Satin Silver, Ebony interior, AT, no-Nav, Clear-Bra. Shopped a long time compared and drove BMW 330i and Infinity G35, this car is the best value out there. I was only able to hold out for 200 miles before pushing red-line. It is something else going into a turn posted for 35 at 70 and feeling the car pull you through the turn. Hands-free is awsome, no more fumbling with my phone in the car. But my favorite has to be the Sport-tronic shift, WOW, what a kick in the pants, why by the MT.

Got a terrific deal on the extended warrenty, as an incentive they bought down the rate on my financing, then added in, if I don't use the warrenty I get my money back. Let's see BMW match that.

 

Did you test drive one?

 

Congrats on your buy. However, if you are so impressed by AT, you do not know what you are missing. MT is a fun. You should have tested one atleast.

 

This is a classic religious debate: manual versus automatic.

This is a dangerous one. I think that some of the arguments for getting a manual transmission (performance, economy) have become a lot less true with modern 5 speed automatics. However, if you like standard, then a standard is the right thing for you. And there is no doubt that the act of shifting can be "fun" or "thrilling": thats why so many modern autos have a Tiptronic or Sportshift type of feature.

What I hate is some Car and Driver guy telling me I don't drive since I'm running with an automatic. Pshaw, I say. I drive. Slapping a little stick around at various RPMs doesn't make you a driver. Its the same argument that, despite the BMW's many fine qualities, makes me disdainful of most BMW owners.

 

I personally do not buy automatic cars and have owned good sticks and not so good sticks. But the stick on the TL that I test drove was really a high point of the car-so smooth and precise. I do not think there is a sport tronic, manumatic, SMG, or whatever the car makers label a clutchless shift that can light a candle to a manual with a clutch, especially one like the TL has. Try driving the manual TL and you will know why people bother to buy the manual.

 

I drove a 5 speed Civic for over six years. I sold it and started driving my wife's automatic Integra. I swore I would never buy a car with a manual transmisison again. I couldn't help myself though. I like to "stir the pot". The short throw on the six-speed is perfection.

The automatic is more convienent but every Acura I have driven with an automatic transmission, I've driven four, shifts very smoothly until you take a corner. It jumps up a gear for no reason at all. I've even seen car reviews that mention this about Acura's automatic. I thought it was me at first but even if I altered the way I drove the car it continued this same behavior.

Anyone else experience this with Acura's automatic transmission?

 

Don't get me wrong, I didn't mean to imply that there is no difference between the AT and the MT, for driving pleasure you can't beat an MT. I did test drive one and did give it serious thought before opting for the AT. If not for the SportTronic shift I would have gotten the MT.