I Miss Having a Manual

"AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC" (addictedtom3s)
10/30/2018 at 20:31 • Filed to: None

Yes, I know I say having an automatic is okay and I still stand by that. There are just times when I miss having that satisfying feeling of lifting off the brake and the car just sits there. It’s that moment where you feel like you are in full control of the car. Then there’s the satisfaction of changing gears where both hands and both feet are in sync. I miss that feeling.

Have a gorgeous 991 interior for your time.

DISCUSSION (72)

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
10/30/2018 at 20:40

What car do you have?

I’m open to trades...

Kinja'd!!!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
10/30/2018 at 20:42

I understand the feels. Luckily I still have one 3-pedal-equipped vehicle.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
10/30/2018 at 20:44

Already eh? How many days have you had it for?

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
10/30/2018 at 20:49

About a month.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
10/30/2018 at 20:53

FOOL

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
10/30/2018 at 20:57

I’ve got a 428i Gran Coupe. It’s sublime on my daily commute so at least it has that going for it and it does look gorgeous.

WilliamsSW > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
10/30/2018 at 21:03

He’s been h awking it for a week already too.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
10/30/2018 at 21:10

Dude! seriously, cut your losses and get a used Mazda 3 or Civic Si and call it a day, before you get more miserable

Chuckles > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
10/30/2018 at 21:18

It’s nice to have a manual for occasional fun driving. That being said, daily commuting with a manual transmission is one of the most overrated activities in the automotive community, especially in high traffic areas. It’s terrible, so I’m glad that I make my commute in a car that shifts gears for me. Shifting gea rs is fun on a back road, not downtown between traffic lights.

for Michigan > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
10/30/2018 at 21:18

I’ve had my automatic 1-series since June and it still consistently startles me when I lift my foot off the brake and it moves in its own.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > for Michigan
10/30/2018 at 21:26

My first car was a manual so that doesn’t freak me out thankfully. My problem is I sometimes reach for the gear stick to move it into neutral when I come to a stop. Or I get freaked out when I am coming to a stop and think I am going to stall since I haven’t put it into neutral yet.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Chuckles
10/30/2018 at 21:28

Agree 100%. I daily drove the BRZ in stop and go traffic for 2+ years. W as not fun. Or when you’re just trying to get home after a long day. Not fun.

TechJunky > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
10/30/2018 at 21:31

I bought a Kia Optima several years ago, telling myself I was ready for an automatic and could li ve without a manual. While it was great dealing with Houston, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans traffic, it only lasted a little over a year before I went back. I enjoy driving manual too much. I’m lucky that I don’t deal with heavy traffic often. While I wouldn’t mind an automatic for daily commuting at times, that will only happen if I have a second fun car with a manual.

wafflesnfalafel > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
10/30/2018 at 21:32

sometimes dailying a stick is a pain - but I’m nearly always smiling... (see gap, blip throttle, drop a gear, re- engage clutch, ease in throttle then hammer, shoot gap, off throttle, enjoy off throttle noises...repeat... ) The turbo is a little more difficult since it’s so jumpy/throttle happy and easier to kill at low revs but it just adds to the excitement...

Chuckles > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
10/30/2018 at 21:32

I’m fortunate enough to have two (cheap) cars, an automatic 2012 Fiat 500 and a manual 94 Miata. When I bought the Fiat a year ago, I told myself that I’d commute in the Miata on nice days, and the Fiat when it’s cold or wet. A year later, and guess what? I commute in the Fiat pretty much every day. The Miata isn't fun in stop and go traffic.

Future Heap Owner > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
10/30/2018 at 21:33

I’m really into you taking every opportunity to unload your car

Nick Has an Exocet > Chuckles
10/30/2018 at 21:33

I’ve been commuting in a 91 Miata in Bay Area (Bay Bridge) traffic for the last year and a half. I honestly don’t see much of a difference. At least with the manual, I have something to do outside of just creeping on the brake. I’ve driven plenty of cars that are still great with automatics, but I do think the “manuals are bad in traffic” is a subjective and overused argument.

