[RevoDS]

I loved driving manual; that's how I learned to drive, but after I had a crash in January of this year, I had to go automatic because of budget constraints (the manual equivalent went for about $2000 more than I was able to buy my automatic for. Weird, I know, but that's the used market around here)

I miss it. Someday I'll get one again...

[Emerson]

I bought a 2012 civic sedan a few months ago and they only offered MT in the lowest model. Went a few trims higher and had to go AT. But the shifting is so smooth and seamless it's awesome. My friends MT cars feel so jerky and rough in comparison. Always hated being a passenger in MT cars.

This is true too. When somebody sucks at driving Manual it's horrible to ride along. My dad bought a car at 45 and went manual because he literally could not afford the additional thousand bucks or so, and had to learn without ever having done it before. He was pretty bad but by now is actually pretty good at it.

[Seanspeed]

I think you're taking it a bit too personally. It's just an opinion and it's relevant to the topic. And in my post I said pretty clearly that I don't have a problem with people who like driving manual.

Fair enough, but I just felt the whole comment was unnecessary and unprovoked. If people started acting elitist, I might understand, but it seemed to be your first thought on the subject, which does tend to tell me there's a bit of an underlying aggravation on your side towards manual-transmission drivers. That was the impression I got from your post. I might be taking it too personally, though, you're right.

[ConvenientBox]

Manual all the way, even in an urban environment. After driving it a few years you don't even realize you're doing it. All those bitching about it in traffic and urban areas complain too much.

[Zaphod]

I love driving a stick and most small cars in the US still have the option. Base model mid size cars like the Accord, Camry and Sonata have manual options. I drive a manual because it is fun and it makes driving more interesting in addition to allowing for more control. Modern automatics give better fuel economy and in some cases better acceleration but I just think they are boring.

[LosDaddie]

Yes, it's easy to buy a new car with manual transmission. I bought my 2012 Jetta TDI with manual tx back in November.

Why? Because my wife would be less willing to drive it. :)

I think you're taking it a bit too personally. It's just an opinion and it's relevant to the topic. And in my post I said pretty clearly that I don't have a problem with people who like driving manual.

You sounded pretty butthurt in your first post. Did a manual driver hurt your feelings?

[rkn]

Manual transmission elitists might be some of the worst people. We get it, it's faster and more efficient or whatever. If you're a racer, fine. If you enjoy driving that way and not bothering other people about it, fine. But nobody else gives a shit.

Spoken like a true automatic transmission elitist.

[Seanspeed]

I had to go automatic because of budget constraints (the manual equivalent went for about $2000 more than I was able to buy my automatic for.

95% of the time, its the opposite. Automatics are not only more expensive to buy, but they are also far costlier to maintain since there's much more that can go wrong with them, meaning any repairs are very expensive and much of the time, it cant be repaired, so you have to replace the whole transmission. All but the most advanced manual transmissions are far more simple and mechanical, making them much easier to service if something goes wrong and replacements dont tend to be as expensive, either.

[Sovereign]

I've always wanted to learn how to drive a stick shift, but I don't have access to a manual car. How should I go about learning it, driving school or something?

[Fintan]

It's weird to hear people talking about manual transmission like it's some alien, difficult thing. It's just the way cars are over here, you pick it up very quickly and it's just part of driving the car.

[K' Dash]

what?? is this thread for real????

who the hell chooses automatic instead of manual?, automatics are hard to come by here.

[Black_Stride]

These days its for sheer fun factor.

I think automatic transmissions have Manual beat at everything else now.
I did find it funny that in the US driving test didnt take into account Manual or Automatic, how to people fail the driving test?

Clutch control was the hardest thing for me when learning to drive.....balancing the car in gear at a roundabout while facing uphill sweet jesus.

[shanshan310]

I really like using manual cars. I feel so much more alert and aware of what's going on. In automatic I sometimes zone out a bit.

[Beerman462]

My car is a manual. My wifes car(aka family van) is automatic. I prefer the manual,but driving the automatic is nice from time to time. The situation in the US does suck for people who like manuals. My car right now is a SVT Contour. I like 4 doors, V6 and I like Ford. I really like the current Fusions,but only the 4cylinder comes with a manual. Mazda 3s are ok, but I'm not a fan of the styling. I might just have to keep my car as long as I can.

[Berto]

Most of the cars here in Europe are manual, almost only the big luxury sedans are automatic... you guys are wierd. I have never driven an automatic car.

[akira28]

I prefer manual.

