03 CL TypeS

... depending on the situation.

Manual for:
-racing (any)
-sporty cars (200+ hp)

Automatic for:
-daily drivers
-traffic
-slow cars
-non-sporty cars
-high-powered RWD drag racing

SMG F1-type gearboxes for:
-everything


Anyone here with me? I just truely think that I'd prefer to have an automatic daily driver that's slow and uninspiring to drive, as compared to a manual one (same car though).

fdl

Not sure why you would prefer "slow and uninspiring". I prefer to max out the fun factor as much as possible. If you can have fun every day then why not

Unless I'm in complete bumper to bumper traffic, i'll take the fun of a slick shifting manual any day.

98CLChick

My CL is "slow and unispiring" but I wouldn't be driving it if it was an auto. Meh, it's all personal preference.

Doom878

I'll take auto due to my 50 mile commute with some traffic jams. Plus the wife refuses to learn.

dom

65 Fury Convert

I lived in Chicago so when I bought my car I bought it with an auto - the traffic jams were the reason why I didn't go stick...

Shawn S

I will agree with you when my left leg is no longer functional.

3-Pedals > Slushbox or SMG

fdl

My friend has an old beat up civic. The thing is slow and ugly, and definately not sporty or a "sports car" .... but its really fun to drive because of the manual.

GreenMonster

Oh, boy... another 6MT > 5AT thread

My next car might be a uninspiring sedan w/ auto, and I'll pick up a 6spd weekend only car...

GreenMonster

and weighs about 2700 pounds... That helps alot...

The early 70's Porsche 911's are uninspiring, at least the base T model w/ only 140hp, but in a car that weighs 2300 lbs, it like driving a go-cart.

MattT516

I agree. My dad has had a '70 911 Targa for over 15 years now, and that thing is fun as all hell to drive.

As for the argument, I agree with everything said. I want to buy a 6-speed car as my next car and become a ''master'' at driving stick, but it would be an absolute waste with the traffic I endure on a daily basis. A lot of the guys making the argument FOR stick live, well, in the sticks, and they don't have to endure big-city life and traffic. I guess I'll just wait until I have enough money to buy a second car as a weekend car.

F23A4

<----- was expecting to see 03 CL TypeS' location as New York City, based on the thread title.

After years of having both AT and MT, I definitely would not have wanted MT in the I95 traffic I was in, approaching the WWB in DC this past Saturday.

Here's where I show my age: Unless it's something like an S2000 or 350Z, I cant fathom having an MT in a family or entry level luxury sedan.

youngTL

I can't fathom having an AT in an econobox. Imagine if you owned a Civic with 127hp. Would you want to further kill the driving excitement, and make it even more sluggish by opting for auto (not to mention paying an extra $1000)?

S A CHO

I learned how to drive on a Manual when I was 10...at first I didnt understand the concept of the AUTOMATIC, (I kept wondering where the third pedal was ...remeber, I was 10)...I much prefer Manual over automatic, more fun, more contro, and actually takes some skill to drive good....I love it...Im glad my SHO is a Manaul...Ive heard nothing but bad things about the auto's....

BEETROOT

When I had both the auto cls and the s2k, I have to admit it was a good feeling to get in the cl and just cruise without shifting.

My ideal situation would be a 6mt sports car and an auto sedan, but if I only have one car, it has to be manual.

F23A4

I guess to some that Civic EX can be (mis)construed as a performance oriented car but to me it's a point A to point B ride that's more than adequate with a 4AT.

<---- just showed age again.

youngTL

It's certainly not too performance oriented. My brother has a 2001 Acura 1.7EL (essentially a luxury civic), and he has the 4AT. Boy does that thing feel bogged down when there's even 3 people in it. We drove the manual version and it felt like it was more able to climb hills and get around without revving into VTEC every time.

In my opinion, Auto + 4cyl =

Additionally, when buying a car to save money but still get all the features you want (ala the EL), I would want to save as much as I could in operating costs. I'd get better gas mileage with the 5MT (or 6MT if they offer it in 06...must wait and see!), I'd have lower maintenance costs associated with the transmission, AND, if driven properly, a manual transmission will last the life of the car, at most requiring a clutch replacement. Many people who buy economy cars value that. It looks like with the price of gas now ($1.14/L @ 91 octane), my dreams of getting an 06 TL have gone down the drain, and I'm going to be watching the next EL. Basically I want a luxurious car that is cheap to operate. I'm sure I'm not the only one either.

fdl

its absolutely not a performance car, but I woudl still want a manual in it for the fun factor. But thats my point, you can still have fun in a non-perforamnce oriented car with a manual transmission. Where as the initial posts states otherwise.

Doom878

Question. How many of you actually drive in bumper-to-bumper traffic everyday and prefer a stick? How do you have the endurance for that?

Crazy Bimmer

Get use to it.. just leave enough space in front of you and the car ahead and stay in 1st gear. Not that hard.

But i would love SMG or DSG as my next tranny choice.

