What would you NOT want to drive if it had a manual transmission?

"fhrblig" (fhrblig) 01/31/2020 at 22:38 • Filed to: None

1

100

Enthusiasts tend to like manual transmissions in an almost pathological way. You won’t have to look far on the web to find us bleating about how awesome manuals are in everything. I’m gonna let you in on a little secret, though. There are plenty of bad manuals out there, and also there’s some vehicles I would avoid if they came with one.

As far as bad manuals, I’ll say the Korean manufacturers have a few. My 2001 Accent was vague and sloppy, and mine wasn’t especially reliable. I had to replace the clutch and the gearbox at 88k. It’s the only car I’ve owned that had that happen. It could have just had a bad one, because the replacement lasted much longer. But still, that’s pretty bad. The following generation Accent did seem to have a much improved one, fortunately. But most of the ones I’ve tested were just numb and boring to run through the gears.

I drive a Ram ProMaster for work. It’s been a great van for me so far, despite virtually everyone else’s experience with them. I put about 70k on it per year, and I can tell you right now I’d hate to have a manual version. Firstly, the six-speed auto shifts fine and returns around 18 mpg in mixed driving. I really like how it performs in the mountains. It’s one of the best gearboxes I’ve ever driven when it comes to engine braking. I never have to put it in manual mode, it just holds it in a lower gear and maintains a constant speed even when I’m not using cruise control. It’s exactly what I need. I could drive a manual version just fine, but I’m stuck in traffic a lot and I don’t miss the constant shifting in stop and go traffic. I’ll pass, thanks.

What about the rest of you? Any specific model or vehicle type where you’d rather not row your own?

wafflesnfalafel > fhrblig 01/31/2020 at 22:39

2

nothing...

AkursedX > fhrblig 01/31/2020 at 22:43

2

I once drove a high mile first gen Saturn Vue FWD. It was the vaguest sloppiest clutch and the shifter felt held together by rubber bands. It was truly an awful experience. I'd gladly drive an automatic Vue any day of the week over that.

WilliamsSW > fhrblig 01/31/2020 at 22:45

4

It would be silly in something like an S-Class or a Rolls, I guess?

Future next gen S2000 owner > fhrblig 01/31/2020 at 22:46

1

A high revving, 400+ HP two seater . That’s for the birds.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > fhrblig 01/31/2020 at 22:49

1

I probably wouldn't care for a column shift '50 Packard if ultramatic were available, but don't know until I try, eh?

dogisbadob > fhrblig 01/31/2020 at 22:54

1

I heard the SR20 Nissans of the 90s like to pop out of gear, so that will be my answer

12and35 > fhrblig 01/31/2020 at 22:55

3

Possibly got Kinjaed. But, any modern super car. I know I’m gonna get hated for it...but the automatics are just better. Sorry. I have two cars that one is a stick and one is an auto.... so I don’t hate on manuals...but new super cars should be auto. Sorry, kill me.

19JRC99 > fhrblig 01/31/2020 at 22:56

2

Buick Grand National. There’s a reason they were all automatic, and it’s not just because it was a Buick.   

AestheticsInMotion > fhrblig 01/31/2020 at 22:57

3

This is the worst manual I’ve been exposed to.

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/mazda3-review-a-heavenly-journey-1797175839

As for vehicles I'd rather not deal with a manual.... I'm not sure. I'm not apposed to a good auto, but honestly I think I'd pick a high-quality manual transmission over a comparably good automatic in anything? Okay, maybe not heavy duty, super heavy vehicles like a box truck. 

AestheticsInMotion > WilliamsSW 01/31/2020 at 22:57

2

A brand new Phantom with a a 6 speed gated manual would be rediculous, and leave me drooling. 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > fhrblig 01/31/2020 at 22:59

3

The worst manual trans I’ve experienced was a 2013 Dodge Dart bass model.

I wouldn’t enjoy it in the Prius C I drive for work. But only because it would make my job a little bit harder. 

My bird IS the word > fhrblig 01/31/2020 at 23:01

4

Probably a semi truck. Shifing a 12+ speed sounds like ass.

fhrblig > AestheticsInMotion 01/31/2020 at 23:02

0

Interesting. I'd never have expected that from a Mazda.

WilliamsSW > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 01/31/2020 at 23:03

1

I really, really, want to own a car with a column-shifted manual.

