Regret not buying manual?

[NVHoo]

Most automatic transmissions get better gas mileage compared to the manual due to faster shifting and "economy" modes in the US govt standardized tests and the increasingly stringent MPG regulations will make manuals obsolete for most models sold in the US in the future.

[135Pats]

I'll only regret it if it can't hold 23PSI long-term. So far so good.

[mr.fabulous]

Originally Posted by davis449

I've been thinking about an e36 M3 for a while to own as a fun car. Now that car, I would NEVER drive with an auto trans.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/191600873870...3870&viewitem=

no affiliation, just somebody I know from another list (lots of mods with this one)

[kprocivic]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Depends how much you like your clutch and syncros then I guess.

Heel toe is a braking technique. Lol my synchros and clutch are just fine toretto.

[MightyMouseTech]

Only if we let it. If people buy manuals, the car companies will still make them.

34% of Minis sold in the U.S. are still manual. You just have to know where to find them.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cult...l-transmisson/

[Newguy123]

hell no DCT all the way

[mikes45]

I actually regret not getting an automatic. I HATE rush hour, special the ones that creep. My leg gets tired after an hour of clutch in, clutch out, clutch in, clutch out. Manual is nice on a highway late at night though, were you can really open it up.

Mike

[five_timer]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Depends how much you like your clutch and syncros then I guess.

The synchros exist for the purpose of matching revs to provide long clutch life; they don't experience extra wear by doing their job.

I get 150K miles from my clutches, just like the majority of MT drivers who do the same. Again, do what you want, just don't perpetuate false information.

[Kev!n]

I was always a die hard manual guy until last summer when I found one of the last brand new 135is coupes which happened to be equipped with a DCT. I was looking for a manual, but one test drive with the DCT and then the subsequent year with it has made me a convert. I love the DCT and I can't spread the good word of dual clutch transmissions to enough people. Best of both worlds IMHO and my 42 year old bones don't miss a clutch pedal.

[chris82]

Originally Posted by Kev!n

I was always a die hard manual guy until last summer when I found one of the last brand new 135is coupes which happened to be equipped with a DCT. I was looking for a manual, but one test drive with the DCT and then the subsequent year with it has made me a convert. I love the DCT and I can't spread the good word of dual clutch transmissions to enough people. Best of both worlds IMHO and my 42 year old bones don't miss a clutch pedal.

I'm die hard manual guy, but I really want to drive a dual clutch car, I've heard of quite a few people switching over to the DCT and liking it more than a manual.

[Xyloft]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Only if we let it. If people buy manuals, the car companies will still make them.

But american's don't "want" manuals anymore. it's too much of a bother.

meanwhile the rest of us that actually want manuals, have to suffer. do you want us to suffer? DO YOU!??! quit being selfish and buy a manual so i can have the option!

/rant

what I don't understand though is when a car gets announced that has a manual (like the '16 focus RS) there is a huge hype like "they are going to offer it with an actual 6 speed!" which makes me think there are still people out there that really want manuals.

I also know a lot of people who would have bought a manual for their current car, but they couldn't find one or it wasn't offered. that skews the numbers IMO.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by five_timer

The synchros exist for the purpose of matching revs to provide long clutch life; they don't experience extra wear by doing their job.

I get 150K miles from my clutches, just like the majority of MT drivers who do the same. Again, do what you want, just don't perpetuate false information.

Yes, the synco will slow down the gear to allow the dog ring lock the gear to the shaft. The bigger the difference between the speed of the gear, and the speed of the shaft, the hotter the syncro gets, which means it wears faster. If you rev match, there is essentially no wear.

I have always driven a manual, and I have no idea how long a clutch would last for me, as I have never worn one out, many cars with 300k+, even my race car had about 40k on a stock clutch, looked new when I sold it.

[Chunner]

I LOVE MY DCT. I am never ever going back to a MT.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by EvenEsteban

That's easy. Test drive the car you want in an automatic. If you like it with the automatic, you'll love it with a manual. That's as long as the automaker is still making it with a manual.

