The Allure Of A Manual Tranny

Dunno. I'm waiting for more reports from people who drive pretty much strictly
in the city. But I suspect either (1) Few have manual transmissions; or (2)
being able to afford the city, they don't tarry over things like car repair
expenses and so aren't likely to lurk here. So I'm not holding my breath.

BUT--
It does make sense that city driving requires more use of the clutch and so the
mileage at which it fails will be lower.

Still, here's your own report to the contrary:

155k miles on my 91 Civic's original clutch, with no problems in immediate
sight. Rarely driven in the city. Mostly suburban (70%?) and highway driving.

 

Isn't most of the additional cost of an AT recouped when you sell the car?

 

Heel & toeing.

 

One word - glucosamine!

You'll probably decide 80 is elderly when you reach 65.

 

Nope, never touched the gas, not necessary.

Do you live where it's completely flat?

Are you a new driver? I'm not surprised when at AT downshifts going
uphill - same as I would do with a manual trans.

 

On honda's, it's big-toe, little-toe.

 

20-30k? somethings definately wrong, here. even in stop and go on the
405, its possible to creep along while maintaining a safe distance in
1st or 2nd.

if you always have one foot on the clutch and/or you ride peoples rear
bumpers then sure, you might need one in a shorter time frame.

 

pretty much.

 

I know how to drive a manual transmission vehicle,but still prefer an
auto for no other reason that to "drive a stick" from my perspective is
just plain too MUCH work.Upshift,downshift,upshift
again,overdrive,downshift,(and clutching between points).In heavy urban
traffic (like Seattle which to me is a nightmare) you come to appreciate
an automatic.One other thing......I sure as hell would not want to drive
a MT in downtown San Francisco.........oh,jeez! Just the thought of that
(hills) gives me heebie-jeebies.

 

you arent a crappy driver?

 

One of the ironic things is that the current 5-sp auto used in the
BMW 3-series and 5-series is designed/made by GM. BMW then adds
their electronics, including a manual override. One of the most
hilarious posts I've seen was a BMW owner who was almost offended
that his car was spec'ed for Dexron-III instead of some exotic
European fluid. It's a freakin' GM transmission in there buddy.

 

Now that I think of it, I did learn to drive stick on that car (a 90 Acura
Integra), so probably for the first year I wasn't exactly a model of good
clutch manners ;-)

-Indirecto

 

I've driven a stick in downtown San Francisco. Not a problem. Even
the hills aren't that bad if you use the parking brake.

Subaru shot a commerical in San Francisco for one of their manual
trannies with the Hill-Holder feature.

 

unless the person is looking for a stick, in which case they dont bother
calling.

i dont think ill have any problem selling my 98 hatch when i decide to.

 

Did it for a few years, though not every day. It was actually
quite fun!

 

In 405 traffic, my typical behavior was to keep pretty close to the
car in front of me.. (LA traffic brings out the worst in all of us,
I've mellowed since I left!) I would have destroyed clutches in
20-30k.. If I'd had a clutch, my foot would have been constantly on
it. I felt quite good about getting nearly 20k on set of brake pads..

__________________
Note: To reply, replace the word 'spam' embedded in return address with 'mail'.
N37.3 W122.0

 

Send me to a good web site or give me your eyewitness testimony and I'll read
it.

I hope so.

 

You offer no factual evidence that supports your position. Other people
have addressed the basic physics and mechanics that refute your very silly
statement. For one thing, you have no knowledge of how Chris drives and his
skills do you? There are clearly special automatic transmissions that will
provide better acceleration than a manual transmission but these are not in
normal passenger automobiles and certainly not in the cars generally
discussed here

I have successfully roll started my 2000 Accord on a number of occasions.



Perhaps you should engage facts when attempting to offer purported words of
wisdom.

Thanks for your opinion and advce but they matter little based on your lack
of factual information above. The few of these things I have tried have been
far less easy to control than a manual transmission nor did they provide as
good feedback. Most of us who stick with manual transmissions do it because
we enjoy having more control over the vehicle and being engaged in actually
driving rather than spouting words of wisdom on our cell phones while
driving with half a brain and one hand. It is a choice that is valid.



Thanks for trying to play along but it looks like you didn't score strikes
on any of your 'pitches.' No comments on your balls. (-:

 

Or if the potential buyer wants a Volvo.

I don't think so, either; but IIRC the additional cost of an AT is
mostly recouped at trade in or sale time (according to Edmunds it's
worth $450-$500 on a 2003 Accord EX sedan).

 

Better, I saw an orthopedic surgeon last month because my wrist hurt
(fell on it several years ago & reinjured it recently). X-rays showed
arthritis and the doc recommended CosamineDS (one form of glucosamine,
which is OTC, not Rx). I'd seen ads for glucosamine the past couple of
years, but dismissed them as more snake oil.

I'll bet on that.

Oh what the hell!

http://www.cosamin.com/consumer/cosamin.htm#recommend



Disclaimer: I have no medical training and am not recommending any
supplements, just passing along some info. You decide.