I’ll probably change my mind about that after owning it for 3 months, but fuck it.

fhrblig > 12and35 01/31/2020 at 23:04

1

I kind of feel the same way. I'm sure I'd have a blast in a manual one, but I also know my skill level would mean I'd be better served by an auto.

WilliamsSW > AestheticsInMotion 01/31/2020 at 23:04

2

OK a gated manual would change that. 

fintail > WilliamsSW 01/31/2020 at 23:05

4

Funny thing, until at least 1994/95, you could get a manual in a 6cyl W140:

fhrblig > WilliamsSW 01/31/2020 at 23:05

1

Yeah. I don't know of anyone with an S-Class that would rather it be a manual.

fhrblig > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 01/31/2020 at 23:06

0

Do it

TheJWT > fhrblig 01/31/2020 at 23:06

5

I’m not saying I’d never drive one given the opportunity, but let’s be honest here- any new car with over 600hp does not need a manual.

WilliamsSW > fintail 01/31/2020 at 23:06

1

There was one on BaT a couple of months ago- I think it was a W140, maybe a W126, I forget.

Not directly in the US though, I don’t think ?

fhrblig > dogisbadob 01/31/2020 at 23:08

1

The first time I had a car pop out of gear it shocked the hell out of me. I never knew that was a possibility.

fhrblig > My bird IS the word 01/31/2020 at 23:09

1

Every time I watch a YouTube video of someone shifting one of those, I'm like DO NOT WANT.

fintail > WilliamsSW 01/31/2020 at 23:09

1

Never in the US. Even 108s with a manual are unicorns in this market, and never available here on S-class after that.

Manual on 6cyl W126 was available through the entire lifespan of the platform.  

fhrblig > Future next gen S2000 owner 01/31/2020 at 23:09

0

But COBRA

fhrblig > TheJWT 01/31/2020 at 23:11

1

I agree, and yet I still want a manual H ellcat. It would be awesome for the five minutes before I wrap it around a tree

fhrblig > wafflesnfalafel 01/31/2020 at 23:11

0

Go drive a manual Mitsubishi Mirage and report back to me.

fhrblig > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 01/31/2020 at 23:14

1

I’m surprised by that. I had a manual Fiat 500 Sport that was a blast. The only downside was the super-intrusive traction control.

fhrblig > WilliamsSW 01/31/2020 at 23:16

1

I watched a video of someone shifting a 70's Chevy C1500 with a three-speed column manual and the long throws were hilarious. It looked like fun.

WilliamsSW > fhrblig 01/31/2020 at 23:17

1

I think long throws and sloppy linkage are a given with column shifts.

I’ve ridden in a few, but never driven one - they all had silly long throws.  

fhrblig > WilliamsSW 01/31/2020 at 23:22

2

Speaking of long throws, my mom’s 5-speed F-150 has some mildly worn-out linkage. First gear is normal, second is next to your butt, third touches the radio, forth is in the bed, and fifth is near the right side rear view mirror. (I might be exaggerating a tad.) It’s still fun as hell to drive.

HammerheadFistpunch > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 01/31/2020 at 23:23

16

Never get the bass model... Spr ing for the trout

WilliamsSW > My bird IS the word 01/31/2020 at 23:24

2

If you’re driving bobtail, you can skip most of them.  Have driven a few trucks/tractors that were empty, and only used 3-4 gears (this was a long time ago, and they weren’t the big OTR tractors)

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > fhrblig 01/31/2020 at 23:25

1

“The following generation Accent did seem to have a much improved one, fortunately.”

Yup! 171,000kms on my Accent now and it’s still on the original clutch!

HammerheadFistpunch > fhrblig 01/31/2020 at 23:26

2

HD truck. Mostly because you have to give up so much and because tow ing 30,000 lbs would be stressful enough

Nom De Plume > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 01/31/2020 at 23:28

2

Third pedal Prius would make one hell of a name for an emo band. Saddest thing I’ve heard today by far.

Maybe manually Prius’ing yourself could even become slang for something.  

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > fhrblig 01/31/2020 at 23:28

3

The worst manuals I’ve experienced have been on Mercedes Benz automobiles, from an unsporty W123 240D to an allegedly sporty SLK. I’d love to have an R129, and I wouldn’t mind the I6, but despite being a manual transmission die-hard I wouldn’t bother finding that rare 300SL-24 with the 5MT because I’m sure it would be as disappointing as every other MB manual ever made.

