Should I get a manual car next?

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

not sure how this thread got resurrected from the dead I've had my manual car for close to 2 years now :d

🤣🤣🤣

So, I thought you and I had some good discussion on the subject. I just reread our posts. So, 2 years in... I'm assuming you're a convert to the daily manual transmission life?

[No one]

Originally Posted by NervoS

I have been driving E46 2001 330ci with 6 speed stick for more than 10 years (in fact, I've done 6 spd swap into it myself, it was 5 spd auto ZF5HP19 originally). I love it. Still do. But it is my last manual car. It just makes no sense anymore. Those times, when automatic gearbox was called contemptuously as a "slushbox" - it made sense. With current state of 8 speed super quick, super reliable auto gearboxes.... No sense at all. IMO.

That means you are not a driving enthusiast "anymore". When it's your gearbox rather than yourself that's fast and reliable you are just a poser. And by the way, more than 10 years ago 8 speed auto gearboxes were already faster than manual. Today they are like 10 speed, reportedly. Also, don't overlook electric cars, perhaps: their gearboxes are even faster and more reliable.

And by the way, being fast isn't always an advantage.

[NervoS]

Originally Posted by No one

And by the way, more than 10 years ago 8 speed auto gearboxes were already faster than manual. Today they are like 10 speed, reportedly.

I was comparing 2000-s 5hp19 to 6 spd manual in 15 years old car.

Either way, yes, I am not into that manual shifting fun anymore, you are right. Don't see much sense in it for myself.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

🤣🤣🤣

So, I thought you and I had some good discussion on the subject. I just reread our posts. So, 2 years in... I'm assuming you're a convert to the daily manual transmission life?

100%. Glad I got the manual! Have absolutely 0 regrets. And I've gotten to the point where shifting feels automatic for me. Gonna hold on to this car for a while.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

100%. Glad I got the manual! Have absolutely 0 regrets. And I've gotten to the point where shifting feels automatic for me. Gonna hold on to this car for a while.

Attachment 3587558

Excellent.

[ShocknAwe]

Do it.

Consider getting an older car, it'll open your options up some. Manuals aren't faster than the new ZF8 or any DCT etc, so it's about the dynamic experience of the car and driver engagement. This is FUN.

A lot of newer cars are too well engineered and take the driver out of the car IMO. Sterile experience.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Do it.

Consider getting an older car, it'll open your options up some. Manuals aren't faster than the new ZF8 or any DCT etc, so it's about the dynamic experience of the car and driver engagement. This is FUN.

A lot of newer cars are too well engineered and take the driver out of the car IMO. Sterile experience.

This thread is 3 years old and was resurrected for whatever reason

Been driving a G80 manual for nearly 2 years now

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

This thread is 3 years old and was resurrected for whatever reason

Been driving a G80 manual for nearly 2 years now

See. You didn't get tired of it

[vt100]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

100%. Glad I got the manual! Have absolutely 0 regrets. And I've gotten to the point where shifting feels automatic for me. Gonna hold on to this car for a while.

Welcome to the masochist club! Be warned though, there is no way back

[Matt_4166]

Get a manual! You won't regret it.

[Socal_R8]

there is no substitute .....

[NervoS]

Originally Posted by vt100

Welcome to the masochist club! Be warned though, there is no way back

There is. Very easy one, actually. Modern sport automatic gearboxes significantly outperform manual transmissions by a wide margin. The inconvenience of a manual transmission becomes increasingly apparent over years of use. Consequently, fewer and fewer automakers are offering this niche product, and at some point (if not already), it will turn into a novelty—a way to stand out, without any real connection to performance, reliability, control, or other key factors.
So, yeah, there is a way back.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by NervoS

There is. Very easy one, actually. Modern sport automatic gearboxes significantly outperform manual transmissions by a wide margin. The inconvenience of a manual transmission becomes increasingly apparent over years of use. Consequently, fewer and fewer automakers are offering this niche product, and at some point (if not already), it will turn into a novelty—a way to stand out, without any real connection to performance, reliability, control, or other key factors.
So, yeah, there is a way back.

Wide margin? Nah.

[osteome]

Tracking that this is a "resurrected post"...

I was disappointed that I could not get a G83 in a manual as I loved my E93 in a manual, but I wanted another convertible M, so I had no choice. My wife drive's an X5, so no option there either.

I decided that that I did want a manual in the stable, but what to get?

Miata? Already have a convertible
Civic? Nice option, but already have a family car
Pay homage to prior manuals that I have owned (Integra, Maxima)? Rare to find and rarer to find unmolested / not rusted.

Then I had run my own mental traps on "the newer manual is slower than its automatic counterpart". I was willing make that trade off for the experience of the manual, but still have to endure the "argument". I also wanted to be budget friendly with two kids in college.

Solution? Buy a BMW (loyalty!) that was rarely equipped with a manual, is old to be analog in every respect, so that ALL of the driving experience is engaging, and had few fanboys to debate its performance, because the envelope is rather small

This is why I have a lowish mileage loaded manual E83 X3 that is my slow car that is fun to drive fast (260 hp), is easy to work on, and is a unicorn for BMW SUVs. The X5 came with as manual for a shorter period of time, but was burdened with too much weight.

It is also the first car that I brought to my local dealer (PCV recall) that two of their technicians had expressed an interest in buying.

Sometimes you have to think outside the box, and buy a manual BMW box that checks enough boxed to be personally engaging.

Now to get that earlier than 2013 manual 3 series wagon to add to the collection....

[No one]

Originally Posted by NervoS

The inconvenience of a manual transmission becomes increasingly apparent over years of use.

Some find it apparently inconvenient at once. Did you think you had a third leg but as years passed you found it apparent you hadn't?

Originally Posted by NervoS

without any real connection to performance, reliability, control, or other key factors.

This is only if you can't use it properly.