Anyone else fall out of love with driving manuals?

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AdministrativeHat459@reddit

I’m considering selling my 5 speed 2012 accord to buy a DSG GTI, partially because my wife doesn’t seem to want to learn to drive my car and it’s become a logistical issue.

While I’m sad to maybe give up my manual, at the same time it kinda has me thinking that the DSG sort of sounds nice.

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jonnyt88@reddit

I haven't fallen out of love of driving them, but 90% of my driving is boring as all hell so an Auto is nice for this. Plus long road trips where you may alternate who is driving.

2/3 of my cars are still manual.

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1202burner@reddit

Somewhere in the range of 1 million miles driving manuals over the past 19 years. Semi trucks, motorcycles, personal vehicles.

Still not tired of it and won't be anytime soon.

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Nope. All my cars for the 27 years I've owned cars have been manual. Have never even considered buying an automatic. And my 2024 vehicle is manual so I'm hoping to just stick with manual another 15+ years.

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WhiteBeltKilla@reddit

Perhaps the WRX manual transmission was the issue, not manuals in general.

Free market though, you shouldn’t force yourself to like it.

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Doctorpauline@reddit

I despise the wrx clutch and transmission. It has been a terrible experience every time I've driven it. I'm sure I'll get used to it if I owned it but I'm alright to not own one

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ReporterBest9598@reddit

I've only ever driven one. Transmission was fine as far as shifter feel and gearing but good Lord the clutch was bad. It felt like it was attached to a giant rubber band, no linearity at all.

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Carguy77Seven@reddit (OP)

Great so it wasn't just me lol

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comfyrain@reddit

WRX has a terrible manual. Try a Miata.

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CuratedAcceptance@reddit

Nope I passed on one for that exact reason. It has terrible release. The STI clutch is so much nicer.

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TheBigMan1990@reddit

The OP should go and take a civic-r for a similar trip test drive, similarish price to a WRX, and FWD which is kind of lame-but Honda makes fantastic feeling manuals, drive that for awhile and they’ll fall in love with manual again.

My answer is that it depends entirely on the type of vehicle, type of driving you are doing. My Tacoma is a manual, but only because I mile the ever living f*** out of my vehicles (like I’ll pile between 80-100k on every year) and I trust manual trannys a lot more from a longevity standpoint, but for both off-roading and towing an auto would definitely be easier, so I don’t judge people who option an auto. For a boring commuter, probably spending a lot of time sitting in city traffic, I don’t judge people who option an auto. Anything “fun” or “sporty”, I definitely judge a little bit, lol-those should be manual.

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Suby06@reddit

It is pretty sloppy feeling stock and the shifter visibly jumps around. It cleans up ok with a few mods like trans mount and cross member bushings.

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kortheuerm@reddit

Nah, it’s not very friendly. I’ve owned one for three years now and still not used to it. Been driving stick for about 15 years too.

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SageDub@reddit

I’m don’t mind the clutch on the new ones but the shifter felt like rubber and plastic. The FA24 engine is great though.

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SunWaterGrass@reddit

I cant stand rubber plasticy feeling shifters. I want the raw feel, I got the manual- give me the feel

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SageDub@reddit

Yep same with the GTI. Car hauled ass but the shifter wasn’t good either. Ended up with a civic si.

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SunWaterGrass@reddit

Heard the civic has great shifter feel!

My first manual was a Infiniti G37s. I thought the shifter felt pretty good.

Next I got a '10 Boxster (Volkswagen gang referring to your GTI) and that shifter was saddening. I expected more. It shifted super smooth, you'd never miss a gear, but my goodness it was depressing. I didn't feel engaged, I didnt feel like I was doing anything, it felt like a video game.

I got some mods done and I can actually feel it engage now and it is so much better. Now I realize how damn good my G37s shifter feel is!

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SageDub@reddit

My dad tried to convince me to trade in my 2019 civic si for a G37S and I was telling him how much I drove + how hard it was to even find a clean one here in CA.

It’s a notchy shifter and you were able to drop in an OEM 2017+ Type R shifter if you wanted to but I ended up selling it. Missed it and bought a 2022 civic si and this shifter is even better, more notchy and more mechanical feeling. You know when it’s in gear and just the right amount of effort. Still I would argue the S2000 shifter is probably the pinnacle from what I’ve driven so far. Type R is up there, but it doesn’t have the same raw feeling of the S2K.

Crazy you would think the boxster would have a really good shifter. Their PDK automatic is insane.

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SunWaterGrass@reddit

Yeah G37s is great, I still have mine. I flew halfway across the country to pick it up... Definitely more economical to have the civic.

I heard the s2k is the best but have not had the pleasure of driving one. One day.

Why is assuming the boxster shifter to be good crazy? Just because their auto is good?

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SageDub@reddit

Is yours a DE or HR engine?

Just assuming because it’s Porsche you know? It’s up there in the spectrum of cars.

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SunWaterGrass@reddit

I think all 37s are VHR.

I'm still confused on what you're saying.

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SunWaterGrass@reddit

OHHHH shaking my head. I got you. YES EXACTLY. I thought the exact same thing.

I thought you were saying I'm crazy for assuming that.

I'm on board.

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SunWaterGrass@reddit

I realized Porsche isn't in the extreme sport is life market like the S2k was.

Porsche is more sporty and engaging, but livable and luxurious.

The clutch isnt extremely heavy, you have space to sit and for storage. Anddd the shifter is easy to use- which makes it numb.

After driving for a few months on it, I came to the conclusion that Porsche did this to a- save money and b- make it easy to operate. It honestly felt like the closest you could get to an auto, without an auto. It felt automatic, even though it was manual. I guess that is what Porsche was going for.

Back in 2010 autos were cutting edge, people wanted that luxury. At that time, pdk wasn't invented yet, so autos weren't as polished. I think Porsche thought, since the autos were O.K. people who want a luxurious experience, but still able to shift quick, and go on track- they will choose the manual. They want a luxurious, easy shifting manual. They won't choose manual because they want engagement, they will choose it because it is still the better transmission.

My guess is when pdk came out, Porsche started focusing more on shifter feel, as everyone getting a manual, is getting it purely for satisfaction and feel.

A lot of this is speculation of course, but that is how it felt driving it. With the modification engagement is much crisper, and I can tell when I time a shift well or not. With stock setup the stick will slide in very easily even if the rpms are not matched well. Now I get rewarded more for better shifts, and a slight slap on the wrist for poorly timed shifts. That is a characteristic I really like about the Gs shifter. Also, I can now easily tell when the gear is fully engaged and I can take the clutch out when driving spirited. In the stock setup I was like, well the stick is at the end of the throw travel so I guess I'll pull the clutch out. Now it is clear.

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CurlyAir@reddit

Pretty sure in the owners manual it warns against premature wear on specifically Subaru trans if you simply rest your hand on it. You probably are really feeling the rubber and plastic.

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mmmmmyee@reddit

Maybe op was too much about the idea manuals vs the actual enjoyment that it adds to the driving experience?

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JonohG47@reddit

The last 40 years or so, when automatics became ubiquitous, was a time during which the number of cars on the road, both in absolute terms, and per capita, increased massively. It is also an era that came after the massive mid 20th century improvements in road infrastructure.

Translation: You’re far more likely to be stuck in traffic, today, than you would have been 40 or 50 years ago, when we were still in the real heyday of the manual. And well, driving a manual in bumper to bumper, stop and go traffic is miserable.

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mmmmmyee@reddit

Yes. My daily is a hybrid minivan. My weekend mobile is a 1985 toyota corolla rwd ae86 with a manual. Heavily modified to fit my driving feels.

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jasonmoyer@reddit

Nah, I have a WRX and it's one of the easiest manuals I've ever driven. I'm pushing 50 and can barely get in and out of the thing and my left knee hurts so badly sometimes I can't straighten it and I still wouldn't trade my car in for anything other than another WRX.

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stillcleaningmyroom@reddit

As a WRX owner, I second this lol.

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Amx3509@reddit

As a WRX six speed owner I’m confused by this sub thread.

Maybe I’m ignorant or really biased, what’s an example of a really good one these days?

Was raised on little British cars, and had a CRX back in the day, a brace of Sentra SE-R classics… so it feels really good to me. What am I missing?

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WastingMyNameChance@reddit

They rev unormally high for a regular car.

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jondes99@reddit

“I had a Domino’s pizza and don’t think I want to eat Italian food again.”

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Carguy77Seven@reddit (OP)

I mean in general even other manual cars doesnt get me going as it used it maybe its age. Im an unc now lol

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jondes99@reddit

You just need to drive a better manual and reevaluate. I’m guessing I’ve been driving manuals longer than you’ve been breathing, but they are not all created equal (and Subarus and German cars aren’t the best examples).

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Carguy77Seven@reddit (OP)

I just learned that actually everyone is saying the Subaru manuals suck lol

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TheReal-Chris@reddit

I have an Sti and the transmission is not as fun as other manuals I’ve driven. It does feel like work. The handling is amazing though. And then I hurt my knee and ankle leaving my knee pain highly and a numbing left foot. It just hurts now. I wish i had an auto right now.

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Redditlovescensorshi@reddit

Only if going on a long trip.

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jaaagman@reddit

Not yet, but if I had a long commute in heavy traffic, I would probably just buy an automatic.

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thisdckaintFREEEE@reddit

Hell no. I don't want a manual all the time, I prefer an auto for my daily driver. I absolutely 100% without a doubt want any fun car to be a manual though.

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Haunting_Spread_1534@reddit

Subaru manual gearboxes, feel like a broom stick wedged in some pebbles, and they break if you look at them the wrong way... BMW Automatics are actually beautiful (or any ZF made transmission) and are some of the few automatic's that I can tolerate... The CVT was born for people to hate driving even more.

Try some other makes and models, you might be able to cheat on your love for Autos.

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Successful-Coast1442@reddit

Op next car....Tesla 😂🤣

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Carguy77Seven@reddit (OP)

I have seriously considered the Performance, im i cooked?

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Evening-Baseball-132@reddit

You daily the auto and get a manual weekend car

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DrinkWaterSaveBeez@reddit

Yep! After having 2 very fast cars with an auto, I have no interest in going to manual.

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SMKCheeba@reddit

Depends on how I'm driving...

Is it a back road rip that I'm able to get some "spirited driving" in without any problems or is it yet another mundane city drive that makes my left leg sore from babysitting the clutch in the stop and go traffic?

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bluerog@reddit

Yeah. Traffic sucks on a stick. You don't "play" with a car 97% of the time like one would want a stick for.

Can't eat that bowl of cereal. On the way to work in a stick.

