Stick?

[Lemur]

Well, if it's all about which system gives you better acceleration, I was under the impression that sequential manual transmission was the real deal. No clutch for your left foot, I'm afraid, so the whole ritual of clutch-and-shift is out the window. And that's only available on actual racing cars and a few imports.

I must say, however, that my used six-cylinder sedan with its German automatic tranny does just fine in the acceleration department. The only benefit I would have had from going with the manual would be an extra mile per gallon, and my wife's inability to drive it.

[PanzerJaeger]

DSG = best of both worlds....

[miotas]

Well, if it's all about which system gives you better acceleration, I was under the impression that sequential manual transmission was the real deal. No clutch for your left foot, I'm afraid, so the whole ritual of clutch-and-shift is out the window. And that's only available on actual racing cars and a few imports.

May be a touch out of my price range, plus i like the feel of a nice clutch.

I must say, however, that my used six-cylinder sedan with its German automatic tranny does just fine in the acceleration department. The only benefit I would have had from going with the manual would be an extra mile per gallon, and my wife's inability to drive it.

Although a car with good acceleration will be good regardless of the transmission, it will always be improved by a manual.

It always seems strange to me in movies when the protagonist jumps in a powerful car and then slams the car into ...... drive......?!?!?!?

DSG = best of both worlds....

the manual option is still seqential unfortunately

[naut]

Hmmm, IMHO, manual is more fun. You're actually driving, not just steering.

Edit: Also, if you see me driving. Get out of the road, for fear of being hit.

[SwordsMaster]

You just need to ask yourself 1 question: Would Clint Eastwood or Russell Crowe drive automatic?

[KukriKhan]

I learned to double-clutch with a three-on-the-tree manual, unsynchronized trannie on Dad's old Ford.

Way back in the mesozoic era.

I had a blast back in those days, deliberately looking for challenging roads. Nowadays, I have no preference... southern Calif has few "interesting" drives anymore; everything's been widened and straightened, to accomodate our "just get me there safely in 10 minutes" mindset.

My Korea-built Chevy is a 5-speed floor-shifter, as is the Missus' Japan-built Ford. I still remember the day 15 years ago: our 2 teen sons in the backseat, Mrs. K's starter burnt out. The boys worried we were so far from home. Undaunted, Mrs. K put 'er in 2nd, I gave it a shove, and she started and purred like a kitten all the way home. Can't do that with an auto-tranny.

[Lemur]

DSG = best of both worlds....

A clarification for those who may not know what PJ's talking about: DSG is Volkswagen's brandname for twin-clutch transmissions. Very slick stuff.

Mitsubishi calls it "Twin Clutch SST", BMW calls it "DCT," Ford's going to call it "Powershift." Really, Powershift? Why does that strike me as dorky?

Anyway, twin-clutch gearboxes are pretty darn cool, worth a read. All the benefits of a manual trannie without the tedium in stop-and-go traffic.

[rasoforos]

We drive almost exclusively manuals in Greece. You don't want your car to change gears on you while you are on tricky roads. Also, if you are to drive manual I believe it is best to drive proper manual (i.e clutch, no buttons etc).

I have a feeling of not controlling the car on auto. Manual gives you better control and it doesnt feel like you are playing an 80's arcade game.