Does anyone drive manual anymore?

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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 04:19 PM
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Does anyone drive manual anymore?

Im looking at downgrading from my 2005 tl 6mt. Ive been looking at accords, camrys, cl-s, and maybe something smaller but i think of the hundreds of cars i looked at, maybe 1% were manual. The ones that had manaul had color options i didn't care for though. I don't mind an auto trans. but i just get so bored with them. I am also a bit apprehensive about buying a honda with an auto because of the probelms they seem to have. I think what i really want is a 2003 accord coupe or sedan 4 cyl with manual. I have even left my phone number with sales associates at the dealers and they cant even find them. I thought with the economy like it is the sales guys would be calling me all hours of the day saying they found one. But i guess they didn't sell very well or people dont like to give them up. Oh well, my search will continue. Thats my little rant for the day.
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 04:23 PM
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If you want more manual choices look to a different car maker than Honda Toyota.....and look at different car models other than mid-size family sedans/coupe.
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 04:27 PM
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with the car market so depressed altogether, I don't know how much you would actually save. Have you really crunched the ACTUAL numbers?
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 04:35 PM
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after haggling with honda, it pretty much costs the same for manual and auto.
and it was extremely hard do find a 08 accord coupe in manual without special ordering it.
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 04:36 PM
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Thats why I got an old Prelude, I missed the occasional country drive with a manual
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 04:40 PM
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I owe 15k on the car and my uncle wants to buy it from me. He really likes it. The accords i have seen have been from 8-10k. Plus with a 4 cyl it should get better mileage and the insurance would be cheaper. Im pretty much sticking with only toyota, honda, nissan and maybe subaru. I like the mini but its still expensive to maintain. I drove a 4cyl manual accord and i liked it except that it was gold with tan interior. I want a wrx too but am scared that most of them have been modded and have done damage to them.
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 06:14 PM
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It's especially scary with newer cars. My dad was shopping for an Audi and you can't even get an A3 quatro with a manual anymore. TipTronic only. fuck that electronically controlled garbage.
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 06:52 PM
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This is something I'm always frustrated about. I probably stand alone in this, but I think it would be pimp to drive cars like, for instance a 7-series with a manual. I hate the new ones, but just sayin. Minivans used to be available in stick way back when, even.

Dual clutch manuals are better than a typical automatic, but I'll still take rowing the gears anyday, even if I have to pay more for it. The ONLY reason I'd get DSG/automatic instead of manual is if I had stop-and-go traffic in my commute for an hour or longer... but I'd be more likely to move first.
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 06:54 PM
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I think manual trannys are the cheapest to fix too. My 05 still has the stock clutch but my buddy(a mechanic) told me it would be about 900-1200 installed for a new clutch. If i had an auto it would be about double that. With all of these new computer controlled, cvt, wanna-be manual options, i see a lot of potentially upset owners when they see a repair bill for 3-5k. They also tend to be heavier and slower.
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 06:54 PM
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the only time i ever regretted manual was when i sat in inching traffic for an hr and i moved like 20 ft.
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 06:55 PM
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Originally Posted by so cal eddie
I think manual trannys are the cheapest to fix too. My 05 still has the stock clutch but my buddy(a mechanic) told me it would be about 900-1200 installed for a new clutch. If i had an auto it would be about double that. With all of these new computer controlled, cvt, wanna-be manual options, i see a lot of potentially upset owners when they see a repair bill for 3-5k. They also tend to be heavier and slower.
yeah, but once you have to rebuild the transmission it costs about the same.
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 06:58 PM
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Personally, I won't buy a car I can't get in a manual. If my Taurus was an automatic I wouldn't be driving it.
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 07:07 PM
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Sometimes I just pretend I'm driving a stick shift when I'm driving my car...

Only reason I have auto is so my mom could drive it. Kinda sucked paying for something I didn't like but my next car will be a stick shift by all means necessary.
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 07:58 PM
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I do, every day!
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 08:03 PM
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Isn't your GTI DSG?
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 08:33 PM
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I love my 6MT. I think my next 2 cars will be manuals.
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 08:46 PM
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i want a 6MT. =(
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 08:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Danil ACE
Isn't your GTI DSG?