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mbzp@reddit

I beg to differ, sir lol my father ate a bowl of cereal while driving us to school in his Tacoma throughout my childhood and I regularly eat cereal and such in my 6spd sportwagon and 5spd Tacoma. Entirely on my own side of the road I will have you know lol I also live in the middle of nowhere.

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XtraChrisP@reddit

Wtf is wrong with people? Just drive.

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gocougs11@reddit

Cerealessly?

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CHLarkin@reddit

I'm jealous. I wish I had come up with this.

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One_Asparagus_553@reddit

We have an hour plus commute each way. I wish I could do laundry on the way to work

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DownVoteMeHarder4042@reddit

…no.

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kpli98888@reddit

When yall eventually crash on the side of the road, I'll be the first to shout, "Can't park there, mate!"

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ForgottenCaveRaider@reddit

Ain't nobody got time for that!

(obvious /s. I agree with your statement)

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DudeWhereIsMyDuduk@reddit

Did the 3rd gen ever fix the hateful issue of a up-to-the-left reverse with absolutely no lockout?

Of the many issues I had with a 2nd-gen Tacoma, that was probably the first. The second being the two football fields you could fit in the blind spot between the hood and when the front tires actually went over an obstacle.

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mbzp@reddit

Lots of hood, reverse is bottom right

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ZenoDavid@reddit

I wish I was lying, but my dad used to have me hold his beer if it was kinda full until he got up to 5th then take it back…what happened to the good old days

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bluerog@reddit

Agreed. But a few shifts from 2nd to 4th have been known to slow total consumption time of the aforementioned bowl of cereal.

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mbzp@reddit

The taco is more like rowing than shifting. the TDI is fairly forgiving of the 2-4 shift especially as I tend to run it higher

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Zomboid-555@reddit

my dad used to eat a sandwich and ask me to shift

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sexandliquor@reddit

sir lol my father ate a bowl of cereal while driving us to school in his Tacoma throughout my childhood

Like a GODDAMN MAN GODDAMNIT

My old man used to drive me to school in his 1977 Toyota Celica GT Liftback with a manual transmission and he liked to roll his own cigarettes so he’d be rolling one while making sure his baby boy got to school on time. Dad didn’t fuck around. He drove a supply and rations truck when he was stationed near the 38th parallel during the Korean War. That was WHEN MEN WERE MEN GODDAMNIT

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Candid_Ad_1425@reddit

Same here, love the auto and auto cruise for the freeway traffic slog. Manual for weekend driver

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Particular_Quiet_435@reddit

Traffic and stoplights on hills. Replaced my stick with a Tesla and couldn't be happier! It's the best parts of a fun car and a daily

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Foolgazi@reddit

That’s not “falling out of love with driving a manual” though. People who commute in stop and go traffic have always trended away from manuals.

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psaskovec@reddit

Also constant shifting takes your focus off your tape with directions your friend/possible son/roommate recorded for you.

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funny_knickles@reddit

Why the fuck would you eat cereal in the car?

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BruinBound22@reddit

I doubt they took him into traffic though.

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DudeWhereIsMyDuduk@reddit

I just got back from 2000 miles through New England in a manual Jeep on 35s, but it's very different driving through NYC or Boston when it's entirely for fun. I'm so glad I don't commute anymore.

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Dadbodmoder@reddit

I drove a 2016 Wrx as my only experience on the platform. I found the clutch and gearbox a lot of work and not very fun or precise.

I also wouldn’t want to daily a manual in traffic or 3-4 hrs+ in a transportation use case. For 3-4 hours in the twisties on the weekend? Totally different story.

I think we are on the verge of a resurgence of manual weekend cars as ev suvs slowly take over.

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whiskey_piker@reddit

Sure, lots of women like automatic cars

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CompetitiveLake3358@reddit

Have you driven the ND Miata manual?

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DarthTexasRN@reddit

Nope.

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Imaginary-Art1340@reddit

WRX manual sucks imo.. the one I tested the clutch was so unpredictable and a leg workout

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Bayou38@reddit

Certain manuals. Some suck. Some are great.

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morsedweller@reddit

No. I drive a manual 991.2 GT3. However I've jumped back into a bottom of the barrel econo box manual like the WRX and it was terrible. Mushy clutch, spongey shifter, imprecise throttle. That makes me feel like it might as well just be auto.

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XtraChrisP@reddit

Top tier automatics are more efficient than great manual drivers these days. Commute traffic in a car with a racing clutch finally beat me into automatics.

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ARottenPear@reddit

Have you thought about not daily driving a race clutch?

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cryptolyme@reddit

lol, everyone warns people on forums to not buy them for your street car and this is always the outcome when they decide it's a good idea anyways

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Downtown_Reward_6339@reddit

No shit. This is the right answer.

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XtraChrisP@reddit

Well, I was 23 then, but yes. I drive a GS450h and an RCF now.

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cryptolyme@reddit

it is a lot of work. the fun kind.

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namesyeti@reddit

As a daily and living in So Cal, absolutely yes

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Common-Librarian-344@reddit

No, because what the hell do you do with your right hand? I'll never drive an automatic

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TheBugSmith@reddit

Where I live now God yes. I'd be lucky to travel 5 mins in any direction without having to down shift or stop. That shit became a job

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Background-Slip8205@reddit

Yes and no. I traded in my WRX for an Audi S3 many years ago because I was sick of driving stick in stop and go traffic every day, and have kept an auto as a DD ever since, however I have an s2000 to get my fix when I need it.

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avatar_94@reddit

Bruhh, L take

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MaximumStock7@reddit

For an everyday car, yes. I couldn’t imagine commuting with a clutch these days. For a weekend car, Jo.

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-00--@reddit

manuals are fun with short gears and up to around 200 hp. these 400+ hp cars that can hit 75 in 2nd simply aren't enjoyable for me.

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dattosan240@reddit

Amen to that. I have a 240Z thats boosted and fast as fuck but it isn't fun to drive hard because it gets into the reckless zone so fast.

I recently bought a stock 78 280z 4sp to drive as a winter/work beater and I've had an absolute blast winding all the gears out and not worrying about it.

Soon as I am able, I'm pulling the engine, intercooler and all that shit out of my 240 and putting an n/a engine back in it so I can enjoy it again.

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AutotragicPNW@reddit

I wouldn't say falling out of love, but more so I'm at a point in my life where I would appreciate an automatic SUV. Most likely end up trading towards one

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maturin-aubrey@reddit

Nope. Started driving manual in ‘92 and haven’t had an automatic since ‘93

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CyndrrTrading@reddit

If anything I’ve been pushed towards them even more

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drvtampa@reddit

Datsun 280z was my last manual every time. I’m at a stoplight in traffic. I do not miss it. Of course I had fun driving my friends manual Civic around town on back roads let it rip a few times . But I do not miss the constant shifting. My other buddy has a Porsche 911 with a competition shift that will really build up your leg muscles Not for me, automatic for me going forward

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miseeker@reddit

I love em. Sadly the new car I bought doesn’t make them with manual. And I really really abuse my truck, hauling stuff, pulling trailers that are overloaded, etc., and an automatic is better than burning up a clutch every year.

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Hops_n_Hemp@reddit

Fuck no

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No_Summer_8717@reddit

Love manual, I've had jeeps, trucks, sports cars... but bad knees make me go automatic, and stop and go traffic kills me. I don't forget how fun they are and engage you with the driving experience.

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Infamous_Hyena_8882@reddit

I can drive a manual. I just don’t want to. I’m with you. I only drive BMW’s and they’re all automatic.

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SP92216@reddit

I can see it happening. Specially if you drive in an area with a lot of traffic. The best solution is to have 2 cars of course, commuter and “fun”

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AKnifeIsNotAPrybar@reddit

You've just passed 40 years?

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TheCamoTrooper@reddit

No, I've owned 8ish cars in the past few years and all of them (well all the ones that were for my personal use) have been standard and I plan to stick with it lol

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International-Ad153@reddit

I've thought about dropping my current cars for an auto, but then I get on the open road, or even in a normal auto car and remember why I enjoy manual

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SageDub@reddit

I think you just got older. I feel like autos became really good. BMW and VW (this includes Audi of course) have very good automatic transmissions. Probably the most responsive in the game at an attainable level.

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Salt_Efficiency5843@reddit

My dad had a WRX manual until he was 77. He traded it in on an auto Crosstrek because he injured his arm and physically couldn't shift anymore.

You didn't get old, you got sad. Start shopping for a coffin, its over, you're cooked.

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Upstairs-Pin-1637@reddit

Yearn for the urn

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MulberryMonk@reddit

Lololololololol getting older is having enough money to buy what you want, and having a few cars around.

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zakpakt@reddit

Modern autos have a good amount of control and feedback for the user too.

My first three cars I've owned I hardly looked at the RPM it wasn't special. Kickdown switches and manual modes are pretty common now.

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garden_of_steak@reddit

Yesterday I learned that VW had a ranch in Brazil that used slave labor...in the 1980s. Good times.

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iggybdawg@reddit

CVTs made driving autos tolerable to me. What I couldn't stand about old autos was when they couldn't decide what gear they wanted and bounced back and forth between the two top gears.

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VarietyLocal@reddit

That’s interesting . I test drove a 2016 civic with cvt and loved the way it drove . The reliability unknown scared me away . But what you said makes sense I may revisit getting one I found the experience very relaxing and smooth

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superbotnik@reddit

My wife’s Lexus has an 8 spd auto. That thing is always shifting and it drives me nuts. My CVTs are way better except Subaru refuses to get rid of the stupid fake shifts. Before these cars we had manuals for the last few decades but yeah, in traffic the manuals are less fun.

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iggybdawg@reddit

Paddle shifters help. I put it in manual mode just to make it hold top gear on the highway.

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iggybdawg@reddit

Paddle shifters help. I put it in manual mode just to make it hold top gear on the highway

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timmmarkIII@reddit

I've got a 2004 Jaguar XJR and a 2015 Fiesta S with a manual transmission. I'm 69.

I've had a Corvair, a new 82 Capri 5.0, new 90 Mustang 5.0 convertible, a 94 SHO, a couple Miatas and a few other manuals.

If we older guys stayed alive manuals would too! Manual transmissions are dying with our younger buyers.

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Decent_Can_4639@reddit

Given enough torque you simply can’t paddle fast enough to match a modern dual-clutch transmission.

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ARottenPear@reddit

Modern autos will absolutely out shift me. Even traditional autos will absolutely out shift me. It's not even close.

