Can I *?

[Tetsuo]

whats that website where the guys shows you all the in and outs in the bmw?

 

[raildogg]

Right here

 

[Tetsuo]

Originally posted by: raildogg
Right here

that's the one, good site.

 

[JACKHAMMER]

Only in America... Seriously, do they not even offer a manual shift car in Drivers Ed??

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: raildogg
Most of my commute is around town, suburbs, city etc. So I encounter a lot of traffic with constant stop and go. Is manual more for highway? I mean the constant shifting could get tiresome, no?

One of my friend has a manual and I think it is his first car. He drives it very hard.

Some drivers do think that all the shifting sucks for stop-and-go. I don't mind, but I've been driving stick for a long time.

Manual is for windy mountain roads with no traffic and no cops 😎

Originally posted by: raildogg
Right here

LOL, shockingly enough, over 80% of the visitors to "www.standardshift.com" drive manuals.

 

[erikistired]

Originally posted by: raildogg
I am thinking about getting manual as my next car. Is it an improvement over an automatic?

I mean, it is obvious that it is more involving to drive and saves slightly on gas. Any other benefits?

it only saves on gas if you stay off the gas. none of my sticks (cars and trucks) have saved me much tho because i tend to drive them harder than autos.

 

[erikistired]

Originally posted by: drpootums
well, i wouldnt worry about complexity, my brother taught my how to use a manual and let me try out his '84 Ford Bronco II when i had my temps and i was fine. It's not too hard to do.

to make it even simpler to know when to shift, just listen to the engine when you drive. if it sounds like it's working, go ahead and upshift, and if it's starting to feel kinda shakey go ahead and downshift it (you have to experience it to know quite what i mean, but it's not that complex once you get used to it).

!!! i learned to drive a stick in an 89 bronco II. i miss that thing, it probably had the smoothest clutch of all the manual trucks i've owned.

 

[miri]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: raildogg
I am thinking about getting manual as my next car. Is it an improvement over an automatic?

I mean, it is obvious that it is more involving to drive and saves slightly on gas. Any other benefits?

Nope, that's about it. Theoretically a manual is simpler to fix if it grenades, but that shouldn't come into play.

It's all personal preference. I'd suggest finding a way to "try out" a manual before switching unless you're very dis-satisfied with the automatic. Not everyone likes the trade-offs associated with a manual.

ZV

Actually there are more advantages to a manual then just saving gas and being more involving to drive.

Better acceleration from smaller engines
Cheaper initial price
Less wear on breaks
Lighter