Now if you want to argue about manuals and the hills of San Francisco - now that’s a good point.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
10/30/2018 at 21:35

So...that's a no I take it

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
10/30/2018 at 21:41

I don’t miss manual enough to want to commit to it being a daily thing again.

Chuckles > Nick Has an Exocet
10/30/2018 at 21:45

I love my Miata on a fun road, but part of my commute involves coming to a complete stop every 20 feet across a bridge, waiting, and then accelerating to move forward another 20 feet. I can do it, sure, but I derive no pleasure from the experience.

David Baker > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
10/30/2018 at 21:49

I’m fortunate enough to have an awesome automatic daily (15 F150 3.5 EB, 6 speed ZF) and for nice weekends (64 Chevelle Malibu SS convertible 454 restomod, M21 Muncie 4 speed). A modern auto for a daily isn’t the power sucking fun killer of the past. But nothing can replace slamming gears. Any excuse the post my babies, lol.

Kinja'd!!!

Flavien Vidal > Chuckles
10/30/2018 at 21:49

I have never owned am automatic and most likely never will... I commute in traffic regularly, in cars that are considered really terrible in such situation... I really don’t mind it. Rev matching and hee l toeing any time I can, to a complete stop or just to sl ow down, are the only thing that makes this daily commute something else than utterly boring... No way I’m changing that.

Nick Has an Exocet > Chuckles
10/30/2018 at 21:50

I think I’m more ADD than most people. I do the 20 ft, stop, start, 20 ft, stop, start over a 4.5 mile bridge every day :) Twice.

Chuckles > Flavien Vidal
10/30/2018 at 21:53

You and I are clearly different people. I love a fun car when I can drive it on a fun road, but in traffic it's just a hassle, and I'm not in the mood for a hassle after a long day at work. I think there's a time and a place for both types of cars.

Flavien Vidal > Chuckles
10/30/2018 at 22:03

In all fairness, my daily commute is like 25 minutes long and my long day at work mainly involves driving sports cars in the mountains... But nonetheless, it was the same thing when I was living in Montreal... I’d daily a manual Corvette with great pleasure there ... The few times in an automatic, I was just bored... No big engine entering the freeway, no downshifts for no reason other than enjoying the v8 noise... I loved my commutes :)

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/30/2018 at 22:04

I’ve been having dreams about owning a manual as a second fun car. Sadly it would cost too much in reality.

Flavien Vidal > Chuckles
10/30/2018 at 22:06

My only two cars are 1989 Rover Mini and a 1985 Sa22c turbo Rx-7 BTW... It does help to enjoy the daily drive.

smobgirl > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
10/30/2018 at 22:19

The stalling when stopping gets me every time in an automatic.

smobgirl > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
10/30/2018 at 22:23

There are two occasions when I hate having a manual.

1) drive-thru...I usually go inside anyway because I can’t stand the pressure of looking at a menu with people waiting behind me

2) when the person in front of you leaves like 30 feet in front of them at a red light and creeps forward two inches at a time. This is annoying regardless but it’s really effing annoying in a manual because I can deal with a few extra feet once they scoot forward but I can’t deal (mentally) once it hits a full car length.

SeanBearsIt > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
10/30/2018 at 22:38

That cracked me up.

RYAN > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
10/30/2018 at 23:04

I daily drive a 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS with a 6 speed manual. This was my dream car and I have drove every thing from a mercedes 300sd diesel auto to a McLaren P1. Still take my 500hp manual for daily commute. To me it is the true car nuts car. Super easy to drive but has balls for days.

JK_bnmbl > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
10/30/2018 at 23:37

Got a manual mini and wrangler , love em both, though the adaptive cruise on our grand Cherokee is awesome in stop and go and highway cruising... New world I guess

Wacko > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
10/30/2018 at 23:43

I started driving in April 1995 with a manual, then only drove manuals till feb 2015. Cashed my manual and family was getting bigger so why not use the insurance money on a 7 passenger 2014 pathfinder. Still had my manual jeep tj.

