I agree completely (bet you weren't expecting that).


Mr.Bape - First gear in these cars is low enough that getting the car rolling isn't difficult at all, and that's probably the toughest thing to learn in the very beginning. Don't worry if you stall it a few times, as the car can handle this better mechanically than you will psychologically.

Over time, driving a manual drops off almost into the subconscious. You'll know, of course, when you screw up (stall, slip the clutch too much, etc.). Nobody's 100.00% perfect 100.00% of the time at anything. And you may also notice on the odd times when you have to drive an automatic that it almost never shifts when you would. That does not mean that the automatic's programming is any better than your approach to the driving circumstances of the moment.

For my wife and myself, it's been strictly "automatics need not apply" since about 1972 or so, after exclusively driving an automatic (one of my Dad's cars) for a couple of years before that.


Norm

 

Im also thinking about switching over from an automatic to manual the only problem is that since we both live in NYC, the stop and go traffic might be a pain in the ***... thats my only problem. I have a few friends that have manuals but they said that they pretty much have gotten used to it. As some people say "with an automatic you ride the car... with a manual you drive it." It might take some time to get used to shifting but once you do you have a lot more control over the car than you would with an auto. Before making the final decision Ill try to test drive a manual or ask a friend if I could try theirs. Once you make your decision let us know what you picked, post some pics and tell us how you like it. Good luck!

Bart

 

If you really want a manual, learn to drive to drive one and buy it.

I think that "with an automatic you ride the car... with a manual you drive it" line is some total BS. Manuals have ONE THING extra over an Auto, choosing the gear. Both cars still require the driver to control direction and speed. The two most important aspects of any driving.

Definitely not dissing manual drivers cause I'm sure that it's a ton of fun. I just hate that BS line.

 

Yea I know the only thing that would be a hassle is the constant stop and go at the lights. I mostly drive highway though, mainly on the Grand Central, Belt Parkway, and LIE, so stop and go wouldn't be much of a problem. The biggest pain in the butt for me though would be the LIE, since there is constantly always traffic on there lol. I talked to my friend, he has a beater, maybe we'll swap cars for a few days so I can learn in his and make my decision.

 

Dis not assumed. But . . .

Whether anybody wishes to take that comparison in its completely literal sense or not doesn't really matter. Driving a manual does force you to be somewhat more aware of the mechanical bits that make a car what it is. Sure, you only have direct control over the one thing. But there's indirect control over and responsibility for quite a bit more. Some of it is related to things which are kind of vital to the life of other bits that you need to have working, and some are part of not subjecting your passengers to an overly harsh or unco-ordinated ride (best words at hand at the moment). Simply put, you have to be more involved, even when the mental activity required drops to a near-subconscious level.

Sometimes, I think that this "with an automatic you ride in the car... with a manual you drive it" line must be related to the one from the Harley riders - the one that goes something like "If you have to ask, you wouldn't understand". It's an attitude or life decision kind of thing that isn't easily understood by all motorists (or riders) or capable of being clearly explained to somebody whose attitudes and/or decisions lie outside the group that understands precisely and where spoken words of agreement are unnecessary.

(No dis intended)


Norm

 

I'll agree with that.....If you've always wanted a manual, go for it. It is not about learning how, its about practicing..and practice makes perfect. You can't decide buy borrowing a beater for a couple of weeks. Also, as an earlier post said.. you can short shift.. skip gears... it all gets done in your subconscious affter a while.It will become second nature. When I am driving an automatic car in traffic I find myself looking for the clutch pedal... just habit. Go for it and enjoy the connection with your car.. and will understand what Norm said

 

If you're dead serious about drag racing being a high priority. I wouldn't go with the manual transmission. An automatic will always be an advantage at the drag strip.

If you don't care about that or are into other forms of motorsports like road racing then the manual is king.

 

Lol, me too.

The only PITA with manual is heavy traffic (back an forth between 1st and neutral) and serious drag racing.

I've been skipping gear with all my cars since I started driving.
Never hurt any transmission...

 

Yeah the stop lights are horror and I know the LIE can be horrible, good luck in whatever you do. But I can tell you a auto with a tune has made my car fun to drive again.

 

I can definitely agree with the fact that manual drivers are required to be more engaged with their car since they are responsible for more stuff. But that still doesn't mean auto drivers are just riders. My beef is with that part.