Should I get a manual car next?

[wtwo3]

It's something I've been contemplating for a few months now. I'm still a good 9 months away from my lease end, but I've started the process of thinking about what to get next, and had the thought, this might be my last opportunity to get a new manual car.

I've never actually owned a manual car. I do know how to drive stick, but have only had limited experience driving one for an extended time (last time was 9 years ago, I drove a puny little peugeot 107 in Greece). So my fear is will I eventually get tired of it... or will it be so engaging that I'll wonder why I wasted all these years driving automatics?

I work from home so my commute is pretty much dropping my daughter off to school in the morning and then picking her up in the late afternoons. Occasionally I might step out for lunch.

Pros of stick:
- More driving engagement = more fun (this is the primary reason)
- Cheaper
- Wife refuses to learn to drive stick

Cons of stick:
- Will I get tired of it after a while?
- Slower
- Wife refuses to learn to drive stick
- Limited options (basically G80, G87, CT4V BW)

[Murf993]

Is this a trick question?

So unless you are a serious fanatic about shift times etc and most of the people you meet or will talk it up can't get around the track as fast as they will tell you. If you want to feel like you're actually engage with a sports car go for the stick....seriously, this is a trick question right?

[AlpineBoost]

Yes

[BMWdmk]

Driving stick is a completely different experience in a very positive way.
I miss it. I vote row unless you're always in traffic then its pedal pedal pedal...literally...

[AlpineBoost]

If I had to pick from those 3 under Cons/Limited Options, then surprising to me it's the CT4V BW. I actually built one and a CT5V BW on their website a few hours ago for the hell of it, just to see. I've never owned a GM product, but if I was looking for brand new, 4 doors and 6MT in that price range then it's the way to go. You put G87 as well, so it sounds like 4 doors is not make or break which adds at least 1 or 2 more options.

[SteveinArizona]

If you were doing lots of urban stop and go driving, I would say...go automatic. But based on your usage, I would go for the stick and enjoy the involvement.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by Murf993

Is this a trick question?

So unless you are a serious fanatic about shift times etc and most of the people you meet or will talk it up can't get around the track as fast as they will tell you. If you want to feel like you're actually engage with a sports car go for the stick....seriously, this is a trick question right?

I can see how it COULD be a trick question... but it's not only because I've only ever owned automatics. So I have 0 experience with long term stick driving.

My experiences with stick I can probably count on 1 hand....
- When I originally learned way back in the day as an early 20 something year old driving my friend's WRX
- Driving a friend's old civic hatchback a couple times
- Renting a Peugeot 107 in Greece on my honeymoon 9 years ago... this was a solid 4 days of stick (no pun intended, you dirty animals)
- Driving my brother in law's C7 vette about a month ago while visiting in Virginia.

IIRC that's about it. So my question was more centered around, not having owned one and never having driven one longer than a 4 day stretch, anything I should consider for something more long term.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by AlpineBoost

If I had to pick from those 3 under Cons/Limited Options, then surprising to me it's the CT4V BW. I actually built one and a CT5V BW on their website a few hours ago for the hell of it, just to see. I've never owned a GM product, but if I was looking for brand new, 4 doors and 6MT in that price range then it's the way to go. You put G87 as well, so it sounds like 4 doors is not make or break which adds at least 1 or 2 more options.

I'm intrigued by the CT4V BW... but not sure how hard it'll be to get one and how inflated the pricing will be.... but I'm keeping it on the radar.

As for the G87... I don't NEED 4 doors... but I do need usable backseats. I know the new G42 backseats have shrunken compared to the F22, so I'll have to see if it's an option or not, but for now I'm keeping it on the list. I've got a 4 year old and a new baby on the way, so I'll need semi-usable backseats (and at least be able to fit a rear facing child seat... damn things take up so much space

That leaves the G80. I know it's controversial for obvious reasons but I have driven the comp version and that was a blast to drive, so for now this might be my top choice for a manual car unless the CT4 (or 5) BW can be had at a reasonable price.

[AlpineBoost]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

I'm intrigued by the CT4V BW... but not sure how hard it'll be to get one and how inflated the pricing will be.... but I'm keeping it on the radar.

As for the G87... I don't NEED 4 doors... but I do need usable backseats. I know the new G42 backseats have shrunken compared to the F22, so I'll have to see if it's an option or not, but for now I'm keeping it on the list. I've got a 4 year old and a new baby on the way, so I'll need semi-usable backseats (and at least be able to fit a rear facing child seat... damn things take up so much space

That leaves the G80. I know it's controversial for obvious reasons but I have driven the comp version and that was a blast to drive, so for now this might be my top choice for a manual car unless the CT4 (or 5) BW can be had at a reasonable price.

With the way everything is right now, I guess just be glad that you still have 9 months to decide lol. Hopefully things will be different by then, but who knows. I've never leased a car, so I'm just assuming that is affected by all of this as well.

If you like the G80 then get that. I just can't get over the styling so it's not for me. I'm assuming you know it would be a non-comp, rwd if you opt for the 6MT.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by AlpineBoost

With the way everything is right now, I guess just be glad that you still have 9 months to decide lol. Hopefully things will be different by then, but who knows. I've never leased a car, so I'm just assuming that is affected by all of this as well.

