Auto or stick shift In San Jose Area, CA?
#1
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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...![Sneaky](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/sneaky.gif)
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...
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...
![Sneaky](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/sneaky.gif)
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...
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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.
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.
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#3
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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...![Sneaky](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/sneaky.gif)
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...
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...
![Sneaky](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/sneaky.gif)
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...
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#4
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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...![Sneaky](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/sneaky.gif)
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...
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...
![Sneaky](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/sneaky.gif)
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...
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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
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Automatic, so it's easier to hold onto and eat your burger while driving
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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.
Unless you're on a visa and get laid off and need to sell the thing in a rush.
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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.
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.
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Good luck even finding a manual to drive!! They are getting harder and harder to find in the US.
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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.
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