Traded my '04 MT for an '05 AT. ... Traffic was killing my left foot, wife pissed because she couldn't drive it, plus... did I say too much traffic, very frustrating not being able to let the car goooo!

 

I love to live in the city, but hate to have jammed highway. Good to know your new car. Congratulations.


Was your dealer giving you the good trade-in?

 

even with 5AT you can let her rip either. i learned how to drive manual tranny when i was 16 and never looked back. i do not even think about it when i am driving, it's just part of driving. i find the effort between 5AT and 6MT equal in traffic. you have to keep moving and braking for stop and go, the added left foot doesn't really bother me at all. its a pity that manual trannies are not as popular here in the states.

 

Left foot is a reflex for me. Do not even feel that I've to use it in traffic jams and stop and gos. Did I mention I live in the Bay area? Anyway, if it was killing you I think you made a wise decision. Hope you did not get hit much on the trade in. All the best with the AT. Did you choose different color combo this time?

 

I was only exagerating about the left foot thing. I've driven MTs since I was 16, and will eventually own one again. The real reason was for various (current)reasons it wasn't practical to have a car my wife could'nt (or refused to) drive. I kept the same color and specs all underbody, deck lid spoiler etc.. Neighbors wouldn't have a clue its a new car. I agree its still frustrating to drive either MT or AT in traffic..... it just plain sucks not being able to let the machine just loose!!

As for the trade in. I split the difference with dealer between Kelly Blue book sale price & pay off amount.

 

What did they give you for your trade in?

 

I cannot believe some ppl trade in their cars and then get a same one again...

 

Between my wife and I we have 4 cars. My Integra, NSX, and her Integra are all manuals. When I was first looking for a TL I was certain it was going to be a manual as well. I like the feeling of rowing the boat. I test drove one for a little while and didn't like the torque steer or the vagueness of the clutch pedal. I couldn't ever seem to get the shifting part right.
I then test drove a AT and feel in love. I still had all the power I wanted but didn't have to bother with shifting to get it.
At the time the wife was still driving her Mustang and it was auto so that was another reason to get. Then we traded that in on the TL and she learned to drive a stick so she could drive our NSX and then we bought her Integra.
I still enjoy driving a manual and sometimes it is nice to be able to just kick back with your lady, listen to the radio and go....with shifting.
IOW, I completely understand why you did it.

 

what's your color combo? i have a 5AT and i woulda traded you. hahaha i dont really care, but if i had the 6mt, my wife wouldnt bother asking if she could drive it

 

can you explain the trade in again, i'm very curious. how much was your new 04 vs new 05. how much did u get for you 04 trade. and also compare the monthly payments for the 04 vs monthly for 05. thanks

 

Funny... my wife is more comfortable with automatic. I had a 5spd '92 Prelude for about 9 years. She tolerated whenever she had to drive it.

I bought the TL two weeks ago. The night we bought it, she drove it. She hits second gear and giggles like a little girl. I asked, "Now do you know why I love stick?" She did.

I love this car.
-ME

 

Of the manual transmissions I've owned (Maryland, US), the TL is by far the smoothest and best. I've had 3 Preludes and an old ('79) Toyota Celica - all stick. This car is so slick and easy to drive. I'm still getting used to the clutch, but, man, it's nice.

-ME

 

I live in a town of about 40k (Sierra Vista, AZ) and everytime I go to Tucson and drive through town I wonder if I'd like my 6m if I had to drive through that crap everyday. I'd probably get an automatic if I had to drive in heavy stop and go traffic for most of my driving.

 

Shaggy,
I remember you had your tires changed from the old EL42 to the new Michelin Pliot Sport, the question to you is were all the vibrations and the flat spotting gone in the mornings due to the Michelin tires?
Thanks,
GPMAN

 

[QUOTE=gpman]Shaggy,
I remember you had your tires changed ..........

Yes, there is a major improvement with the michelin tires. There is still a "little" bit of flat spotting, but its usually gone after about 2 miles of driving, and the roughness was only about 10% of what the EL42s. T'was only noticeable by me,.. the driver.

I got the "exact same" specs on the trade because the satin silver with under body & trunk lid spoiler kit, body side moulding, Moonroof visor is what I really liked. Got it tinted yesterday... its {{{{screaming.}}}}. Will post a pic or two.

My payoff was $24k could have sold it on the open market for $28k (easily) difference = $4k. Dealer took $2k & gave me $2k. Yea I know.......could have done better...but I'm satisfied. I dont have a lot of time to shop, sell & haggle ...plus too much else is going on in my world right now. Paid the same for the '05 that I paid for the '04, with all the trimmings, that was the deal. Ofcourse, interest rates are worse this time around.

Great car..... you all just enjoy it... I plan to run up some serious miles on mine this summer.

 

I think it's great. It speaks volumes for the cars and the company.

 

I'll get the same one again without a doubt. Best car I have had and zero problems. All I want is auto headlights and xm in Canada, awd and more hp. Looks like the 2008 model year will be it.