Ok guys,
I must say this forum is awesome and I truly respect the opinions of all of you. I have a dilema that I think some of you might understand. (noone else does) Ok I have a 05 TL DGP 5AT Non/Navi with 7300 miles. I am also what you aould call a driving enthusiast. Getting into my car everytime is awesome for me. I love to drive and I drive well. Anyway, I have ALWAYS had a stick until i bought this car and the wife nagged enough that i gave in for the 5AT. I thought the 'dummy stick shift' would suffice. I was unbelievably wrong. This was when my wife thought she would drive this car. Well, the FIRST time she drove it she rubbed the ENTIRE rim along the curb. She was done at that point. So she has her land rover and is forbidden to drive my TL. I am contemplating trading in my TL or selling it myself and buying THE EXACT SAME CAR in a stick. I love the green which is only on the 05s so I cant go get an 06. What do you guys think? Is it worth the couple grand loss to go trade in my car for a stick? I wouldnt mind getting the new car with higher mileage (within reason) to compensate.... Although I would also look for it with Nav or even A-Spec.... Am I being an idiot by wanting to take a hit so I get a manual or should I just tough it out with what i have.

You guys (most of the time) have great opinions so any advice is welcome... also, anyone wanna trade???

 

No your not being an idiot by doing this. Their is a difference between the stick and the auto in my opinion. I have also driven stick in almost every car i have owned. Also see if the dealer has an 05 stick still on the lot or have them search for one or do a search for dealers around you. Usually they want them off the lot quick. I bought my wifes 04 mdx for $5000 off the sticker price when 05's just came out. Only difference was the bluetooth. 04 had 12 miles on it, was traded earlier that year for a dealer trade.

If your looking for a fun manual car to drive try the lexus is350. Its 10 grand more but worth the test drive.

 

Unfortunately, the Lexus IS350 does not come in manual. Only the IS250.

 

You will lose a fortune by trading the 5AT in for the 6MT.. it's a bad idea.

 

why not just go to the dealer and explain what you want. The 6MT is a hell of a car. I got a 5AT loaner and it felt soooo much different. U may lose like 1k but seeing as how they want to desparately move those 05s you shouldnt lose too much in the value of your car. Ever consider a different color? Your options would be alot wider if you did!

 

The cost of ownership is an emotional or discretionary item. Replacing a car after 3 years vs 4 years is will usually cost you something, but you may feel better. Only you can judge the price of happiness. If you have the money, just do it. Hard negotiation may save you some dollars.

 

Yeah, I am looking a diff colors because it looks like thats the only option... My dealer said that he can get me a new 05 in Anthracite with quartz for 31,700 which he says is invoice... but well see. I also have a guy in Va Bch who deals in auctioned used cars exclusively (mostly BMW) he seems to think he can find it for around 28,000.... decisions decisions.... Thanks for all the input though

 

I think it depends on your $$ Vs. satisfaction. You and only you can weigh that. I'll go for 6MT all the time. If it's $3K diff, I'll say go for it. I love every moment of driving in my 6MT. The feel of shifting, the sound of shifting, revmatching on upshifting/downshifting and all.

 

i trade mine 04 auto non navi 11800 miles . to 05 6spd w/ navi 11000 miles fun to drive rev sound of exhaust is different than auto and also suspension is more stiffer.

 

Stick + LSD + Brembos + satisfaction are worth it.

If you still think it's not enough, make you wife give you the down payment on the trade. It is her fault you don't have a car that satisfies you.

Anyway, for giving in on a decision like that ...

 

KEEP the car! I went to the dealer to trade in my 05 TL NBP w/Ebony Navi 5AT (18000 miles) and they offered me $25500. Trade it in for and 06 TL WDP w/Ebony 5AT Navi and my payments would be 625 a month! Not worth the extra $150 per month for same car except TPMS.

But this is my opinion only.

 

I feel your pain. I always drove a stick until my 05 TL when in "consideration" that my wife may have to take my car to work occasionally (hasn't happened once in 6 months ) which is in NYC and admitidly a PITA or better a PITLeg during rush hour. I really regret it but mine is leased so trying to get rid of it and getting a new one (even an 05) would mean losing some serious dough. In your case you probably will not only lose some money on the trade but you will lose what you spent on the mods. However like others said it boils down to how much extra money you have available to spend without regrets. If it's a hardship don't do it. If a loss of 5-10 grand of your savings doesn't put a dent in it I say go for it. Just my

Good Luck

Dumont

 

It all boils down to what makes YOU happy.. not your wife, not your friends, not the people on this forum. YOU are the most important person in this decision. The only thing standing in your way is your perception of dollars vs your happiness.

Look at it this way. Many of us spend unGodly amounts of money on things that make us happy. Golf. Boating. Flying. Guns. Trips/Vacations. You name it. Few if any of these pursuits are going to net us a positive cash flow. But we do it anyway. And why? Because it makes us happy.

So if you believe that this move will make you happy, do it. Life is short and you should grab all the happiness you can while you can.

 

southernboy is absolutely right! if you are driving a car w/c is your not happy change it. i lost 4 grand on my 04 tl auto non navi when i trade my tl. Now im more satisfied and very happy when i got my new tl 6 spd manual w/navi. that's only money you can still see the money and you can still earn the money. but! you can't buy happiness. life is short and be happy................. enjoy your life!!!!!

 

never do that.

 

i paid 31,200 for my TL.

 

A deep green pearl 6spd tl is a stupidly rare car. In 10 months of working at my dealership we have not had a DGP 6mt TL come in LET ALONE a single DGP car! I believe there are only 2 that even get them serviced with us. Its really rare...

I hate dealers that sell their cars for Invoice btw..

 

ummmm I wouldn't do that

 

Is a six thousand dollar hit worth it? To me, no but I'm not you

 

I'd say take more time getting used to the auto, it's really not a bad setup, and it is comfortable in heavy traffic and when you are trying to concentrate. There are advantages... look for them and maybe you will be okay to hold out until your next car? I have always driven stick as well and I also regretted getting an auto, but after using the car for a good while now I am appreciating auto in a new way.

 

If you do no like the 5AT and can take the hit, then go and get the 06 6mt. You are going to taking a bigger hit the longer you wait, so it might be a good idea to do it now. If you are one of those people that get a car every 2-3 years, then I would say to hold out till the redesign.

 

get the 6 stickmt evry single penny that you lose is worth if you behind the wheels. you will feel your car like a jet plane taking off.

 

If few thousand $ in los won’t hurt your savings/budget, just get 6MT – even considered trade in for ’04 – joy of driving 6MT is well worth it!