Manual Transmission Cars

[Mechanix]

So, who's got em? My friend got a new Pontiac Solstice and it's a manual. He drives me to school every day so naturally we talked about it and I started to take an interest in it. It looks like a lot of fun, and he's told me enough so that I know how to drive one, I just haven't actually done it lol. Both of my parents drove them when they were a lot younger, but they suggest not getting one here in New Jersey because of so much congestion.

So what do you guys think of them? Would you like one, do you have one, are they a waste of money, would you only buy it in certain places, etc.

 

[Neonbob]

I currently drive a 5-speed Toyota Corolla S. And I love the hell out of it. There is just something primally satisfying about feeling the slight *chunk* as I shift gears. It's made driving around so much more enjoyable for me.
Although I do have to say it does make heavy traffic quite an annoyance, and when I was starting out with it, hills were my archenemy.

 

[Starnerf]

Never driven one. My car is an automatic, and on the only opportunity I've had to learn to drive one, I happened to have a sprained ankle that made it very painful to work the clutch pedal. I kind of wish I knew how to drive one, since it would open up my used car prospects quite a bit.

 

[Matt_LRR]

I drive a manual, 2010 Ford Focus coupe. I find it a great deal more enjoyable to drive, but they are far less than ideal if you're in stop&go traffic or live in a hilly area.

They're also a LOT trickier to drive than you'd think. You may know the theory of how they work, but translating that into actually doing it can be a challenge.

Regardless, learn on an automatic, and then add in the manual. it'll make the process much easier.

-m

 

[Sampsa]

I like manual over automatic. First I've got a license for 2 years so it's still kinda fun to use the geras. I alos save more money on the gas than when using automatic that are too slow to react.

Only reason to drive automatic over manual is that you've a broken leg or something like that, IMO of course.

 

[discordance]

I drive stick. It becomes awesome right about when you learn to start it without a horrific lurch and screech of tires. People used to shriek and swivel their heads every time I backed out of a parking space.

 

[DeepComet5581]

When I pass my test (hopefully) on December 3rd, I'll have access to... A Rover 45

 

[thethingthatlurks]

I've tried driving one of them, but apparently I am too stupid for the o-so-complex mechanism. Actually that was just the acceleration from a stop, but whatever. The actual driving bit is far more fun with a manual car!

 

[Quaxar]

Yeah well, Europe is pretty much manual-dominated anyway (correct me if I'm wrong, but that's my impression) so of course I learned to drive with shifting gears.
Now if I would be allowed to drive on my own already it would be a lot more fun. Stupid job makes it impossible to have the test before november and I don't want to forget everything again.

 

[Jack_Uzi]

I still don't have my driveslicence but I had my lessons in a manual transmission car and loved it!! Just slowly switching gears while putting the peddle to the metal while being pushed back in the drivers seat is just.. whoow! I've also taken a few lessons in an automatic but didn't like it as much. So to answer your question: YES! If I do ever get/need my licence and get a car, it will be a manual.

 

[Mechanix]

I've tried driving one of them, but apparently I am too stupid for the o-so-complex mechanism. Actually that was just the acceleration from a stop, but whatever. The actual driving bit is far more fun with a manual car!

That's pretty much the only thing that takes lots of practice, switching gears while moving is a piece of cake.

 

[Nmil-ek]

Legaly you need to learn in a manual in britain as far as I'm aware might have been changed over the years but I dont think so. Tried driving an automatic once but it's like a force of habit I prefer the feel of absolute control it's far safer if you ask me aswell I could not imagine how I'd react if something were to happen in an automatic car.

 

[Croaker42]

I have only driven manual transmission cars, by virtue of being in a country dominated by them. Suits me just fine, of course; I'm a big car nerd, and automatic transmissions often spoil a car's appeal. In fact, if you gave me a car with an automatic transmission, I probably wouldn't be able to drive it. I'm just so used to clutch control and shifting gears myself.

Not a big car nerd but I do agree about the appeal of a manual transmission.
I have been driving a manual for atleast 7 years and have grown to prefer it.
It makes me feel more in controll of everything that is going on in and around my car.

So yes give it a shot. Find a nice empty parking lot with your friend and have hime let you give driving a shot.

 

[Plinglebob]

Legaly you need to learn in a manual in britain as far as I'm aware might have been changed over the years but I dont think so.

You can just learn in an automatic, but you arn't allowed to drive a manual until you've passed a test in one. Personally I prefer manual cars as it gives a bit more control and once you've been driving the same car for a while, gear changing becomes instinct just by listening to the engine.

 

[Break]

I've been learning in a manual, and my instructor has me spending so much time controlling speed with the clutch that the idea of just pressing "go" and "stop" seems really weird. I honestly can't imagine what driving an automatic would feel like - it almost sounds like automating the part where you aim in an FPS. Not sure if it would still feel like driving.

 

[PureChaos]

i learned to drive in a manual. currently drive a manual and will probably always drive one

 

[Strixandstones]

I prefer the rhythmic motions of accelerating through the gears; my only experience of driving an automatic unnerved me as the car continued to wish to accelerate when I wasn't pressing (or partially releasing) a pedal.

All I will say is that when you pass a group of under-dressed, over-tanned shlags in any town centre after dark, you can't ferociously over-rev your engine in an automatic.

 

[freedomweasel]

Manual is a lot more fun, but definitely a pain in traffic. My GTI has one of the slick new dual clutch transmissions which is a techno wonder and sounds amazing as it shifts, but it's not quite the same feel. Faster, yes. Better, depends on what you need I guess.