_=DeltaForce=_

My mom is buying another car and we are thinking of buying a car with manual transmission... I know how to drive a stick shift and so I am going to teach her... so would you recommend a manual transmission car?? what are the advantages/disadvantages??

johnnymk

Stop and go traffic is a pain....constantly shifting, especially on hills. If you ride the clutch, frequent clutch, throwout bearing and pressure plate replacement.

Plus I believe it's harder to dump a car with a manual trans if you decide to sell it or trade it in.

But they are fun to drive.

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Grimm

Manual transmitions get better gas milage.

They are difficult to drive if you ever get a hand or foot injury (or leg/arm).

tupacboy

traffic is a killer... parking on steep hills is hard... and if your on a hill and someone is huggin your bumper = no fun at all....

i would get a manual if i lived in middle america, non-big city, and had a car that had some kick to it.... ... but i live in Los Angeles, with tons of traffic, and my house is in the hills....

sizemic1

I agree. Perhaps things have changed? I noticed that the new Honda Civics claim to get the same MPG for Auto and Manual.

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Bires

If driven well, a manual tranny will last longer than an auto. Like has been said, manuals = better gas mileage, more fun, quieter (lighter shifting mechanism). If she talks on her cellphone while in the car, AVOID THE MANUAL. It's tough to shift while eating/talking/slapping the kids in the backseat in a manual.

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ufcrusher

Actually manuals no longer always get better gas mileage than automatics, that is a trait that has been fixed in the newer generation automatic transmissions. IN fact, if you look at the estimate mieage you can see that its neglible.

If you are somewhere with heavy traffic, skip the manual.
If its a sports car, you have no choice, a manaul is required.
If its hilly and she is a new driver at manauls, you might just want to skip the hassel of teaching her to drive a manual.

The real question is why would she want a manual? Does she realize the difference in convenience?

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thekidrocks

Advantages - a stick is cheaper than an automatic.

Disadvantages - a stick is akward to use in city traffic unless you have a heavy left foot, you don't really get better mileage overall, you may not get better acceleration depending on the engine power curve, you'll loath stopping on an incline with some yaaahoooo on your azz behind you (not a biggie if the parking brake is a handle lever), talking on the cell phone without a hands-free kit is impossible in town, and what little you saved up front, you lost at trade-in time.

On the cell phone issue, if someone uses a phone often, they should have a hands-free setup anyway. So that's a non-issue. But when you aren't a cell phone junkie, are lost in the city, and calling for directions, now we have a problem.

Some vehicles are best left to have an automatic. I am trying to sell an S-10 with a stick right now. Most people want an automatic. From what I've seen with test drivers, they should! I rode with someone in a test drive yesterday who had it in 4th at 30 MPH. UGH! I'd be thinking about taking it out of 2nd by about then... but I know the 2.2L engine and that it likes to rev. Heaven forbid the person who doesn't understand downshifting to merge into heavy interstate traffic... with an automatic, just floor it and concentrate on the traffic, not be puzzled over "why is there no power???".

Ma will sure like her new automatic....

DarkFury

Generally autos have a higher resale value than manuals (if you are into that sort of thing...)

An exception to this is sports cars... where manuals are usually preferred.

But as far as "Moms" go... they are usually more happy with automatics than manuals.

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Nija

I prefer manuals over automatics. The only time I would mind having one, is when I was parking on a hill, other than that it wouldn't matter.

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Airencracken

I don't own a manual but I like them.

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ArkiStan

I've driven manual for many years now and I can say it's a lot of fun if you have decent reflex/coordination and like to be in complete control of your car's performance. Otherwise, for the regular driving mom who just needs to get where she needs to go, it can be a real hassle. Does your mother specifically want stick shift? If not, do her a favor and get automatic.

_=DeltaForce=_

She will be driving to work.. Its around 45min drive.. I might just tell her to pick an automatic..

Mike_N_Ike

If it's a 45 minute drive where you're driving the whole time - I'd say it'd be worth it to get a manual. They're a lot more fun to drive in my opinion. If the 45 minute drive is over a span of 10 miles, then ya know...well I'd still rather have a manual

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_=DeltaForce=_

Actually its more like an hour and 15 mins drive. We live in the suburbs.. Around 30mins drive from philly.. Her work is on the other side of philly and so she drives through the traffic and then takes the highway..

Grimm

#1 reason manual transmitions rock...

You can't push start and automatic.

tupacboy

traffic = automatic

DarkFury

When was the last time Yo Momma tried to push start a car?


/methinks that has the makings of a good joke in there...

ufcrusher

Coming from which area? You are obviously further out than Lower Merion township, probably out somewhere in bucks county if its that far of a drive?

Either way, given the fact that there are tons of hills out in the burbs and in the city...and she is not a trained manual driver, I would say she would benefit from the automatic. Plus, can you honestly see her trying to parallel park in the city with all of the "narrow" roads that we consider normal. (My wife thought I was crazy with some of the roads I would go down without even blinking an eye.)

attgig

a girl who can drive the stick well is sexy. you want your mom to be sexy, don't ya?

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ArkiStan

Males and females usually find different things to be fun. I wonder if my mom finds burping and farting really loud simultaneously amusing like I do. Well, I hope she doesn't.

brainsmile

get a hybrid

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_=DeltaForce=_

Thats what I was telling her... GET A HYBRID! Some of her SmartDUMB Friends told her that Hybrid was only at a testing stage and she should not consider getting one. Another lady who told my mom that play gaming on the computer would result in decreasing life of the computer.. Next time when I fix her computer, I am messing it up..
Anyway How is the Toyota Prius??

bachviet

Get the '05 Civic HX. It has great gas mileage and it only costs around $13K.

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speedracer120

So they did bring back the HX... That was the car I wanted above an EX back in '97.

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Airencracken

The prius starts at 20k

Eugene

Not to mention a superlong waiting period... well, at least the last time I heard.

I say go for the manual, but it's really up to your mom like what some other ppl said. I drive a civic and having a manual keeps it fun for me... otherwise, I'd be bored out of my mind. yeah, it's tough to drive and be on a cellphone w/out a headset, which I've done a few times (you don't need to steer ALL the time...) and it's hard to eat while you drive, but that's okay I don't do either very often.

oh btw, push-starting is really nice. I was once stranded 2+ hrs away from home w/a flat and dead battery.... drove home on the spare donut after a stranger taught me how to push-start the car. That was cool. well, except for the driving home on the spare part...

WhiskeyPapa

If she's looking to save money, do not fall into the trap of thinking the Prius will save you money. Yes, it will save gas, but not necessarily money. The cost of the car and the potential repairs over the life of the vehicle will negate any saving on fuel.

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Airencracken

What's up with all the prius hating lately? It's a great car. Sure it may be a little more expensive but isn't it worth it for less emissions and a step towards less dependence on foreign oil?