[TheGeekFreek]

so.. Im still procrastinating on buying the VT because I still havent decided on all the details but I have one major detail left..

The trans..

My whole life I've driven automatic Mid-size SUV's, and the only time I ever drove a manual was a 3-speed golf cart.. This will likely end up being a VERY extremist conversation just due to the nature of 50/50 choice, but I would mostly like to hear from the people that normally drive manuals that now drive an auto. I could go learn how to drive an manual but Im trying to just figure out if its worth while on the VT.. My main concern, the MPG.

Yes, I already have friends and coworkers making fun of my wanting to get an automatic sports car, however I do 95% highway driving (85 miles a day) during non-traffic hours so its all open road, and I could just as easily shift at low RPM with paddle shifters in the auto. Not to mention, with the manual you lose out on some keyless features.

So what say you people???
Learn to drive a manual for the fun factor a gas savings?
Stick with the auto, keep the keyless stuff, use paddles to assist in gas saving?

 

[4gcarbon]

What keyless features are you talking about? The manual will by far be faster and more fun to drive unless you have a lot of slow stop & go traffic..

 

[smb73]

Of course, you should always buy what makes you happy, Your friends aren't helping with the payments, are they? No? Then they need to STFU.

I think however you are cheating yourself by going with a automatic. You have no power, more control and definitely more fun in a manually transmission. It can suck in heavy traffic conditions but how often does that really happen to you?

 

[smb73]

What keyless features are you talking about? The manual will by far be faster and more fun to drive unless you have a lot of slow stop & go traffic..

He's referring to the keyless entry and start features which I believe is standard so he's not leaving that option out by switching transmissions.

 

[Rantlers]

Yeah, I believe the only feature you'll lose with the M/T is remote vehicle start.

If you expect that most of your driving will remain low traffic highway for years to come then I definitely vote for the manual. Because the better power delivery/fun factor/all that crap aside, you won't being doing much shifting in either the manual or the auto w/ paddle-shifters out on the open highway. And that open highway is exactly where the manual is supposed to really top the auto in fuel efficiency (38 MPG vs 34 MPG). Granted, that's just the EPA estimates and people haven't really had the cars long enough to confirm anything, but as of right now I'd say that's the clear choice. Plus it gives you the option of finding some windy roads on the weekend and letting your ego believe you're fit to be a race car driver (I know I'll be doing that - I go to school out in central PA).

However, if waiting for the interior to heat up or cool down is a serious issue or you need the car ASAP, you may wish to go with an auto (reasons being lack of remote start and more limited availability with M/T).

 

[ezioauditore]

He's referring to the keyless entry and start features which I believe is standard so he's not leaving that option out by switching transmissions.

close, but not quite. people seemed to be quite confused with this in another thread too. keyless ENTRY (lock/unlock) WILL BE AVAILABLE on the manual. the only keyless feature NOT available on the manual is keyless START. only AUTOMATICS will have the keyless start.
hope that clears things up.

 

[4gcarbon]

Keyless Start comes on both auto and manual!!

Heres a pic of "MANUAL" with keyless push start

 

[Rantlers]

Yes, let's not confuse keyless start (aka push-button start) with remote start (where you don't even need to be in the vehicle).

 

[ezioauditore]

i stand corrected. i made a mistake. when i said keyless start i meant remote start (via the iphone/android app etc). sorry for the confustion
*facepalm*

 

[TheGeekFreek]

Maybe I was a bit unclear, but yes, its the keyless start is what I'm worried about.. I live in Ohio so pre-heating my car in the winter is pretty much a necessity and running out to start up my truck sucks, especially if I wake up kinda late.

I'm not so much caving to this because my friends think its stupid to get a sports car thats auto, and while I kind of agree, I've never driven a manual and would rather not learn in a brand new car.. I do VERY little stop and go driving so it really wouldnt be bad at all.. I test drove the NAV and it didnt seem to have teh get-up-and-go power for passing people on some of the 2-lane roads up here, so I figure the turbo is a nice touch to fix that, but I have to get away from my gas guzzlin durango one way or another. The manual sounds like fun, just not sure if its worth essentially re-learning to drive. I just think back to all the times I've ridden in friends vehicles that were manual and it was the most uncomfortable ride ever with all the jerks while shifting.. maybe they suck at driving manuals, maybe they are all kinda like that, I just know that I'm not a big fan of the shift shock.