My wife’s automatic 2011 Elantra was suppose to be replaced with the 7 passenger car. Sold,the jeep in 2016 and ever since get into a time of the year where I want to replace the wife’s car with a manual for me.

I’m at that time of the year again.... I still want my Daily driver to be a manual

Ninjai > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
10/31/2018 at 00:29

I feel like you shouldn't write an article that’s says you miss having a manual, and agree with everyone that it’s not fun to drive in traffic. That’s just a part of the experience. I’ve driven a manual car and would have it no other way- traffic or not.

MedNV > Wacko
10/31/2018 at 00:49

My daily is a 6mt. Our other two vehicles (truck and SUV) are automatic. I had the itch to get back into a manual when I gave my Jetta TDI DSG back to VW. Took a few months to find something fun to drive , 4 doors , and RWD. You'll get your manual back. Most people tend to come back.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Ninjai
10/31/2018 at 01:20

I enjoy both a manual and an automatic. Like most things in life, there are times and places for certain things. Automatics are great for traffic where I average 5 mph and just want to get home . Manuals are great for taking twisties and canyon roads.

Same goes with other things , I enjoy a Malbec to go with a strongly flavored stew. I wouldn’t enjoy a Rosé with that same food, however I do enjoy a Rosé with a Niç oise salad.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Chuckles
10/31/2018 at 01:21

I can imagine that. My buddy has an S2000 and a beige econobox. He never took the S2000 to work e ven when it was sunny and warm.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
10/31/2018 at 01:23

I do enjoy your insistence.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > smobgirl
10/31/2018 at 01:26

The drive-thru I enjoyed with my BRZ since it was super low. I found it quite amusing to have to crane my arm up just to get the food from the window. And then that followed with my hav ing to play tetris to get the bag in through the window. The BRZ window was not very tall so a standard In-N-Out bag would not fit unless I rotated it.

That gets to me too. I hate when the person in front of me tailgates the person they’re behind. It means I can’t just let it meander along at a pace that won’t stall the car because someone else is going to get into that gap I leave.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > David Baker
10/31/2018 at 01:27

Agreed on modern a utos being good. My GC has a ZF 8-speed. The thing is SUBLIME. If you go WOT from cruising it knows immediately what you want and gives you everything.

Gerry197 > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
10/31/2018 at 03:21

I miss driving a manual, all my early cars in my life were manuals and now have been autos. Some by choice, others by no choice offered.

There is just something enjoyable about an actual manual transmission that no auto or automated manual can reproduce.

Dusty > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
10/31/2018 at 05:45

I have owned nothing but manual transmission cars since my first car in 1966. I had to drive an automatic for a company-supplied car for a couple of years, and hated it. I hope to close out my driving career with a manual. I tell car salesmen, "No clutch, no sale." I am stubborn!

Engineer Jaron > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
10/31/2018 at 06:45

Having daily driven an array of manuals, how burdensome in traffic 100% depends on the car. My lifted 7.3 6-speed was by far the worst I had when faced with stop-and-go traffic. The best would definitely be my 2015 Mazda3 GT. Predictable clutch, soft pedal, easy throttle. Never once felt out of place. It really is a pleasure to drive even in 8 miles of backed up traffic. Is the automatic more durable through that traffic than a clutch ? De finitely.

Engineer Jaron > Ninjai
10/31/2018 at 06:49

I agree. If you genuinely like the experience and control of a manual, traffic doesn't change that.

pizzaman09 > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
10/31/2018 at 07:04

I love having a manual as a daily. I get noted very quickly in an auto. For the like two times per year I ever end up in stop and go traffic, I don’t mind the manual. I mind more having modern fuel injection that keeps the car idling at the same rpm regardless of clutch position, temperature, and planet alignment.

