first car: AT or MT?

[240dreamer]

I bought my car in July of last year and let me say, i'm already bored with the automatic transmission. Sure, i can have the swap done but that's about 1/4 the value of the car. Every night i dream about a manual and wish i had one. I don't mean to beat the dead horse here but do yourself a favor and gat a manual.

[Tino]

auto, manual is a hair faster but auto is just so more convenient.

[Phax]

Everyone should learn how to drive a manual transmission first. As someone else said, if you can drive a manual... you can sure drive an automatic. Manual transmissions give you a better feel for the car and the engine. Driving a manual takes more coordination, which is good because it makes people pay better attention to what is going on around them.

Right now, I have a car with an automatic and I like it, when I'm in traffic or just cruising around. When I really want to drive, and not just get from point A to point B, it's all about pulling the 240 out of the driveway and going for a spin.

1st car: 1987 Mitsubishi Starion ESi-R / Manual2nd car: 1972 Datsun 510 / 5-speed3rd car: 1971 Datsun 510 / 4-speed, then 5-speed4th car: 1971 Datsun 510 / 5-speed5th car: 1987 BMW 528i / Automatic6th car: 1992 240SX Coupe / 5-speed

[Lsnaple]

i agree with the special someone part, but thats all.

sorry Lepchitz (dont know if i spelled correctly!) , my funds just depleted, and im taking SAT that weekend (i know, im still in high school) .

if i didnt have that going on, i would.

[Lepchitz1]

well then are you going to psyclone69's party this sat? There are supposed to be a bunch of us going. SHould be fun...or will that be past ur curfew...lol. J/k...678-386-4150 just call my cell and ill give you details.

[red240ne]

auto, manual is a hair faster but auto is just so more convenient.

Actually that is not true in many occasions. There are some cars out there who post slower times with auto than the manual version of the car, but most autos are better. The torque converter shifts so much smoother than any human could ever dream of. The only real problem there is with an automatic transmission is that you can't get a good jump on startup. But who cares anyways, because manual is more fun, and you can earn better driving skills through a manual also. It's a lot harder to drift with an auto.

[stickgoat]

I think everyone should be required to know how to drive a manual transmission just to get their license.

What if there were ever an emergency situation in which you were required to take someone else's car, and it happened to be a manual? What if you were stuck in a bind without your own car and your only option was to borrow a friend's 5-speed?

It's not that hard to figure out, but I think everyone needs to learn how to drive a stick. Besides, once you know how and experience that first really, REALLY good shift, you'll never want to go back to an auto again.

[Tino]

I can drift fine with an auto... and I think maybe you meant to say most manuals are better.

[TropicalJewel]

I learnt on a manual and I am glad I did. I still get people (mostly guys) that are surprised that a woman is driving a manual. I think they do not realize what century we are in. I currently drive manuals. I would like to get an automatic to go on those long road trips to SoCal...oops...Southern California and if I had enough cash I would like to get one to go to Atlanta this August. Yup a nice clean 1998 SE would be awesome.

1. 1974 Mustang hatchback ... uuugly dark green ... manual2. 1989 Mustang hatchback... "Nellie" ...automatic3. 1989 240sx SE hatchback ... manual4. 1989 240sx coupe ... automatic5. 1995 240sx SE ... current ... manual 6. 1995 240sx ... current ... manual

Monique

[midwestdrifter]

blah i cant even believe this is a real forum slushboxes are for old people and people who cant drive.

[89sxRCR]

Hmm this appears pretty one sided so far which is unfortunate. Both auto and manual offer different pros and cons... a auto 240 is slower than a manual, unless you get a modified torque converter so you can launch at higher rpms.. although that isnt good for daily driving. An auto is better in traffic or commuting, dont tell me it isnt, when you have to keep popping the clutch in every 5 seconds in bumper to bumper. Or when you live in a place with a lot of steep hills... it sucks arse getting stoped in a place like san fran, then you gotta thro in some ebrake action if you hit a stoplight uphill. Manual can be funner, it teaches you to be in synch with your car. But you cant hold sodas I say it depends what your using it for and where you live- use some sense.

[redrocket]

my opinion let your first car be a manual because if uo don't learn to drive a standard now you will never learn or your less likly to learn

[T_love]

:withstup Even though we forced my mom to learn to drive a stick at 50

[Phax]

:withstup Even though we forced my mom to learn to drive a stick at 50

Haaaaa!!!!!

My mom is almost 50, and we just forced her to get an automatic. She just wiped out too many clutches in her last car.

[JamesT43]

It really comes down to if you plan on racing your car or not. (I'm talking about a track/autocross... not drag strip.)

It is very annoying to try and race a car with an automatic transmission. Being able to decide exactly where you want to shift is extremely important, especially when coming out of corners.

It is nice to be able to slow the car down with the engine as well.

And yeah, i guess it's more fun

[scream240sx]

i got 95 240sx se with a manual best car ever! i got whiel i still had my permit taught it to myself turned 16 and now im everwhere in it.

[darkeagle]

I learned Manual. Sort of strange too. I use to say I would never drive a manual b/c I wanted automatic. Time I turned 15 only vehicles we had was mom's truck which is 5spd. our automatic car died lol But I have drove automatic off and on when I was 8 and up, that got me use to steering and focusing on the road some. When I got my permit my mom joked (after all the years I seen her drive 5spd I guess I picked up on it) she threw the keys at me and said start it up and pull it on the side of the house. Funny thing is mom didnt think i would get out of the driveway in her stick shift truck. No problems what so ever starting up, put it in R and hit the gas (no jerking or jumping the truck). Best memory I have of me in a stick shift.

My mom came running out b/c she couldnt believe since I never set foot in 5spd just get in start it up and I found the gears EASY. My first taste of 5spd and from there on I learned it. My first car was manual, 1989 Chevy GEO Spectrum. I took my test in that car and it was really easy as well to drive. All I want now is manual. I love playing around on the hills when no one is behind me and reving the car up. But anyways, for someone who has never set foot in a car nor has ever started to practice I say automatic just til they get the feel of the road and how to handle a car then throw them in a manual. To me you stay focused on the road, you have to watch what your doing. It also cuts down on what you can do in a car. Uhh yesterday a lady was driving down the road weaving trying to put her hair up....see one reason there that people should drive 5spds. get your mind off un-necessary things and focus on the road that way less accidents should occur. Sorry for long post. :pface

[RedDario]

If you can afford to spend some time practicing how to drive it on side roads and neighborhoods, go for the manual. If you're (now how can I put this) still ****ting yourself getting onto an expressway, stick to an auto. Manual is better in almost every way, but it takes time to learn how to do it right.