What is your opinion on an AT or MT? My commute is reverse, so there wouldn't be that much traffic, going for about 30 miles each way. The only crappy part would be the occasional traffic. I'm leaning on the MT, since traffic is always going to be a part of life... and at least i'm not living in LA right now, which is worse.

Thoughts?

 

As I'm sure everyone would say, if you have a choice, the MT is much better and faster than the auto. I got an Auto because my wife can't drive standard.

 

It's a pretty light and forgiving MT so traffic isn't bad at all. It slips between gears so smoothly it's very easy to pop in and out of neutral in slow moving traffic.

I dunno, my old Civic had an absurdly heavy clutch (upgraded for strength) and it wasn't that big of a deal to me in traffic so maybe my viewpoint is skewed. MT is all I'll ever buy.

 

MT all the way! I've driven in lots of stop & go traffic in bad snow with MTs and I don't understand what the big deal is with MTs and traffic. Clutches are light (unless you have a Mustang GT500), and overall you can't beat the control you get with the MT. If you've got two legs, might as well use them.

 

I have been driving MT for the last 8 years, and my daily commute involves heavy traffic, with a lot of uphill roads in San Francisco. Seriously, I dont see why does getting stuck in traffic in an MT bothers THAT many people

 

It's your call dude. I just bought a 6spd TSX last weekend, and while I think it's fun for some reason I still think my '99 Civic 5spd (stock) was even more fun..maybe I just need to get used to the TSX. At times though I think I should've gotten the auto so other family members could drive it when they're in town..

 

I personally own only vehicles with manual transmission

 

I'm right there with you. I love the 6MT in my TSX. It's got to be the BEST manual out there. I had an 03 RSX-S and never minded the 6MT in that, but more than once a week, I find myself wishing I got the 5AT. The upscale of the car over my RSX seems like it demands less work from my part, so it would be nice to just have the auto do the shifting for you. My wife can't drive stick either... but I don't know if that's good or bad.

Overall, I'm still incredibly happy with the 6MT. I still can't get that 1-2 shift, though...

 

MT - you'll get better mileage, it's faster, it's more fun. It's nice to have as many gears as Honda motorcycles too!

Be warned - it looks like everyone on this page that's replying is a 6MT owner - you're not going to find any one of us telling you to go AT!

 

MT, without question.

I have basically decided that I will never own another vehicle with an automatic if I can avoid it. The MT in this car is one of the best I have ever experienced. Add the short shifter and it gets even better.

 

I am an AT owner, and I do somewhat regret not getting 6MT. The reason is simple, the engine deserves a properly-geared transmission to show its strength. I have never driven a 6MT, I just feel the 5AT doesn't talk with the engine that well. Besides, I shift smoother than the 5AT does. The sportshift is useful when passing but I wouldn't engage it all day long because it's no comparison to shifting a MT.

However, I bought 5AT for convenience.... I'd say if your want convenience, can live with less performance, mostly do fwy commute (fuel economy consideration), then go for a AT.

 

It's going to come down to what you can handle driving everyday. For me, I couldn't find an MT for the life of me.
With Los Angeles traffic, I decided to stick with AT for convenience. (On some of the most extreme days I've been caught an hour over a 5 mile street route. I could walk faster than the traffic!)

An MT TSX will be a better drive if:
1. You can find one with the color/options you like.
2. Traffic in your area isn't that bad, or you are sure you won't mind it with stick.
3. You like manuals.

 

I live in Boston, and we definitely have our fair share of traffic. I have the 6MT and would highly recommend it to anyone. If you're someone who enjoys driving a standard I say test drive the AT and MT, and after that I bet it won't be a question at all.

 

i replaced my '97 accord ex coupe 5 spd for an '07 6spd tsx and i honestly think the accord was funner to drive.

the tsx ...at least the '07, is a lot more sensitive especially in the lower gears and i'm still getting used to it. i drive in L.A. traffic everyday which is easy during rush hour, but when its time to take off, it feels a little sloppy.

i'm not too keen on racing or anything like that but i loved the stiffness of the clutch in my accord. is the '07 clutch on the tsx supposed to be this soft?

don't get me wrong, i love my tsx......i just think a few mods are in order

 

If you have the luxury of choosing between MT and AT, go MT.

 

It's all about your personal preference. We can't point you in the direction you should go...we can only say why we chose AT or MT ourselves.

If you don't mind MT, and you don't have alot of traffic, you might as well get the MT. Honda engines produce their power in the higher RPM's, so a MT will let you keep your rpm's up.

If you're a lazy driver, get an AT.

 

M/T without a doubt. After personally driving both transmissions in "spirited fashion, I have to say the M/T is a perfect match for the engine; where as the A/T just seems out of place. Plus if you are ever planning to mod the car, the M/T has much more potential over the slushbox.

 

test drive the AT and do the course they take u on twice so you know it.
then get in the MT and let her rip.

I did that, and my dad said the grin on my face sealed the deal.
Are there a few times i've wished I had an AT, yeah
But an MT is a girl-driving deterrent (meaning, i dont want my gf to drive, and cause she cant drive an MT, I get all the power!). It's also a theft deterrent.