Doom878

So you prefer clutchless? I can't leave a gap here. Too many nuts cut in front.

F23A4

My S2k buddy's girlfriend has a 6G CEX coupe 5MT and I drove it.....nothing short of a suspension upgrade and forced induction could make that thing fun.....now the Si is something different.

Aint that the truth....it'd be like going in reverse before long.

fuzzy02CLS

iTrader: (2)

Some cars are better with the auto. Cars with low power, or high power bands are a real pain with a stick.

03 CL TypeS

F23A4: you're almost double my age, but I think just like you!

To those that say driving a low horsepower manual car can be a lot of fun, I agree.

Personally, I've had my share of "low horsepower fun" with my first car, a 2000 Civic DX coupe (manual) and I can't conceive ever wanting a manual A-to-B car again.

Maybe I'm just growing up too quickly. But my definition of automobile performance has evolved, and my needs and desires have changed.

If I'm going to be shifting gears, I'd rather do in something that can accel/brake/corner better than a manual A-to-B grocery getter.

WiLLs TypE S

How bout Auto - nice looking and still have power..thats also fuel efficient...like a TL or CL-S (A). hehehe..then a manual has to be a true power car...like a ford mustang Cobra, Supra, etc. etc. hehe...when u commute u definitely need a fuel efficient car, and some power to cut off some people out there...who just drive like granny. =)

psteng19

I don't know how some of you can say economy cars with low power shouldn't be stick.
If anything, those are exactly the cars that need to be manual.
You need to minimize power loss and that extra gear to be in the fat part of the power band definitely helps as well.

All cars should be available in manual IMO.


And I don't understand what you mean by high power bands.

youngTL

Fuel effient and auto don't usually go together in the case of economy cars. It's only in high performance cars with agressive gearing where the manual is less fuel efficient. The purpose of a commuter car, you said yourself, is to be fuel efficient. Getting an auto is counterproductive to that. I would prefer an SMG or CVT type transmission if you prefer to not shift for yourself. A traditional auto simply is far too parasitic for a little 1.7L or 1.8L engine.

youngTL

and !!

Consider the Civic DX or VP. You save about 2MPG in the city with the manual.

Doom878

I only know of Corvettes, Camaros, etc that get better gas on auto. Who else?

WiLLs TypE S

Scion tC, and soon Audi.

WiLLs TypE S

As for what I stated earlier..I meant to said...it WOULD BE NICE..to have a nice car with power, looks, fuel eff. and auto. To be honest with you...I think the TL gives you decent gas mileage. But if you go with 4 bucker cars...I suggest manual...but what car surprised me was the Scion tC.

GreenMonster

This lightweight 911 looks interesting too... East cost collector has it up forsale:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=4567686088

Champagne tastes on a beer budget

Chopsie

I can agree with that.

My GSR is much more fun to drive, but the auto CLS was nice .

Shawn S

Wrong answer....try again...

2005 Chevrolet Corvette
EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway)
Manual: 18 mpg / 28 mpg
Automatic: : 18 mpg / 26 mpg


http://www.edmunds.com/new/2005/chev.....8.Chevrolet*

F23A4

That said, I couldnt imagine any discernable following (or demand) for a Lincoln Town Car or Ford Freestar with an MT.

Ken1997TL

Different strokes for different folks.

Auto verses manual... it COMPLETELY changes the character of the vehicle.

As mentioned, a Civic can be fun to drive if its a stickshift, i can attest to that.

I'd love to make my TL a 6 speed manual, but its not as much of a priority as you might think. It has plenty of power.


Now for a car like an S2000... its absolute heresy in my opinion to have anything resembling an automatic in it

Doom878

I got confused. I was thinking mpg but it's speed. It's easier to drive an auto Vette faster off a dig than the stick due to the harder grip to control.

So what car is out there where its manual variant gets worse mpg, youngTL?

Shawn S

I can’t believe everyone always brings up TRAFFIC in these arguments.
Sure it’s more difficult, but it’s worth the tradeoff when you get out in the clear.
I’ve never been in traffic so bad that it made me want to sell any of my stick cars.

I live out in the suburbs.
My daily commute is 1/2 curvy county roads and 1/2 bumper to bumper city traffic.
Plus I also have one really steep hill with a stop sign at the top that I deal with nearly every day.
It’s a 45 degree slope and can be quite interesting when traffic backs up 10+ cars deep.
You get real good at learning clutch engagement points when there’s an asshole with an SUV 6” off your back bumper.
( Illick’s Mill road pulling onto Center Street in Bethlehem for any of you locals who know the area )

Shawn S

His argument might hold some water in 2006 because the Vette gets a 6-Speed AUTO with paddle shifters.
Still not a true BMW style SMG, but it will probably get better MPG because of the extra gears.

F23A4

Try I495 from the NJTP interchange 16E to the Lincoln Tunnel Toll (aka The Helix), keeping in mind that most New Yorkers (and some Jerseyans) could care less about incidental contact* with other vehicles.

*incidental contact = "if it aint hanging off or knocked off, what's the problem?"