Go with Manual. It's not hard to learn, it doesn't take long to learn, the worse part is just starting from a stop, once you got that down, shifting is just so much easier. If you feel there's anything wrong with the car while you're driving, just push in the clutch.
I regretted not buying my first car in manual. I went with automatic because I didn't know how to drive manual at the time and was really scared about messing up the car before it even rolls off the lot. Now that I've bought a really cheap second car in manual, I really enjoy it.
and I was super aware of my surroundings making sure I don't hold up traffic with my noob driving.
I think this part also makes you a better overall driver as well. As you are constantly aware of your surroundings. You have to think ahead of what you need to do. And you are active participant in the drive.
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I like manual but since the aren't many "hills" in Florida (mainly bridges) I never really got the hang of starting up without practically rolling back into someone.
Now I have auto on my car and truck.
The truck is an old Bronco and apparently they didn't have the option of getting a manual or they are very rare. But many posters on the Bronco forum converted to manual for 4wheeling. What a fun truck. OJ not included (It's white)
I think it would be good to have a third choice for the poll, something along the lines of
"depends on where I am driving and what purpose the vehicle was bought for"
Personally, for me, driving in the city is a pain with a manual. On the other hand, I live in the country and for certain conditions, I prefer a manual. And if pulling a horse trailer in the mountains, no doubt you would prefer a manual transmission.
I love manuals and have never owned an automatic. Sadly though there is no more justification for them.
The new twin clutch automatics have much better acceleration numbers than manuals and better fuel economy. Pretty hard to argue with that.
They even did a test with an Evo X where they put a professional race driver in it and got him to do a lap in the manual mode where he used the paddle shifters and one in automatic mode when the computer picked the gears for him. His lap time was better in auto mode.
If I was buying a new car now I'd be pretty torn. I guess the plus of a manual is it's cheaper, but do I want my car to be as fast as possible?
I love manuals and have never owned an automatic. Sadly though there is no more justification for them.
The new twin clutch automatics have much better acceleration numbers than manuals and better fuel economy. Pretty hard to argue with that.
They even did a test with an Evo X where they put a professional race driver in it and got him to do a lap in the manual mode where he used the paddle shifters and one in automatic mode when the computer picked the gears for him. His lap time was better in auto mode.
If I was buying a new car now I'd be pretty torn. I guess the plus of a manual is it's cheaper, but do I want my car to be as fast as possible?
Well it's not at the point where all autos are faster than their manual counterpart. I'd say a very small minority in fact and usually with higher end/sports-oriented cars. And manuals still have better fuel economy which is a huge consideration. Imagine the millions (billions?) of gallons of fuel we waste each year with all of these automatic cars hauling around an extra 250lbs or whatever an auto tranny weighs over a manual.
Plus a manual is more fun.
My DD is auto because it wasn't available in manual, but the truck I bought for my business is manual so I still get my kicks.
I love manuals and have never owned an automatic. Sadly though there is no more justification for them.
The new twin clutch automatics have much better acceleration numbers than manuals and better fuel economy. Pretty hard to argue with that.
They even did a test with an Evo X where they put a professional race driver in it and got him to do a lap in the manual mode where he used the paddle shifters and one in automatic mode when the computer picked the gears for him. His lap time was better in auto mode.
If I was buying a new car now I'd be pretty torn. I guess the plus of a manual is it's cheaper, but do I want my car to be as fast as possible?
I guess with me, it's not about speed or fuel efficiency or anything on the technical side of things. For me, it's purely the enjoyment aspect of it and how great it is to be in control of something. There are so many automated and electronic things these days, it's nice to get a bit more involved.
I love my HD, iPhone, GPS etc, but when it comes to driving, I like to keep it simple and stupid. It's a nice refreshing change of pace.
I think this part also makes you a better overall driver as well. As you are constantly aware of your surroundings. You have to think ahead of what you need to do. And you are active participant in the drive.