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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 08:52 PM
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Been shifting for myself for 4 years now. I do miss a auto, feels so luxuroius to just stomp on it and go. I better hold on to my car though once its gone it will be hard to find V6/Mt combos new anymore.
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 09:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Shoofin
I do, every day!




Originally Posted by princelybug
I love my 6MT. I think my next 2 cars will be manuals.

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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 09:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Dicorp
It's especially scary with newer cars. My dad was shopping for an Audi and you can't even get an A3 quatro with a manual anymore. TipTronic only. fuck that electronically controlled garbage.
Tiptronic and DSG are different.

And the DSG on the A3 is actually pretty fun. Almost as fun as the new R32, and TT as well. Paired up with the right car, it can be pretty awesome to drive. Though still not the same as a real MT.

Electronically controlled garbage?

You do realize that they were modeled after F1 cars right? And that a DSG car will wreck an MT car in terms of efficiently shifting and off the line quickness.

Must be hard for Hamilton and the other drivers in the F1 circuit to put up with such garbage.
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 09:17 PM
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I want a six speed...
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 09:18 PM
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Aside from cars I have purchased for my wife I have not owned a manual...
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 09:19 PM
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automatics are for cocksuckerpicklepuffinghomo's IMO

Manuals are for DRIVERS
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 09:27 PM
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If my BMW had a manual gearbox like my 04 TL, I would have gotten it in a heartbeat. BMW manuals are so crappy IMO, but the M3's DCT transmission is a great alternative, and its very fun although being a "manumatic".
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 10:10 PM
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I drive a 6MT in nyc

Drivin stick makes driving, at least the right car, much more enjoyable
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 10:25 PM
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It looks like its only us enthusiasts that drive stick. Maybe we are a small crowd. I just cant see myself driving an auto. Its soo boring. Even if im driving in traffic, i think driving a manual is what keeps me alert.
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 10:58 PM
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An auto is like a toy car... one pedal to go one to stop. How boring. Plus a MT is better for the snow and rain and ice.
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 11:03 PM
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Originally Posted by v6cord2k5
Sometimes I just pretend I'm driving a stick shift when I'm driving my car...

Only reason I have auto is so my mom could drive it. Kinda sucked paying for something I didn't like but my next car will be a stick shift by all means necessary.
I'm the exact same. I wish I just bought a manual. My mom can learn.

OP: keep searching, and the perfect car will pop up.
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 11:05 PM
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If my TL or RL ever somehow lose their slushboxes, i'll replace them with the Legend 6MT
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 11:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Onese1f
Tiptronic and DSG are different.

And the DSG on the A3 is actually pretty fun. Almost as fun as the new R32, and TT as well. Paired up with the right car, it can be pretty awesome to drive. Though still not the same as a real MT.

Electronically controlled garbage?

You do realize that they were modeled after F1 cars right? And that a DSG car will wreck an MT car in terms of efficiently shifting and off the line quickness.

Must be hard for Hamilton and the other drivers in the F1 circuit to put up with such garbage.
yeah, but people shopping for an A3 are hardly F1 drivers. my dad sure as hell isn't. He just wants a manual. That's simple to service (Fluid flush once a few years). Audis are known for their unreliable electronics.

Yes, on paper and when tested by professionals a Dual Clutch will be better than a Manual, but it took how many years to achieve that? Only high performance cars of recent vintage ( M3 DCT, Evolution MR, 911 Turbo) have shown slightly faster 0-60 and 1/4 Mile times with Dual Clutch Trannies.

the Audi A3 doesn't come close to any of those and it's silly how Audi is trying to push it's fresh technology down the consumers throat instead of just giving them a manual transmission option.
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 11:08 PM
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Originally Posted by I Go To Costco
This is something I'm always frustrated about. I probably stand alone in this, but I think it would be pimp to drive cars like, for instance a 7-series with a manual. I hate the new ones, but just sayin. Minivans used to be available in stick way back when, even.

