auto or manual?
- Thread starter dpnguyen
- Start date
I'm a manual man too and agree with your proposition. With a manual, you get more control over how the car behaves and more power (due to fewer losses).
However, autos have other advantages. They're easier to drive in stop/start traffic (particularly on inclines). Cars with autos also retain their value better as more people prefer to drive them. With a manual, you'll take a hit at trade-in time if you go to a dealer.
However, autos have other advantages. They're easier to drive in stop/start traffic (particularly on inclines). Cars with autos also retain their value better as more people prefer to drive them. With a manual, you'll take a hit at trade-in time if you go to a dealer.
Big Cities and huge traffic jams are a huge plus side for Auto's. Often wives cannot drive stickshift, so husbands are buying an auto so both can use.
I've heard from my dealer that Nationally only ~5% of all BMW's are sold as Manual. That's a scary number.
On the contrary, 80% of all cars sold in Italy are Stickshift.![[:D]](/images/smilies/biggrin.png "Big Grin [:D]")
I've heard from my dealer that Nationally only ~5% of all BMW's are sold as Manual. That's a scary number.
On the contrary, 80% of all cars sold in Italy are Stickshift.
After driving cars/trucks with manual transmissions for 40+ years, I went with Steptronic because it offered versatility with its three modes and good throttle response. East Coast traffic can play havoc with a manual at times (i.e. 5 miles of stop and go outside Charlotte a few months ago would have fried a clutch). And true I am getting close to 60, but that wasn't a reason. FWIW, the dealer where I ordered mine had no BMWs with a manual on the lot.
Akakubi said:
Big Cities and huge traffic jams are a huge plus side for Auto's. Often wives cannot drive stickshift, so husbands are buying an auto so both can use.
I've heard from my dealer that Nationally only ~5% of all BMW's are sold as Manual. That's a scary number.
On the contrary, 80% of all cars sold in Italy are Stickshift.
I've heard from my dealer that Nationally only ~5% of all BMW's are sold as Manual. That's a scary number.
On the contrary, 80% of all cars sold in Italy are Stickshift.
no matter how bad the traffic is, i never find myself saing dammit jsut for a few minuetes let me have an auto.
in my family weve only owned 3 automatic cars. 1 being a minivan for my mom, which they dotn becoe stick, my moms 540 which we were getting an auto for 36k, and we seriously considered converting, and my sis civic who cant drive stick, frickin ran into a flower section in a parkn lot twice in my back then dads car, now my car.
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I also prefer manual for all of the reasons mentioned above. But as Akakubi said, you have to consider The Wife and other members of the family. Letting those unfamiliar with a manual transmission to drive a jewl of a car, like a BMW, could result in a lot of damage. That's probably why rental cars are only available with automatic transmissions.
I don't know if you guys haven't noticed, but right now the statistic is that 10% of all cars on the road are manual transmission cars. I read this about a year ago and I'm sure that the number is dropping even more. I'm sure that if you're driving around and you see 10 cars....I bet that most of the time, all 10 cars will have auto transmissions. Here is why I think people don't get stick shift anymore (even Porsche owners ![[:o]](/images/smilies/redface.png "Embarrassment [:o]")
):
1.) US and its traffic. When we're not sitting in traffic, trying to get to work or something, we still have lots and lots of traffic lights to deal with.
2.) Most people aren't willing to learn/operate manual transmission as they know there is a transmission that can do the shifting for them.
3.) Most people just want to get from Point A to Point B, not caring that driving is half the fun (IMO).
On this forum (and other forums), many of the owners have manual transmissions because people who spend time chatting on forums are bigger enthusiasts about their cars rather than regular people who just have their car "to get them around". Catch my drift??
):1.) US and its traffic. When we're not sitting in traffic, trying to get to work or something, we still have lots and lots of traffic lights to deal with.
2.) Most people aren't willing to learn/operate manual transmission as they know there is a transmission that can do the shifting for them.
3.) Most people just want to get from Point A to Point B, not caring that driving is half the fun (IMO).
On this forum (and other forums), many of the owners have manual transmissions because people who spend time chatting on forums are bigger enthusiasts about their cars rather than regular people who just have their car "to get them around". Catch my drift??
For the record, my Boxster has a manual transmission. This "drives" The Wife nuts, since she knows she can't drive the car. I'd love to be able to share this wonderful car with her; and if I were to rethink my options when ordering the car, I would probably have gotten the steptronic.
All of this is the main reason I'm now shopping for a BMW with a steptronic or SMG, which is much more practical than a Porsche with a manual transmission.
All of this is the main reason I'm now shopping for a BMW with a steptronic or SMG, which is much more practical than a Porsche with a manual transmission.
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You guys all make good points. My first few cars were all sticks and when I got married, had to get autos (for the wife). I've told her that I drive my current car (Volvo--automatic) 99.9 % of the time and she only drives her Saab--automatic anyway. I've won out and will be getting a Bimmer stick this year, over the Infiniti G35 Mr. Elussive ;-).
The debate is 325i loaded or 330i only with the Sport package....what do you guys think? I really don't want to go over 40Gs.
The debate is 325i loaded or 330i only with the Sport package....what do you guys think? I really don't want to go over 40Gs.
I live in Los Angeles, not Colorado. You sit in traffic for an hour and a half EACH WAY and auto isn't that bad of an idea. It's not like my car is that fast anyways. Plus, the little woman can't drive stick.
If I stayed up in Sacramento, then their pathetic excuse for traffic is tolerable enough to get stick. But, LA traffic is just plain nasty. Especially the stupid 405 near UCLA. It's like traffic there 24/7.
If I stayed up in Sacramento, then their pathetic excuse for traffic is tolerable enough to get stick. But, LA traffic is just plain nasty. Especially the stupid 405 near UCLA. It's like traffic there 24/7.