So, what is everyone's preferred transmission? Is it the classic, no-nonsense three pedal manual transmission, or do you prefer automatic (includes all dual-clutch units, e.g. PDK, DSG, etc.)?

I'll go ahead and say that I hate automatics. To be honest, I haven't ever driven any automatic-equipped car that had a good transmission to begin with, but there is no driver involvement, and I find myself daydreaming and distracted if, for some crazy reason, I am unfortunately driving one.

So I prefer manual. You simply cannot replace the involvement or fun a manual provides. Yes, they are slower than most of their automatic counterparts, but honestly, are you going to be able to tell the difference between a 4.0 second automatic 0-60 run and a 4.3 second manual run to 60? Not to mention they are cheaper, weigh less, are much simpler to work on, are much less likely to fall a victim of carjacking...I could go on for a while :P

Flappy Paddle

That's automatic.

Depends on what car.

-F430, 599, 612, 575, and California: F1
-360: either is fine
-F355 and 456: manual
-Gallardo and Murcielago: e-gear
-Aston Martin DBS, Vantage, DB9, DB7: SportShift/Touchtronic
-All Porsche 911's in manual except for the 997 Turbo MkII, 997 Carrera GTS, and 991.
-Boxster and Cayman: manual except for the Cayman R and Boxster Spyder
-BRZ/GT-86/FR-S: manual
-VW GTI/Golf R: manual
-Audi R8: MY2008-2013 in manual and MY2014-201? in S-Tronic
-Audi TT-RS: prefer S-Tronic but manual is acceptable
-BMW M3: either is fine
-BMW M5/M6: M DCT/SMG
-Lotus Evora and Exige: manual
-Zonda: prefer paddles
-Spyker C8 Aileron: either
-Corvette: manual
-Camaro: manual
-Nissan 370Z: manual
-Challenger: manual
-Lancer Evolution: manual
-WRX STi: manual

I drive flappy pedal SMG on my car and it's fun to use but I would prefer a stick, so manual stick shift for me.

I'm a fan of manuals in sports cars, but that's it. If I was going for something like a luxury or just plain car I'd use everyday (my Fusion for example), I'd rather have the automatic.

Considering most people on this site probably can't even drive the results of the poll will be pretty invalid.

I've only driven a manual at times when I wanted to, I haven't been forced to use one as a daily driver. I'd like both so when I want to drive for fun I can, and when I want to just get from place to place I can. I've been in awful traffic where I consciously thought "thank God this is an automatic," but at other times I've consciously thought "I wish this was a manual."

Depends where you live and how they are. If you are constantly in traffic, manual may be a pain and can be costly since you are always stepping on the clutch constantly. If I were to choose paddles or stick, I would choose paddles because the place I live contains a lot of stops, and stop lights and hills.

It really does depend. I drive manual every day and there are some days where I REALLY wish I had an automatic (especially days that I go into the city). I've also daily driven an automatic and there were times that I wished I had a manual. Tbh, I don't see the point in having a modern manual car unless it's a sports car. If you're buying any SUV/soccer mom vehicle/normal sedan/pickup, just get an automatic. Yeah, manual can be cool and there are plenty of excuses to get it (better control, keeps you awake, etc) but if you really just need a car to get you from point a to point b, get an automatic.

I agree with about half of what you said. My mom's car is the only automatic in the driveway (other two are manuals), and it is a pain to drive. It is a turbocharged inline four, but there isn't much power below about 3,500 rpm, and the transmission wants to upshift as soon as possible. WHENEVER I drive it, I immediately want back in a manual.

I see your point about traffic, but I don't agree. Most people who have never driven a manual (and therefore drive automatic daily) do the "stop and roll" technique, which is highly irritating to manual drivers. Usually what I do (unless I'm on a downslope) is wait until the people in front of me have come to a COMPLETE stop, then I'll move up. If you move up whenever the people in front of you do (especially if it's only one or two feet) you'll tire of manual quickly.

I personally wouldn't ever buy a DD with an automatic, but that's just me.

That sh*t pisses me off so much... that's one way to get me to give you the death stare.

I would think that most of those that can't drive would choose automatic.

No, they wouldn't. They hear the internet and auto-reviewers and shows like top gear glorify manual transmission and think they can handle living with it day-to-day. They have no idea what its like actually having to drive manual every where you go and all the comforts you give up.