Originally Posted by Xyloft

meh. i disagree. I have driven a few cars where i hated the car as an automatic, but they were awesome as a manual. if you only get to test the auto, you may be depriving yourself of some enjoyable cars.

Of course my statement will not apply to every single car out there and should be taken as a general rule of thumb, especially considering the lack of manuals on car lots these days that are available for manual enthusiasts to test drive.

Some time, most of the time, your only choice for a test drive is in an automatic. What are you gonna do, pass up on a potentially great car just because you can't test drive it with the transmission you want? I think that would be a mistake.

In test driving a car with an automatic that you may want to order in a manual you have to use some common sense and try to realize how different the car would be if it were a manual. That's the only way this would work IMO.

[MightyMouseTech]

That is essentially what I had to do. Test drove a 128 auto and a 135 auto, but ordered the stick.

[Xyloft]

Originally Posted by EvenEsteban

Of course my statement will not apply to every single car out there and should be taken as a general rule of thumb, especially considering the lack of manuals on car lots these days that are available for manual enthusiasts to test drive.

Some time, most of the time, your only choice for a test drive is in an automatic. What are you gonna do, pass up on a potentially great car just because you can't test drive it with the transmission you want? I think that would be a mistake.

In test driving a car with an automatic that you may want to order in a manual you have to use some common sense and try to realize how different the car would be if it were a manual. That's the only way this would work IMO.

yeah. actually, i test drove a 128 auto when i got my car. the dealer let me test drive a 335 manual so I could get a feel of the shifter and clutch.

[MightyMouseTech]

I was actually worried. The closest thing I drove to my car was a used, pre lci, 135 auto, in the winter with bald OE tires on it.

Dropped 60k on the car, waited nearly 5 months to get it, picked it up in Germany.

Kept thinking "holy shit, I better like it...."

[five_timer]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Yes, the synco will slow down the gear to allow the dog ring lock the gear to the shaft. The bigger the difference between the speed of the gear, and the speed of the shaft, the hotter the syncro gets, which means it wears faster. If you rev match, there is essentially no wear.

I have always driven a manual, and I have no idea how long a clutch would last for me, as I have never worn one out, many cars with 300k+, even my race car had about 40k on a stock clutch, looked new when I sold it.

Using this logic, you shouldn't rev the engine above 2500 rpm, because doing so generates more heat and friction, which leads to wear.

I'm not a big engine revver either shifting up or down, not an aggressive driver, so none of this is an issue for me. I am curious, though: how old are you that you've driven many cars more than 300K miles?

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by five_timer

Using this logic, you shouldn't rev the engine above 2500 rpm, because doing so generates more heat and friction, which leads to wear.

I'm not a big engine revver either shifting up or down, not an aggressive driver, so none of this is an issue for me. I am curious, though: how old are you that you've driven many cars more than 300K miles?

I am 45. And I drive a lot. I also use the "full capabilities" of the car on a regular basis.

[swagon]

Oh no, yet another manual vs auto thread!

That said, I don't regret buying a manual.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by chris82

I'm die hard manual guy, but I really want to drive a dual clutch car, I've heard of quite a few people switching over to the DCT and liking it more than a manual.

The DCT is loads of fun (to me, especially in manual mode) and it shifts as fast as hell, and no matter how good you are, a manual just can't shift as fast. I realize it's not all about speed, but that is a fact. Also, there's the convenience of an auto if you're stuck in traffic.

But as I've said before, if I had a choice it would be a manual. It's so much more involving and engaging. Nothing compares to clutch, shift, clutch, downshift, and controlling the rpms IMO. I'm not driving in stop and go traffic everyday and I understand not wanting to deal with a manual transmission if that is your situation.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by swagon

Oh no, yet another manual vs auto thread!

We need all the new threads we can get. Participation seems to be slowing down and we don't want to lose 1ADDICTS.

Everyone please help.