fuzzy02CLS

iTrader: (2)

Your thinking of sporty feel And I agree to some degree.
Cars that have low hp, or cars the have high power bands, ie rev happy are hard to drive everyday with a stick. Because you are always shifting to keep the car in the right power band for passing or cruising, or in traffic. An auto in these cars makes more sense cause it takes all that work out.
Take a s2000, or RSX, or RX8 all those cars are a blast to drive in stick, however live with them everyday & you are always shifting to get the power since they make it at 5K+rpm. An auto in these types of cars make more sense. To me anyway. BTW I do hate auto's in most cars. I'm a stick guy.

Doom878

Read my post. I'm asking how do you have the endurance for it? Is there a certain way you position your legs. I know people can do it. I'm curious how they do it.

youngTL

The first car that comes to mind is the Accord Coupe EX-V6 6MT. The highway mileage is the same, but the city is 11.4L/100km for the auto, and 11.5L/100km for the manual (or 21mpg city auto, 20mpg city manual). I can't think of any others off the top of my head. The 3rd gen TL gets exactly the same fuel economy with either transmission.

youngTL

I have bulky legs for my size. It's effortless for me to push a car clutch in. I drove an old 4Runner for over 2 and a half years, and that thing had a terribly strong clutch, resulting in my left calf being over an inch bigger in diameter than the right. I've since evened them out. My legs only start to get sore after about 2 or 3 hours in solid traffic (a rarity in Edmonton anyway...the most I've had to endure is just over an hour).

youngTL

How does an auto in an S2000 (or any of those cars) make any sense? Low torque + auto = slow as hell. So the auto tranny is always shifting and gear hunting. It heats up and breaks down much sooner than a manual would break. You're assuming that people hate to shift gears and that it's a chore. Let me tell you, when I drove the TSX 6MT, I loved to shift gears. I guess you don't. If I bought an 06 Accord sedan, I'd get one in the 6MT for sure just because I love shifting. I can tell you right now that when I drive my brother's Acura 1.7EL, it makes me VERY frustrated because I have to floor it ALL the time to get any power, since the auto takes so much out of it. That car is much better suited to the manual. To me, if a car doesn't have over 150lb-ft of torque, there is no way that I'd even consider an auto.

Doom878

So that is you in the pic with them bulky legs? When you push down on the clutch are you doing a toe raise or a lunge? I'm assuming toe raise given your calf statement.

fdl

The clutch in the TSX is like butter, so is the shifting. Its really effortless.

Shawn S

Oh...Oh...Here we go

Keep it clean and on topic guys.

youngTL

No, that's not me. I'm 5'8" and 160lbs, solid muscle in my legs from rugby and soccer, and leg pressing. But anyway, since my legs are so short, I have to raise my toe when I push the clutch in (since I can't reach otherwise). Anyone shouldn't have trouble with a car clutch, especially a Honda. Like fdl said, they're like buttah! Your ONE calf can lift more than your entire body weight without too much strain. You do this when you walk every day. So unless you don't use that muscle at all when you press the clutch in, it should be very easy, even if you have chicken legs.

mc_yanzo

I deal with traffic all the time (Boston), and I love my 6speed. Three pedals or bust!

98CLChick

I deal with traffic pretty often (between Detroit and Chicago) and I don't have much of a problem driving a stick. Gets annoying sometimes, but not enough to the point that I would buy an auto.

Doom878

The reason I ask, my stick experience was learning on a mid 90's Mustang GT. I had to shove that fucker.

youngTL

Well, the newer cars, especially Honda and BMW, are just great and easy. I've never driven a Mustang MT car, but from what you describe, it sounds like you have to shove it like a virgin on sunday to get it in.

Doom878

Virgin on Sunday.

mt6forlife

Hills are the only thing that could make me want an auto.

MattT516

The only car I've ever driven in stick is an '02 Mustang GT 5-speed (I'm fairly new to the third pedal) and it's a real bitch to get it into first. I've heard the German and Japanese manual transmissions are like butter so I might consider my next car in a 6-speed.

mt6forlife

I can shift my CL with one finger. Super easy. It pretty much finds the gears itself.

youngTL

The synchros are also very good on Honda and BMW manuals. My favourite. Somehow Lexus and MB can't quite match them.

mt6forlife

Yeah I noticed that with an IS300 5 speed I sat in at a car show. It felt like a ratchet wrench going through the gears. Not nearly as smooth as even my old 82 Accord.

cl3.0dude

hello to everyone. im kinda new here, mostly just been reading threads. theres tons of really great info on this site. i recently bought a 97 cl 3.0 auto. i was wondering if i could get a 6 speed from a accord or something and change it out. thought you guys would know what year model i would need.

98CLChick

Search through 1st gen, I'm pretty sure they've talked about this.

Doom878

That's been beaten to death at www.v6p.net. It's mostly Accords there but same powertrain.

bigman

With my Trans Am, I prefer an auto with a high stall verter. The manuals are great, but are hard to hook up when you have over 400 lb. ft. of tq. Also, a stalled auto on the highway can pull on a manual easily. This is for the fbods of course not for all cars.

psteng19

Hills DURING traffic would be the only thing that made me wish I drove an auto.

I must wear the clutch down more during traffic on a hill road, than I do all year.

lima

my jack ass best friend gladly switched over to AT due to conjested traffic situations. 3 hour commute is the average in LA. ONE-WAY. ahem, EVERYDAY.

youngTL

Why would you even bother to drive then? It's faster to just do like the Chinese do and ride your bike in cities like that. And if you're not riding a pedal bike, use a motorcycle or scooter.

teg_to_bike

I switched from a 4AT integra to a 6MT TSX. I don't think I'd ever go back to AT, theres so much more control you get with a stick that an automatic will never give you. Plus, no one else even bothers asking if they can drive my car

The only AT car that I enjoyed driving is the 3 series, only because their ATs are pretty aggresive in the "sport mode".

ianbiz

I love paddels

youngTL

Paddles, you mean. Should use one on you for that...



So you're saying you'd rather have an automatic transmission, or DSG/SMG type, right?

lima

You live in canada. You wouldn't understand.

Motorcycles are dangerous. or any bike. and it doesnt make any sense to sit on a bike in LA traffic, and 100 degree weather. He got an Expedition. He was driving a nice Jeep 2 door wrangler...manual.

believe it or not, most people don't drive for entertainment. most people drive because it is neccessary. and yes, it would be nice if americans can drive compact cars, like the rest of the world

ianbiz

Correct. I really like BMWs SMG set up. You have the reg drive mode, you have the "S" or Sport mode, and then you have full control. And to park it, you put it in neutral.

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