is it worth it to get the six speed cl if i have about half an hour of traffic every day?

 

depends, on what your tolerance level is and how much you love MT.

 

I think if you have to ask the question then a manual transmission may not be right for you.

I've never understood this question. If you know how and like to shift then shifting becomes an afterthought. It's kind of like braking when you come to a red light or stop sign. How many of us think twice or worry that we have to push down on that (middle) pedal?

I've only owned manual tranny cars and have driven through the thickest of traffic to work. Shifting gears on my car is as effortless as any automatic that I've driven: it's not something I have to think about. I think the only time that shifting comes out of the background is when you are doing more 'spirited' driving and need a more aggressive style (ie: reving closer to redline).

 

hmm.. something to ponder
thanks guys

 

You might consider getting a rental with a stick and driving the route you might follow.

There is a point, IMO, where you finally can go be going slow enough (1-3MPH) in very heavy traffic where you will be "modulating" the clutch. IMO, great for the hills, a pain in the ass when you finally go so slow that you have to keep people out of your lane and are going too slow to just keep it in 1st.

 

No doubt this is one of the more difficult things if you had to rate it.

 

I drive thru traffic everyday to and from work. It's a pain in the ass if there is an acccident (these are the days that I wish I had the auto). The good days outweigh the bad tho'.

I really don't consider a car a "sportscar" unless it has a standard transmission, so driving in traffic is something I've learned to live with (1st gear, 2nd gear, 1st gear, 2nd gear, neutral, coast, back to 1st....) .

When the road opens up again, it's all good

 

traffic with stick sucks. which is why i dont own a manual. i am in traffic all the time.


but umm... if you have to own a manual tranny in traffic a Honda/Acura is your best choice.

 

I drive about 10-miles each way to work every day.
Seven of those miles are in city traffic, but the other three or so are windy country roads.
That’s why I’ve got three pedals on the floor.

Yes, heavy traffic can suck, but when you hit the twisty roads and power out of a corner it’s worth the minor inconvenience of city driving.

Shawn S

 

This is my first stick. yesterday and the day before, I was caught in heavy traffic on the freeway for over an hour on one day, and it was really getting old. but right after i passed the accident in the middle lane, the road was clear... I fell in love all over again!

 

If you've spent a lot of time in a stick, traffic is no big deal. It just becomes second nature after a while. Of the three cars I've owned over my lifetime, all of them have been stick. I am so glad I waited for the 6MT to come out in the CL-S.

Well worth the wait, IMHO.

But, if you're new to stick, then you'll probably hate the MT in traffic. I guess it all depends on how much you want the stick vs. slush box.

 

I learned on a stick had 2 stick trucks. The truck is alot worse in traffic then a car. I have been stuck on the NJ turnpike a few times in heavy traffic. Hated every minute of it. But you learn to live with it. As said before depends on your tolorence.

 

i drove a diesel truck with a clutch that made one leg bigger then the other. I drove in traffic where it took me 2-3 hours to go 15 miles with people, motorcylces, animals crossing my path at their convenience!! Once you get used to it its no big deal. That is how i sell people on stick!!

 

My wife and I had sticks for quite some time and just got burnt out dealing with traffic. We both now drive a slush box, but kept the Miata (manual) for when we want to have some fun. Seems like a good solution. Keep a slush box for the daily drugery and have a stick for when you want to have fun.

 

I seriously doubt that you would always enjoy driving a stick in rushhour traffic, every day, for years. I'd say no way! I used to own cars with MT's but if you're from an area like me, where your commute can take as little as 30 minutes or as much as 3 hours (to go 30 miles each way), about 1 time stuck in traffic that moves at less than 3 miles per hour will tell you that a stick makes no sense on a commuting car!

 

Dude, MT or AT doesn't make rush hour any more or less bearable/enjoyable/etc. Rush hour is tolerated, and that's about it. The question is whether one can tolerate an MT while commuting. For me and others, the MT is no big deal. Others don't have the same level of tolerance, so the MT for them is not a good daily driver.

Check my sig. I'm in the Chicago area. My commute on a really good day is 20min one way. Typical is 30min. Snow is 1.5hours or more. Accidents or rain can bring that easily up to 45-60min.

Enjoyment is never a consideration during rush hour. Probably the only way I'd enjoy rush hour is if I was driven to work in the back of a 35' stretched limo.

 

how does driving a manual compare to the sequential shift in the autos?

 

I agree with Mr. Slimey. If you have to ask the question you don't want a manual. You either love a stick or you dont. Get what you like to drive.

 

But what about first time manual drivers? I, for instance, want to try owning a manual car, but I don't know if I'll love it or not until I try.

 

I like that I am now Mr. Slimey.

Like Mr. EricL said, a good way to learn how to drive a stick is to rent one. I learned on a beater pick up truck (I think it was a Chevy LUV!) when I was in college. I did some occasional 'official' university work and whenever I got a vehicle from the motor pool I requested a manual. Could I drive it? No. But it was a great opportunity to learn. Prior to that it was the occasional drive in my friend's cars but (for some reason) they didn't like me roughing up their clutch in their Datsun 1500s or VW Bugs/Busses. Those were the days!

 

Mr. Slimey and Mr. EricL have got the right idea. Rent a cheap standard and drive it for a couple of days. I don't know if the major auto rental places rent standards, so you might have better luck at your local "Rent a Wreck". My father was thinking about buying a Pontiac awhile back, so he rented one for a week while on vacation. He liked it, so he bought one.

I learned to drive a standard on a $50 1970 AMC Javelin (straight 6cly, 3 spd on the floor). Best $50 I've ever spent

 

Your AMC Javelin would probably beat the Chevy Luv - and what a funny competition that would be!

 

yes, half an hour aint bad, if it was an hour...

 

i have 33 years driving experience with all sorts of cars.
i prefer a stick for driving "PLEASURE"

it is NOT a pleasure to drive in stop and go with 3 pedals.

i drive 32 miles each way to work, runs 50- 75 minutes.
when i had my mustang gt, i hated it commuting, but loved the weekends

i too like the idea of an auto for commuting and a "sports car" for the weekend.

my humble .02