I like manuals because I like being more engaged in the drive. I like the stupid and small satisfaction of hitting a perfect downshift. I even get satisfaction out of a nice upshift even when I'm just driving normally. I like the added problem solving of planning my shifts.

I do track my cars but I'm only ever racing myself. I really don't care where I place so squeezing every tenth out of a car is not my priority. I'm out there to have fun and enjoy my car and having a manual transmission to me is the biggest piece of that puzzle.

I have nothing against autos at all and if that's what someone likes, I'd never judge them for that. The one that that drives me nuts about a lot of modern autos though is that a lot of them never seem to be in the gear I actually want when I want it to be. I know you can tune a lot of transmissions out there but not all. My last auto car had an 8 speed dual clutch and it always hung onto gears way longer than I wanted it to so I ended up having to use the paddles all the time which at that point, I'd rather just be driving a manual.

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Decent_Can_4639@reddit

For me It’s more a time and place kind of thing. Right car in the right conditions. I would be happy spending a couple of hours ripping the back-roads with an old Alfa Romeo. Same car doing my daily commute in bumper-to-bumper traffic for an hour one way… No!

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SailingSpark@reddit

I am 55 and still driving a manual. I have plans to convert my auto land rover to manual next year too.

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Upstairs-Pin-1637@reddit

It's ok to want an appliance to get from point A to point B with the least amount of engagement. Grab a Tesla and it drives for you! Get rid of that icky oil dripping polluter...

Just don't come back around these parts again son... you're not welcomed here, unless you got beer.

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SLL65@reddit

No, my weekend pleasure roadster, 2001 Miata with 155k and still going strong, while my everyday Audi A6 automatic for everything else, including long distance 😀.

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Majestic_County_5219@reddit

No

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CraftsmanMan@reddit

I wish i could still get a manual... Just not available anymore

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Mercurial_Intensity@reddit

I got me a speed6.

Also OP, does your purse match your car color when you drive automatics? 😂

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CraftsmanMan@reddit

Lol, worse, i had a kid... Had to get rid of the bachelormobile

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lucatitoq@reddit

I’m so used to it, I reach for the shifter when I get into an auto car.

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miluardo@reddit

^

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Notansfwprofile@reddit

The magic was lost on me after owning a manual for 5 years, but whenever I drive an auto I feel like I’m forgetting something the entire time.

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freeski919@reddit

Also No, but in Spanish.

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lazy-buoy@reddit

Well said

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Tkhel@reddit

Nope, in fact just got a newer one (Jetta GLI).

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PhirePhite@reddit

Nice.

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id_death@reddit

Seconded

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AceticCucumber@reddit

I only came to say this.

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Mmjohns195@reddit

No, I had manuals for 20+ years. When I bought my 535i it was only in auto. A couple years later I got my Rx7, manual, then got another BMW to daily. It’s a manual. It’s a fantastic driving experience. I will have a manual until I’m too old to do it.

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Dave_A480@reddit

1) It's really a pain in the ass to drive a manual as a commuter car

2) 2025 autos are better than even the world's best F1 driver - there is no longer a performance advantage unless the car has been specifically programmed to favor fuel-economy over performance (econoboxes with CVTs are an example of this)....

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Coldhartbaby111@reddit

It’s really not. I’ve driven one for years and it’s second nature, I don’t even think about it.
People don’t buy manuals to maximize their performance. 99.9% of cars sold are being for daily driving on public streets with speed limits. It’s never been about the performance, it’s about driver engagement and the fun factor

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Dave_A480@reddit

Your traffic must be much better than what we have around Seattle ...

I drove a Miata and a FRS with manuals (because I wanted something easier to fix than a Camaro with a 4L60E) before COVID, and the experience was anything but fun....

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Coldhartbaby111@reddit

You drove a Miata with a manual and didn’t find it fun? 😆 manuals just aren’t for you then, that’s no problem

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Dave_A480@reddit

I didn't find it fun in 2hrs of stop and go 20mph freeway traffic ...

And that was enough of my driving life to make me want something more practical.....

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Successful-Cod3369@reddit

Lmao, nice job moving the goalpost on point 2, that was the main argument 10-15 years ago. Also point 1 is pure cope.

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Coldhartbaby111@reddit

Why you heff to be mad?

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OkDrink8242@reddit

I’ve been daily driving manual for 5500 miles in about 5 months now, feels more normal to me than auto. Imagine after years of experience, unless you have a race type clutch it really isn’t that much extra work if you like driving and the brain power definitely isn’t a lot. Traffic sucks anyway.

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upsidedown-funnel@reddit

I agree. Driving in traffic is annoying. Especially if you’ve any injury to your left leg, or right arm/shoulder (opposite where applicable).

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Successful-Cod3369@reddit

☝️

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KittiesRule1968@reddit

My play car (69 L88 Stingray clone) is a manual, but my daily is automatic. Driving a manual is too much like work when you're merely commuting. When driving a car with RWD and around 550RWHP, it becomes fun.

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jettzypher@reddit

When I daily drive a manual, I would certainly get tired of it when sitting in traffic, but otherwise the physicality of driving one became second nature and never bothered me otherwise. My current car is an auto but only because the only way to get a manual would be buying an M2. However, I'm heavily interested in a manual in the future, especially since I work from home and don't daily drive anywhere.

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UnscrupulousTaco@reddit

The 6spd manual in my 2024 mazda mx 5 GT ST...is sublime 👌 even in traffic. My 2015 Tacoma Access cab 4x4 with the 2.7 inline 4cyl and 5spd manual transmission is on the opposite end of the spectrum. However, it's still charming in its rubbery engagement.

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K0ntank3rous@reddit

Nope. I actually cant stand when my wife wants to take her car (my cars are all loud, obnoxious and uncomfortable...blah blah blah), because I loathe driving autos, feels lazy, disconnected and boring.

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SillyAmericanKniggit@reddit

I still find a manual to be more fun to drive than an automatic, but it is not as much fun on modern cars as it was on older cars. There's too much lag in modern electronic throttles; it dulls the experience because you spend more time waiting on the damn computer to catch up to your feet. Whereas with cars 30 years ago, the throttle was attached to the gas pedal by a steel cable, and it snapped open or closed in perfect time with your right foot. They also didn't put delay valves in the clutch hydraulics. It was a much better driving experience. Driving a modern manual smoothly is more work than driving an older manual smoothly.

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CosmosInSummer@reddit

Yes. After driving them for almost 40 years it became a pain in the neck.

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Carnegie1901@reddit

It’s called getting old!

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PassengerOk7529@reddit

Manuel usually drives me!

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RJsRX7@reddit

Modern manuals can suck, and attaching AWD to one kind of removes a lot of the "fun" of a performance car with a manual IMO. Actually, it turns outright stressful due to how relatively trivial it becomes to break something instead of just having fun, as having absolute traction means the stresses from an aggressive upshift or launch have to find somewhere to go and that "somewhere" doesn't always turn out to be forward momentum.

Add to this the rev hang which is fairly common, occasional bad ratios, and sometimes an absolutely hilarious amount of performance detriment (hello Elantra N with your -40 effective horsepower from selecting a manual), and the manual isn't the right pick for every vehicle.

However, I'll die on the hill that a manual done right in the right vehicle is far and away better than even a remarkably good automatic. The Mustang from forever until today, for example, is always better. Even against the 10-speed that's absolutely the better performance option, even with the widened manual ratios of the '18+ cars, but that's also because Ford hasn't yet ruined the programming on the engine side to make them unfun or annoying.

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Carguy77Seven@reddit (OP)

totally agree, coming for german cars getting used to mustang interiors is hard. But top 5 besting sounds cars for sure

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Zonernovi@reddit

Now if they would only cut 500 lbs out of it.

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Muklucky@reddit

Owning a stick in a place with a lot of traffic and congestion is tiresome. And most people live in places with a lot of traffic and congestion.

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qkdsm7@reddit

We drop some our extra cars insurance to comprehensive only when not driven for a while....

Right now we have coverage to drive 4. 3 are manuals. :)

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DarkSoulsDank@reddit

Nope

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joeykey@reddit

When I bought a manual car in like 2018, my friend ased, "why would you do that to yourself?" hahaha. Ive got an M4 now though, with the DCT. I wish it was stick, but it's no longer a deal-breaker for me. As long as I can downshift when I want, I'm ok.

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dadecounty3051@reddit

You’re getting older.

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DUXF4N@reddit

No

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SnooPaintings5597@reddit

I was like you but when traffic started getting REALLY bad in my city I couldn’t do it anymore. Snails pace with stick is annoyingly annoying.

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Ill_Mix8088@reddit

Must be the car I got a manual Mach 1 s550 with a Tremec it’s a blast to drive .

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Seanyd78@reddit

I may be in the minority, but I absolutely hate short throw shifters. Toe the longer throws make driving a manual more enjoyable.

I will say I have fallen in love with the super smooth CVT in my Subarus for daily commuting. They hold the power bands better and don't hunt for gears like regular autos do. I do enjoy a manual for fun driving as my area has lots of long stretches of roads with no stop signs/traffic lights, which makes it nice to be able to wind out the car and row the gears.

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alrightcommadude@reddit

Yes. I drove a BMW and Mazda in manual for 10 years. I'm grateful every time I'm sitting in traffic to have an automatic now; especially now that traffic is back to pre-COVID levels.

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RogerThatRacing@reddit

Just for a weekend trip! I was expecting to read this as “got stuck in traffic for hours… something something salve workout”.

Long live manuals

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unclejoe1917@reddit

I can't even find manuals to test your theory. I think the last time I drove one was over ten years ago. I'd love to find a 5 speed Volvo, but it's not gonna happen.

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Rude-Manufacturer-86@reddit

Not out of love, but modern autos are so much better now. I'm still annoyed with the non linear throttle response in my GR86 and that's taking away from the experience. I've had much better manual driving experiences in an MKII and MKIII MR2, especially the MKIII.

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Altruistic_Nerve_627@reddit

I have a 23 BMW M240 xdrive a 25 ITS. The BMW is stupid fast but it's boring to drive. The 6 speed. ma ual in the ITS gives me engagement and connection that doesn't ex ist in the BMW . My BMW will be my winter car and the ITS will be my daily.

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NecroworldKitsune@reddit

I had an 08 WRX as my first manual and absolutely loved that car, but it was horrible commuting in, it just felt stiff or like I was hurting the car being in traffic haha. Currently I daily drive in a 5spd 08 Mazda 3 in a city doing deliveries and I love it, traffic doesn't matter much as the clutch feels like butter. Currently don't see myself ever liking an automatic.