I’m not sure I’d want a manual in a pickup truck or luxury car, although I did love having one in the 525i. It was slow enough with the MT and absolutely dreadful with the AT, so in that case the transmission was the only thing that saved it. I’d love a new 5-series with an MT, but it’s just not as necessary as out used to be.

These days I’d like to have the choice of no transmission. For a DD I’d rather have a nice torquey electric, and save the shifting for a plaything like a Miata. In the mean time I’ll just keep zipping around in my Mazda5 6MT. 

fhrblig > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 01/31/2020 at 23:29

1

I test drove a new one around 2008 and it was a big difference.

I should add mine was with the 1.5, and those were allegedly prone to problems.

wafflesnfalafel > fhrblig 01/31/2020 at 23:30

2

noted - I admit I am a bit of a control freak...   Actually the sh!tt!est manual I’ve ever driven was a non-syncro (in any gear) 50's 3/4 ton med jeep - double clutch, rev match, grind it - I couldn’t get the damn thing to make the 2-3 downshift...

fhrblig > HammerheadFistpunch 01/31/2020 at 23:31

0

I don't know, I kinda like driving those with manuals. But I've never towed anything before.

fhrblig > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. 01/31/2020 at 23:34

2

Manual trucks are weirdly fun. When I visit my mom I try to find any reason to drive her ‘90 F-150 with the 5.0 and manual. I had a newer 4-cylinder Ranger with one and it was enjoyable , too.

TheJWT > fhrblig 01/31/2020 at 23:38

2

I’ve driven an auto one; wishing it had a manual was not at the top of my mind while doing so...

gettingoldercarguy > fhrblig 01/31/2020 at 23:45

2

A jet

smobgirl > fhrblig 01/31/2020 at 23:48

2

Oh dear lord. The automatic version is horrendous - is a manual actually worse?

fhrblig > gettingoldercarguy 01/31/2020 at 23:48

0

I’d still do it

smobgirl > fhrblig 01/31/2020 at 23:50

5

Rental box truck.

And I think my high school Caddy would’ve been shitty as a manual. 

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > fhrblig 01/31/2020 at 23:50

3

I, subjectively, feel that everything is better with a manual transmission. I’ll take a broken  over any automatic when responsibly possible. 

Jim Spanfeller > fhrblig 01/31/2020 at 23:51

3

Miata Is Always The Answer.

I kid, I kid. My real answer is the Daihatsu Midget.

The reason why has nothing to do with the driving characteristics or the quality of the manual transmission. It’s because the Daihatsu Midget has such a narrow cab that in order to make room for a manual shifter, they had to get rid of the second seat. I f I’m going to buy a car, I want to have the option of bringing someone else along for the ride. Cars, especially unusual and interesting ones, are things that I care very much about, and therefore I want to be able to share that joy with other people. As a result, I hate one-seater cars because then I can’t bring someone else along to share the experience. The automatic Daihatsu Midget has two seats, so if I ever end up buying one, it’d have to be that one.

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. 01/31/2020 at 23:51

0

I have always heard MB makes some of the worst manuals, and I’ve always been curious to try them. 

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > HammerheadFistpunch 01/31/2020 at 23:53

0

Trout can have parasites 

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > fhrblig 01/31/2020 at 23:54

1

I want one. 75 horsepower you don’t want a CVT. I’ll take bad pizza over a Swanson TV dinner 8 days a week 

fhrblig > smobgirl 01/31/2020 at 23:54

0

I never drove the automatic, but the manual was really vague. Also the shifter was angled down toward the front of the car. It was really strange. The clutch didn't help either. So light I could barely feel it.

Dogsatemypants > fhrblig 01/31/2020 at 23:54

3

Probably a dump truck or large rv.

fhrblig > smobgirl 01/31/2020 at 23:55

0

Agreed.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) 01/31/2020 at 23:57

0

I’d recommend smashing your hand with a claw hammer instead. It’s a lot more pleasant...

fhrblig > MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) 01/31/2020 at 23:59

0

You say that, but have you ever driven a Suzuki Forenza with a stick? Gahhh. It was so awful.

fhrblig > Jim Spanfeller 02/01/2020 at 00:01

0

Oh man I so want a Midget II. Doesn’t it have a column shift auto, too?

fhrblig > MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) 02/01/2020 at 00:03

0

I liked the Mirage before I drove it. I was legit sad afterwards. As long as used Fiat 500s exist , it’s a better choice all around. Yes I know it's not a 5-door and it's smaller, but it's better in just about every way.

fhrblig > Dogsatemypants 02/01/2020 at 00:05

1

Ooh, an RV would be terrible with a manual.

