joylove

I love a manual car, I've had two autos, always find a manual to be my kind of drive.

I will be buying used, around the 7-10 year old, and probably a larger engined BMW or similar (330i/530i/M3/M5), because I like manual, RWD and a driver's car.


At least, that's what I'd buy in the UK...



So should I actually be buying an automatic US waftmobile or a Jag etc for sitting in traffic in the commute and trundling down freeways for hours on end?

I have no kids. I will be commuting around Cupertino and the abutted areas, as well as getting out to explore the national parks, Highway 1, Santa Cruz, San Francisco and beyond...

avanutria

Well, when you're in stop and go traffic for an hour, which would you rather do:

1) occasionally lift your foot off the brake for a few seconds to move forward ten feet

or

2) Clutch, shift, gas, clutch, shift, brake. Repeat thirty seconds later.

N1cky

Most of the time you will be on the freeway, when you go to National Parks... it's single lane with no overtaking. The point to me of having a manual is it can make driving fun, there is no fun driving around here.

markwm

I'd go auto just because I can't be asked to have to change gear every few seconds as I snail my way anywhere. You'd also regrets it if you have to drive in SF - those hills are not kind to clutches.

md95065

You just answered your own question. If you like driving a car with manual transmission (a "stick shift" in US parlance) then you will probably be miserable with an automatic.


Traffic around San Jose is heavy during commute hours but mostly just "slow" not "stop and go".

Admittedly, it can happen on Hwy 17 if there has been an accident and that does get a bit tedious but it really doesn't happen very often.

You should, however, practice your hill starts before driving in San Francisco

md95065

I really disagree with that.

Highways 17, 1, 9, 35 and 92 can all be quite fun to drive and they are certainly a lot more fun with a stick ...

Mummy in the foothills

Automatic, so it's easier to hold onto and eat your burger while driving

Scouse Express

Also easier to sell, after you are done with it, too.


Jim.

GeoffM

E3only

And a beer...oops.

Bob

The resell is definitely something to be considered, but if you're looking for a 10 year old clunker, you're going to be driving it to the scrap yard rather than likely to sell it on, so perhaps less of a issue.

Unless you're on a visa and get laid off and need to sell the thing in a rush.

penguinsix

Manuals are not as common, and the resale value of a manual takes a hit when you want to move away.

If you want one because you enjoy it, go for it. The only caveats being a) traffic stop/go, b) the hills of San Fran which really will test your skills and c) if your definition of 'fun' is Grand Prix in and out of lanes accelerating and swerving you won't find much opportunity in the suburbs of San Jose.

My advice would be to rent a car for a few weeks and see what kind of driving you are encountering in your day-to-day and then go from there.

britishtwilight

Good luck even finding a manual to drive!! They are getting harder and harder to find in the US.

englishman_in_NY

From what I've seen most cars here seem to come in a manual version, in fact the MSRP for a new car is usually for the manual version.

If you don't want to get a manual because of heavy traffic, difficulty reselling, etc, I find the next best thing is an auto with optional manual mode.

Bob

Mazda and Honda seem to offer a lot though.