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ChuckoRuckus@reddit

Manuals are fun…. But when I’m driving to/from work in heavy stop and go traffic, I often just want the ease an auto since any delay releasing the clutch means getting cutting off by random assholes.

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Both_Painter_9186@reddit

I moved to DC and got an auto as soon as my GLI died. Traffic here fucking sucks.

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AudiB9S4@reddit

Absolutely not!

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BlindBeard@reddit

Not out of love, but my next car will be an automatic for a bunch of reasons. Practicality in terms of finding one and yeah, it’s not quite as enjoyable for me any more. I’m not really driving for fun anymore. Part of it is being in a relationship that I put more time into, part of it is motorcycles and my dirt bike being way more engaging. Sometimes I get out in my car and really have a good time but 9/10 drives I’m just driving. I still love nailing a heel-toe anytime but it’s losing its luster for me.

I’m not going much bigger though. Next car will probably be a 10spd 2.0t 10th generation Accord. Will still be good to drive, the fastest car I’ve owned, spacious and it is decidedly NOT a crossover. And it’ll tow a dirt bike in more comfort than my Mazda too 😁

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gwcrim@reddit

I used to drag race a big block Challenger with a pistol grip 4 speed. I could bang gears so well people thought it was an automatic. I now have a C8 Corvette. A good DCT is an amazing upgrade.

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MulberryMonk@reddit

I will always love shifting and throwing gears. I’m reminded of how easy life is though sitting in stop and go traffic in my Vette, and how nice it is to just hit the gas and have it shift fast AF without the risk of money shifting. I’m also in my mid 30s now and I’m not a fan boy racer anymore.

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Melodic-Classic391@reddit

I did. Left knee and ankle surgeries kinda ruined it for me

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twopacktuesday@reddit

Unfortunately yes. Part of the blame is my Comma 3x running OpenPilot. Hard to go back to any car that isn’t compatible.

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OpenRoadMusic@reddit

It just seems pointless with the automatic gear shifters now.

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RipEffective2538@reddit

At this point I would sell a manual given to me for an automatic. How am I supposed to eat, text, reddit, dog in the back seat with a stick?

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Bizmonkey92@reddit

Nope, I still love it

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Indianbro@reddit

Traffic happened. Cant imagine how exciting manual must be in a 3 mile lineup of cars all at a standstill

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FC3MugenSi@reddit

Nope, the gearbox in my Type R is epic

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Chuckles52@reddit

Hard to text with a manual.

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sebastiand1@reddit

I take a break sometimes but usually after a month I go back to missing it all over again.

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robertwadehall@reddit

I still drive a car with a manual occasionally on the weekends, but the modern 8- and 10-spd autos in my other vehicles are fine for daily use.

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impreza77@reddit

100%. My first and most of my earliest vehicles were manuals. I could drive them fine but I would never have called it fun. Then again maybe if the cars I had weren't either agricultural adjacent or the abs cheapest thing available that might have been different. 😂

40-50 years ago (heck, 25 years ago) automatics were still pretty crude and limited with fewer gears. Engines had less (fewer?) HP and a manual let you wring more out of the engine and get better fuel economy all else equal.

But we don't live in that world now. Even entry level cars have powerful engines, and automatic transmissions are MUCH more advanced and smarter now. I think in most cases you'll equal the MPG of the manual version and it will shift quicker.

Further, drive-trains in modern cars are controlled by software, the engines, automatic transmissions and safety systems all know what the others are doing and work together.

And I can drink my coffee in a car with a manual.

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C_Raccoon23@reddit

Nope. I drove an automatic Lexus for a few years but recently got my second manual car and driving is so much more enjoyable now. I never want to own an automatic again.

And the comments here that are assuming everyone has awful daily commutes are funny. Some of us are fortunate enough to not have to deal with constant stop and go traffic every day.

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JungleCakes@reddit

Ngl I don’t know how anyone likes it.

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opbmedia@reddit

Some people likes driving, some people likes to go places.

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Ponald-Dump@reddit

After driving a manual in DC traffic for 4 years, no. It got annoying, but I still absolutely loved the control. Then I had to sell and get an automatic because the wife can’t drive manual and didnt want to learn :(

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Thieven1@reddit

Myself, along with a few other local car guys, have noticed the WRX clutch sucks. I own a 2010 STI and it is a night and day difference. I know a couple auto technicians who drive manuals and have stalled WRXs a couple of times before finding the sweet spot.

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kykid87@reddit

Nope, never.

I would buy every single car I'll ever own in a manual if I could. It really sucks I can't. Even in a normal everyday vehicle I would still prefer a manual.

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Happy-Deal-1888@reddit

Autos have gotten so much better. Especially in performance cars. I was shopping for a 911 and determined to get a manual, driving an automatic in traffic made me realize how insanely quick they can downshift and be set to accelerate. The manual was just non stop fumbling to find the right gear

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TotosWolf@reddit

Been driving manual all my life, I keep getting. Better, rev matching getting better, always engaged. Love it.

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Jumpy_Friend480@reddit

For a daily driver commuting in and out of the city, automatic.

For the sheer love of driving, Boxster S Manual

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Rockrawler@reddit

Not even a little bit

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watchtheworldsmolder@reddit

I live in the country, about an hour from “the city”, I like driving a manual before I’m stuck in city traffic where I hate my life

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Awkward-Letter-6339@reddit

I’d love nothing more to go back to a manual. Go test drive a better option and see if that’s it.

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scottstots6900@reddit

You want lower hp with a stick shift. Absolute blast shifting from 3rd to 2nd to pick up speed

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lmaooo4566@reddit

I just can't physically drive one comfortably.

I've never tried a manual where the clutch pedal is not so far away that my right leg and foot is comfortable for the throttle and brake.

Basically, if I adjust the seat to make space for my leg right leg, I can't press the clutch pedal all the way in.

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91-BRG@reddit

Nope

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Pleasant_Studio9690@reddit

I got a used EV for a daily driver, but I still have my old manual econobox. Long-term plan has been to replace my worn-out stick-shift with a cheap Miata or other fun stick, but the always-right there instantaneous torque of the EV has clouded my thinking. It's become weird to drive my manual again and have to down-shift to "find" the power band when I want to make a move in traffic. My EV only has 260 ft-lbs of torque and it is slow by EV standards (0-60 in 6.5), but its flat torque curve is just so usable. It really scoots , which is a game-changer in traffic. Still prefer a stick 100% over a manual or CVT, but not necessarily over an EV drivetrain in suburban/urban driving.

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dllyncher@reddit

I can't downvote your post enough to show how much I disagree with you.

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VariousBeat9169@reddit

Yep. Probably better to say I now much prefer an auto. I don’t have a downer on manual, but in traffic I just can’t be bothered.

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rUsername_Checks_Out@reddit

Never

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Acceptable_Luck_875@reddit

Yup. Over 50 years of stick shifts. The last car I got (24 Cadillac CT5 V blackwing ) with an auto because it has remote start and is faster on track than the stick. And I track what I drive ( Except the F150 lol ).

I love the DCT in my C8. I wish all cars came with one.

From a performance standpoint there is ZERO reason to drive a stick

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yurnxt1@reddit

I've only ever owned manual cars. I like it that way.

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More-Public-9512@reddit

Yeah definitely

Knee and lower back issues killed it for me, using the clutch is just a unnecessary workout

And manual is only fun when you need to squeeze every single hp out of a low hp car, boring as hell on high performance cars

It’s also not really hard of a skill to learn, Americans who drive them think it’s like some unique bragging rights thing, 80 year old ladies in Europe drive manuals

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Relative_Roof4085@reddit

Its called complacency and it comes with age. Dont ever buy an automatic and you'll be safe. And the rare locations you get to drive one will be a little bit of a treat in a weird way.

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VarietyLocal@reddit

Yea I got the same way and I now prefer automatics . I like to relax when I drive and it’s impossible with a manual.

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PckMan@reddit

No. I've never felt that the transmission was letting down a car in a manual save for occasionally lamenting the lack of a 6th gear in some cars. I've always appreciated the amount of control afforded to the driver even on the shittiest bucket.

But automatic transmissions are hit or miss. If one is shifting too late or too early or just not as responsive or intuitive as I'd like I consider it a bad transmission, and you're basically stuck with it as is. There are certain conditions that really highlight their flaws.

Manual transmissions have no flaws other than people making a huge deal out of the "work" involved. It's just an extra pedal guys. On occasion you might come across a manual transmission that's badly geared but even then you can choose when and how you shift to mostly make up for that.

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Different-Bag-8217@reddit

Nope.. 66 mustang t5 manual 66 Beetle rancho manual 90 e30 m3 dog leg…

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RWD-by-the-Sea@reddit

I enjoyed my manual transmission when it was the extra car. I had a M2 6-speed that was wonderful when it was only used for fun, but when I ditched my daily and used it exclusively I came to resent it (also having two kids in on car seats with a coupe wasn't great) -- traffic sucked and my wife couldn't drive it.

I will also say that modern auto transmissions have gotten really good. The dual clutch in my RS3 was great, and the ZF 8 speed auto in my RS6 is damn near telepathic. I think when autos were lousy manuals made a lot of sense. Less so now though.

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ape_ck@reddit

There is zero reason to buy a manual outside of you want one.

It’s not cheaper, it’s not faster, fuel economy is not better. The ZF8 is a great example, but rowing my own gears in my m5 is just better.

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Undercoverfool@reddit

As a fellow ZF 8HP owner I can second that. My M8 Competition with the correct shifting program selected almost always shifts where I would have shifted. It was actually pretty refreshing since this is my first car that didn't have a manual and I have thoroughly hated driving some automatics.

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Carguy77Seven@reddit (OP)

this is probably closest to how i fell.

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laissezfaireHand@reddit

I’m 25 years old and got my license when I was 19. I learnt driving on a manual car and never liked the idea of playing with the stick. I always despised manual gearbox as it felt like a distraction for me but still continued to drive my mom’s car. Then couple of years later I moved to the UK and had to get a driving license again.

I decided to get manual driving license so that I could drive any car that I wanted but again whole process taking refresher lessons, passing the test on manual car etc.. I never enjoyed it. So recently I bought my first car and it is automatic gearbox. On my first test drive, I fell in love with the automatic gearbox. It is so refreshing and fun that I can only focus on driving and I don’t even need to use my left foot!

I will probably never understand popularity of manual gearbox in Europe but in my opinion it doesn’t make sense being able to control the shift. It’s a waste of effort.

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Ok-Limit7212@reddit

maybe your roads are boring?