Dual clutch manuals are better than a typical automatic, but I'll still take rowing the gears anyday, even if I have to pay more for it. The ONLY reason I'd get DSG/automatic instead of manual is if I had stop-and-go traffic in my commute for an hour or longer... but I'd be more likely to move first.
on all points
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Old Feb 13, 2009 | 12:28 AM
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Originally Posted by Dicorp
It's especially scary with newer cars. My dad was shopping for an Audi and you can't even get an A3 quatro with a manual anymore. TipTronic only. fuck that electronically controlled garbage.
ummm...you NEVER could get the A3 with quattro and a manual. Its only ever been offered on the FWD model.

And I will only drive stick. I do steal my wifes civic on occasion for the gas mileage and ease of not shifting...but then I always hate getting into corners because I can't control the gearbox.
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Old Feb 13, 2009 | 12:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Dicorp
yeah, but people shopping for an A3 are hardly F1 drivers. my dad sure as hell isn't. He just wants a manual. That's simple to service (Fluid flush once a few years). Audis are known for their unreliable electronics.

Yes, on paper and when tested by professionals a Dual Clutch will be better than a Manual, but it took how many years to achieve that? Only high performance cars of recent vintage ( M3 DCT, Evolution MR, 911 Turbo) have shown slightly faster 0-60 and 1/4 Mile times with Dual Clutch Trannies.

the Audi A3 doesn't come close to any of those and it's silly how Audi is trying to push it's fresh technology down the consumers throat instead of just giving them a manual transmission option.
Really now

please stop posting until youve done a little research and you can come back knowing what youre talking about.
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Old Feb 13, 2009 | 12:53 AM
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Now that I've gone 6MT I don't think I can settle for anything less.

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Old Feb 13, 2009 | 01:02 AM
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Originally Posted by phil2
Aside from cars I have purchased for my wife I have not owned a manual...
Originally Posted by phil2
automatics are for cocksuckerpicklepuffinghomo's IMO

Manuals are for DRIVERS
So you just called yourself a "cocksuckerpicklepuffinghomo?"
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Old Feb 13, 2009 | 01:10 AM
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Driving a manual just seems to add so much more to the driving experience. There's something innately satisfying correctly driving a car with a manual gearbox (it seems as more than a few who have them actually don't drive them correctly). It's unfortunate that an increasingly amount of models no longer offer a manual transmission. Lately I was in the market for a new F150, but the '09s aren't even offered with a manual gearbox any longer. I had to order another F350 just so I could get the 6MT.

I hope they will be around for sometime longer, including automobiles not necessarily marketed towards the enthusiasts.

Terry
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Old Feb 13, 2009 | 05:48 AM
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For those who have their parents buy/help them buy their cars (NOTHING wrong with that.... unless you aren't grateful for it and you act like a spoiled prick) I would suggest saving up money and buying a car of your own. My mom offered to buy me a car but I know she can't drive stick so I just shared cars with her, and eventually I bought my hooptie 95 Integra 5MT with the cash I saved. But I realized it was so much fun that I saved up some more money, sold the Integra and bought my Camaro (got a loan) Its nowhere near as nice as the 2G TL-S my mom had but its so much faster, handles better, looks sexier (IMO) and is more fun to drive, 6MT aside, but even more so when you consider it.

I'm not the same as everyone else though, if you want a plusher car there's plenty of cars that are luxurious, affordable and have a manual transmission as an option. Off the top of my head, the Legend, TSX, Accord EX, SC300, A4 and E36 M3 all come in stick.



Originally Posted by cM3go
If my BMW had a manual gearbox like my 04 TL, I would have gotten it in a heartbeat. BMW manuals are so crappy IMO, but the M3's DCT transmission is a great alternative, and its very fun although being a "manumatic".


Maybe this is a problem with the new E92s, I don't know, I haven't driven them yet but my friends' E36 M3 and E46 323i(?) was great. I know the 323i was stock.... and the clutch was very easy to modulate and it shifted like butter, no rubbery feel as mentioned in car mags, though in the 323i I believe its a throttle cable instead of DBW.
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Old Feb 13, 2009 | 07:43 AM
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They are definitely getting harder and harder to find. So many manufacturers only offer a stick on the base model.

There is nothing like running through the gears on a nice winding back country road.....
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Old Feb 13, 2009 | 07:55 AM
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i drive a manual and i don't think i'll ever buy an auto
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