SmugAardvark > fhrblig 02/01/2020 at 00:13

0

A motorized unicycle.

Chinny Raccoon > fhrblig 02/01/2020 at 00:30

1

I’ve driven the manual Ducatos. It’s not a good shift feeling, Renault and Ford have much slicker setups on their vans. That could be applied to everything about the Sevel vans though. 

CodyVella > smobgirl 02/01/2020 at 00:56

1

I once rented a GMC C6500 U-Haul (The largest they had at the time). 7.4L Vortec V8 and a 5-speed stick. That clutch was so heavy I thought my leg was going to break when I was done with it. It was a mid-90s truck that was long past it s prime, and the girl who handed me the keys at the U-Haul lot even said “I wouldn’t take this thing too far. It’s seen better days”.

pscgang > fhrblig 02/01/2020 at 01:31

3

I honestl y LOVED the manual Mirage I drove. Obviously, it was slow as all hell but since the car has no power the shifts were silky smooth and the clutch was light as a feather (I guess not everyone likes that, but I certainly do). I had fun with it, redlining it as much as I wanted and realizing I’m still under 60 mph, haha!

JMordu becoming “savethemilanos” > fhrblig 02/01/2020 at 02:01

0

I don’t think anyone who tows would honestly  prefer a manual tow vehicle. It’s not like inherently terrible or anything, but just an extra layer of stress and concern on top of worrying about your vehicle and trailer.

I just towed with a manual for the first time today. Pulled a trailer through a rain/snow mix, rush hour, and construction all at once.   I found the manual added nothing at all to the experience. I t was just one more thing to worry about, in an already stressful situation. That’s the real difference. Most of the time driving an automatic is boring and low engagement, so adding the manual helps us focus on and enjoy the task at hand, but when your mental/physical workload gets high enough, “ more engagement” becomes “more stress” instead. Towing even in ideal conditions is a significant bump in the workload, add in variable conditions and a manual and you just really want one less task/responsibility. For example, I actually pulled off the highway and forgot I was in a manual truck until I killed the engine stopping at the end of the off ramp because I was thinking about too many things to remember to downshift. Like the truck died and it took me a second to even think about why, the transmission was so far out of mind after worrying about everything else.

And it’s not just first time manual towing, I talked to a long haul trucker today at a rest stop who seconded the lack of fun towing with a manual was and how happy he was to own and operate an automatic now.

RicoMuneco360 > fhrblig 02/01/2020 at 03:10

1

Put a manual transmission in anything & not only would drive it, but also prefer it! It’s amazing, because in many other countries manual transmissions are the norm, & both men & women drive stick. But not in this lazy a** America, where we expect everything to be done for us. It’s ridiculous! Regardless i would love to get a Mercedes with a stick, but very hard to in the US, but got them in Europe, & other countries. And the Corvette, how sad! My favorite car in the world just went soft. Screw the mid engine without a manual! Instead we get video game paddle shifts so we can pretend to actually be doing something. We can play manual transmission & race car without actually learning how to actually use one. You just took half the fun out of driving!

I have driven many different types of vehicles with manual transmissions & i love it & prefer it. From big trucks (real trucks), to average trucks, race cars, regular cars, etc etc, & its great. Sure auto can be easy sometimes, no doubt, & definitely be useful & have certain benefits, but manual is where its at! 

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > fhrblig 02/01/2020 at 05:57

1

Yeah, the ‘06-’10 had a later 1.6L G4ED Alpha II

Cé hé sin > fhrblig 02/01/2020 at 06:48

1

The internets tell me that that’s a version of the Fiat Ducato and further that I couldn’t get an automatic version of the Fiat  even if I wanted to! My sole choices are 2.3 diesel and manual box. Having so said, it wouldn’t do 18 mpg in that spec...

