Can You Drive A Standard

[STeeLy]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

The counter argument is that automatics allow the driver to think about one less thing therefore making them more aware. I know that when I'm driving a standard I'm more aware as a driver.

With enough practice, that action pretty much becomes an automatic process. When you first start out, it takes your attention away, but as you do it more and more, the attention used on shifting becomes significantly reduced.

[Ryan Coke]

Originally Posted by TorqueDog

I sort of agree, but I don't regret buying an auto BMW.

Going from a 6 speed manual V8 to a 6 speed automatic twin-turbo I6 was certainly an adjustment, but the auto changes gears so damn quickly during acceleration that you feel like the car is propelled by a rocket.

Just to be clear, it isn't that I regret the car, and it still performs very well. Just that I would prefer the standard version, and when I replace it I want to ensure I get a manual transmission next time.

[T@T]

I'm 50, I doubt there's a transmission on the road today I haven't or couldn't navigate, Here's a question for some truck buffs...anyone ever try to drive an old Mack 4x4? absolute worst transmission ever made!

[Jimmy Stang]

My wife (girlfriend at the time) was in tears after she bought her first manual car. Her dad is an Italian mechanic, and my folks are also European and have always driven standard. We insisted that she would love it once she got used to it, and many years later, she says that she'd always choose manual over automatic if given the choice.

After having a baby a year and a half ago, we needed a vehicle with a little more space, but we didn't want to give up manual transmission. We settled on a Mazda 5 because it is versatile while still being quite compact, and best of all: manual transmission.

I have never rented a car anywhere outside of North America that wasn't manual transmission, as others have also mentioned. Even shifting with the left hand in the UK and New Zealand didn't require much thought after the initial weirdness.

It's a shame that manual isn't an option on a lot of SUVs and even mini vans in North America. My uncle in the UK has a Mazda CX-7 and it is a manual, and I might consider something like that for myself one day if a manual option existed. Different markets, obviously, but it would be nice if they could slip a few manuals onto the ship for the market here. I'd actually pay a slight premium for the choice to drive a standard.

Edit: And I'm 33.