Manual vs auto transmission

[Meesh]

What it comes down to is control.

Traction control, ABS etc. are all wonderful tools to assist the driver, but the most important thing is ALWAYS the driver.

Manual transmission is one more tool for a good driver to use to enhance the driving experience, whether it be for fun, added safety, better mileage...

As with any tool, however, you have to learn how to use it properly.

As the old saying goes, most accidents are caused by the loose nut behind the wheel.

 

[shakenbake]

Get stick. Anyone who tells you it's a pain in traffic is a spoiled princess. It's a more enjoyable driving experince and you open the door to alot of techniques for driving that you don't have with automatic.

Here Here! I went stick 16 years ago and never looked back. and, i drive 80 km on the 401 every day through rush hour traffic. I like the fact that I have better control over what my car does, especially in the winter.

 

[mini63]

I'm sorry...real men don't drive cars without clutches. I've heard the same arguments...Ferraris, Lambos, etc. no longer have clutch pedals but they're soft...if you want a REAL sports car, go for a Lotus. In fact, skip the BMW altogether, (they're nice cars but they're nothing special at all) and get yourself a Lotus Elise. I currently own an BMW E36 M3 (1998) as a winter beater and a 2005 Lotus Elise as my summer/track car. I'd never own a car with an automatic transmission but then again I give a sh*t about how and what I drive.

 

[C Dick]

I think (fear) that age makes a difference. I always drove manuals until I was 30 or so, then I got a big family car with auto, but stayed with the manual in the summer car. I used to just love to get back into the little car in summer, but lately it does less and less for me. I am thinking that my next summer car might be a luxury car instead of a sports car.

 

[james t kirk]

70+ K would be expected for a 300 HP, 300 lbft tq, twin turbo BMW. Now I'm wondering what the new M3 will be like. As much as I like turbo's, I just hope they don't decide to turbocharge that. The M3 should be left N/A.
Hmmm? Any other car out there with those specs for 70 k? STI anyone? Though it's only a single turbo and they're in different classes. But what wonders a chip, downpipe and custom exhaust can do for turbocharged cars.

Infiniti G35.

More everything than BMW, $20,000.00 less.

 

[xxxstar]

Get the manual transmission. Downshifting with a power exhaust makes the best "manly" sound ever and it is just overall cooler than the automatic transmission. Automatic transmissions sometimes shift at awkward times especially around corners.

In the end, I guess it depends on your driving preference. You might as well get in the manual transmission and get use to it incase you need to upgrade to the Ferrari in the future.