Hi everyone...new to this forum. I was trying to decide on an auto vs MT. I have already put the deposit down on a MT coupe but still can change. I've driven my 1994 Ford Probe for 13 years now (since highschool!) and figured it was time for an upgrade. The car has treated me really well and I sitll love to drive it(only because it's a stick), but my family and friends have been hassling me to get a new car. So my old car is a MT and after 13 years of driving it in L.A. traffic, thought auto would be nice. I have a 25 mile commute to downtown, but occassionally odd hours. After talking to everyone, even people who don't drive MT, they all say (except my mom because she can't drive MT) to get a MT. They tell me the car is a waste for the money and I should go for an Infiniti G coupe (my second choice) if I go with the auto. I am also single with no strings attached so they tell me this is the last chance I will be able to get whatever I want, so make it count. I drove both the auto and MT and to be honest, didn't feel much difference in power, other than not being able to control when I wanted to shift, which kind of bothered me. I am a driving enthusiast and like to drive hard when I'm driving, but don't plan to race it or anything like that. I know it's all preference, but would like some thoughts on which I would get more joy out of driving and would I be giving up a lot of the essence of the car if I went with auto for the convenience? Thanks

Here are my two cents for what they are worth. I owned a 2001 325ci 5MT. I had the opportunity to buy a 2001 740i sport and bought it. This was the fist auto trans car I've ever owned. I traded it for a 2005 Audi A6 (the second auto I've ever owned). Both were great cars, but neither was as fun as the 325ci. I decided that driving was far more enjoyable with a MT and am now the proud owner of a 2007 335i coupe. I was right, the car is an absolute blast. I've had it for less than a month and been stuck in traffic at least 5 times. The minor annoyance in traffic is well worth the fun I have while driving every other time. What I found with the autos is that you are more a passenger and less engaged in the process. Both cars had the ability to shift the auto trannys "manually", but I found that I never did that. It didn't really replicate the driving sensation for me. I understand the automatic in the 2007s is great, but just not what I was looking for.

It depends what kind of streets your driving on everyday. If its open roads you can open up on then get the manual. However if you are buying a car to use as a daily driver in a city with alot of heavy traffic its best to go Automaticl. Some might say otherwise but its what I would do. However Manual transmissions are less likely to give you problems down the road.

There is no real answer to this question. I can tell you that the auto is great and in manual mode, its the fastest shifting automatic I've driven. I've certainly become tired of driving my manual cars in traffic...and the traffic isn't getting any better. Its up to you, but you can't go wrong either way.

There is no real answer to this question. I can tell you that the auto is great and in manual mode, its the fastest shifting automatic I've driven. I've certainly become tired of driving my manual cars in traffic...and the traffic isn't getting any better. Its up to you, but you can't go wrong either way.

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