In need of opinions

[tommylama]

I wish I knew now to drive stick. Maybe I'll find a beater just to learn on.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[mja]

Just get it, stalling 50 times on the way home with your first manual is part of the nostalgia.

 

[Nimda]

If you want a manual then I say go for it. It's something new to bring to your life - driving will be fun and fresh again. The clutch is a little heavier in this car than most I've driven so it's very forgiving and easy to learn. I don't care what anyone says.. manual in heavy traffic BLOWS but that still isn't enough for me to ever go auto.

Have fun and enjoy never wanting to drive auto again!

 

[Swordsmith]

Well I have to be the contrarian here; if you live somewhere where you are going to be constantly in stop and go bumper to bumper traffic, then don't get the manual. There's no fun to be had in standing on the clutch for a couple hours a day, inching forward again and again. I mean, that's no fun in an automatic, but it's about 7 times less fun in a manual.

Now I only have to do that a couple times a year, when I get stuck in something ugly while driving cross country. So I love my manual, I've been driving stick almost every car I've ever owned for 34 years. And I taught my kids both on manual, my daughter doesn't want to be bothered with it and went auto, my son also ended up with an auto vehicle due to finding a really great deal, but he wishes he had a manual and will probably move up to one on his next car.

It really isn't that hard to learn, especially if you already know how to drive so the only thing you are adding is control of the transmission. And you feel so much more connected to the car, and can get so much more out of it.

 

[MJR]

if you live somewhere where you are going to be constantly in stop and go bumper to bumper traffic, then don't get the manual.

I know some people can handle driving a manual in bumper to bumper traffic, but I am not one of them. Actually sold a sold car in my teenage years because I couldn't stand driving the manual in bad traffic.

Wouldn't mind having one right now, however, unless there's an accident or something else going on on the highway, I'm never in stop and go traffic.

 

[SuperFudd]

Agreed about stop and go or stop and stop traffic but, in my experience, that is not an every day experience except at the on ramp metering lights.
If you are young and have a good left leg, go stick.
If you have a extra $1000 and have had your fill of sticks already, go auto.
Let's see. My last stick was a 1979 Ford Fairmont wagon, new.

 

[Lazza]

My first cars were automatics. I then bought a 1984 VW Rabbit convertible with a 5 speed. I stalled out many times while driving it home from the dealer. Within a couple of weeks I fully mastered "the art" of driving a stick. I then drove manuals for several years before returning to automatics when I bought an SUV (a Ford Explorer, total POS).

Last Xmas I finally returned to a manual with my Sonic hatchback. My impression:

1) The clutch action in the Sonic is decent, albeit the pedal is firm. I think it would be easy to learn to drive a stick on the Sonic. My shifter was a bit balky in the beginning but it now feels fine, or perhaps I am just used to it.

2) A small turbo engine and a 6MT is a great combination. It really is a lot of fun.

3) Driving in heavy traffic really sucks. Do not buy a manual if you have an arduous stop and go commute.


_Lazza

 

[gijoefontaine]

Hey guys. I've been saving up to buy a new car. I really want to buy a sonic hatchback. I've recently been learning how to drive a manual. I like it a lot and would really like to own a manual. I don't have too much experience driving one, but I would really like the practice. What would you recommend? Auto or manual? Thank you.

manual and automatic practically get the same fuel mileage. but to be honest nothing has that sounds and look to it than a manual. Plus you have more options for MODS later on a manual

 

[Blue hedgehog]

manual and automatic practically get the same fuel mileage. but to be honest nothing has that sounds and look to it than a manual. Plus you have more options for MODS later on a manual

1st let me start by saying I'm not trying to bash the manual. But who purposely buys something just because they can modify it from original when they could (if they wanted) get a deferent option that doesn't need any mods. That's like saying buy a 1.8l auto sonic just so you can do the ultimate mod by swapping out the 1.8l-1.4t and the auto-manual.