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AG073194@reddit

I felt the same way when I test drove a WRX with a manual, I personally prefer RWD paired with a manual not AWD. Try a BRZ/GR86 and I think you’ll change your mind. I wouldn’t mind if all cars were manual though, my 4Runner has a manual and that heavy clutch still doesn’t bother me much in stop and go traffic

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CalebCaster2@reddit

Manuals are like sugar cereal. When I was younger, I craved coco pebbles and fruit loops. But the older I get, the yummier unfrosted mini wheats seem. I enjoy driving my manual project car, but im really grateful for an automatic daily.

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NewMexicoJoe@reddit

I didn’t, but in a household where we share cars, they’re not practical. So rather than forcing everyone to adopt my preferred shifting style, I became an adult, and accepted a perfectly good life with automatics. Guess what happened? I never missed manuals, not even for a minute.

If I got a “fun” car I’d perhaps consider one again, but at present don’t pine away like some of you “give me manual or give me death” types.

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AdEast9167@reddit

I haven’t had a manual in about nine years and I miss it so bad.

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tendiebater@reddit

In my opinion, it goes like this: where you drive the car determines how much you’ll enjoy it. If I had winding mountain roads on my daily commute, manual, no question. But in flat, grid like cities, it just doesn’t make sense, at least to me. Unfortunately I live in a flat grid like city.

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jokerzwild00@reddit

I still like to drive a manual, I don't exactly hate it, but as I've gotten older I don't care to drive one every single day, in traffic and whatever when I just want to get to where I'm going. It can make a boring car fun though, if you're in the right mood. I have a manual Ecoboost Mustang and to me it feels like a different car compared to the automatic ones.

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wh7751@reddit

For work I drive an eighteen wheeler with a 13 forward gear manual transmission. After work I drive a slushomatic and it feels good to relax during the drive home, although it takes me a few lights to stop trying to depress the clutch.

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saywhat181@reddit

Do you not float gears? I drive a 10 speed for work, and only time I touch the clutch is when I'm coming to a stop.

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wh7751@reddit

Yes... I do float 'em. But the clutch comes into play when I gotta stop.

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WastingMyNameChance@reddit

I once punched the brakes in a work truck thinking I was still driving stick and sent everything in the back everywhere, tools, equipment, materials all off the shelves, including all our coffees in the front. Sigh.

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Select_Dragonfruit58@reddit

I think I've fallen out of love with city driving a manual. Partly because autos are so much better now, partly because traffic and drivers in general are so much worse.

Freeway driving is boring in any car.

At the track I know my manual is objectively slower than the 10spf auto, but the engagement of getting that heel toe two gear downshift into a slow corner after a fast straight, or thendecision on gear selection going into or coming out of the corner is engaging.

Mostly, though, the manual stays in the garage and the auto sedan is the car of choice for commuting and running short errands.

Now if it's an errand two states over, through the mountains?. . .

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k-mcm@reddit

It's not that I like manual transmissions, it's that I hate automatic transmissions. They're laggy and unresponsive. Put a laggy and unresponsive transmission on a turbocharged car and now you feel like the captain of an old boat where you have to call somebody to change speed.

I won't miss the 6-speed manual when the day comes that I'm driving an EV. They're always responsive and you can adjust the regeneration.

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denniscohle@reddit

For me manual is for the weekend car, auto for daily driving.

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Skylake52@reddit

Depends a lot on your personality, how you drive, and where you drive.

While I can appreciate the comfort and simplicity of an EV during the morning commute, I miss being in a rwd stickshift every other drive.

If I had to choose, it would be the stick

[-]

itwasntevenme@reddit

Whoa whoa whoa.. I love my 2019 wrx manual

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not1or2@reddit

Yep. Nice to drive a manual occasionally, but wouldn’t out of my way now to buy one.

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Mysterious_Zone_4799@reddit

Anyone who says they don’t like manuals because of traffic are fucking rookies space up losers!

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PrizeAnnual2101@reddit

Seriously i keep a 2007 Impreza running just to have a manual beach car

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QuadH@reddit

Stop start traffic killed all the joy. There’s no way I could enjoy shifting between first and second gear a hundred times in a row for 45 minutes.

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jfisk101@reddit

No, you're just a muppet.

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Delicious-Witness-85@reddit

I drove manuals when I was younger. In my 40s now but I had a 1996 mustang GT, a 2000 Camaro SS and a 16 Camaro SS. They were loads of fun back in the day but I grew out of it. I currently drive a 2025 BMW M4 competition and I have no regrets that it’s not a manual.

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PaleontologistClear4@reddit

I'm 49 and wouldn't trade my manual 2005 MINI Cooper S for anything.

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SuperRowCaptain@reddit

New manuals suuuuuck. I learned on 90s cars and it becomes subconscious and beautiful, the revs fall into place just as you shift and let the clutch out like a perfect machine.

New cars it never becomes natural, I always have to think about it. Rev hang, bad clutches, electronic throttles and triple cone synchros make it ugly and more importantly - different everytime you shift. I prefer DCTs for this reason, unless it's an old car.

[-]

fred420170@reddit

I still love stick but when DCT’s came out and then the latest zf autos I don’t really miss it. They shit so fast now.

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bassgoonist@reddit

Yes. I bought a manual Ford fusion in 2015. I wish I'd just bought a hybrid.

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Dud3_Abid3s@reddit

I enjoy them in my sports cars…I daily an automatic though.

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Other_Lucky@reddit

i have been driving a manual for 17 years and am sick of it. mostly because of traffic. fun when the road is free

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TugaDeTugal@reddit

Never opened one. All brand new 🆕

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thescouselander@reddit

Yeah. Manuals are standard here so its not exactly a novelty and auto boxes are really good now so I don't see the point drive a manual when auto is available.

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justAnotherDude314@reddit

No

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Successful-Cod3369@reddit

Boys like manuals, men like autos. Simple as. You kids wanna play with your clutch & gearbox bc you got can't focus or got some attention disorder, adhd, tism, or something, that's fine by me. Me, I'm enjoying sipping an iced coffee, cruising enjoying the road, feeling the music playing, and taking in the sights - have fun with all that fiddling.

[-]

poolpog@reddit

Nope

Drove a shitty vw polo for a week recently and realized how much I missed a manual daily driver

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fionn_maccoolio@reddit

Can’t say I have. 32, been driving manual for 16 years. Still love it. Got into motorcycling because I love shifting gears so much.

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corsa180@reddit

Nope. I’m 56 and apart from my very first car in high school (which technically I didn’t own) I’ve never owned a vehicle with an automatic transmission. Still enjoy driving a manual.

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Final_Instance_8542@reddit

Nope .

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OkMacaron493@reddit

I like the control that flappy paddles give. I put my Lexus in sport mode every drive and love to downshift. Really hits all the positives and makes parallel parking, hill starts, and traffic a breeze. If I make it big then maybe a manual for roadtrips could be fun.

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ratmanmedia@reddit

After getting stuck in bumper to bumper traffic for 6 hours, I made the decision that all my daily drivers would be autos.

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Super_Stonked@reddit

I learned on a manual CRX. I’m all about manual for cars but auto for trucks. Driving trucks manual suuuuucks. lol

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EmergencyM@reddit

First, half of the issue could be your choice of car to drive (cue the WRX defenders). The other half is just age and your driving situation most likely. As someone who got older and also started having to be in traffic more often I eventually made the switch to auto, but after a few years I was so bored when not on my regular commute that I bought a second "fun" car and it has been a fantastic choice. I get my zoomies out when the weather is nice and I have a great road to be on, then when its the usual trudge to work I have the boring car that requires zero brian cells to operate. Best of both worlds...but of course at a price.

[-]

GRAVE_DANGER187@reddit

I love manual cars… BUT I have the privilege of owning a toyota tundra for everyday commute and a SVT cobra as a weekend car.

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dildozer10@reddit

Only when I’m stuck in traffic. Once I’m on an open mountain pass, I completely forget how much being stuck in bumper to bumper, stop and go traffic sucks.

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Wild_Dingo8407@reddit

Perhaps you should seek counselling .

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nathemo@reddit

Might just be that you don't like that particular manual transmission. My wife loves manual cars, but hates how my Toyota 86 shifts. I personally love it and it's my favourite manual I've driven yet.

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MeLikes2shop@reddit

My daily cars are always a sports car. They last almost 10 years before maintenance costs start to overwhelm ownership and I move on (sometimes regrettably). Dating myself, but my first 3 were manuals. 💕 Them. Got older and having some knee pain from an old injury. Do I miss my manual? Yes. Do I want drive one now? Nope.

93 RX7, 2002 WRX, 2012 Camaro, 2022 Supra (my first automatic/paddle shifter manual). I wish I could have all of them still, but I enjoyed the ride for at least 10, and the knee is much happier with my current performance. I do like the paddle shifter option when it snows though, gives me more control in inclement weather.

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Dry-Salad-1958@reddit

I have both at the moment and I can say that I’m so much used to it that it doesn’t matter for me. I sit in the Auto press D and drive, then I go in the manual, clutch, first and go, I dont think it at all

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Tranter156@reddit

Only when stuck in rush hour traffic and my leg gets sore from pressing the clutch so much. My compromise was a German car with semi automatic transmission and paddle shift on back of the steering wheel. It’s about 90% as good as a regular manual.

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DoubleYangs@reddit

Id be lying if i said i didnt enjoy the convenience of an auto from time to time. i prefer an auto when im feeling particularly sluggish that day and just want an easy driving experience to get to where i need to go

[-]

burntkumqu4t@reddit

Hey, to each their own. I have a 2017 Focus ST, not a crazy fast car, but every time I get in it, even for a short commute, I’m in tune with my driving. Every shift is an opportunity to strive for perfection. I think more actively about where I’m at on the road, how I’m hitting my turns and stops, my acceleration, etc. etc. and it’s always a fun drive!

Though it may be a little over the top, I guess that’s my take right now

[-]

Capt_Irk@reddit

I fell out of love with them, and then fell back in love with them. A healthy dose of CVT will always fire up your inner manual desires. Those things are just soul crushing.

[-]

DawgCheck421@reddit

Meh, unless it is a race car it isn't worth the effort. Even then the autos outperform in most cases.

Traffic jams.....

[-]

Themike625@reddit

No. I’ve had a manual in some form or another for 22 years.

Would never give it up. I’ve driven everything from a multitude of BMW’s, Subaru STI’s, V8 sedans, pickups, tractor trailers, box trucks, VW CC and diesel VW Jettas, and older 1980’s manual Porsche’s and F150s, newer Porsche’s and F150’s.

I currently have the VW CC as a daily driver. Automatics are boring.

