I wouldn't use FIAT and it's highly-questionable marketing strategies as a guide for anyone on how things ought to be. Marchionne is a screw-up, from all I've seen. He's no Carlos Ghosn, that's for sure!

 

Enjoy while you can. They don't have plans for a manual electric car!....and when you argue advanced technology electric cars win on every level. I for one enjoy my manual steam engine....but there is way better technology than coal.... and petrol!

 

Go for the manual. It's a great shifting transmission with excellent gear spacing. It will give you much more control over the car and make driving more fun. I've driven both. The manual is a "no brainer."

 

I'd drive both versions of the car and make the decision after that.

Like others, I live I the NYC area and commute about 2 hours each way to the office. After selling my manual mini and moving to autos (were a 1 car family until recently when I picked up a GTI with a DSG) I've regretted it selling that car. I really don't care for the current manual in the MINI MCS (the manual in the jcw is better). I don't like auto rev matching downshifts in sport mode, but I still find it better than the automatic.

There are a few reasons I'd go manual still. I decided about 4 months ago to sell my GTI. When I began searching for a MINI I found that the autos did not retain their value as well as the manuals (which seems to be an issue for MINI all around these days). I also didn't like that MINI is using an old auto transmission in their current cars compared to parent BMW. Our family car is a 3 GT with the sport auto transmission and it's fantastic. Driving it back to back with the MINI after a test drive left me feeling like the MINI auto could've been so much better (and probably will be after the mid cycle refresh or next gen).

Just my thoughts, but good luck and enjoy whatever one you choose.

 

While I appreciate the fun of matching shifts, etc., manuals in California account for a very small percentage of MINI sales and, in my experience, have a lower resale value ( R and F models). Check out a Porsche lot. No manuals. Very few want them and that includes used car buyers.
I get the impression that forums like NAM ( I enjoy going here ) represent a very low percentage of their brands' buyers.

 

I wonder how much longer they will continue to use the 6 speed auto when they already use the 8 speed in some cars.

 

The idea is that the 6 speed will be used on the smaller models and the 8 speed on the larger models (Clubman and Countryman).

 

I have driven sticks all my 73 years. Both daily and dragging. I had a chance to buy a low mile 2005 R52S with an auto. Did some mods (15% pulley, DDM CAI) and loved it. But, the shift points were always wonky and unpredictable. Went to the Dragon and Jan @RMW tuned my car. I told him how unhappy I was with the shifting and he worked his magic. Shifts are now firm and predictable, making the auto mode a lot more fun to drive.

 

I got a card from the dealer where I bought the early '13 Clubman I'm driving now. Got me thinking maybe I should trade up to a '16 model, the ones they're looking to unload, so I started looking thru various dealer inventories.

Autos outnumber manuals seven, maybe eight to one.

Being that my first stick was a '65 1275-S Austin-Cooper maybe there's a reason I've ALWAYS preferred stick since then though I admit the TipTronics are sweet!

Just more $$ for the 'convenience' of getting around not having a foot for that third pedal.

 

Never a question always a manual!

 

If you have to ask, just go with the auto(it's not a bad one). The stick in the mini is easy, even the clutch take up makes the engine rev lightly (I don't like this, by the way). You just have to make sure you're in the correct gear. Learning to drive a stick is a non issue, you will be proficient in a day or two. Certainly more tedious in heavy traffic. People that prefer a third pedal know why they prefer it, like I said, if you have to ask.......

 

I think you're 100% correct that forum members like those found here represent a small fraction of the MINI buying public.

However, living in the NYC metro area, I've found exactly the opposite to be true of resale value while searching for my new to me R56 MCS over the past 6 months.

While new car sales certainly favor autos over sticks, I've noticed that in the northeast (and largely through to the mid-west as well) the used car market for manuals seems to be in higher demand on these vehicles. I had a really tough time finding an example that was well optioned and had less than 50K miles for less than $20K. Autos were fairly easy to come by and seem to be sitting on lot for quite some time. I even had a dealer admit to me (not a MINI dealer) that they'll even list these cars as manuals rather than autos just to get the traffic in.

These cars with autos are great and honestly, with the F5X body style, I might opt for that route given the rev-matched downshifting, etc. But I'll still take my R56 with a stick.

 

I agree with everything you say. I really enjoyed my '12S Manuel ( especially the midrange torque).
I just have to say that the convenience of an Auto with the quick shifts ( especially the downshifts) make the Auto to most ( maybe close to 90%) the first choice.And in all tests, the auto out performs.

 

This discussion will never go one way or the other....both the auto & the manual are great! BUT, it's not always been that way....quite the opposite actually! Historically autos have been introduced with new technology with all sorts of bells & whistles & gimmicks to appeal to the family sedan making it practical. What happened most if not all of the time was "performance suffered" with the automatic transmission! Look at all the classic & valuable historic cars...the manual trans with the 3rd pedal almost always brings MORE money!

With advancements in technology, including race car technology, these days the automatic sport transmission is now at the forefront & more desirable for many drivers for many reasons! I'm fine with that, but there is something more "mechanical" with the manual transmission & that's what makes me feel comfortable so it's the manual for me without question.

For those of you who learned driving in a car with an automatic you will tend toward the automatic, even if you drive a sports car! That's just the way it is! The test drive I took in an F56 JCW with steptronic auto with paddles was admittedly awkward for me because I had no clue how to drive with the paddles....without the paddles it was just plain BORING!....no thank you! But, when my MA took over the wheel and put that JCW through its paces on a twisty road I couldn't believe how quick it was!

So, I say go with what makes you comfortable & makes you smile! The only thing that worries me about the auto trans is when it breaks....I won't be able to fix that myself or anyone without great expense! I like keeping my cars as "mechanical" and simple as possible....electronics can be great when they work but completely kill a road trip when they fail! Then there's the cost factor! No, I'm all in sticking with the stick!

 

For me a manual trans is the only way to go. Being fully engaged is way more fun. My wife who just got her medicare card will only drive a stick shift. All that aside it really may be a great theft deterrent, since shifting a manual transmission is quickly becoming a lost art to the younger generation.