DI2 Depression.

[OakLeaf]

Well ... since you'd lock an automatic into first or second to climb my lane in snow anyhow, there's really no difference there. (Except that with an automatic, you have to remember to shift down to lock out the automatic upshift, where a manual stays there all by itself. )

But now that my last two cars have been CVT, I don't think I'd want another car with fixed gear ratios no matter how the shifting worked.

@Catrin, Subarus have had that feature for probably ten years? They introduced it right after we bought our last 'Ru, which was an '03. It might have been part of another option package even then, and only later became more standard. I know my mom's car has it. I don't know how common it is in other non-sports cars. But it's still a traditional hydraulic transmission, you just have the option to lock out the automatic shifting and select the gear manually.


As far as maintenance, yeah ... that's a bugaboo from the 1960s. Nowadays as long as you keep your ATF topped off and change it once in a blue moon, you're very unlikely to have problems. Where, when's the last time you bought a used stick shift that DIDN'T have a burned out second-gear syncro?

[zoom-zoom]

BTW, seems to me I know people with a manual + all-wheel drive? I could be mistaken on that.

My brother's Subaru is AWD and manual. A Subie is high on our list of next cars...I'd love a manual Crosstrek!

And snow tires...LOVE mine. I can't even make the ABS kick-in 90% of the time when I'm driving in the Winter.

[Crankin]

My last manual car was a Subaru. The transmission failed on a big hill in San Diego...
Of course that was in 1983, but that was it for me.

[zoom-zoom]

Nowadays as long as you keep your ATF topped off and change it once in a blue moon, you're very unlikely to have problems. Where, when's the last time you bought a used stick shift that DIDN'T have a burned out second-gear syncro?

We've never even replaced a clutch (or required any other maintenance) on any of our manuals...this includes several cars with well over 200k miles (we've had 4 in about 20 years). I think a properly used MT (ie not riding the clutch) and properly maintained AT are probably pretty comparable. I just personally don't see the point in AT when it typically costs more and potential issues are also pricier to repair. Plus they just work better under the driving conditions I encounter. If I had to do lots of stop-and-go city driving I'd probably feel differently.

[thekarens]

Took me about 2 seconds of living in a big city to discover what a big PITA stick shift is. I learned on a stick and enjoyed driving them, then I moved to the city. In all the stop and go traffic it's a pain and hassle. I'll never own another unless I move.

[Catrin]

... Where, when's the last time you bought a used stick shift that DIDN'T have a burned out second-gear syncro?

I've never had a problem with a manual transmission or clutch - outside of the one on which I learned how to drive Until a few years ago most of my cars were very old and very well used 5-speed Hondas of one type or another. There WAS one American car in the mix that I drove until the car started falling apart - but the drivetrain was fine! Hard to find used cars like that any longer...

Zoom, thanks for the confirmation, I KNEW there were all-wheel drives with manual transmissions but I couldn't think of an example at the moment. I've always lived in the city and don't even think about urban traffic with shifting - for me shifting IS "automatic"

[luvmyguys]

Took me about 2 seconds of living in a big city to discover what a big PITA stick shift is. I learned on a stick and enjoyed driving them, then I moved to the city. In all the stop and go traffic it's a pain and hassle. I'll never own another unless I move.

Thus is why dh didn't go manual with the most recent car. Traffic + Stick Shift = Not Good.

On some roads, though, they're a lot of fun to drive!

[Wahine]

I love that this thread has morphed into a discussion of manual vs automatic trannie cars. I mean that sincerely.

Any guesses what I drive? Anyone? Anyone?

A manual!!!! I know you're all surprised. But here's a little something to ponder. My MT Honda Fit gets better gas mileage and is a waaaaaaay peppier ride than my friend's identical but AT Fit. I do have to agree that if you live in a city and get stuck in traffic, it's PITA. But in all other ways, MT is a huge plus IMHO.

[luvmyguys]

I love that this thread has morphed into a discussion of manual vs automatic trannie cars. I mean that sincerely.

Any guesses what I drive? Anyone? Anyone?

A manual!!!! I know you're all surprised. But here's a little something to ponder. My MT Honda Fit gets better gas mileage and is a waaaaaaay peppier ride than my friend's identical but AT Fit. I do have to agree that if you live in a city and get stuck in traffic, it's PITA. But in all other ways, MT is a huge plus IMHO.