If you like the G80 then get that. I just can't get over the styling so it's not for me. I'm assuming you know it would be a non-comp, rwd if you opt for the 6MT.

Yeah it might take ALL 9 months before things maybe start to normalize if even then. As for the G80, I've come around to the styling... and dare I say... even like the styling in person I'm not too worried about it being non comp or RWD. It'll still be as quick as my G20 if not more so and I'll just have to buy a set of winter tires.

[AlpineBoost]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

Yeah it might take ALL 9 months before things maybe start to normalize if even then. As for the G80, I've come around to the styling... and dare I say... even like the styling in person I'm not too worried about it being non comp or RWD. It'll still be as quick as my G20 if not more so and I'll just have to buy a set of winter tires.

I know people that feel the same about seeing it in person, but I keep seeing them now and just can't get into it. Still, it's different, has its own presence, and doesn't look like much else on the road to me.

If they had come out with a M4 that I found drop dead gorgeous then I wouldn't have thought twice about it. I'd be perfectly fine with non-comp, rwd, 6MT as well. I haven't had a car payment in forever and am trying to drag it out for as long as possible without one. Just hoping this old 335 keeps on ticking until everything normalizes so that I dont feel forced into anything.

Nice G20 btw. Loved the M340i when I first saw it only to be disappointed to learn that it wouldn't be offered in manual. Also a shame that they didn't give the G22 the same design language as the G20 with a manual for those that prefer that look in coupe form. I'm still waiting on a good looking coupe with a manual + revised B58.

[ccdre]

I vote manual UNLESS, you're in a stop and go traffic often or buying a very fast car that commands both hands on the wheel at all times.

[Frank851]

Sir:
Z4M's only come with a 6 speed manual, you have no choice, do you?

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by Onesie

One of your cons is actually a pro. Why would you want anyone else driving your car?



You'd never get tired of a manual.

There's no question. Just get it.

If you look closely you'll notice that I've included that in the Pro section as well

Sounds like the unanimous vote is for manual. Not surprised. This pushes me that much more in that direction.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by Frank851

Sir:
Z4M's only come with a 6 speed manual, you have no choice, do you?

Unfortunately I need to be able to transport children. But I'll be sure to remind them of what they're preventing me from getting.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by ccdre

I vote manual UNLESS, you're in a stop and go traffic often or buying a very fast car that commands both hands on the wheel at all times.

What qualifies as a very fast car that also comes in manual?

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by AlpineBoost

I'm still waiting on a good looking coupe with a manual + revised B58.

I'm afraid that wait will be futile... BMW had a softball thrown at them to design the G22 and they decided to go off the deep end with something crazy. And the Supra design isn't a huge success by any means... but if that's more livable then I believe they're coming out with a manual soon.

[AlpineBoost]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

And the Supra design isn't a huge success by any means... but if that's more livable then I believe they're coming out with a manual soon.

That's the word on the street for a manual Mk5, but more livable... no, not for me...

No need to share my thoughts on the Zupr4 here

[KevinC]

Originally Posted by AlpineBoost

If you like the G80 then get that. I just can't get over the styling so it's not for me. I'm assuming you know it would be a non-comp, rwd if you opt for the 6MT.

Evolve has a fix on the way for the Bucky Beaver grille.. I like it!

[Efthreeoh]

I'm a life-long manual transmission driver, well over 1M miles.

If you have to ask E90 post, then stay with an automatic. If you think automatics are "faster", then stay with an automatic. If you think using a foot clutch in heavy traffic will be troublesome, then stay with an automatic. If you do not want to be fully engaged with the act of driving 100% of the time, stay with an automatic. If you think shifting a modern manumatic transmission is near the same as a true manual transmission, then stay with an automatic.

In this day and age, with automatic transmissions being somewhat decent, choosing a manual transmission as a daily driver is because you are dedicated to the act and art of full-control driving as a lifestyle. You have doubts, so stay with an automatic.

Some of us are genetically predisposed to being manual transmission drivers.

[Tambohamilton]

Go auto. If you have to ask, there is only one answer.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I'm a life-long manual transmission driver, well over 1M miles.

If you have to ask E90 post, then stay with an automatic. If you think automatics are "faster", then stay with an automatic. If you think using a foot clutch in heavy traffic will be troublesome, then stay with an automatic. If you do not want to be fully engaged with the act of driving 100% of the time, stay with an automatic. If you think shifting a modern manumatic transmission is near the same as a true manual transmission, then stay with an automatic.

In this day and age, with automatic transmissions being somewhat decent, choosing a manual transmission as a daily driver is because you are dedicated to the act and art of full-control driving as a lifestyle. You have doubts, so stay with an automatic.

Some of us are genetically predisposed to being manual transmission drivers.

It's not that I have doubts. I just don't know what "long term" ownership is like, which is why I'm asking. The handful of times that I have driven manual I've enjoyed it - I was just wondering if that enjoyment would last over the course of multiple years or if there's something I'm missing or not considering. Kind of a "yeah manual cars are a lot of fun but after a while you just kind of get tired of it".

But since you're a lifer, it seems that may not be the case. I'm truly coming at this without a bias. It's hard to have doubts when I don't have the experience. Rather, it's curiosity and interest.