[-]

turbo_boosty@reddit

Nah, while I appreciate that autos these days are generally faster and more fuel efficient than stick, I just enjoy rowing my own gears. It makes driving more fun and feel more like "me-time".

That said, just test drove a 992.1 C4S the other weekend, and if there ever was an AT that I'd consider, it would be the newer PDK because it is just that good (imo).

[-]

WiseShoulder4261@reddit

Nope, the last truck I got with an auto got swapped for a 5 speed. My other truck is a 4 speed. My car is also a stick shift. Our family hauler is an auto, and while I don’t hate it I think there is a fair chance its replacement will have a manual too.

[-]

Not_Sure__Camacho@reddit

Are you sure that it was the manual and not the car itself? If I'm driving and there's no joy in rowing my own gears, then it could be from the car just not having power, agility, or the car's driving nature is not being reflected in the manual. Typically people equate a manual vehicle with driving performance. If you're not feeling that performance, it could be what's making it feel like work. My manual gives me a reward for the "work", and maybe that's what you need, a car that gives you more reward.

[-]

Active_Drawer@reddit

I sit in rush hour so I choose an auto. Having 3 little ones, I don't get enough alone time to drive elsewhere enough to offset the pain of a manual in complete stop and go.

Once I retire I may come back to it

[-]

danbyer@reddit

Every day I drive my Tacoma I regret not holding out for a manual one.

[-]

Thesinistral@reddit

I miss my manuals but I don’t have to commute any longer. I would love it if my 1 ton Chevy was a stick.

[-]

9002alex@reddit

Absolutely not. Whenever I get the chance to drive my fun car, which is manual, makes me appreciate it so much more. My wife also loves taking it for a spin, as our previous car was manual (2014 wrx) and we bought a forester when our kids came along. Autos may be faster, but actually changing gears is so damn fun. It’s also the best anti theft device now 😂

For reference my weekender is a 200sx so definitely a drivers car 😂

[-]

FunkyBisexualPenguin@reddit

We're quickly running out of spaces here where driving a manual is enjoyable. My time window to avoid traffic is basically sunday morning between 6am and 10am, or go out at night. The fun roads are 90 minutes away.

I don't think I've fallen out of love with it, but it's really tough to find the conditions when it's actually fun anymore.

[-]

SetForeign1952@reddit

i personally think it makes what would normally be boring driving actually entertaining.

[-]

FunkyBisexualPenguin@reddit

I could see that, with the right car.

[-]

NeverDidLearn@reddit

Yup. Commence the stoning. But seriously, I want to be on a track with a manual, not stuck in traffic after a shitty day of work on a Thursday.

[-]

shades9323@reddit

Perhaps you were more interested in tickling your pickle instead of handling the manual! :)

[-]

Talny123@reddit

Honestly, I grew up on manuals and refused to drive auto. Then my wife got her GTI (auto). Better gas mileage, 90% more fun than most cars, and when I drive it, I like that I can hold her hand.

Do I miss manual? Of course! But not as a daily car and not all the time.

(On the same token, having a GTI, I despise the wrx vs GTI conversation. No, they’re not similar. Not that one is better, but they’re just very different. The GTI feels more premium but doesn’t have the same hp.)

[-]

LV_Devotee@reddit

I started driving for work and all the stop and go city driving annoyed me with a manual, my last manual was a Saab 93 and didn’t buy another because of work, now I travel for work and don’t have a car of my own, only drive rentals and they are all auto. At some point t I will get an EV for a daily and a manual for a fun car.

[-]

Av8tor83@reddit

Probably because it was a Subaru!

[-]

argyle9000@reddit

I drive an 09 Honda fit manual. I think it’s the slowest car on the road (PT Cruisers are faster!), but I still enjoy shiftin’ them gears. Even if the transmission is garbage.

[-]

Curious_Hawk_8369@reddit

I drive manual and enjoy it decently well, however I kinda of get the vibe that most people that drive manual, and are especially vocal about letting people know they drive manual, don’t really enjoy it as much as they say, or think they do.
I think a majority of people like this are kinda of just lying to themselves that they enjoy it, when in fact it’s just a matter of “hey look at me I have this unique ability to do something that most people can’t do these days”. Even though it’s really not all that remarkable of a skill. So basically peacocking.

These same people also complain about manufactures offering less and less manuals all the time, and if such and such a company would make such and such a car with a manual they’d be first in line to buy it. Then on the rare occasions when a company listens and they offer a manual version, these people are almost nowhere to be found. I was even at a dealer once that had a used Bronco on the lot when they first came out, and in very high demand, thing had just 500 miles on it, and I took it for a drive. I got back and asked why it was traded in, apparently the original owner specifically ordered it with the manual, only to discover it was a pain in the ass after driving automatic for so long. So he traded it in for basically the same Bronco, but an automatic instead.

[-]

Aldeir2002@reddit

I used to be afraid of manuals and avoided them, and was auto only. Always thought they were, like you said, "a lot of work" and didn't really get it.

Then a few years ago I got a cheap beater with a manual, and after I learned how to drive it (was totally fine after i learned rev matching), the rest was history. Now I find autos super boring. Miss the engagement and the control a manual offers.

Went back to an auto after the beater died, missed it instantly. Saved up and recently got a weekend car with a manual, and now I'm having fun again. If I have to go back to owning one car I'll probably stick with a manual, or maybe I'll even go manual in my daily too when I can find what I want in the right spec.

Now I avoid autos. Funny how that works.

[-]

delicate10drills@reddit

I experienced it with my sister’s ~19 Impreza.

That motor and/or its ECU was absolute dogshit, especially in first gear. It required so much finesse to get going, but even while moving, it was horrible. It didn’t turn into a normal car till you’re already going 25-30mph.

Getting back into my e36 323is felt like heaven. I felt so bad for her. Subaru killed manuals for her.

A friend of mine had the same experience with his similar year STi. He offered to let me drive it to feel the turbo power, but with him recounting exactly my Impreza experience at neighborhood speeds I just didn’t care to.

[-]

The_Grilled_Cheeze_1@reddit

Fall out of love with driving my 5 speed '78 Datsun Z?.....Never! 🤣

[-]

WastingMyNameChance@reddit

I do when I'm in city traffic full of numpties that can't keep safe spacing or a steady traffic flow, defaulting to unnecessary stop and go traffic. Those moments I'm not a fan of manual, otherwise its great, and even then I dont hate manuals, I really hate numpties on the road.

[-]

EvoLove34@reddit

No.

[-]

DJScaryTerry@reddit

You drove probably one of the worst clutches on a modern sporty car. Go try out a Honda or even a Hyundai N car.

[-]

Shrikecorp@reddit

Absolutely. When average speed of travel is about 25, including freeway, manuals are not amusing.

[-]

toofarfromjune@reddit

That’s because a wrx is regular traffic in terms of feels. I enjoy every moment of driving my lotus, I would enjoy every moment of driving an s2000 as well, or a Miata. Modern autos are a blast, I have a dual clutch Audi that will rip all 4 tires loose and a 10spd raptor but nothing will replace the experience of driving a proper manual sports car.

With that being said I wouldn’t enjoy driving a manual pickup truck, jeep, or a Subaru. In fact I almost bought a wrx not long ago but decided not to specifically due to cvt being the only auto option.

[-]

stulti_auri@reddit

a little bit. I mean my knees are older. However when I need it, off road, on glare ice, steep grades, I'm sure glad I have it. My pickup is a 25 year old diesel, and a 35 year old Japanese import gasser is my daily.

The few modern implementations of manuals I've tried with drive-by-wire throttle are just awful to drive. After say 2005, just forget it IMHO.

[-]

nmyron3983@reddit

I feel an auto has it's place.

All of my favorite cars in my life have been manuals. I will never not love them. Especially the Sm465 in my square.

But for putting around town, going to the grocery, it's been much nicer having a small auto box to drive for that stuff. Less because of the stick, more for not having to put miles on it.

Now I have more time to make it nicer 😁

[-]

gundrum@reddit

My first two cars were manual, then in 2010 I got a job in B2B sales in an urban territory where I had to drive in the city, in traffic, and take calls on a bluetooth headset while driving. Shifting gears was one task too many for this multitasking role so my next vehicle was automatic. It's been automatic ever since but I take any opportunity to drive stick nowadays. I just moved to a rural area with lots of winding roads and no traffic. I'm already thinking of my next car, and I'm disappointed that so few have traditional manual transmissions now.

[-]

Authentic-469@reddit

I fucking hate automatic transmissions and even worse is this new adaptive cruise and emergency braking. I’m driving the car, the computer can fuck right off. I’m rebuilding my 80’s shitbox manual foxbody, my wife can drive this new piece of shit.

[-]

Jgordos@reddit

No.

[-]

TheTruckUnbreaker@reddit

I learned on a 4 speed, I can drive anything from 3 to 18 speeds, and my truck has an Allison in it for a reason.

[-]

michaelfkenedy@reddit

I think the WRX is a boring car to drive.

I miss my little Colorado with a 5-speed.

[-]

bahamablue66@reddit

Never. Currently own 3 cars. 2 are Manila’s

[-]

maldoricfcatr@reddit

I have a 2008 5 speed mazda hatch. I love driving it. Except wheel spin on wet rainy days. Bought a used 2010 hatch. Am not impressed with the 6 speed stick in that car. I had been driving a '99 Ford explorer with stickshift in the early 2000's. The Jeep Liberty I have is a diesel with the 5 speed auto that is used behind the Hemi V8. Jeep gets 24mpg city and 30+ highway. That does beat my 2008 for fuel economy.

[-]

Whitehoneybun666@reddit

No just u I can’t stand automatics

[-]

Financial_Actuary_95@reddit

Most of my early cars were manual transmission cars. '74 Nova, '91 Accord EX, '89 Civic. But I'd never go back. Paddle-shift automatics have the clutch worthless.

[-]

QLDZDR@reddit

Anyone else fall out of love with driving manuals?

My knee developed a clicky feeling during my driving test.

I thought it was important to gain my driver's licence for a manual car because I ride a motorcycle (which are manual).

After getting my license, I just went for Auto and never went back.

[-]

hk4213@reddit

Haven't had the privilege outside of 2 cars. Need new buyers to purchase them.

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chrisgoesbleh2@reddit

No, but nowadays most manuals fall out of my budget.

[-]

tstew39064@reddit

Yes, having a commute longer than 30 minutes, f that.