Dh's last car was a manual for that reason - it was peppier than the comparable automatic. Chemo, one stress fracture (during which I had to give up my beloved Highlander because he couldn't drive a stick with a boot on) and a whole lot of traffic later, automatic it was.

The stick IS more fun. Just not practical around here, unfortunately.

[zoom-zoom]

I love that this thread has morphed into a discussion of manual vs automatic trannie cars. I mean that sincerely.

Any guesses what I drive? Anyone? Anyone?

A manual!!!! I know you're all surprised. But here's a little something to ponder. My MT Honda Fit gets better gas mileage and is a waaaaaaay peppier ride than my friend's identical but AT Fit. I do have to agree that if you live in a city and get stuck in traffic, it's PITA. But in all other ways, MT is a huge plus IMHO.

I love dropping people from a standstill with far more horsepower and AT with my little 150bhp Mazda 3 hatchback. Admittedly, it still gets sorta crappy gas mileage for a small car, regardless of transmission. One reason we'll never own another Mazda (the transmission and engine are about the only things that haven't been problematic in 7+ years).

That Honda Fit is pretty much my DH's dream car. His best car ever was an '89 Honda Civic Si hatchback. He still pines for that thing.

[Skippyak]

This makes me chuckle because when I drive DHs sub impreza WRXsti stick, I giggle at the boy racers beside me who think I am going to take them on at the lights LOL., in this car and his previous car (mazda RX8 stick) people try and race me, people, I am a middle aged lady, I can barely tell what gear I am in. Rev all you like, go ahead and overtake me you crazy bastards ROFL, I is driving the speed limit. I don't like driving his car at all. My FIL loves burning people at the lights in his Honda fit (LMAO).

[Catrin]

I love that this thread has morphed into a discussion of manual vs automatic trannie cars. I mean that sincerely.

Any guesses what I drive? Anyone? Anyone?

A manual!!!! I know you're all surprised. But here's a little something to ponder. My MT Honda Fit gets better gas mileage and is a waaaaaaay peppier ride than my friend's identical but AT Fit. I do have to agree that if you live in a city and get stuck in traffic, it's PITA. But in all other ways, MT is a huge plus IMHO.

It IS interesting how this thread has morphed - but in the end - it IS still about drive-trains

Dh's last car was a manual for that reason - it was peppier than the comparable automatic. Chemo, one stress fracture (during which I had to give up my beloved Highlander because he couldn't drive a stick with a boot on) and a whole lot of traffic later, automatic it was.

The stick IS more fun. Just not practical around here, unfortunately.

I love the peppier lower gears I get in my cars than the comparable automatics. I am sure there are ATs out there that are just as peppy and responsive, but not in my price range. At least I've not found one. I don't have issues driving in traffic with a stick so I can't really identify with that - but I've NEVER owned an automatic. Back in my taxi-driving years long ago my taxi was indeed an automatic but I HATED that car for far more reasons than the transmission. The only problem I've had with a manual was post-foot-surgery in 2004 - it took me a LOT longer to get back to driving than it would have been as my foot couldn't take the pressure of the clutch once I was cleared for driving.

[OakLeaf]

Electric motor torque, baby. Nothing gets you off the line like a hybrid.

[zoom-zoom]

This makes me chuckle because when I drive DHs sub impreza WRXsti stick, I giggle at the boy racers beside me who think I am going to take them on at the lights LOL., in this car and his previous car (mazda RX8 stick) people try and race me, people, I am a middle aged lady, I can barely tell what gear I am in. Rev all you like, go ahead and overtake me you crazy bastards ROFL, I is driving the speed limit. I don't like driving his car at all. My FIL loves burning people at the lights in his Honda fit (LMAO).

I think some guys are not at all choosy about who they do this to. I had some dude in a racy little BMW pull this on me when I was driving my pokey little '97 Ford Escort with my kid in his carseat in the back. He had to have been really bored and REALLY in need of an ego stroking!

[thekarens]

My very first car was an RX7. I loved that car. Had to carry a case of oil with me because no one seemed to be able to fix the perpetual oil leak.