Manual transmission.. vs traffic?

lux.sh · 09-05-2006, 06:26 AM

This is my 3rd automatic car. Owned 2 manual cars in the past.
Recent manual one was just sold. I'll be honest. I don't miss it.

The only time I miss it is when I was crusing on the highway when no one else is on the road and that feel up dropping from top gear to lowest gear and just go.

As some of you know, im shopping for a new car, which is a very important car since I'll have to drive it for a very long time. Keep in mind Im also probably moving to cali or NY, where traffic condition isn't so great.

I really really love the new Z4 M roadster, but it wasn't on my list because of the transmission. I really can't stand manual tranny during traffic hours. I really wish I loved manual alot more now, just because of the Z4 M roadster.

Some people swear by manual trannies and how they don't really care about traffic at all. Its amazing to see so many people in busy traffic areas still shifting around and still fine.

My question. how? how did you make yourself so comfortable driving stick? in few years of my manual experience, I got annoyed by the manual tranny so much(during traffic hours), I literally got stressed by the fact that I have a manual car, which forced me to get the E90 step(which I preferred E46 M3 SMG). I love driving, and I love cars, but I can't love the manual tranny because of traffic hours. convience me.

Richypc · 09-05-2006, 06:38 AM

I live in Los Angeles and I dont have a problem with manual. I just came back from Casino Morongo and Palm Springs too. There was some traffic, but I didn't mind. Depends if you really hit traffic over here on a day to day basis, like going to work and what not, but i work the night shift and face little traffic. But, if your getting the M version Z4 then I wouldn't comute with it. Drive an automatic used Honda civic or something for work/errands and bring out the Z4 on weekends when there is a lot less traffic for some R&R, at least over here.

As far as New York, if your moving into the city I would not buy an expensive car over there, the snow, crowds, traffic will eventually mess up you ride, especially the salt they use to remove the ice and snow during the winter.

JO3 · 09-05-2006, 11:20 PM

I've posted this before, and people called me crazy, but I actually perfer my manual in traffic.

It's all about car control. I can inch forward by feathering the clutch a bit. I can keep it in first and control my speed with just the gas - engine braking is so good that I don't need to brake unless I'm coming to a complete stop. And even then, if I give myself enough room, I can coast to a stop. In my car, my first gear goes from 0-30mph, my second from 8-60mph, so gear changes don't have to occur very frequently at all.

When I'm driving my auto in traffic, it just feels like I'm slamming on the gas to get it to move, then I have to slam on the brakes to get it to stop. The manual feels like it has much more precise control.

Oh, and I have 87k miles on my car and still have at least 70% of my factory pads left!

Personally, if I had a Z4M, I would be really sad if I couldn't get the chance to enjoy shifting it manually. For those times that I'm on the canyon roads, or when it's clear traffic, I'd miss the manual too much.

But if you love/hate the manual that much, then there's no shame in getting an auto. With the new autos being so efficient, there is less to hold you to a manual unless you are a die-hard like me. I drive 60 miles a day in LA traffic by the way. Thats 60-90 minutes to go 30 miles.

Nikki · 09-05-2006, 11:55 PM

I never drove auto, so I don't know how much better it is in traffic than a stick so I don't care. I drive bumper-to-bumper everyday now about 2 miles to my school and it takes me 10-20 minutes to get there going straight the entire time on a 50 mph speed limit road. I really have never wished that I had an automatic expect once or twice when I lived up north and crawled on the highway a few times for an hour straight, but even after then I lived. I guess it must be hard for people who are spoiled with an automatic to see the point in having to labor with a manual in traffic, but I've never experienced the automatic so I've never spoiled myself. Plus, when you get to drive it when you're not in traffic it makes up for it times 10.

lux.sh · 09-05-2006, 11:58 PM

thats kind of true. I wish I didn't spoil myself with an automatic.
well, at least now that I want a car that is only available in manual...