Most of all - its really freaking fun to drive this car when its stick because the cornering combined with the smooth shifts make it feel so sporty

 

ive had both and i can honestly say get the MT. Its faster than the auto, and more fun to drive.

 

No question here.

I could be driving the crazy streets of India and shopping for a hearse for all that matters... if an MT is available, that's what I'd take.

 

6MT - Hell - if my RL came with a 6MT option I would have gotten that.

 

MT cars are much fun to drive than AT so I would go for the MT whenever I can. Although my TSX is an AT, my other ride is still a MT and I have fun in that car on the weekends when the traffic is much lighter. Driving in LA traffic a few times, I would definitely hate driving MT as my leg would get tired after a while. It's literally stop and go during the peak hours.

 

MT because driving automatic is boooooooring. If this car had more torque and power then maybe you could make a case for the AT, but since it doesn't the MT makes it really fun to drive.

 

Really? I personally think if one's stealing cars and can't drive an MT, then that guy needs to move on to do other things.

It's almost as stupid as a teenage guy claiming that he knows how to drive fast through corners, yada yada, and not knowing how to drive stick.

 

I drive my 6MT in LA traffic all the time, its not that bad. The manual tranny is so nice it would be a shame to get a AT instead

 

The only reason to get an AT:

"So you can keep your hand on your woman's leg"

(apologies to the women drivers - substitute "man's leg" if you so desire).

A friend of my father's told me that when I was like... 8 or 9 years old? We had a laugh.

That said... I still choose 6MT!!

 

Hmmm, can't say I agree with you about the gas mileage thing. It used to be like that some years ago, but they (practically all auto makers, not just Acura) have been able to fine tune the AT that it has actually surpassed MT. I will definitely agree with you though that it's faster and more fun. Although I myself own an AT, anytime I drive a MT its excited. I feel like I'm actually engaging in the driving experience instead just 'being there'.

haha, nice grammer. sorry, I couldn't resist commenting on it

 

I commute 2 hrs a day in heavy traffic, and I just didn't want to be riding the clutch for half of it so I went with AT. If I had a different commute, I'd probably opt for MT. Especially since the MT in the TSX is so good.

I think the simple trade is convenience of commuting vs. having some fun now and again. Whatever you value more will provide your answer.

 

This is pretty much my answer as well and then my gf doesn't know how to drive manual so if you are looking for "fun and some excitement," get the AT, if you are looking for "fun AND excitement," get the MT

 

i have a MT and i work at a dealer and drive the tsx's in autos all day long...its a whole different world when i get back in my 6speed

 

MT. I bought my first MT car six years ago and will never drive an automatic again. There's no contest. The TSX's motor begs to be wrung out with a six-speed. I fight traffic on I95 every evening and it wouldn't be any better with an automatic. Shifting's second nature to me now and I hardly even think about it. Added bonus is that nobody ever asks to borrow my car because not only can they not drive stick (or not well, anyway), I have a short-shift kit, lowered shift knob, and no shift pattern on said knob. Perfect for me, someone unfamiliar with the car may not know WTF's going on.

 

AT, this isn't the 1930's.

Seriously, who cares about 1/2sec (or whatever it is) in your 0-60 mile times? I'll buy a vette if I want to race and shift my own gears.

On another note, have you ever noticed how hardcore mt drivers are about only driving a mt?

 

For all the MT hardcore people you talk about, I don't think it's so much about being 1/2 second faster than an MT (unless they truly race). It's just more fun to drive MT. I have an AT but wouldn't mind AT ALL switching to MT just because it really engaging and fun to drive.

 

Drive an MT and you might find out why.

It's different strokes for different folks. I test drove the AT and the MT version and found the MT to be much more responsive. I also feel safer driving in poor conditions.

That being said, those that ended up purchasing the MT had to satisfy certain conditions: no constant bumper to bumper traffic, ability to operate a MT (obviously), ability to FIND a MT, and not having to share the car with someone who who doesn't want to/can't drive an MT.

the 1930's comment is laughable.

It's personal preference. Many AT owners love their car, and some regret not getting the MT. Some MT owners love their car, but some also regret not getting the AT. This board shows more AT owners with drivetrain remorse, but I think that's more indicative of the amount of enthusiast found on an online forum than it is of all AT owners. just my

 

I've owned both. I drove camaro's and mustangs with a mt, I would never deal with the hassle of a mt for everyday driving. I understand that these cars are much easier to drive than camaro. I test drove a mt before I bought my at.

Weekend nights are fun and so are twisty roads, neither of which are there when I drive to work.

 

Well if you think it's a hassle then you made the right choice for you. Well done

 

+10 Amen to personal preference. I didn't do it because I'd be a 1/2 second faster, I did it because It's more fun for me. I don't have any problem with AT drivers, and for sure there are some days where I'd greatly appreciate an AT, but overall I prefer the MT. I drove a Mustang GT with an MT and it was great, and the TSX is too!

 

Exactly, lol!

 

They are both good but I prefer 6speed over 5..

 

We've had a number of these MT vs. AT threads that degenerate into bashing so let me first congratulate all the members who posted here for not letting this thread degenerate. Also, a warning, I'm going to ban anyone who starts in with "AT is gay" or " real men row their own" kind of crap.

carry on...