Actually I like driving manuals in traffic, it gives me more to do and shift.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > David Baker
10/31/2018 at 08:05

Your Chevelle might be the ultimate summer cruiser.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
10/31/2018 at 08:07

I’ll probably end up in the “my second car is manual” boat in a few years when the E90 gets replaced. I’m not really looking froward to it.

Dominic B > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
10/31/2018 at 10:02

What would you take for the jet?

jasmits > David Baker
10/31/2018 at 10:34

Meanwhile I daily a new vehicle with a manual and my weekend toy is 30 years old and automatic

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
10/31/2018 at 10:35

It is so satisfying. All of it. So satisfying that my 10 year old M3 and my recently purchased Tacoma both have a clutch pedal. Zero regrets (even on the days when I’m slogging through bumper-to-bumper traffic).

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Engineer Jaron
10/31/2018 at 10:41

I genuinely like the experience and control of a manual (and currently own two) , but if I knew I was going to be in miles of stop & go traffic heading up to the Eisenhower Tunnel, I’ll take an automatic. =)

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
10/31/2018 at 10:42

It doesn’t need to. $5-10 grand can get you something lightweight and fun.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
10/31/2018 at 10:43

That’s just sad.

Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner > David Baker
10/31/2018 at 12:04

is that in FX4 trim?

Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner > David Baker
10/31/2018 at 12:05

duhh it is

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
10/31/2018 at 12:22

Most performance DCTs also don’t creep.

#thatguy

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
10/31/2018 at 19:51

You just need a dirt cheap Miata to tool around with anytime you miss a manual. Sure, dont daily it and only use it for fun driving. That seems to be the proper way to enjoy a Miata. Or you can be like me, buy it with the intent of never putting the top down and eventually getting something practical but then fully converting (heh) over to the top down life and just drive the wheels off the thing.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever
11/01/2018 at 01:20

Yep. I kind of like that about them.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/01/2018 at 01:21

Yes it is. It’s a fun car though. Although riding in it definitely showed me I don’t care for convertibles.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/01/2018 at 01:22

I’m addicted to luxury and torque now. My only choices that would scratch the itch are a Cayman, a 997, or an e92 M3.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/01/2018 at 01:25

Oh trust me, if insurance and gas weren’t so expensive I would’ve actually pulled the trigger on one of the numerous e90 M3s I found on Carmax. I came SUPER close to buying an e39 M5 but my sanity took over as I realized it would’ve meant a 15 year old car w as my only car.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
11/01/2018 at 09:19

Dammit, sanity!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
11/01/2018 at 09:20

My Tacoma is resetting my expectations on luxury and power - ha!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
11/01/2018 at 09:22

Yeah, there are just too few times that I’d really enjoy a convertible to make it make sense.

Ian > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/01/2018 at 09:40

Nah, just hop off of 70 and take US 6 instead. You can for a lot of the way. And even with the parts where you’re stuck waiting in traffic, y ou get to row the gears on some great fun t wisties.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Ian
11/01/2018 at 09:44

Good plan, if you always knew when and where the backups were going to happen!

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
11/01/2018 at 11:16

Proposal: hit up Craigslist and search “turbo civic.” It’ll get you your speed fix while being insured as a 20-something year old econobox.

Higuysyourule > wafflesnfalafel
11/01/2018 at 12:16

So much this. I daily drive a manual 997 turbo Cab. Sure, it isn’t always practical. ( Sometimes I have to swap cars to shuttle kids around) But I always have a smile and the time in the car is enjoyable. ;)

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/01/2018 at 21:21

I still plan on eventually getting an e39 M5 at some point. The very first BMW I ever drove was an e39 528i. I have never made so many inappropriate noises.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
11/01/2018 at 23:20

I don’t know, you might be surprised... My IS has only made me love the brutal honesty of my pickup even more.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
11/01/2018 at 23:30

I may need to try out another Subaru then. I quite like the crass nature of it.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
11/02/2018 at 09:01

I like this plan.