JO3, I exactly know what you are talking about. I used to do the same. Sometimes you don't even have to gas it in order to get it moving.. just slight let-go move of the clutch will make your vehicle move.. Trust me. I tried everything. Not to be a show-off or anything, but I consider myself a pretty good manual driver. Drag race or twisty road, I drove and drove. MY LEFT LEG STILL COMPLAINS LIKE HELL DURING TRAFFIC HOURS. OMG. I swear im going to kick my left leg's ass. My poor right leg..

BeeEmDubU · 09-06-2006, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lux.sh

This is my 3rd automatic car. Owned 2 manual cars in the past.
Recent manual one was just sold. I'll be honest. I don't miss it.

The only time I miss it is when I was crusing on the highway when no one else is on the road and that feel up dropping from top gear to lowest gear and just go.

As some of you know, im shopping for a new car, which is a very important car since I'll have to drive it for a very long time. Keep in mind Im also probably moving to cali or NY, where traffic condition isn't so great.

I really really love the new Z4 M roadster, but it wasn't on my list because of the transmission. I really can't stand manual tranny during traffic hours. I really wish I loved manual alot more now, just because of the Z4 M roadster.

Some people swear by manual trannies and how they don't really care about traffic at all. Its amazing to see so many people in busy traffic areas still shifting around and still fine.

My question. how? how did you make yourself so comfortable driving stick? in few years of my manual experience, I got annoyed by the manual tranny so much(during traffic hours), I literally got stressed by the fact that I have a manual car, which forced me to get the E90 step(which I preferred E46 M3 SMG). I love driving, and I love cars, but I can't love the manual tranny because of traffic hours. convience me.

you're not selling your car, are you?

MWcoupe · 09-06-2006, 12:32 AM

i hope my next car will be manual. auto just dont have that boost like manual does.. the only way is if you pop ur steptronic in and floor it. im sick of that...
i been driving my friends 5sp and it feels great cuz the way you pick up and drag when you stop it totally diff.

