Commuters driving stick

[spy00005]

this is going to boil down to personal preference, A/T is easier that M/T also more comfortable especially in stop and go traffic, it just is. that being said M/T isn't all that hard once your used to it, it basically becomes 2nd nature most of the time. im more of a M/T guy all the way so to me its worth the little bit of more "hassle" at times to have the overall more enjoyment of an M/T. but i will say stop and go traffic does suck. are you just driving there and back and is there always traffic. im all for more M/T but think about if it would really work for you. tho i think you will be fine with M/T after you get used to it.

[rawrmatty]

Originally Posted by Braces

You don't choose a transmission in this car based on your time in traffic. You choose the right transmission for the times you will be having loads of fun. Go manual.
Welcome to the forum.

I really like your point of view on this and i tottally agree with you on this one. I shouldn't be looking at the negative i should be looking at the positive.Thank you it feels great to finally come out of the shadows haha

[rawrmatty]

Originally Posted by SnyperSuicide

I actually live in Upland and I take the 210 to work everyday.


It really depends what time of day you drive to work and how far you have to drive. My commute is about 56 miles (I work by LAX), and I have an automatic.


I know a lot of people are die hard manual drivers, but the type of traffic I'm stuck in and the distance, I prefer the automatic.


Plus, it's supposedly a little better on gas mileage. I've gotten almost 400 miles on one tank.


Ooh, and there's also the cool paddle shifters...

Wow yeah you hit traffic hard then and probably know exactly what I go through every day. I live in Rancho Cucamonga and work in Monrovia which is about 32-34 miles I say... So it’s about a daily drive of 40-45 minute commute. The way home is where most of the traffic comes though which can range from about 50 to an hour.

I test drove a 10 series and I do love the paddle shifters. But I did drive a stick FRS not to long after and fell in love with it!

Also thank you everyone for the suggestions and replays I didn't think I was going to get such a response your suggestions and opinions are helping me sooo much! Again thank you! Keep them coming! haha

[rawrmatty]

Originally Posted by spy00005

this is going to boil down to personal preference, A/T is easier that M/T also more comfortable especially in stop and go traffic, it just is. that being said M/T isn't all that hard once your used to it, it basically becomes 2nd nature most of the time. im more of a M/T guy all the way so to me its worth the little bit of more "hassle" at times to have the overall more enjoyment of an M/T. but i will say stop and go traffic does suck. are you just driving there and back and is there always traffic. im all for more M/T but think about if it would really work for you. tho i think you will be fine with M/T after you get used to it.

Honestly stop and go traffic does occur but I would say it’s really 50/50... most of the times its just for about 20 minutes or so then its cruising around 15-30 mph until you get into the clear and are able to do around 50-60... But yeah most of you guys are right it’s more about the long run and being able to enjoy it when you are not in traffic.

[Takuro]

Don't be one of those FRS owners who complains and trades their AT for an MT later on. Just get a manual transmission from the get go. Driving manual in traffic will also make you a better driver learning to engage the clutch, downshift, etc. If I had to choose an automatic, I would've gotten a completely different car entirely, preferably with 4 doors also.

[Manic]

Originally Posted by mav1178

Morning:
60W
10W
405N
110N
101 (both directions)
5N

Afternoon:
opposite direction of above listed freeways

-alex

Don't forget about the 91. I've had the privelege of driving on just about every major so-cal freeway during rush-hour for commuting.

Never have I seen such a great concentration of asshats as I have on the 91 either direction.

[rba]

I would suggest getting a Manuel transmission, if that's the one you Juan.

[dem00n]

Originally Posted by rba

I would suggest getting a Manuel transmission, if that's the one you Juan.

Manuel? That sounds new, does he install it?




If you spend more then 30 minutes a day on a highway where there is a lot of traffic, then i'd go A/T.

[Mikem53]

The manual.. what else is there to do while your
sitting in traffic.. might as well shift.. just think of it as practicing for the times you get to open it up and drive it. Be one with the car.

[Vracer111]

I never understand why the view is that automatics are better suited than manuals for heavy, crawling traffic situations, when the fact is automatic plain SUCK in that situation. Why would you want a transmission that is CONSTANTLY trying to move the car forward faster than it should so you have to constantly be on the brakes to maintain the proper speed? Being on and off brakes constantly is more demanding than any clutch and wears down the brake system quicker than being able to coast, increase, or decrease speed without ever once having to touch the brakes in a manual. Conventional automatic transmissions also can't use engine braking so while going downhill they naturally continue accelerating, whereas a manual transmission will keep the speed even or you can even decrease as needed - all without braking. So how can automatics be so great for traffic when its the one driving situation they are the absolute worst at? Boggles my mind...last thing I want to be stuck in traffic with is a car with an automatic transmission.

[FRiSson]

Bad traffic is a lot older than automatic transmissions. A manual gives you something to do.

[daftpunk]

Originally Posted by Vracer111

I never understand why the view is that automatics are better suited than manuals for heavy, crawling traffic situations, when the fact is automatic plain SUCK in that situation. Why would you want a transmission that is CONSTANTLY trying to move the car forward faster than it should so you have to constantly be on the brakes to maintain the proper speed? Being on and off brakes constantly is more demanding than any clutch and wears down the brake system quicker than being able to coast, increase, or decrease speed without ever once having to touch the brakes in a manual. Conventional automatic transmissions also can't use engine braking so while going downhill they naturally continue accelerating, whereas a manual transmission will keep the speed even or you can even decrease as needed - all without braking. So how can automatics be so great for traffic when its the one driving situation they are the absolute worst at? Boggles my mind...last thing I want to be stuck in traffic with is a car with an automatic transmission.

Absolutely true, I also prefer a MT in heavy traffic over automatic. It's also a much more comfortable ride letting your car crawl at a constant speed, and then when you need to, releasing throttle/clutching in to slow down the car instead of that gas-brake-gas-brake business. Manual transmission is much better in traffic, but it's in your throttle control.

[Seabrz]

Originally Posted by Marchy

My commute goes down I405 in seattle. Seattle was recently rated the 6th worst traffic in the US. Both my cars are manual and I have 0 issues. Sure the automatic would make it easier, but then again i'm more likely to fall asleep behind the wheel because my brain is on autopilot in an autotrajic.

Yep, Seattle traffic is just plain terrible. You would think people would be used to the rain by now...


I drive 35 miles South to Seattle daily and hit some heavy traffic. This car is my first manual and had a couple frustrating days at first (stop and go traffic on steap hills) but now it is just second nature. Go for the manual man, very worth it.

[Hanni_0176]

If you're sitting in stop and go traffic for several hours at a time, you're legs are going to get sore, regardless of how light the clutch is. Luckily, I don't have to deal with stop and go traffic often, and when I do, it's usually no more than an hour of it at one time. FWIW, I don't consider the traffic stop and go unless you're actually stopping. The "slow down to 20 mph and then speed back up" is pretty easy to drive through with a stick and requires far less leg work.

However, I personally could not justify (to myself) getting an automatic in a sports car when I have the option to get a manual instead. The driving experience is just completely different, and you really feel connected to the car when you have to be conscience of your speed, rpm's, the gear you're in, rev-matching, so on and so forth. If the stop and go traffic was bad enough for me to consider getting an auto, I'd probably be looking at driving a different car for that sort of commute. Luckily for me, my FR-S 6MT fits my driving needs perfectly.