[Draft]

I've always wanted to learn how to drive a stick shift, but I don't have access to a manual car. How should I go about learning it, driving school or something?

Find a friend with a manual. It only takes about 30 minutes to learn the basics. You'll still be stalling out at stoplights for about a week, but that's just part of the learning process.

[Boogie9IGN]

I bought a 2002 Mazda Protege5 in December and my girlfriend taught me how to drive manual. I love it now but it's a pain in bumper-to-bumper traffic

I'm still too scared to go to San Francisco and attempt driving up and down those hills though o_o

[Gareth Bale]

Spoken like a true automatic transmission elitist.

There's nothing elite about automatic transmission.

[gooey kablooie]

I'd like my next car to be manual. I know how to drive manual, but I just need practice alone w/o someone breathing over my shoulder.

[Captain Tuttle]

You haven't lived until you've driven a car with a three on the tree.

[krameriffic]

what?? is this thread for real???? who the hell chooses automatic instead of manual?, automatics are hard to come by here.

It's almost like the situation is different in different parts of the world.

[Beerman462]

You haven't lived until you've driven a car with a three on the tree.

I drove a truck in Japan with 4 or 5 on the column it was pretty nuts.

[NZer]

I imagine people who prefer manual transmission are the same people who don't want instant replay in sports.

I prefer a manual and have no idea what you're talking about.

[Relix]

Auto makes life easier, especially in urban areas. Only time I drove a manual it turned itself off and wouldn't turn back on. Fuck that shit :p

[ReBurn]

I love to drive a stick. Just not every day.

[kylej]

Auto makes life easier, especially in urban areas. Only time I drove a manual it turned itself off and wouldn't turn back on. Fuck that shit :p

Because you stalled it...


I can't stand automatics. My car has a heavy clutch and shitty synchros but I love every second of it.

[Maddocks]

back in the day manual transmission was stock and getting an automatic transmission was a add on and would cost more.

now it seems its been reversed.

I drive a manual and automatic. sometimes you just like the feeling that you are in complete control of your vehicle. other times I just want to get to point A to point B.

[ajf009]

My 04 Rx8 has a manual option, I only ever use it when I'm racing clowns on the highway, otherwise it's pretty pointless like everyone's said in urban environments

[magenta]

For those who are afraid of stalling a manual, it is hard to do so with new cars today. Letting go of the clutch when in first gear will let the car creep forward anyway. It is not scary at all.

[alr1ght]

If you are in alot of stop/go traffic, don't get a manual. Do otherwise.

[thekillingjoker]

First car I owned was manual. I am glad I decided to learn it right off the bat. My second car was a big lumbering cruising car automatic. When I decided to buy my new (to me..) car I made sure I found a manual. It's certainly a bitch at times but also more fun to drive. I'm not that hardcore about it but I do think it's nifty to learn.

[goomba]

Much prefer manual.

Not just because its more "fun". You have far more control of your engine speed.

When you get to a corner changing down a gear will slow the cars engine down.. without the need to touch the brake.

In 2012 I'm surprised we are yet to see a manual car with an auto mode you can toggle on and off.

[ShadowgeistX]

It seems a lot of car manufacturers are phasing out MTs for ATs w/Sportronic or paddle shifters. I definitely prefer manual transmission for all the reasons already posted. It's more fun, gives you much more control, and makes you feel much more connected to your vehicle's behavior.

...Initially, I learned because automatic was boring the hell out of me. I was coming pretty close to falling asleep while driving.

[Ichor]

If you are in alot of stop/go traffic, don't get a manual. Do otherwise.

Not only that, but the city I live in is all hills. Between the stop and go traffic and the damn hills, driving a manual is a nightmare unless you're really good at it.

[BigDug13]

Its called being a driving enthusiast. Cars are magnificent inventions and its amazing that we have the ability to drive these powerful machines around. Some of us take more pleasure and appreciation in it than others. And to be specific, its really not faster. Not anymore. Top-class semi-auto's tend to shift faster in both road cars and even drag racers and whatnot nowadays. A stick-shift manual is often the 'inferior' version to pick in performance cars but provides a much more engaging experience. And honestly, the more engaged you are in the driving experience, the more aware you tend to be. Lack of awareness causes most accidents, so there's benefits there as well. It can definitely not only improve your driving experience, but also make you a better and safer driver. Call us 'elitists' if you want, but it implies that we look down on people who dont do what we do which isn't true. I encourage it, but I've never talked down to or in any way acted condescending towards people who use auto tranny's.