MultiplaOrgasms > My bird IS the word 02/01/2020 at 07:59

0

Hell no, the throttle response on an Automatic (actually automated manual but that is another story) Semi is beyond garbage . I was positively overwhelmed how much better some late  8 0s MAN F90 with its trashed ZF 16-speed felt by comparison.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > fhrblig 02/01/2020 at 08:22

5

I  still take the worst manual over the best automatic any second of the year.

DipodomysDeserti > fhrblig 02/01/2020 at 08:26

1

A boat  or aircraft.

//M_Power > fhrblig 02/01/2020 at 08:45

6

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Sorry to say it but I just seem to find a satisfaction in the driving experience through a manual that supercedes the automatic experience every time.

Spending half my life in the UK and half in the US I have driven plenty of manual minivans, panel vans, RV’s and box  trucks new and old, as well as the tiny ass econoboxes out there. Yes, the old Mercedes manuals were the worst but being given the control to make it a smooth as feasible just made it worth it to me. I have my class A license and have driven plenty semi’s and the art of just shifting perfectly never gets old....

just-a-scratch > fhrblig 02/01/2020 at 08:50

1

I agree. I drove a manual 5 speed 4.9L I-6 F-1 50 for work a couple summers. It was actually pretty good.

just-a-scratch > HammerheadFistpunch 02/01/2020 at 08:53

0

The F- series Powerstroke diesels we had for work were a bit annoying in traffic because it’s a lot of shifting with a stiff-ish clutch. It really drove home how short the r ev range was.

just-a-scratch > HammerheadFistpunch 02/01/2020 at 08:56

1

This stream of comments is just fishing for approval.

smobgirl > CodyVella 02/01/2020 at 08:56

0

That sounds even worse than I had imagined and yet sums up U-haul so well.

Khalbali > fhrblig 02/01/2020 at 09:00

0

I liked it, I certainly wouldn't have the cvt. But I also loved my festiva....

Khalbali > MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) 02/01/2020 at 09:01

0

This is correct.

Khalbali > smobgirl 02/01/2020 at 09:01

0

No.

just-a-scratch > My bird IS the word 02/01/2020 at 09:04

0

Twin stick transmissions, any of them look terrible to me, but that’s not really fair to compare with consumer vehicles.

Of course, there are even more difficult types out there, 5 by 4, pairs of transmissions in series...

I think all of these are/were  available non-synchro.

Gearjmr > HammerheadFistpunch 02/01/2020 at 09:07

1

Because you tow 30,000 lbs all the time? The fact is truck drivers have been doing Iit for generations and many prefer it. I  have ram heavy duty stick and I love it but I will admit backing a trailer can be annoying.

Gearjmr > TheJWT 02/01/2020 at 09:08

0

Any car over 600 hp should not be built without awd. 

just-a-scratch > AestheticsInMotion 02/01/2020 at 09:12

0

With how much they Rolls weighs , the clutch might be, um, strange. Lots of torque and needing to be smooth operating  for the luxury market might make them have some weird assist features.

fhrblig > Chinny Raccoon 02/01/2020 at 10:12

0

I’ve briefly driven a Transit that we rented and it wa s fine, but I prefer the ProMaster. I do wish my van had the awesome LED lighting that the Transit has in the cargo bay. That was fantastic.

fhrblig > pscgang 02/01/2020 at 10:17

0

For me the clutch pedal was so light I couldn’t feel it at all. And the one I drove, the shifter was so rubbery and vague that I couldn’t stand it. I’d be willing to try another one . I actually liked the manual 1st gen Spark better even though the clutch pedal had the same problem.

jimz > fhrblig 02/01/2020 at 10:24

1

anything old with a three on the tree.  those linkages got so sloppy so quickly (not that they were exactly precise when new) that shifting one can be comical. 

fhrblig > JMordu becoming “savethemilanos” 02/01/2020 at 10:26

0

I don’t ever have to tow anything for work , but I do have to back my van up flush with a garage door often, on a slight slope. Having to do that while trying to modulate a clutch pedal would be annoying as hell.

I think it would only be handy to have a manual while towing if you’re going to be going up and down a lot of hills or mountains while towing. Yes, you can shift automatics manually but I haven’t liked the ones I’ve tried. My F-150 is old and has a 4-speed auto, and even downshifting into 3rd or 2nd it wants to barrel down every mountain.

fhrblig > Cé hé sin 02/01/2020 at 10:36

0

What kind of mpg would a combo like that get?

