MarkPinTx

I had placed a deposit on a PWP 5AT.

I changed to a CG/Quartz based on earlier stupid question. On balance, I like the quartz/aluminum interior better than the plood version.

Before I could take delivery of the CG, it got hung up by the hold/recall.

I now have the opportunity to get a CG/Quartz 6MT. I know the MT is the enthusiast choice. I test drove today without a) stalling or b) smoking the clutch or c) grinding any gears, although I did have a spot of trouble going from 4th into 5th (kept hitting third, but never fully engaged clutch).

Obviously, I have never owned an MT car. I can drive an MT ok. The last MT I spent much time with was chauffering my ACL/MCL victim roommate in an 89-90 RX7, which I learned to enjoy in hilly Austin, Texas.

I don't however have a fully developed sense of MT use (anymore if I ever did). I am sure this will come (if I don't kill myself or the car first). Many of my buds are on a first MT and are very happy. One even had never driven an MT before current MT vehicle. They say "do it."

I have nothing against MT, and of course the enthusiasts will say MT MT MT!

Any drawbacks for an MT noob?

Thanks for input.

leftride

iTrader: (1)

MT dont look back!

Colin

You mean they make something other than manuals?! All of my past cars (seven) have been Manuals. I've never bought an automatic. My wife converted to manals back in '88, and has never wanted to go back to an automatic. I say, manual all the way!

MarkPinTx

I guess my question boils down to: I know how to drive an MT. I'm not good at it, yet, but not bad either.

Any danger or chance I'll wind up hating it?

Thanks for replies so far.

cmf

I would say no. When I learned how to drive stick, I bought my first Integra. Since then, I have only had manuals trannys on everything except my Tundras I had. I say go with the stick and enjoy the shit out of it!

jlukja

The only reasons to buy an AT is (a) someone who does not know how, or does not want to learn how, to drive a stick will be driving your TSX, and (b) a majority of your driving will be under such conditions (i.e. traffic) that constant shifting will become a royal pain in the a$$. Sadly, both apply to me. The MT is more fun to drive and a quicker. Happily the 5AT is still a very respectable performer and tries best it can to mimic the MT with its sport shift mode.

dalokster

If I didn't have a kid now and eventually more kids later and didn't have to drive in stop and go traffic everyday for my communte.... MT transmission would be my first choice.

Now that I have the AT, it really isn't half bad. The only thing I had to get use to was not stepping on the ghost clutch when I first got it. And while the sport shift doesn't replace the MT, it is nice to have when you want a bit more control over your gears, which kind of balances out, but not really when you are whipping through some fun windy roads.

cmf

I hate going from the TSX to my Civic. I usually drive in 6th gear, then hop in my Civic and look for a sixth gear. One day my tranny is gonna be left on the highway because I shifted from 5th to reverse.
Only good thing about having an automatic and a kid is you can reach back at anytime and beat them, rather than having to wait until you're stopped or in an appropriate gear.

Mighty1

The only draw back I could think of is the old "stuck in traffic" argument. Driving a MT in stop-and-go traffic can get on your nerves. Never much bothered me, but I know more than a few folks who gave up on them around here (Boston is a beast for traffic).

As for me, I just spent my first morning commute in stop-and-go traffic in the TSX and wasn't too bad at all. Of course, I'm still wiping my drool off the car.

MarkPinTx

Alright gentlemen! Picked it up about 6. Drove around back roads for about 20 miles to acclimate. I'm down! It's fun!

I'm a happy camper.

Such a great car!!!!

dalokster

congrats! so did you get the MT or AT?

MarkPinTx

MT. All I could get my sweaty palms on. Rapidly becoming acclimated although I still dread hill stops a bit and want to shift into 2nd too late. Also, backing out of a parking space into traffic and doing the rapid r/1st thing is a tad of a challenge, but overall I'm likin it and have yet to grind a gear.

crowdedstr

congrats on the new ride!

within a week you'll be totally used to your MT, so i say you made the right choice. makes driving a lot more fun!

dalokster

Before you know it your shifting will be second nature to you. Congrats again!