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FastEd66@reddit

Yea, because of work trucks

[-]

Yummy_Castoreum@reddit

I was always a manual guy, from the time I got my license til midlife. Always something lightweight, fun and manual. Then I decided it might be time to give a grown-up car a chance, and I drove a European luxobarge with a powerful 6 cylinder and an automatic. It was a revelation: automatics could be pretty great too. After the barge I got into EVs, where there are no gears to shift; instead, the funner ones have one-pedal driving where the go-pedal essentially functions both as both accelerator and brake, with a "friction point" where they blend over, so your ability to drive smoothly and skillfully is closely related to your skill operating a clutch. So I didn't so much fall out of love with manuals as I fell in love with a different type of car.

[-]

Successful_Ad_9707@reddit

Nope. 34 and all 3 of my cars are stick. Don't plan on changing that.

[-]

Ok_Act4459@reddit

Nope

[-]

Mrofcourse@reddit

No. No, man. Shit, no, man. I believe you'd get your ass kicked sayin' something like that, man.

[-]

Truckondo@reddit

Are you the guy doing the drywall at the new McDonald’s?

[-]

BarnacleMcBarndoor@reddit

No, but I also have an automatic sports ~~car~~ truck when my knee hurts or when I need to share the commute, or whatever.

I’ve been driving manual for almost 25 years, and I’d feel like something was missing in my life if I couldn’t drive stick.

[-]

streetrod-s10@reddit

As a daily driver of a saabaru and my old track toy was a brz,Subaru clutches for the most part,feel like crap ,when in good shape,shifters feel alright ,but there is a clutch assist spring that removing is an absolute must for me and only mildly relieves the issue,aside from an outback and few other “mom car” type Subaru’s ,they usually feel more like mushy and stiffer through the whole throw than I would prefer

[-]

DejaVu@reddit

Not sure how you can love a manual if you do bumper to bumper traffic to and from work. I imagine a place like socal. Manual, bumper to bumper traffic after a long day of work = misery to me.

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AlanofAdelaide@reddit

how about a 3 speed column shift with no synchro on first?

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Downtown_Reward_6339@reddit

Drive 66 Mustang with Toploader 4 speed, also drive 2018 Fit with a 6 speed. Completely different and I love both.

[-]

Weary_Boat@reddit

Like motorcycles, they're so much fun on the right roads, if you live in an area where you can access them quickly and regularly. My last manual was a real drag in urban commuting and I was happy to trade it in for an auto

[-]

AbruptMango@reddit

No.

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Downtown_Reward_6339@reddit

Nope

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DudeWhereIsMyDuduk@reddit

I specifically waited 8 months and factory ordered a '25 just to get one, and it's probably the second-worst driving feel I've ever had with one.

So no.

[-]

negitoro7@reddit

My daily is an Integra Type S, but if I had multiple vehicles my daily would be DCT or ZF-auto.

I haven’t fall out of love for driving manuals, but it’s not ideal in heavy commuting traffic. Working on adding a Z4 M40i (in automatic) to split commuting duties with.

[-]

Beneficial_Try9602@reddit

1985+ Porsche 944 rear mounted trans was great. Obviously slow compared to modern cars but so fun.

Civic Si, CRX Si, S2000 and first 2 gens of Miata.

It feels like you are wearing the car like a suit.

It can also be selective memory as I am sure many of those cars are older than the people on Reddit! 😀😀😀

[-]

MaceAries@reddit

I hate when an auto shifts. I hate putting my foot down and waiting for the car to figure out what gear to be in. It's probably doing a lot of things more efficiently than me but I'd rather be in control of it.

I think if I fell out of love with manuals that would mean I fell out of love of driving.

[-]

principaljoe@reddit

vacuum test a few valve bodies and you'll be right back on team manual.

[-]

teakwoodtile@reddit

Own a current gen WRX now and have driven/owned many manuals. The WRX shifter is uhh....I can see why you feel it to be a chore :)

[-]

stillcleaningmyroom@reddit

Have you tried the clutch delay delete? I’ve heard that’s supposed to help because the shifts in this car are so inconsistent. 1st to 2nd is such a weird feeling in this car.

I know it’s an apples to oranges comparison, but I drove a 996 last weekend and I was floored with how much easier it was to shift.

[-]

teakwoodtile@reddit

I have not, will have to look into it! The 1-2 shift is certainly tricky but I find staying on the clutch a little longer and feathering smooths things out nicely. I had a manual Wrangler and that was the trick there too. Main issue is the shifter, it's kind of endearing with the long travel and all but it doesn't quite fit in a sport compact. People who.put short shifters on don't like them either, but I want to try the Sti one.

I had an Si with a Mugen shifter I installed - it shifted great but had brutal revhang. This VB is nice and smooth in that regard; guess you win some, lose some.

[-]

stillcleaningmyroom@reddit

Yeah, staying in the clutch longer than you feel comfortable and feathering the gas is the ticket, it’s just weird.

People don’t seem to like the STI short shifter because it’s not that much shorter than stock in comparison to an aftermarket short shifter. It seemed perfect in the one I test drove.

[-]

teakwoodtile@reddit

Said the same thing about my Mugen shifter but it felt fantastic to me. I like OEM parts.

[-]

Aggravating-Hour8685@reddit

I’ve been trying to learn both my parents know and are very capable of teaching me I just can’t find a good car that I would like to buy and learn in I want something fast that isn’t going to cost so much if I mess up

[-]

Bahnrokt-AK@reddit

I have put 193k on my 6speed 21 Tacoma. At 44 I still enjoy it.

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Southside_Burd@reddit

I have an absurdly long commute, so I changed to an A4.

I do think at some point I’ll buy a weekend truck with a 5/6 speed.

[-]

yogfthagen@reddit

A 3 hour, stop and go traffic jam killed it.

The realization that could happen regularly was enough to get an auto

Still sad about it, but it just isn't worth it.

[-]

HotRodHomebody@reddit

60 or so years old. Looove driving my manual sports car. for some types of cars, especially, I think automatics are gross! And the opposite of feeling like it’s work, I feel more engaged (no pun...), and rowing through the gears. YMMV.

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No_Refrigerator8913@reddit

No

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Independent_Egg6355@reddit

With manuals I feel at one with the machine. I feel like I’m driving it instead of like it’s driving me. It’s just a more tactile and engaging experience.

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AlanofAdelaide@reddit

Life wasn't meant to be easy.

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DIMPLET0N@reddit

This isn't about life being easy or difficult. This is about someone who drove a manual WRX and became frustrated because of it, as it made them feel like they had to put in too much effort to enjoy driving it.

[-]

Bullitt4514@reddit

I miss having a manual 😵‍💫. I’m tempted to find a wrecked Chevy cruze and manual swap my equinox 🤣. what’s annoying, is the equinox came with a 6 speed manual in other markets 😡

[-]

FordF150ChicagoFan@reddit

I miss my manual Camaro. My Suburban and now F150 have are automatic.

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brickhouseboxerdog@reddit

I had a 2.2 96 s10 liked that, drove alot of 90s, early 00s, I had a 2017 toyota im 6spd, this car was pain to drive, fat car, 1.8,tall gears, long vauge clutch. With a laggy dbw. I just feel I'm fighting the car,

[-]

J_robintheh00d@reddit

Currently driving home from work in rush hour traffic… it is a lot of work

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Uncle-Istvan@reddit

No.

But most manuals from the past decade have sucked.

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whateveritisthey@reddit

F no.

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PelicanFrostyNips@reddit

When I went to college, I got a bone stock 1991 240SX with 72k miles for 3k USD. 5mt. Fantastic car, lasted a while until rust ate it from underneath the rubberized coating so I couldn’t even see it until the shock tower mount separated from the frame rail. Bought a 2003 Miata after that, also 5mt.

Now I am grown. Mid 30s, design engineer. I have a grown up car now, a beautiful F10 BMW with an N55 that runs like a top.

RWD, 6-speed manual. Think you’re alone my friend

[-]

kneedoorman@reddit

A real unicorn 535i manual but they are out there. Just very rare

[-]

Carguy77Seven@reddit (OP)

wow rare F10 Manual, im sure its a blast to drive

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grundlemon@reddit

Nope.

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HeWhoPetsDogs@reddit

Only in stop&go traffic and even then I wouldn't trade it

[-]

SkylineFTW97@reddit

No, but it made me much pickier with looking for good manuals. Like I refuse to buy a Toyota Tacoma because their manuals feel like shit.

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matty_nelson@reddit

I live in Vancouver. I had a manual GTI for three years. I bought a Golf R DSG a few months ago now that my commute is longer. Might get a weekend manual car down the line.

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Regichungus@reddit

No

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Emotional_Star_7502@reddit

Yes. Shifting gets old when it’s done out of necessity. Definitely prefer auto for my daily.

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Odd_Contribution_294@reddit

Never ever

[-]

Paradigmnine@reddit

Nope.

[-]

Technotitclan@reddit

To answer your question: no. Been 20 years and still love it.

Issue could have been the car. The 2015-2020 WRX has a meh trans and a shit factory tune. Haven't tried the newer Gen but I expect a better tune with a meh trans.

[-]

rrhunt28@reddit

Yes. As I got older and had a few health issues I wanted to stay away from manuals. Plus the Mazda 6 first gen I have is known for going through clutches faster than normal. I've replaced mine 3 times, and the clutches are not very cheap.

[-]

BoomerishGenX@reddit

As much as I love the feel of shifting, I drive an automatic 99% of the time because mostly I like to relax and be comfortable while driving.

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max1mx@reddit

It’s kinda the opposite, every time I drive a manual I think ‘awesome! Fuck automatics’

[-]

Flying-Half-a-Ship@reddit

No. 40/F learned to drive stick at 17, only owned manuals. Have a Acura tsx right now. Still love it like I did as a teenager.

[-]

Beer_Snacks@reddit

No

[-]

VWillini@reddit

I’ve missed driving manual for the past ten years since I got an auto (only option in the States, rage face). I travel to Europe frequently and always request a manual when I get a rental car (pretty easy). The manual combined with excellent roads and excellent drivers makes it driving bliss.

[-]

JustAnotherFNC@reddit

Depends on the car. I wouldn't own a 4th gen T/A in auto, and I'd hate my E38 if it was a manual.

[-]

Rapom613@reddit

I love manual, but only good manuals. The majority of manuals on the market are mediocre at best. Couple this with the leaps and bounds autos have made (specifically the ZF 8HP) and it makes it a hard argument to get a manual now a days sadly, and this coming from someone who’s first 20 or so cars where all stick

I wish more manuals felt good to use. Porsche, Honda type r, s2000 are all benchmarks in my opinion, no idea why BMW can’t replicate a Hondas shifter action feel

[-]

PRSFenderMartin@reddit

Yeah- 12 years of Long Island rush hour traffic in my mazda 3 6MT. Upgraded to a cushy CX-5 auto.