Especially now that gearing is better on Automatics. When the G35 offered a 6 speed manual or 5 speed automatic, of course the manual had better performance. Once the G37 came out with that same 6 speed manual or a 7 speed automatic, the performance leader shifted.

Still loved my manual shift cars (G35, then Acura NSX). They truly are more fun to drive. But if you sit in traffic a lot, avoid like the plague.

[drkOne]

AT is boring for people who enjoy driving. The end.

I wouldn't enjoy driving if someone forced me to go AT. I do understand why someone would rather go AT and I wouldn't even argue.

Some people Europe learns on MT, at the end of the day people who hated having to deal with MT will pay the extra for an AT car, others will stick to MT because it's not that hard to shift gear and it gives you a precise control.

Everyone that has been AT their whole life, they have no clue how MT would work.
Everyone that has been MT their whole life, they do know what AT simplifies.

I was dead set on AT to simplify my life until I started taking lessons on a MT car.

How do Paddle Shifters work by the way? Does it work like MT without the clutch? Or is it more like an AT with up-gear/down-gear (whatever you call it in english…)

[Angry Grimace]

Why has AT always been a trend in the US.?. Almost every car has MT outside of the US.

They're considered standard equipment at this point. The reason I can imagine they aren't as common outside the US is that they cost more.

[goomba]

Not only that, but the city I live in is all hills. Between the stop and go traffic and the damn hills, driving a manual is a nightmare unless you're really good at it.

Manuals are far better for driving around hills, change down gear to corner. no braking required.

[The Albatross]

Some of my friends are manual elitists, for no reason. Like one of my friends races cars, so that's cool, makes sense I guess. But, other friends drive sticks for no reason. No reason. And they're elitists about it.

I think, yeah, that's cool if you're into it.

[Ichor]

Manuals are far better for driving around hills, change down gear to corner. no braking required.

Stopping on hills isn't fun in manuals in my experience.

[goomba]

Stopping on hills isn't fun in manuals in my experience.

How so?. Put clutch in or take out of gear then stop...

The only difficulty people tend to have on hills is starting, which just requires you learn how to use the clutch to hold the car after you disengage the handbrake.

[The Albatross]

How do Paddle Shifters work by the way? Does it work like MT without the clutch? Or is it more like an AT with up-gear/down-gear (whatever you call it in english…)

I have paddle shifters in my car... and, personally, I think they're only for people who want to feel like they're driving a race car without driving a race car. I have never used them, never will, and the only time I do it's by accident when drumming out a solo on my steering wheel. And it causes my car to downshift or upshift unnecessarily.

Random Q... does cruise control exist for manual?

How so?. The only difficulty people tend to have on hills is starting, which just requires you learn how to use the clutch to hold the car after you disengage the handbrake.

That's the reason. It's can be a pain in the ass. At least, it can be an unnecessary pain in the ass.

[Brettison]

If I lived in the sticks I would get a manual. Sucks in am urban environment.

Basically this. I remember back in the day my older brother had a manual he got in college. He was sooo happy when he got rid of it to his next car post college and move to an auto purely because manual sucked hardcore in Atlanta traffic. It's teribad in traffic.

That being said manual great feeling on a sports car, and if you have some nice open road to drive on it's a great driving experience. It's just not practice for most everyday use IMO.

[itwasTuesday]

Just don't give me an excuse like "have you seen the traffic where I live, If you had the commute I do you'd feel the same way" Or "I have way to many hills here"

Don't want to drive a MT, fine.

Also goes for crazy people (usually young) that think a MT car will magically make them the next michael andretti.

+s and -s

I myself will probably continue to drive a manual transmission for a good long while.

[Captain Tuttle]

The only difficulty people tend to have on hills is starting, which just requires you learn how to use the clutch to hold the car after you disengage the handbrake.

You use the handbrake when you're starting on a hill? Is this when you're parked or at a stop light?

[Azzurri]

Next car will manual, all my cars since 2000 have been manual.

[KevinCow]

After driving a 10 speed truck for nearly a year, I can safely say I never want to manually shift another gear for the rest of my life.

[quaere]

For those who are afraid of stalling a manual, it is hard to do so with new cars today. Letting go of the clutch when in first gear will let the car creep forward anyway. It is not scary at all.

What? I was unaware of any such innovation. What cars is this on?

You use the handbrake when you're starting on a hill? Is this when you're parked or at a stop light?

Huh? Of course you do. How else would you drive in a city like SF?

[goomba]

You use the handbrake when you're starting on a hill? Is this when you're parked or at a stop light?

After car has been parked and you are now departing.