[KenW]

I've always been fond of manual. That's my preference. Love 4 wheelin'. Yeah, I might be a red neck....actually....I AM!!

 

[bahamaman]

Just ordered a new car ('06 Passat). Decided on the manual (which I prefer) but, geez, the manufacturer (at least VW) makes it difficult. Want leather interior? Gotta get a package w/ auto. Want virtually any other option? Required that you go w/ the auto.

I know that Americans are viewed by manufacturers as preferring an automatic transmissions (and correctly so), but it is getting to the point you have trouble even finding a manual anywhere.

 

[dvallere]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bahamaman I know that Americans are viewed by manufacturers as preferring an automatic transmissions (and correctly so), but it is getting to the point you have trouble even finding a manual anywhere.

And yet it's funny, whenever you go to a manufacturer's website to "build & price your own," it always starts out as manual.

 

[12thgear]

I enjoy driving and part of my car choice involves the quality of its manual gearbox and clutch feel. In a driver's car shifting is fun. I have a 5sp Miata at the moment, it's the best transmission I've ever owned, and one of the best I've ever used.

My previous car was a 5sp Integra, also an excellent tranny. The car before that: an 89 Cavalier, with an auto... a 3sp. THREE!

My wife, by the way, has always driven stick. In fact, her immediate family still drives nothing but manual transmission cars. Our OTM (that's Other Than Miata in Miata.net lingo) a 5sp manual Protege ES, but the shifter action in it is pretty weak. Fun car otherwise.

I'd be willing to at least consider an automatic in certain sporty practical cars nowadays if they are programmed well, offer a manual mode that doesn't second guess you, aren't short a cog, and don't have gearing that completely ruins the experience. I don't see that happening unless my wife demands it though, and given her preference, why would she?

It's a tough call whether I'd ever get a car with a Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG). I drove an MR-2 Spyder with one and it was really cool, and I could keep both hands on the wheel during difficult cornering, but I enjoy the challenge of a conventional stick too.

 

[12thgear]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bahamaman Just ordered a new car ('06 Passat). Decided on the manual (which I prefer) but, geez, the manufacturer (at least VW) makes it difficult. Want leather interior? Gotta get a package w/ auto. Want virtually any other option? Required that you go w/ the auto. I know that Americans are viewed by manufacturers as preferring an automatic transmissions (and correctly so), but it is getting to the point you have trouble even finding a manual anywhere.

I also absolutely hate when some hot models of cars are only offered with an automatic. The new Lexus IS is auto only for the more powerful 350. The Infiniti G35 AWD can only be had with an automatic. I don't have a problem with this right now, as there are competitive alternatives from other marques that can be configured with a hot engine and a manual transmission, even with AWD. But if those choices vanish, it'll be a dark day for many driving enthusiasts.

I however wholly welcome cars that are manual transmission only!

 

[Jmmmmm]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 12thgear I also absolutely hate when some hot models of cars are only offered with an automatic. The new Lexus IS is auto only for the more powerful 350. The Infiniti G35 AWD can only be had with an automatic. I don't have a problem with this right now, as there are competitive alternatives from other marques that can be configured with a hot engine and a manual transmission, even with AWD. But if those choices vanish, it'll be a dark day for many driving enthusiasts. I however wholly welcome cars that are manual transmission only!

I saw a porsche 911 once that was an automatic. I almost threw up. That car should never be offered as an auto.

My first car was a stick. I was given it, before I got my license, and I barely knew how to drive, let alone drive a stick. So, my brother showed me the basics the first day, and after that I taught myself to drive a manual (in addition to learning how to drive, really) in my neighborhood. It was fun, and I didn't burn out the clutch Too badly.

If I can help it, all my cars will be manuals. Right now I have an auto, and I really hate it - it's So boring. But, that's what happens when you buy used on a budget.

 

[mmmmcheese]

I have never had the chance to drive a manual, but I think it would be alot of fun. Especially in a classic muscle car... like a stingray... mmmmstingray

 

[RedLeader]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephonovich Definitely gotta be a stick. Just no fun otherwise. I much prefer driving our wimpy 4-banger Escort to the relatively beefy V6 Intrepid R/T, for that very reason. That, and the Escort weighs about 500 pounds less. Handles much better. /hates huge cars.

'94 escort owners unite! Team Scort!

 

[PinkFloyd]

Manual gearbox all the way for me. These automatic things are a bit too automatic for my liking, I prefer to be in total control of the gearbox.

 

[rauer]

As a European I've been using manual transmission most of the 20 years I've had a driver's license ........ and I hate it. Once had a Volvo with automatic and my next new car (whenever that will be) will definitely have automatic transmission. I just feel changing the gear, observing the correct RPM, having the right hand much of the time on the stick and not on the wheel just takes too much concentration away from the traffic.

I admit it may be essential for the rally or F1 drivers to have 100% control - but come on, who of us _really_ is the sports driver he/she wishes to be?

(Coming to think about it, don't the F1 drivers actually have some sort of a semiautomatic system without a clutch?)

 

[fewtch]

No, I never learned to drive a stick, but it doesn't look like rocket science... I'm sure someone in the car with me + a few hours of practice would do it. If I were looking for a car and found a particularly good deal on a manual, I'd buy it and teach myself to drive it.

 

[Vertigo-1]

I know how to drive manual, enough to jump into a manual and drive it, but I certainly don't like to drive manual. I just get tremendously nervous when driving one, to the point where my heart starts beating like crazy once I'm out with traffic. My greatest fear is stalling in the middle of a last second turn with a car bearing down on you. I just can't concentrate on traffic at all in a manual car. The lack of consistency with each shift also irritates me a lot.

That said, tiptronic is a godsend to me...it lets me get involved with the car without having to stress over whether or not I might make a slipup and end up killing myself or something. It works consistently and smoothly, and lets me drive the car in a spirited fashion when I want to.

 

[Stephonovich]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedLeader '94 escort owners unite! Team Scort!

'92, my friend

1.9L Escort LX Station Wagon, currently in a lovely mixture of Mercury Gray and Ford Blue, due to some fenders being replaced.

My dad swears up and down that he's getting another one when this dies. (although that's kind of past the point - we've already replaced practically every part on the car, including engine and tranny. Over 350,000 miles logged now) I agree; they're great cars. I'd like to get a GT, though. 127HP instead of 88. 'Twould be fun.

 

[ken36]

Sure, I can. At least, I learned to drive using a manual shift car. Even owned a bug in the 1960s.

 

[elmoe]

Actually, in Europe you're required to know manual gear transmission to pass your driver's license.