09-05-2006, 06:26 AM	#1
lux.sh missing two turbos. 614 Rep 4,859 Posts Drives: fast around corners. Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Curves iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 BMW E90 330i [7.00]	Manual transmission.. vs traffic? This is my 3rd automatic car. Owned 2 manual cars in the past. Recent manual one was just sold. I'll be honest. I don't miss it. The only time I miss it is when I was crusing on the highway when no one else is on the road and that feel up dropping from top gear to lowest gear and just go. As some of you know, im shopping for a new car, which is a very important car since I'll have to drive it for a very long time. Keep in mind Im also probably moving to cali or NY, where traffic condition isn't so great. I really really love the new Z4 M roadster, but it wasn't on my list because of the transmission. I really can't stand manual tranny during traffic hours. I really wish I loved manual alot more now, just because of the Z4 M roadster. Some people swear by manual trannies and how they don't really care about traffic at all. Its amazing to see so many people in busy traffic areas still shifting around and still fine. My question. how? how did you make yourself so comfortable driving stick? in few years of my manual experience, I got annoyed by the manual tranny so much(during traffic hours), I literally got stressed by the fact that I have a manual car, which forced me to get the E90 step(which I preferred E46 M3 SMG). I love driving, and I love cars, but I can't love the manual tranny because of traffic hours. convience me. __________________ 06 AW E90 330i ZPP/ZSP/Step/Expired Warranty : Prior Design Front : ACS Rear : ACS Roof : BlackLines : Simota Intake : Carbon Fiber Interior Trim : : MTEC V3 : 24% Charcoal : V1 Hardwired : Solaris Invisibulbs/LED interior :
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09-05-2006, 06:38 AM	#2
Richypc New Member 16 Rep 24 Posts Drives: e90 Jet Black Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	I live in Los Angeles and I dont have a problem with manual. I just came back from Casino Morongo and Palm Springs too. There was some traffic, but I didn't mind. Depends if you really hit traffic over here on a day to day basis, like going to work and what not, but i work the night shift and face little traffic. But, if your getting the M version Z4 then I wouldn't comute with it. Drive an automatic used Honda civic or something for work/errands and bring out the Z4 on weekends when there is a lot less traffic for some R&R, at least over here. As far as New York, if your moving into the city I would not buy an expensive car over there, the snow, crowds, traffic will eventually mess up you ride, especially the salt they use to remove the ice and snow during the winter. __________________ 330i Sport/Dakota Leather Black ACS body kit on order ACS pedals and 30% Tint
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09-05-2006, 11:20 PM	#3
JO3 Lieutenant 14 Rep 566 Posts Drives: a lot Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CA iTrader: (8)	I've posted this before, and people called me crazy, but I actually perfer my manual in traffic. It's all about car control. I can inch forward by feathering the clutch a bit. I can keep it in first and control my speed with just the gas - engine braking is so good that I don't need to brake unless I'm coming to a complete stop. And even then, if I give myself enough room, I can coast to a stop. In my car, my first gear goes from 0-30mph, my second from 8-60mph, so gear changes don't have to occur very frequently at all. When I'm driving my auto in traffic, it just feels like I'm slamming on the gas to get it to move, then I have to slam on the brakes to get it to stop. The manual feels like it has much more precise control. Oh, and I have 87k miles on my car and still have at least 70% of my factory pads left! Personally, if I had a Z4M, I would be really sad if I couldn't get the chance to enjoy shifting it manually. For those times that I'm on the canyon roads, or when it's clear traffic, I'd miss the manual too much. But if you love/hate the manual that much, then there's no shame in getting an auto. With the new autos being so efficient, there is less to hold you to a manual unless you are a die-hard like me. I drive 60 miles a day in LA traffic by the way. Thats 60-90 minutes to go 30 miles.
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09-05-2006, 11:55 PM	#4
Nikki Major General 1042 Rep 6,381 Posts Drives: Sepang Z4MC Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: LA iTrader: (9)	I never drove auto, so I don't know how much better it is in traffic than a stick so I don't care. I drive bumper-to-bumper everyday now about 2 miles to my school and it takes me 10-20 minutes to get there going straight the entire time on a 50 mph speed limit road. I really have never wished that I had an automatic expect once or twice when I lived up north and crawled on the highway a few times for an hour straight, but even after then I lived. I guess it must be hard for people who are spoiled with an automatic to see the point in having to labor with a manual in traffic, but I've never experienced the automatic so I've never spoiled myself. Plus, when you get to drive it when you're not in traffic it makes up for it times 10. __________________ Nikki
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09-05-2006, 11:58 PM	#5
lux.sh missing two turbos. 614 Rep 4,859 Posts Drives: fast around corners. Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Curves iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 BMW E90 330i [7.00]	thats kind of true. I wish I didn't spoil myself with an automatic. well, at least now that I want a car that is only available in manual... JO3, I exactly know what you are talking about. I used to do the same. Sometimes you don't even have to gas it in order to get it moving.. just slight let-go move of the clutch will make your vehicle move.. Trust me. I tried everything. Not to be a show-off or anything, but I consider myself a pretty good manual driver. Drag race or twisty road, I drove and drove. MY LEFT LEG STILL COMPLAINS LIKE HELL DURING TRAFFIC HOURS. OMG. I swear im going to kick my left leg's ass. My poor right leg.. __________________ 06 AW E90 330i ZPP/ZSP/Step/Expired Warranty : Prior Design Front : ACS Rear : ACS Roof : BlackLines : Simota Intake : Carbon Fiber Interior Trim : : MTEC V3 : 24% Charcoal : V1 Hardwired : Solaris Invisibulbs/LED interior :
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09-06-2006, 12:32 AM	#7
MWcoupe 24k GOLD 146 Rep 1,452 Posts Drives: Mineral White M4 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: BROOKLYN NY iTrader: (0)	i hope my next car will be manual. auto just dont have that boost like manual does.. the only way is if you pop ur steptronic in and floor it. im sick of that... i been driving my friends 5sp and it feels great cuz the way you pick up and drag when you stop it totally diff.
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