Is the paddle shift on the auto really that bad?

 

[Dino64]

Hi guys — I'm getting ready to buy my VT — silver/ultimate, but can't decide on the M/T vs A/T. Anybody know the real gas mileage difference? I'm leaning A/T, but want to hear from people who have them first.

 

[cbrmale]

Like all small turbos, fuel consumption differs much more by the way you drive than the transmission type. Around town the automatic should be thirstier because of torque converter drag at low speeds; in country driving there is little difference because the automatic has torque converter lock-up on gears 4, 5 and 6. I average 8.2 litres / 100km on my automatic around town and the same on country back roads, and this improves to 7.5 / 7.6 with freeway cruising at about 120. I don't mind using the performance when I can, but I also plan ahead and coast up to red lights and that sort of thing.

The manuals have a few problems in regards to jerky throttle response which the automatic doesn't suffer from. Basically you put your foot down and the gearbox changes smoothly, with two-stage changes in the upper gears (change gear and then lock the torque converter). No revs hanging and some of the other problems the manuals have.

 

[papabear]

Like all small turbos, fuel consumption differs much more by the way you drive than the transmission type. Around town the automatic should be thirstier because of torque converter drag at low speeds; in country driving there is little difference because the automatic has torque converter lock-up on gears 4, 5 and 6. I average 8.2 litres / 100km on my automatic around town and the same on country back roads, and this improves to 7.5 / 7.6 with freeway cruising at about 120. I don't mind using the performance when I can, but I also plan ahead and coast up to red lights and that sort of thing.

The manuals have a few problems in regards to jerky throttle response which the automatic doesn't suffer from. Basically you put your foot down and the gearbox changes smoothly, with two-stage changes in the upper gears (change gear and then lock the torque converter). No revs hanging and some of the other problems the manuals have.

Interesting...Mine is manual and I am getting around the 7.4 lts per 100 k around town driving it without care for saving fuel and on long trips cruising at the legal 110 kph I am getting 6.6/6.8 lts per 100k Maybe manuals are better at fuel consumption after all. Other problems you quoted I certainly don't have but it is really a matter of choice isn't it? Some will love A/T's whilst other will always prefer M/T especially in a car like ours.

 

[Bobster]

Evil asketh..."Is the paddle shift on the auto really that bad?"
In a word, NO! I have an automatic and love it because among all the automatics I've had thru the years this one is superior not only for smooth shifts but also for the variety of ways that I can shift. Most fun is to drive in "Sport" mode especially in hilly, open-road cruising. Next is to keep in in regular "Automatic" mode and use my paddleshifters for quick down- and up-shift depending on conditions. All that said I started driving in 1968. My first car (a HS graduation gift) was a Corvair Monza 900 with four-on-the-floor. I had to learn and it was a b*%&h for a few weeks but then it became second nature. I drove many manual cars until that seminal moment in LA, stuck on the 405 Freeway in my '89 CRX manual. I traded that weekend and never looked back. I live in Metro DC and spend 3 hours each day in the sprawl-n-crawl and I can't IMAGINE doing that with a stick. Bottom-line is that the Turbo allows easy commutes AND some fun driving on the weekends by using the very versatile automatic in its "manual" modes -AND my left leg has a great time relaxing . I average 29.3 mpg overall so gas mileage is fine by me. Now this is just ME, but when more and more hi-end sports cars with sophisticated drivetrains go fully-automatic that says something about the future of driving. Whatever YOU do is RIGHT for YOU...but if you get the automatic I think you will LOVE it...and remember, manual gives you only ONE way to shift, automatic gives you options.