I’d be terrified to drive that where I live. 2-3 times per month I run up to the mountains, and you want all the power you can get when you have a load of 2000-3000 lbs (900-1400 kg) and you’re trying to get over a mountain pass that’s 10,000 feet (3048 m) above sea level.

fhrblig > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock 02/01/2020 at 10:37

5

No thanks . Bad manuals are not worth it.

“Oh, you mean I have to work harder AND it sucks?”

fhrblig > //M_Power 02/01/2020 at 10:50

1

To each his own.

Back in the 90's I owned two manual Chevy Sprints with the 48-hp NA engine. It occupied both extremes. On one hand, in city traffic, it was fun and even a little flingable up to around 35 mph. But I also had to drive it over a mountain pass once , and that was the worst driving experience ever. Constant shifting. Near redline just trying to exceed 50 mph. Feeling the glares from the traffic behind you (I pulled over to let people pass a few times). Even on flat highways it was a pain to drive.

fhrblig > just-a-scratch 02/01/2020 at 10:51

0

My dad still has one of those.  I love those too.

fhrblig > Khalbali 02/01/2020 at 10:53

0

I drove that and a manual 1st-gen Spark and the Spark was all-around better, even with a clutch pedal so light I could barely tell where it was. I really would like to try out a 2nd-gen manual Spark.

HammerheadFistpunch > Gearjmr 02/01/2020 at 10:58

0

No but that’s not the point. I’m saying id prefer to not have to deal with maxing out these new crazy high ratings AND deal with  a manual. What I would miss all the time? 200 lbs ft. That’s the amount of torque you give up to get the manual.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > fhrblig 02/01/2020 at 11:06

1

Any big cruiser aside from a dedicated GT car. Think huge luxury sedans or SUVs. I just want to glide along in comfort while having to worry about as little as possible.

Lawdog > fhrblig 02/01/2020 at 11:19

1

I owned a manual 2019 Tacoma for about a year. I really didn’t like the feel of it. Very hard to shift smoothly (~7years of driving stick, family and friends also thought it felt clunky ) and gutless.   I was able to drive a friend’s auto 3rd gen Tacoma and the truck just felt quicker , the towing and payload ratings ARE actually a bit higher, and since the auto shifter took less space they got extra cup holders lol. Remote start is a nice convenience, too.

I prefer having an auto for long trips, especially when you have passengers that don’t know how to row gears. But a manual day to day is 1000000x more fun. 

pizzaman09 > //M_Power 02/01/2020 at 11:28

0

I agree. I have never come across a manual that I didn’t like. I’ve spent three hours stirring gears keeping a Suzuki Samurai up to speed on PA hills. I drove a Grumman delivery van with a 4 speed truck box. A 3 cylinder Mini loner car, the six speed made it worthwhile to drive. Manual transmissions make a vehicle worth driving to me, the harder it is to use the more fun it is. I drove a Ford Model A truck with a sliding gear 3 speed where every shift was double clutched, that was brilliant.

The only automatic that I really enjoyed and had considerable fun with was a 2012 Nissan Cube with a CVT. It was brilliant fun blending the engine power vs ratio based on accelerator pedal position.  It was an extremely well programed CVT, and didn't have the annoying fake shift points the newer ones have.

Khalbali > fhrblig 02/01/2020 at 11:31

1

I've heard the second gen is a lot better, Sparks have been on my radar as a cheap daily but I prefer the looks of the mirage and I just really dislike Chevy, I'd only consider the spark since it's korean.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > fhrblig 02/01/2020 at 11:36

1

You can not be any more wrong. I take TR6060  swapped Ranger Rover, & it be great. It be wrong, but so good.

Cole2999 > fhrblig 02/01/2020 at 11:37

2

Plenty of stuff. It's pretty much proportional to the size of the vehicle. The larger it is the less I want it to be a manual. It's also proportional to how expensive it was. Much as I'd love to drive a manual LaFerrari, I would be scared shitless I'd fuck something up.

CB > fhrblig 02/01/2020 at 11:40

1

My work truck. It’s tight enough inside already with all the gear, last thing I need is to worry about shifting. And it would be like a six on the tree or something to fit.

fhrblig > Lawdog 02/01/2020 at 11:56

1

The old Ranger is kinda the opposite.  The 5-speed auto was not really that good.  I had a manual one though, and I loved it.  The power was just about right (148 hp) and it was fun.