I contend that this is the base reason why I never saw one single car on car accident in 15 months of living in downtown Rome. What looks like chaos to the average North American, is actually a graceful system of moving more vehicles simultaneously. After staring at it, absorbing it, driving in it, and loving it, I liken it to the way a flock of birds fly or a school of fish swim. Or as my sister describes it, like walking in a crowd. Nobody bumps into each other because everyone is aware of their surroundings instead of putting on horse blinders and following lines.
All four limbs are engaged in driving the car, cars are constantly "cutting you off" and you're constantly doing it, so you have no choice but to remain at full alert while driving.
I contend that this is the base reason why I never saw one single car on car accident in 15 months of living in downtown Rome. What looks like chaos to the average North American, is actually a graceful system of moving more vehicles simultaneously. After staring at it, absorbing it, driving in it, and loving it, I liken it to the way a flock of birds fly or a school of fish swim. Or as my sister describes it, like walking in a crowd. Nobody bumps into each other because everyone is aware of their surroundings instead of putting on horse blinders and following lines.
All four limbs are engaged in driving the car, cars are constantly "cutting you off" and you're constantly doing it, so you have no choice but to remain at full alert while driving.
Same with the Autobahn in Germany. The sheer speed forces you to retain total concentration and engagement with the road.
I contend that this is the base reason why I never saw one single car on car accident in 15 months of living in downtown Rome. What looks like chaos to the average North American, is actually a graceful system of moving more vehicles simultaneously. After staring at it, absorbing it, driving in it, and loving it, I liken it to the way a flock of birds fly or a school of fish swim. Or as my sister describes it, like walking in a crowd. Nobody bumps into each other because everyone is aware of their surroundings instead of putting on horse blinders and following lines.
All four limbs are engaged in driving the car, cars are constantly "cutting you off" and you're constantly doing it, so you have no choice but to remain at full alert while driving.
I remember a few years ago there were some test cases in the Netherlands, where they removed signs and safety features from some roads to make them appear more dangerous. In the end, drivers were more cautious, and it resulted in a significant drop in accidents.
Jeremy Clarkson explains the Dual Clutch System on the Audi TT. While many of us on here probably will never own one of those. This is the reason why higher end cars that have a REAL dual clutch system will shift faster than a manual shifter.
I only learned how to drive manual a few years ago, when I purchased my first manual car. I must admit, for the first couple of weeks, I HATED it. I regretted buying manual and cursed my decision daily. I got freaked out on hills, I was scared of constantly stalling, or it lurching forward if I let go the clutch too quick, and I was super aware of my surroundings making sure I don't hold up traffic with my noob driving. But gradually, before I even noticed, I found myself getting the hang of it, and starting to enjoy driving again. Now I absolutely love manual more than auto. It's my daily driver, so I use it for stop and go traffic as well, but I honestly don't really mind it. Driving manual has almost become second nature to me now, and it is way more fun than auto.
hahhaa. oh god i remember the first day i had to drive my new manual to work in winter. I was stuck in 2 hours of rush hour traffic. On the clutch the whole time. Wondering why the F i ever bought a standard.
Also, for the most part I would consider the Miata a sports car. Though it lacks brute power, it handles like it's on rails which is probably why it's a common track weapon. And when modded, it can produce decent numbers.
Personally, I would never drive one - it just doesn't look the part for me - but even stock it could drive circles around some other so-called "sports" cars. I wouldn't knock the Miata, unless it's just looks that we're talking about.
I drive an auto, and here it from my friends (and girlfriend) for preferring it to a manual. I get the 'more fun' argument, but what I won't tolerate is the 'you're less of a man if you drive an auto'. Especially when one of said friends drives a manual pontiac sunfire. Living in the city, an auto just makes more sense.
I drive an auto, and here it from my friends (and girlfriend) for preferring it to a manual. I get the 'more fun' argument, but what I won't tolerate is the 'you're less of a man if you drive an auto'. Especially when one of said friends drives a manual pontiac sunfire. Living in the city, an auto just makes more sense.
You're totally right. Here in Calgary, there aren't many hills. Try living in San Francisco with an automatic transmission though. Much less responsive.
(It's white)
