Are you going for paddle shifters, or true manual? Seems the manual drivers are a dying breed...

 

Manual is the only logical choice for me because.
A. It's cheaper
B. more fun (opinion)
C. I am only 28. So my knees haven't given out in traffic yet.

Extra: less people can ask to "take it for a spin"

 

I would have gone manual but:

1. I have left foot problems now.
2. I drive in a lot of stop and go traffic.
3. I'm tall and the new arm rest would get in my way a bit unless I adjusted it down each time I got in the car. I want the arm rest.

 

Manuals are slowly going the way of crank start and roll up windows. I've driven many manuals in my lifetime. My last car was a 6 speed manual FR-S. The automatics today allow as much control to the operator as the manual does plus the automatic does everything more efficiently.

 

Having had a 2007 MCSc with an auto that had paddle shifters and now owning a F56 with the manual, I can say in my opinion that the manual is hands down more fun to drive. It's not like the clutch is hard to depress... Lol Unlike a 68 camaro I once owned with a 200lb spring rate... That beast was hell in traffic haha;-)

 

I would have gone manual but:

A. Automatic is faster
2. Wife may need to drive it
c. Left foot braking is quicker

 

I like the auto for heavy traffic, but I find it doesn't not shift at the points I want when in the twisties. The manual is great when driving the Dragon, where manual is not so good.

 

The availability of a manual was the biggest reason I bought a MINI.

-Matt

 

Went with an auto. I live in a city, so my driving is either traffic light to traffic light or highway. If the Justa had a paddle shifter option I'd have added it, but unfortunately those are S only. Can still use the steptronic shifting from the stick though for when I visit more interesting places to drive!

 

I'm getting the manual. Coming from 2006 R53 convertible with a manual. Clutch is much better in new Mini. Much easier to depress. Haven't had an automatic in 30 years and and not starting now.

 

Manual!!
I drive a 2014 Audi TT roadster with probably the best auto transmission/paddle shifter combo there is.
It's not the same,it will never be the same.
I drive my daughter's Cooper every chance i get!

 

S Coupe Automatic with Paddle Shifters.

Commute is 2 1/2 per day and lots of stand still traffic. Afraid of burning up the clutch. Plus I am old, 52. Had plenty of manuals and yes they are fun.

Having an automatic allows me to enjoy the ride, chat on Amateur Radio, play with the Nav system or HK stereo. And I smoke e-cigs and sip coffee. So a plus all around.

I can't imagine the car having more power with a manual? Paddle shifters, well, any more speed and I will be in trouble. Love the car. Not disappointed, but I guess it depends on commute - traffic here is terrible. Although I miss much by going to work very early.

 

I'm a lifelong manual driver (my R56 is manual) who can no longer have a manual as a daily driver because of lower back issues.

Given a choice I would be ordering a manual. Or not ordering a new car at all (I like my R56).

But since I'm moving to an auto, I went with paddle shifters so I could stand it.

 

In past car I used to communicate via Morse Code. Yes, paddles mounted various places like the hole before the shifter or around the console. Amateur Radio. Hard to send code and shift but did that on a truck.

I guess it is like texting and driving? Long before texting was available and I still don't text.

Used a Tarheel Screwdriver that I could add into the hitch on the S Coupe just because. With a 102 inch whip and coil I am sure it would get looks. But black and would match the car problem is the damn parking decks are too low.

Nice to commute to work and chat with any country in the world

 

Pure 6MT for me, I have had several BMWs with the Dual Clutch Tranny (DCT) with paddle shifters and it is not the same as driving a pure manual. The DCT was faster, but much less involving.

 

I do all that with a manual and I'm not young like you.

 

I'll be more interested in automatic once BMW's new 8-spd becomes available. The current 6-spd auto seems somewhat obsolete already.

 

I have had both MINIs in autos. Only reason I didn't get a manual that day was because they had none on the lot. Probably a good thing for me since I'm not ready for clutch replacements that are over $3k. But if I decide to get the F56 FJCW, I will only get a manual, since I've liked it a little more in the past.

 

Definitely not a dying breed here in Europe.

 

With a manual you are less likely to be distracted by all of the non-driving junk that seems to dominate our lives. It's a whole lot harder to text, eat a hamburger, drink coffee, and trim your nose hairs while driving. If everybody drove manuals I'd be willing to bet there'd be less distracted driving accidents.

 

My wife still manages to text while driving... She says she's using the hands free but I doubt it

 

THAT, and spirited driving also makes me more conscious and aware, and in my mind leads to much safer driving.

 

I drove both the auto and the manual. HAD to have the manual. Makes driving my MINI more enjoyable. Like I'm driving it vs. it driving me. LOL. The auto just seems out of place on a sporty car like this. But I understand the reasons why some people prefer an auto. If you do get the auto, get paddle shifters!

Oh, and I love the fact that I saved around $1,500.00 with the manual (vs. auto and paddles).

 

I highly doubt too many of you have more stop-and-go city traffic to contend with than I do (stopping nearly every tiny block for stop signs, bikes, pedestrians, etc., in "Euro-scaled" Center City, Philadelphia) and yet still I chose a manual again, and every time. It's much more fun, safer (keeps you alert and engaged), gives better immediate power, and is THE BEST theft-deterrent ;-).

Seems to me that those who truly love and drive manuals don't find them burdensome to operate, because it's second-nature. Those that complain that they have too much stop-and-go traffic to contend with for a manual with seem rather phony to me, or at the very least, I'm not very sympathetic to that argument. Only those with physical ailments which are eased by an auto- or those who don't know how to drive a MT get my recognition. As for the rest of you, buying a MINI without a manual transmission is just plain weird to me

And please, quit citing or lamenting the "demise" of manual transmissions if you don't drive one either. You're not helping the situation -- you're contributing to it!

 

Seems like a lot of folks are giving-up their FR-S/BRZs early. May I ask why? Personally, I never felt drawn to that pitcher of Kool-Aid.