 

[Fempunk]

Manual would bug the crap out of me having to stop and go as much as i do. Plus i figure if i really wanna shift myself theres the manual mode. But i dont. Haha. My 2 cents

 

[krakenredbeard]

1st let me start by saying I'm not trying to bash the manual. But who purposely buys something just because they can modify it from original when they could (if they wanted) get a deferent option that doesn't need any mods. That's like saying buy a 1.8l auto sonic just so you can do the ultimate mod by swapping out the 1.8l-1.4t and the auto-manual.

Im a lil confused. Doesn't matter what I buy it gets modified. I also buy things depending on mod ability.

Had I gotten the gti I would have gotten the auto Dsg as it's faster. I got the 1.4 6mt cause it's better for this vehicle and has quite a bit more you can do over the manual. But hey to each their own.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Blue hedgehog]

Im a lil confused. Doesn't matter what I buy it gets modified. I also buy things depending on mod ability.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

So your saying you would buy a complete POS just because it could be heavily modded to make it a plain old POS. Instead of buying something that is good and minor mods make it great?

 

[krakenredbeard]

So your saying you would buy a complete POS just because it could be heavily modded to make it a plain old POS. Instead of buying something that is good and minor mods make it great?

Your a bit warped I think that's enough said. Cause now your putting words into people's mouths.

I never said I'd buy a pos. so where you got that from I don't know. But I simply do research heavily on vehicles before purchase I pretty much have my full plan for this vehicle from before I purchased.


And how you got that a manual and turbo is only ever going to be a plain pos is even more confusing.

Car guys purchase a car to modify. I've never left any vehicle I have owned alone.

If your not doing it that way then your doing it wrong. IMO

Like I said before to each their own.

 

[Blue hedgehog]

You need to learn how to read.

Doesn't matter what I buy it gets modified. I also buy things depending on mod ability.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

So if you could afford to buy the best handling, fastest car on the market, but no mods were available for it. You wouldn't buy it?

Your a bit warped I think that's enough said. Cause now your putting words into people's mouths.

I never said I'd buy a pos. so where you got that from I don't know.

Yes I am warped. Just ask anyone who knows me.
I never said you would. It was a question.

And how you got that a manual and turbo is only ever going to be a plain pos is even more confusing.

I never said the 1.4t or the manual were a pos. I was using pos in general. I never referred to any engine, trans, brand, or model.

Car guys purchase a car to modify. I've never left any vehicle I have owned alone.

So I guess Jay Leno isn't a car guy in your eyes? He does buy certain cars and not modify them.

 

[krakenredbeard]

He's a collector more than modifier. IMO

And I was simply implying what you where implying.

I think it speaks for itself in the matter when you see cars a fraction of the cost modified spanking a super car without mods. And even modded a fraction of the cost of the super car. So in a sense your right I wouldn't buy a top of the line car if I could. Cause half the fun of owning a car is making it mine. I wouldn't be happy with a super car cause any other rich guy with one would have the same thing.

Anyways this is all entirely off the point.

For this specific vehicle strictly based on performance. You'd want to go 1.4t 6mt. To have the best possible outcome. You may disagree but the track times and dyno numbers speak for themselves.

Based on your needs manual vs auto is up to your personal preference as well as sedan vs hatch.

It is what it is.

 

[Blue hedgehog]

Leno has manny cars that are heavily modified. Many he purchased just to modify. But what makes a person a car guy is a totally different argument.

 

[krakenredbeard]

Leno has manny cars that are heavily modified. Many he purchased just to modify. But what makes a person a car guy is a totally different argument.

When you have an unlimited source of money you can be a lot of things.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Blue hedgehog]

Yes. ^

I wish I had that problem.

 

[Hulty]

IMO, if you're getting the turbo, then MT is a no brainer. I installed a short shift arm this weekend and last night I chirped 'Em loud in second gear. The resulting ear to ear grin was fully sponsored by the Sonic's manual transmission!



Sent by carrier pigeon.

 

[yayo27]

I bought the auto, its fun, but MT's are WAYYYYYYYY more fun, pretty in any car ever.