 

[Dino64]

Evil asketh..."Is the paddle shift on the auto really that bad?"
In a word, NO! I have an automatic and love it because among all the automatics I've had thru the years this one is superior not only for smooth shifts but also for the variety of ways that I can shift. Most fun is to drive in "Sport" mode especially in hilly, open-road cruising. Next is to keep in in regular "Automatic" mode and use my paddleshifters for quick down- and up-shift depending on conditions. All that said I started driving in 1968. My first car (a HS graduation gift) was a Corvair Monza 900 with four-on-the-floor. I had to learn and it was a b*%&h for a few weeks but then it became second nature. I drove many manual cars until that seminal moment in LA, stuck on the 405 Freeway in my '89 CRX manual. I traded that weekend and never looked back. I live in Metro DC and spend 3 hours each day in the sprawl-n-crawl and I can't IMAGINE doing that with a stick. Bottom-line is that the Turbo allows easy commutes AND some fun driving on the weekends by using the very versatile automatic in its "manual" modes -AND my left leg has a great time relaxing . I average 29.3 mpg overall so gas mileage is fine by me. Now this is just ME, but when more and more hi-end sports cars with sophisticated drivetrains go fully-automatic that says something about the future of driving. Whatever YOU do is RIGHT for YOU...but if you get the automatic I think you will LOVE it...and remember, manual gives you only ONE way to shift, automatic gives you options.

Thanks for the reply! This is great info, from you all. I've been worried about the A/T's gas mileage and fun factor, but you've helped alleviate that. Thanks again.

 

[cbrmale]

Interesting...Mine is manual and I am getting around the 7.4 lts per 100 k around town driving it without care for saving fuel and on long trips cruising at the legal 110 kph I am getting 6.6/6.8 lts per 100k Maybe manuals are better at fuel consumption after all. Other problems you quoted I certainly don't have but it is really a matter of choice isn't it? Some will love A/T's whilst other will always prefer M/T especially in a car like ours.

Canberra traffic is somewhat heavier than Cobram so I would expect higher fuel consumption around town. The speedo is 6 km/h out so I cruise on the freeway at an indicated 125 which is a lot faster (110 indicated is 104 actual). Country roads around Canberra are mostly winding and hilly which is different to the flat plains around Cobram, so this is partly why I get low 8s, especially that I drive at 115 indicated (110 actual).

 

[Stone Axe]

I bought the MT because I'm an MT guy and my previous car was an economy wagon with an AT - so I wanted a change.

If you are not an MT guy/gal and aren't sure about buying an MT my advice is don't do it - get an AT. The AT in the VT is really good, there is nothing wrong with it. Depending on who you ask or how you measure it the AT is as fast and gets as good mileage as the MT.

As much as I love my MT there are times that even I wish I had the AT. But there are more times where the MT is really fun and I love going through the gears.

The MT also has a cool factor too. When I'm showing it off to people and they see the gear shift they always remark about it because they rare nowadays and ask if it is a 5 speed. When I tell them it is a 6 speed they always say, "Cool!"

 

[letigre21]

What kind of driving do you do? Heavy city/traffic areas? If yes to traffic, I would consider an A/T just for the sake of your sanity. If traffic/commute isn't so bad, then M/T. I chose an A/T VT after owning a manual just because of the fear of traffic (I live in Southern California) but somehow am slowly regretting that decision. The VT is great with a manual. It's all personal preference. Remote start capabilities would be lost with a manual however. Good luck!

 

[SteveJinSoCal]

I'm a Ventura County, SoCal VT owner - but I've always driven manuals, so that was the car I waited (and waited) for. I'd agree with letigre21 - it's all a matter of personal preference - and my preference is to stop my left foot getting bored. Then gain after a 5 1/2 crawl once from San Diego to Thousand Oaks in my old Civic Coupe, my left leg felt like lead - which I'm guessing makes a change from my right foot.

I haven't driven the A/T version so I can't comment on how responsive or fun the paddle shifters are, although when I test drove a Mini Coupe S with paddle shifters it felt a little unresponsive (my wife who owns a M/T mini said the same, so it's not just me). If it were me, I'd test drive both and then go with whatever your heart (rather than your head!) says.

 

[marathonveloster]

Alright I drive a VT automatic, If I stay out of the gas I get 31mpg, if you want to get up and go all you have to do is downshift with the paddle shifters and step on the gas, plenty of power. Either way will work, it's just up to you. By the way driving a manual is not difficult at all, I am 15 and have learned fairly quick. I have not mastered it, but I have learned it.