically have never driven std (only a few times 20+ years ago) but I'm looking to go Std in a 68-69 Charger as I feel that makes it really fun to drive. You're one with the car.

Does a 383-4bbl or a 440 engine make a difference as to how the clutch / gears engage? Perhaps a 383-4 is easier to learn on instead of a 440?

My concern is that when I find my car I'd hate to get so frustrated with the std that I'd wish I had gone with an automatic.

Thanks in advance,
Roger

 

[moparjohnny]

I basically have never driven std (only a few times 20+ years ago) but I'm looking to go Std in a 68-69 Charger as I feel that makes it really fun to drive. You're one with the car.

Does a 383-4bbl or a 440 engine make a difference as to how the clutch / gears engage? Perhaps a 383-4 is easier to learn on instead of a 440?

My concern is that when I find my car I'd hate to get so frustrated with the std that I'd wish I had gone with an automatic.

Thanks in advance,
Roger

roger, i have 69 roadrunner with 4 speed and i am retired guy and i enjoy shifting gears at my age that is the fun part for me,now i do not drive my car every day,nor do i drive it in heavy traffic to often,i just enjoy running it around the highway and some quiet back roads at different times,car shows and cruses,but everyone is different,440 4 speeds are a little more potent than the 383 4 speeds,i know you like the charger if i was going to buy a charger it would a real charger r/t 440 of course.4 speed or auto you have to make that call,keep eye on ebay for r/t charger with fender tag and paper work if you can that makes that car more valuable,have you tried vanguardmotors in michigan? what ever you buy go and look first hand yourself.

 

[RT K_line]

I drive a standard every day as my daily driver and I wouldn't want to drive my hotrod with one. Although My 67 R/T is an auto it has a revers manual valve body and I love it. I used to drive it daily a while back too. I just don't have to deal with a clutch. It's really a personal choice but a good auto can be just as fun as a standard. JMO

 

['73bird]

I drive stick every day but my satellite is automatic which is a nice change. Stick sucks in bumper to bumper traffic but is great when you have open road.

 

[The Rebel]

Thanks Johnny! Very helpful info. As the last few weeks have been dead at work I'm searching most of the day on a ton of websites. I've checked out Vanguard but $89K is way to expensive for me. My budget is $30-$40K.

In the end as long as I find the car with the options I'm looking for (Bucket seats, 383-4 or 440, Shifter in Console, PS, PB, Black Interior and Red Exterior) STD or Auto may have to take whatever I can get in my price range, Ideally matching #'s is also a plus.

As Chargers are so expensive I'm also open to SB's & RR's.

Sure makes for an easy car search....LOL!

roger, i have 69 roadrunner with 4 speed and i am retired guy and i enjoy shifting gears at my age that is the fun part for me,now i do not drive my car every day,nor do i drive it in heavy traffic to often,i just enjoy running it around the highway and some quiet back roads at different times,car shows and cruses,but everyone is different,440 4 speeds are a little more potent than the 383 4 speeds,i know you like the charger if i was going to buy a charger it would a real charger r/t 440 of course.4 speed or auto you have to make that call,keep eye on ebay for r/t charger with fender tag and paper work if you can that makes that car more valuable,have you tried vanguardmotors in michigan? what ever you buy go and look first hand yourself.

 

[steve from staten island]

I learned how to drive on a standard shift car,a Willys jeep,so I had to learn to drive and learn to shift,downshift. My car is automatic but something with some balls I'd prefer a four speed. It might be a better idea to learn how to drive standard on a easier car first

 

[The Rebel]

As far as driving it I'd be driving on mostly on weekends to car shows, around town, back roads, perhaps Fridays to work. Car would be driven mostly Spring, Summer & Fall. I wouldn't drive it in the winter or if rain is in the forecast.

Car would be garaged all the time.

 

[747mopar]

My first year of driving my Charger I had a 727 auto in it, the next year it was a 6 speed standard. I love shifting gears but overdrive is the most wonderful thing you can do to these old cars. My opinion is automatics if set up right are usually quicker but standards are more durable, more efficient and way more fun. I drive mine almost daily and never get sick of playing with the naughty stick... my daughter calls it that cause if I grab it that usually means.......

 

[69roadr]

my 69 RR is a four speed. fun as hell rowing through the gears, but stop and go traffic is a bear. sometimes i wish i could just put the pedal to the metal, and let an auto tranny do the shifting.

 

[RobP]

Mine is an auto with a shift kit and it GOES!! I drive mine on the weekends, to shows, and to work once a week when it's nice out. I don't miss shifting one bit and it's nice to be able to hang your arm out the window while cruising around

Also, don't discount a 383-2bbl because you can always swap to a 4bbl.

 

[polywideblock]

4 speed is great ,but gets old in stop go traffic REAL quick , that and hill starts can be FUN

 

[RobP]

Forgot to add, it's hard enough finding a decent one that I wouldn't pass up either a 4spd or an auto if everything else was the right about the car. I wouldn't sweat the transmission choice.

 

[Dennis H]

4 speed, and 6 speed manual owner here. I vote: Automatic. Point and stab. Maybe it was the ascent to Yosemite in hot weather at 8000 feet. Bumping it every ten feet. 100 times. For an hour. Automatic.

 

[dla4567]

Forgot to add, it's hard enough finding a decent one that I wouldn't pass up either a 4spd or an auto if everything else was the right about the car. I wouldn't sweat the transmission choice.

This.

 

[747mopar]

In all honesty I loved both. The 727 with the shift kit and mild converter was a blast to drive and wicked fast getting threw the gears. My love for the standard is probably more for the overdrive and my ADD..... I get bored easily. I'd be happy either way as long as it had a snappy shift kit and a good converter.

 

[The Rebel]

Thanks guys! Fighting the I gotta have it now syndrome...

 

[the mississippi madman]

 

[PRND21]

My 65 has a 5 speed. Lotsa fun. The 64 I'm starting on will have an automatic. Why not have both?

 

[HT413]

id say a 4 speed in a weekend cruised is just plain better at everything but drag racing.

 

[NJRR]

I have a 70 RR with a 383. It came with a 727 automatic. I converted it to a stock 4 speed. It's like 2 different cars, so much more powerful with the 4 speed. Maybe if i put a shift kit in, a different converter I could have had better performance with the 727, but I love banging through the gears in the RR. I have driven stick and auto my whole life in all conditions. It's second nature for me and I don't even consciously differentiate.