I have NEVER owned an automatic transmission. Here on Long Island, we get plenty of traffic. When I here comments like, "You can't own a manual transmission with all this traffic", I go nuts. Those people who bought manuals to save a few bucks on the cost of the car, are just cheapskates. Those who bought them to save on gas, will still save on gas. Those who bought them because they LOVE driving a stick, will NEVER buy an automatic transmission.

To use a crude analogy, driving a stick is like sex without a condom.

***Disclaimer for those underage and promiscuous individuals. I do not condone reckless sexual behavior***
:_peace:

I used to have an old '85 model 316 E30 in manual flavour. The prblem I had with it was the pedals were too close together, so I ended up catching the brake and clutch at the same time (big feet), got an '88 E30 320i after that, and was hooked on autos (and it shifted too). Now I have a '95 E36 318ti with an auto (switchable, sports mode is fun) and I find it great, plus if you get it chipped (or re-mapped), it takes the flat spot out and improves responsiveness.
Just wish it was a 6 pot like the 320, that was a lot smoother.

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manuel.........is there any question, I've never owned an auto. I know some prefer an auto, but it defeats the purpose in a sports car.

I have the automatic. The traffic to work sucks and couldn't see myself driving a standard in that.
I wouldn't mind trying out the stick version though.

AMEN :joy:

I say automatic all the way. I have driven manual in my dad's mercedes benz (E55 model if you wanted to know) and I think after a while of driving manual, it gets annoying. I just more used to auto cause its what I been driving since day 1.

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Well, even though cars were meant to be driven manually Ij ust love my automatic. Most people will say that they are boring ....this and that but I have the sport shift button in mine so I can actually drive it like a manual. You can say I have the best of both worlds. I get to choose where I shift and when without the hassle of a clutch.

I have an auto as well. To be honest I don't know how to drive a manny... *sob* my dad never taught me.... (he drives an '91 E30 318is manual). *tears drying up* Anyways... to answer some dude's (yes, dude... I'm from FL) question, the auto is sometimes slow from a stop... sometimes you do feel left at the light, sometimes you don't.... and sometimes I think it's just the engine power, not the tranny. However I have beat an E39 5 series before... don't know how... He was on a merging lane and I was in the right lane... and that dude was accelerating so he could cut me off (which I hate), so I accelerated with sports mode on with him... believe it or not I won. Don't know how? (weight?)... but it happened. That was a couple years back so I can't tell you what engine it had, I also exited shortly after I passed him, so I don't even think I got to see his rear end. Good to go.

Manual here. Never owned an automatic in my life, and would never own one. I have owned approximately 15 cars in my life, all have been German or Swedish, and all were manual. There are times in rush hour traffic an auto might be nice, but I'm seldom in that situation so it wouldn't be worth it. Can't see driving anything but a manual for fun on back country roads.

i drove my dad fiat back at turkey thats where im from and when i was driving his manual station wagon around the city it was alotta fun. there is not many speed limits or people doesnt just obey the speed limit so i was driving pretty fast there witht a station wagon which has like 120-130 hp, yes the car was really slow off the line but at least i learned to drive manual. and u know what the ext car i will buy will definietely will be a manual.

Hey barische, I was just curious about driving conditions when you lived in Turkey. I'm always interested to hear about places outside the U.S. I don't mean to knock anyone for driving an auto. I really don't know what it would be like to drive an auto on a daily basis since I have never owned one, but I do know I would miss shifting. I don't think I would feel as involved with the whole driving expierience if I couldn't shift and clutch.

I could never imagine having an auto except when I'm stuck on 66 or the beltway...but then again, a little calf exercise never hurt...

Chris

I actually prefer manual when in stop and go traffic since you don't have to keep your foot on the brake. Back when I had an auto (a few years ago) I would pop it in neutral when in traffic. I guess I'm just lazy, really lazy.

yeah i have an auto....it gets really boring to drive, does anyone know if i would be able to convert it to manual?

Like most people nowadays, I learned in an automatic... I always loved driving, but I always wanted to have the control of a stick. The first car that was specifically mine was a 92 Cadillac Eldorado... lol it wasn't incredibly fast or anything, but it sounded like a MONSTER... anyway, I digress... I INSISTED on a manual when I bought my 318ti, I found a couple of autos, but I wouldn't buy... and then my baby popped up at a dealership in Bayside, NY... And the rest was history. I taught myself to drive stick on this car, with the only lesson I ever had in a friend's Jetta Wolfsburg. Driving it home from the lot was fun... I remember gunning it up my first daunting hill after stopping for a light, so I wouldn't stall, or smash into the car behind me... lol It was an experience. I've come a long way since then. Read up and implemented some double-clutching and heel-toeing... if for nothing else but fun. Even in stop and go, I feel much more comfortable in a stick, I just feel like I'm in control rather than just along for the ride. Probably more of a mental thing, but there is definitely something to be said for you having exact control of your shift points.


OH, and PS- GDM, I used to put my auto cars in neutral when I was stopped too... because I'm a lazy mofo.