I was just wondering what everyone prefers. I know that it depends on the drivers opinion, but i want to know what you guys (and girls) think. I love cars, customizing, driving, and everything about them. I have even been thinking of starting to work on cars lately, as a profession, like customizing. So I am wondering is it pointless to get an auto and mod it like crazy, or should i just get a manual?

Any help would be apprecated.

Thanks,
T.J.

 

Please please please get a manual! You will regret getting an auto if youre into modding like crazy. Please please please get the 5spd bro!!!

 

I would definitely get a manual. I had a 06 FM tC Auto and decided to get an 06 BSP tC 5speed and I will never buy another automatic again. It is just so much more fun to drive the 5speed tC than the auto. I was amazed at the difference.

 

see that is EXACTLY what i was thinking... but im also afraid of the manual just being a hastle for like long trips or something. What you think?

 

For long trips, especially highway, a manual is no problem. You simply cruise in 5th the whole way.

 

well, personally i prefer a manual, which is why i bought one. i test drove an auto first, and i feel that there is a HUGE difference (stock). However, if you are planning on "modding it like crazy" there are some very nice autos out there too (notably ScionDad), and there is a lot that you can do with them.

 

wow, maybe i should read what i write... I got that completely backwards. for shorter trips it would be a hastle. i guess its not really a problem, i just gotta stop being lasy.

I guess my point of bringing this up is that most people who are 'die hard drivers' swear by the manual transmission. So i feel like im missing out.

I guess i gotta go back down and test drive a manual now. hopefully all goes as planned and i can start modding my own tC

 

The tC is my first manual car. Once I got used to manual, I hardly even notice what I'm doing. Long trip, short trip. It doesn't matter. It becomes second nature and you don't even realize you're doing it. The only time you realize you're driving a manual is when you're at a red light that just turned green, your cell phone is ringing, and you have a big gulp in your hand. This is when I wish I had an extra set of arms!

 

Just remember, each has its own pros and cons. If you can drive a manual then I would suggest getting one but if you can't don't get a manual. Learning how to drive a manual in a new car is a bad idea.

 

How would it be a bad idea? everyone starts somewhere, plus driving bad for a couples of days would not put that much wear and tear on the clutch that it would require him new ones right away. Just test drive both and see which one you feel/like more then choose that one. That's what im planning to do. GoodLuck and Have fun.

 

i have an auto and sometimes i wish i got the manual. mainly when im feeling like driving more aggressively. but otherwise, i think its fine. i mod my car a lot, and the only limitation so far i've hit has been the fact that i cant get LSD.

 

it really depends on the style of your driving. If you like to cruise, relax, and just chill out in the car then im going to suggest an automatic. I have an automatic, and i live in NYC, so i don't regret the purchase at all.

However, if you want to "control" the car a little more, get the manual. Yes it is more work, but many say that it becomes nature. In bumper to bumper traffic, it will still be annoying.

If you're looking to mod, and be UNIQUE, i would say go with the auto. Not many like to upgrade the auto tranny, for whatever reason. I personally think that a good automatic transmission will ALWAYS shift faster and more accurately than a human can.

My .02

 

Well, if you take a look at the gears and ratios, an Automatic has a gear less [obviously] and less controlable gearing ratios. And the fact that no one is setting records with 4A's, that I can think of.

The tC was my first manual also, like many of the people on here. I found it tough at first, at least from a stop and not launching into cars ahead of you. The first day, I stalled it at 3/5 redlights lol. Don't get discouraged. Like my dad and friends said, you'll be laughing at how much trouble you thought it was by the end of the week. Sure enough, I can't believe how complicated I made it.

You just have to remember, get off the clutch, and on to the gas veeeerrrry smoothly, and you'll be good to go. That was my problem anyways, always had too much or too little of one or the other.

Just another small thing, now that I'm driving stick, I find driving to be a pleasure as apposed to "Point A to Point B with no focus on the car."

But in Southern California rush hour, at about 6o'clock on the 5 freeway, you realize your left calf is going to be twice the size of your right by the end of the trip. That's how I felt my first time lol. Have a lot of practice before you try rush hour, or you'll be frustrated, grinding gears, and burning your clutch.

 

Get the 5spd. Even in stop and go traffic the clutch is really easy to press in and out and isn't to much of a hassle. I've had my car down at the strip in Las Vegas, which is really bad stop and go traffic and it wasn't bad at all to be shifting. And about being on the freeway.. you'll be in 5th gear so you won't be shifting, unless you need to downshift to pass someone, but you can even pass pretty good in 5th gear with no problem. The only benefit of an automatic I think is if your to lazy to shift.

 

that's exactly what im saying. If someone would build up the auto tranny in the tC, they would be the first.

And since the tC makes a lot of power down low as well as up top, the gear ratios aren't going to make a difference in high HP applications.

the auto tranny shifts at redline, and shifts up to 4k, when the tC really starts to move.

If anything, it will be better that you are shifting less. In a high HP car.

 

You answered it yourself. If you like actually DRIVING your car then get the 5 spd.
I got it, do i regret it?
Hell NO!

 

I wake up and go to work to find all of these replies. Thanks for all of your input but i am sorry to say, that you all have changed my mind about the manual. It looks like I gotta set up a test drive tomorrow.

Its not my first time driving a stick, I test drove a Focus ST for 30 mins
But in that time, I never stalled, grinded or anything.

I really dont have to worry about stop and go traffic living in the thumb of michigan (actually im about an hour and a half or so south).

Thanks on the input and i will keep you all updated.

 

I bought my first car as a stick and taught myself to drive. (never drove stick before) I've never been able to stand an automatic since and my last handful of cars have all been manuals. Automatic takes all your control out of driving and really makes it hard to "feel" the road and car. A manual is where it is at if you give a rats ___ about driving and enjoying it. Most people I know with Auto's are either a) old, b) scared to learn stick, c) into the "show" scene or d) all of the above.

Regards,

B

 

I have a 5 speed and I regret even test driving an automatic tC. Th 5 speed is so much better IMO and responds to mods so much more. Plus you don't have the drivetrain loss from a slushbox...

 

The automatic might shift UP faster than a human, but it lags when one needs to shift DOWN in a corner.