YACT: Manual vs. Automatic - opinions & poll!

[MrKneecap]

To make this quick, I'm looking to buy a new car (namely, an Infiniti G35 :thumbsup: ), and it's offered in both manual and automatic. The manual version gets slightly better gas mileage and it has more horsepower.

Here's my problem: I don't really know how to drive a stick (don't get me wrong, I would probably learn quickly and my aunt has an old beater I can learn with). Is a manual transmission worth it for general purpose driving and commuting to work?

I need opinions on people who have driven both, or who have given up on a manual because they couldn't be bothered with such things .

 

[Aharami]

get the manual. worth it. learn on your aunt's beater.
are you looking into the sedan or coupe? if coupe, then auto is a no no unless you want immediate confiscation of your man card

 

[iamwiz82]

Driving a stickshift isn't rocket science, you should be able to deduce that by the number of idiots who drive manual Honda Civics. Anyways, I prefer a stick and I bought my first stickshift car before knowing how to drive one. Rush hour traffic is a quick teacher.

 

[Saint Nick]

manuals are fun. better MPG and more horsepower. do us all a favor and get a manual, please

:beer:

 

[AmdEmAll]

For general purpose driving and commuting to work a Automatic is much better. Manuals in traffic suck.

 

[imported_ArtVandalay]

Much prefer manual.

 

[Kishan]

Depends where you are located and where you drive.

But before getting a new car, I would learn first.

 

[Quixfire]

Manual transmissions increase mileage, cost less to repair or maintain, more fun to drive, and can double as a marital aid.

 

[mercanucaribe]

Buying a G35, you'd have be an idiot or a poseur to get the automatic. It's not a Buick!

 

[frankie38]

i have owned both. i say get manual only if yo can deal with constant shifting due to traffic congeston.

in ny/nj area. traffic is bad so an automatic helps me keep my left leg from develping a cramp.

 

[pray4mojo]

I look down on those who own an auto G35, so get manual.

 

[Fenixgoon]

manual - i hate the car's computer deciding when to shift, cause its done so at very poor times

 

[habib89]

manual for sure

 

[AMDZen]

Manual is for people who actually like to drive.

Auto is for people who generally don't like to drive, and think of it as a necessary evil.

Manual in a sports car is for people who CAN drive that sports car.

Auto in a sports car is for old men who drive their new 911 or C6 5-10 below the speed limit.

Manual is for people who enjoy control over there car, want their transmission to last longer, and prefer better control over their gas mileage.

Auto is for everyone else, which is most everyone.

 

[cyberhap]

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
Buying a G35, you'd have be an idiot or a poseur to get the automatic. It's not a Buick!

I bought my wife the automatic G35, because she doesn't know how to drive manual. What's wrong with that?

Also, automatic definitely beats all during commute, city traffic, etc.

For the pure fun of it, manual is cool.

 

[thujone]

manual.

i drove automatic up until about 4 months ago. was looking into getting a vw new beetle... and the only one they had in my price range was a manual. which i didn't really know how to drive. i'd suffered through it a couple times when a friend was drunk and ihad to drive... but that was it.

was very herky jerky at first... which i expect is how it is for everyone learning... but you pick it up pretty quick.

now the thought of driving an automatic drives me nuts. it just seems... not... logical at all lol

manual just seems like the best idea for some reason.

 

[nakedfrog]

If you're looking for more driving enjoyment, manual. If you view your car as just point a->b conveyance, go for automatic.

 

[mercanucaribe]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
If you're looking for more driving enjoyment, manual. If you view your car as just point a->b conveyance, go for automatic.

And buy a FWD Lexus!

 

[AmdEmAll]

My car is a manual and I love to drive it... but driving in traffic is horrible.

 

[Lola]

I never thought i would like manual, but i LOVE driving with it!

 

[lokiju]

My next "car" will be a manual, currently have a Tahoe and thats not gonna happen with a manual.

 

[Tea Bag]

G35? Manual.

 

[Heisenberg]

Really depends on your driving style and what kind of driving (city vs. highway) that you do. Manual's have a slight edge in performance and fuel economy, but that difference with modern automatics is very small.

 

[AMDZen]

Originally posted by: cyberhap

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
Buying a G35, you'd have be an idiot or a poseur to get the automatic. It's not a Buick!

I bought my wife the automatic G35, because she doesn't know how to drive manual. What's wrong with that?

Also, automatic definitely beats all during commute, city traffic, etc.

For the pure fun of it, manual is cool.

Most women don't like manuals, I have noticed that. They take no time to learn or they may actually enjoy it. Most women don't enjoy driving either, And furthermore, most women can't drive. So there is definetely nothing wrong with it, its just not for me or for anyone else who prefers control over EASE of use.

Its like - do you want OS9 in a MAC or Linux (even windows) in a PC. Sure Macs are easy, but it doesn't give you the control that you can have with a PC. This has changed since OSX came out since it has both ease of use and control, but work with me here.

Do you want to use Adaptec EZ CD Creator back in the day, or Nero before it became so popular. Sure Adaptec is easy but it also suxx. Nero was a lot more complicated but gave you full control over everything.

The fact is, women could care less about control. I want to know what gear I'm in all the time.

 

[mercanucaribe]

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
Really depends on your driving style and what kind of driving (city vs. highway) that you do. Manual's have a slight edge in performance and fuel economy, but that difference with modern automatics is very small.

You don't get a manual for the 5% increase in straight line performance and fuel economy. You get a manual to have control over what gear you're in, and for the fun of shifting your own. It also puts some extra points on your man card.