@Basmitharts Here goes:
1. Most automatic transmissions are better than most manual transmissions.
2. 0-60mph times are irrelevant
3. The Honda Civic Type-R is no longer “a hot hatch”.
4. Cyclists have as much right to be on the road as anyone else.
5. Cars should be banned from most city centres and replaced by comprehensive, maintained, integrated public transport systems.

@ajpbradley @Basmitharts everything except 1, yes. 1 makes me think you’ve been in Americaland too long and we need to get you home post-haste.

@mrjalco @ajpbradley @Basmitharts modern autos range from “perfectly fine” up to “much better than a manual”. Older stuff isn’t as good but then we could point out headlights, brakes, emissions, tyres etc etc were worse years ago.
I’d add, CVTs are great outside of anything pretending to be “sporty”.

@ajpbradley @Basmitharts @mrjalco I do believe there is a fetishisation of manuals. Driven (no pun intended) by those thinking about 20 minutes on track and nothing about how a car will actually be used on our roads. They’re not suitable for all cars, don’t get me wrong, but so many “opinions” are utter tosh on this subject.

@CrackedWindscreen @ajpbradley @Basmitharts @mrjalco My REALLY controversial opinion on this is that for commuting the best of the lot is the CVT. I’ve always liked the Toyota hybrids I’ve driven. Its relaxing. If im not changing gear why have it change gear at all? For ‘driving’ - manual every time simply because i haven’t yet found the autobox that wont occasionally and randomly try to change gear mid corner….

@SinisterBulb @mrjalco @Basmitharts @ajpbradley yeah, and that’s part of the joy of all these options for me. Commuting drudgery? CVT/Auto. A road I know REALLY well and “can make progress” most likely a manual.

@CrackedWindscreen @mrjalco @Basmitharts @ajpbradley There’s an interesting question. What’d be my dream commuter car? It’d probably be something akin to a Renault Espace but brought up to date. Lots of room, lots of glass, cheerfully bright interior, probably electric and a VERY good stereo.