[-]

qwexor@reddit

I drove manual for decades but then my left knee collapsed and that was that. Still enjoy driving with the paddles, but alas, I did love my manual WRX.

[-]

EventHorizonHotel@reddit

I got tired of driving them daily at some point but I love having a second car with a manual for whenever I feel like a more engaging drive

[-]

Turbulent_Shoe8907@reddit

Roughly half the cars I’ve driven/owned have been manuals including a WRX just a couple of years ago (I had that car for three solid months and ditched it for a ‘22 Silverado…not sorry). I didn’t take issue with the transmission at all but it WAS burning more calories on my 6 mile slog to the office than I wanted to expend and the 300 seconds to warm up every single time you start up was ruining my chi. Ever since then it’s been all autos for me and I can’t say I miss it.

In all fairness everything with a turbo needs warmed up and nobody I know is doing it. My in-laws both have vehicles with turbos and they just get in, grip it and rip…these are 80 year old people and they need to get to church right now!

[-]

MelodicNecessary3236@reddit

Nope

[-]

Winstonoil@reddit

Owning a motorcycle, I could only afford that and my work van for 40 years. As soon as I retired I got an older Acura with a five speed. I am so happy to be back with the stir stick looking for the power band I want.

[-]

AlexanderDaDecent@reddit

Try a v8 rwd car and delete this

[-]

Carguy77Seven@reddit (OP)

Maybe i do, i like the CT5 V blackwing

[-]

Ok-Situation-9199@reddit

   You’re not coasting enough!

[-]

Carguy77Seven@reddit (OP)

Haha Maybe

[-]

stupidfock@reddit

When I moved to San Francisco, yes lol. I race manuals still, my daily driving is never a manual though. I’d rather drive a Prius than a gated Ferrari in the San Francisco area, it’s terrible getting to and from work

[-]

Osideornoside@reddit

My vw manual has this auto assist tech that allows the hard to not fall back on a hill for like 1 second. I wish I could turn it off. I loved the good ole brake trick when on a hill... That being said those SF hills are no fucking joke, I'd drive with hill assist on or an automatic at that point.

[-]

Grandemestizo@reddit

I used to drive a manual but I drive an automatic now. On balance I do prefer an automatic but for pure fun I do like a manual.

[-]

Beginning_Lifeguard7@reddit

I commuted for 16 years with a manual in stop and go traffic. To say I’m over manuals is a huge understatement. Now I drive a Tesla and the instant throttle response is so much fun, minus the laggy ICE engine.

[-]

WatchStoredInAss@reddit

Exactly...after 10+ years of stop and go traffic with a stickshift, I was so done.

I guess some people like to torture themselves.

[-]

Spudster62@reddit

Fuck no.

Manual 944 Turbo driver here.

[-]

SirWillae@reddit

Haven't owned a car with a fixed gear ratios in 20 years. I certainly don't miss it.

[-]

wisowski@reddit

Have been driving manuals since I was about 23. The only time it is tiresome is in traffic. Otherwise it is better than driving auto for me even for boring errands, etc. have a CrossTrek and a Miata. Make both cars so much better. That being said I don’t mind driving autos -wife has one, and I rent cars often enough for work.

[-]

_EnFlaMEd@reddit

No. I've always been a sports car enthusiast and live in a hilly area so the only time I see an automatic having any benefit would be doing long rural trips. Even in traffic my little mazda 2 commuter car is fun because you can use all 6 gears and changing is effortless. My weekender is 5spd Toyota Soarer with about 320rwhp that is setup for spirited hills driving so it would be ruined as an automatic.

[-]

Magnus_Helgisson@reddit

I like being in control of my gears, but I think my next car will be automatic. It’d be hard to say goodbye to the manual but since 90% of my driving takes place in a big city with a lot of cars, being stuck in the traffic sucks on a stick

[-]

id_death@reddit

Pre LA i only drove stick.

Moving to LA i bought an automatic for the freeways because stick isnt fun in hour long stop and go traffic.

When I go home I drive stick. I want to buy a stick shitbox commuter for daily driving.

[-]

TurboLag23@reddit

I have done literally exactly the opposite

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MarcusAurelius0@reddit

No, been driving manual for 20 years.

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mooforshoes@reddit

Yeah commuting daily - an hour daily of stop go traffic and shifting endlessly between neutral and first gear. Usually I'd never get to second gear nor above 10kph/ 6mph for 90% of that. I got so sick of it, and going back to an auto felt so relaxing.

I moved now but that hour of slow traffic remains so I'm not sure I'll go back to manual for a commuter.

Maybe a nice weekend car though for sure.

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beachdayz1990z@reddit

Still driving a manual since 1993 and I never get tired of it. It's fun. I don't commute anymore but had no issues when I did. I've put over 300,000 miles on it.

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bhop0073@reddit

No. I'm 52 and have been driving a manual car of some make since I was 16, most of which was done in L.A. traffic, which I still do. Sometimes I might have a loaner or rental that's an auto and I usually get bored after a couple days.

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iHaveLotsofCats94@reddit

I was very manual only for about 10 years. Now i appreciate both. I have a car with an old slushbox and a truck with a 5 speed. I'll own more autos and more manuals as time goes on. They each serve a purpose

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Tallguystrongman@reddit

No

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2WheelTinker-@reddit

Slow/low power vehicles are far more fun as manuals.

Anything relatively quick, yeah driving the manual version just feels like being in the lesser than.

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davidwal83@reddit

Yeah when I got my truck with a V8 I didn't need to shift gears myself to turn power. I just floored it and make torque do the rest. I have bad knees also starting to get really lazy and older. It's getting harder to find a manual vehicle that piques my interest.

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aquatone61@reddit

How dare you say you’d rather drive a good automatic, shame on your house………. /S.

People who gatekeep driving a manual need to fucking grow up.

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Glorious_Bastardo@reddit

Never.

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midri@reddit

You need fun manuals, all wheel drive is practical, not fun; get your ass in a miata, s2000, z4, or boxtser and hit some corners and do lots of shifting, that's the joy.

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Feisty_Analysis808@reddit

If they would make more reliable autos. Ya know, one that could go 250k without a 6k repair bill.

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Zociety_@reddit

You’re getting old, I kind of have a similar experience but I prefer manual for a engaging experience

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numbersev@reddit

Yes me. I drive a fun manual but am looking for an auto for my next car. Use the manual as a weekend toy or whenever. Driving around doing errands and with kids it gets a bit old. If I had just an auto I’d miss it.

Cars are becoming so advanced and computerized that I think I’d rather have a good auto (not a CVT) and maybe paddle shifters. To me, a manual fits an older car. Levers and pillows and all that jazz.

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Naught2day@reddit

No, we have two manuals and one auto and I would love to convert the auto to a manual but no one has done it. That I know of.

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_iamacat@reddit

I just learned how to drive a manual properly and I'm already over it man. But then again, it's for work, and I'm not 16.

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amishbill@reddit

Spending over an hour stuck in stop n go traffic makes it hard to keep liking a manual.

Reasonable traffic and a small motor, a stick lets you pretend it’s not as limited as it is.

Facing a 3 hour drive after you’ve ripped almost everything off the top of your knee makes you very very thankful you have an auto!

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OriginalFaCough@reddit

Blew out my clutch knee three decades ago. I can still drive one, but would rather not. Also, a performance automatic is way better at it than we are...

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So3Dimensional@reddit

Manuals are fun. But if you do any amount of driving, you have to be a lunatic to daily drive one.

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NuclearPopTarts@reddit

Turn in your Man Card

(Or your Woman Card)

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RobsHereAgain@reddit

No, but I had a Buick LeSabre for a few years and I fell in love with large cars after that. I love a good manual transmission older pickup or sportscar, muscle car

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bakednapkin@reddit

I grew up driving a 97’ Jeep wrangler with a manual transmission….. I think manual is more fun to drive…… I still have the jeep. But my daily driver is now a Nissan frontier with auto transmission. Let me say I truly do appreciate having cruise control for the 80+ minutes a day I spend commuting to and from work everyday.

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PurpleSausage77@reddit

Yes. But with the right car, I still love it. Especially since I can have multiple vehicles.

If I had to stick to one I’d be going with a carefully vetted DCT or automatic transmission equipped vehicle.

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dsm582@reddit

Lol yea why do u think they invented automatic transmissions? Manual is way more engaging but if u wana just shut ur mind off and cruise its annoying as hell especially in stop and go traffic

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blizzard7788@reddit

I drove a variety of different size trucks for work as a concrete carpenter foreman. 1.4 million miles over 35 years of stop and go traffic every morning and afternoon. All with a stick. I hope I never see another clutch pedal for as long as I live.

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biggranny000@reddit

No, but I like good automatic transmissions. I don't like CVTs or some torque converted autos, just too much power loss, weight, and inability to shift or control. A lot of dual clutches I have driven with manual modes are great, they shift fast, little to no power loss, and good control. Faster than a manual in many cases.

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Xeonmelody@reddit

No. 3 of my 4 vehicles have manuals. The automatic is driven by my wife. But I have come to appreciate a manual that was designed to be driven daily vs a sports car. The clutch in my 370Z is way stiffer than the clutch on my 03 Honda Civic. Driving the Civic in rush hour traffic is not an issue. And I live in Los Angeles.

My plan: keep my manual vehicles till the wheels fall off cause we all know they wont be around too much longer.

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Tape_Face42@reddit

Yup, I grew up and got some money. Almost everything I drove while young was a manual because that's just. what we had and was more practical for cheap old vehicles. Then I started a career driving truck, which of course is all about driving manual. So to me, it's old, I'm over it, autos are more practical for most modern applications and it's that simple.

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discourse_friendly@reddit

Yep, I'm so sad we are near the end of an era where we can buy cars with a manual transmission. :(

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WWGHIAFTC@reddit

No.

But a GOOD auto now is so good, I don't mind driving it.

Autos of the olden times were just terrible. You know, like 2015 and back.

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rudbri93@reddit

I still like my manual, but I definitely also like my autos. And todays autos are pretty damn good, too.

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imnoherox@reddit

Not at all. If anything, my VW DSG experience has made me appreciate manuals even more.

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Farafel62@reddit

I have a manual (m2) and DCT car (rs3) so its fine I just drive the auto when I don't feel like shifting but I still enjoy the 6 speed when I drive it but I do understand where you are coming from early morning/late nights is when I'm glad I have the choice.

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Cranks_No_Start@reddit

Ive been driving manuals long enough I don't think twice about it. I do currently and in the past have autos mostly because they didn't make a manual version of the car or I got it used and that's what it came with.