I agree with Chili. Practice where there is no stress about traffic. Find a deserted parking lot, or a quiet residential street. Do starts until it feels automatic.

Due to unusual circumstances, I had my first car before I could get a driver's license. So, my Dad drove me to a dead-end private road about a block away. The residents had put up speed bumps on this road, so it was a very slow road with little traffic. I got lots of practice on how to use the clutch. This slow intro to driving helped a great deal. When I finally faced Los Angeles traffic, I was ready.

 

The only reason I have Swifty is because the previous owner got tired of commuting in LA. She misses the stick, but the auto is better for parking on the freeway... er "commuting."

 

I do a 22 miles each-way commute 5 days / week through Orange County - north on the 5, through the orange split (405/5).

I drive a manual.

The MCS is extremely flexible, hardly seeming to care what gear it is in once rolling.

It is certainly not a heavy clutch either, personally for the fun factor the 6-spd manual is hard to beat, but I did have a loaner MCSa once and enjoyed that, especially the paddle shifter.....

 

Unless there was bumper-to-bumper traffic for a large part of the commute,
I'd want manual. However, this is a personal thing and what is good for one person is not for another.

If you can, test drive a manual and an automatic. See how you like them. It doesn't take long for the manual to become second nature, if you practice where you are not stressed by traffic.

I haven't driven a MINI with manual, but was considering getting one. The MCS with auto had not started arriving when I ordered. The paddle shifters seemed like a cool idea. I'd wanted a car with paddle shifters since I learned about the idea from F1 cars. So, after test driving an MCS manual, I test drove a VW GTI with paddle shifters. I found them to be dead boring. The GTI handled well, and was reasonably fast (took it out to some twisty farmland roads on the test drive), but I did not find it much fun. Seemed more like a commute than a "drive." I kept thinking I should be wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase.

 

I knew how to drive manual but the MINI was the first manual car that I owned and I haven't driven a manual in long time, so I did need a bit of practice. You can try renting a car with a MT, usually the places like Avis don't have them but some smaller rental places or exotic car rental places will, but usually you have to rent a corvette or something which isn't too cheap (probably around $150 per day) but it's worth it if it helps you make up your mind. You can also try to find a driving school that offers lessons on manuals.

If you do get the MT and since you are pretty new to MT I'd recommend that you don't drive it in heavy traffic right away, just practice for a couple of weeks like an hour or 2 each day that will prevent you from getting frustrated if the car keeps stalling.

Some people have difficulty learning to drive stick but I think it has mostly to do with them not enjoying driving in general. If you think driving is fun, and don't get discouraged too easily driving stick will probably make it even more fun after you get the hang of it.

The way I look at it driving in traffic sucks no matter if you have an AT or a MT at least with a MT you'll get a little exercise

Edit: I just read Robins comment above and couldn't agree more, including the part about it varying from person to person. Obviously you'll find people that will advise you both ways so in the end it's really your choice.

 

I agree...if traffic seems to move along pretty well then a manual is fine. It's that stop-and-go stuff that's the killer!!

BTW, I had several MC automatic loaner cars and I thought they drove very nicely. All the famous MINI handling was there...and the auto-shifting seemed very quick. Great car!!

 

it's true what Kurt says: I gave up Swifty for an automatic because of the commute on our lovely roads in So Cal and the around town driving does not inspire spirited driving. It has saved my sanity in many ways but I long for the stick shift performance that the automatic does not match. I keep thinking I have a "neutered" MINI. It is simply a different car with the automatic 6 speed. I wish I could utilize the Sport or the M setting but even then it becomes too high strung for the high traffic areas I have to be in. I have loved it when I can do that, the car turns into a Jekyll and Hyde personality. OMIGOSH it does have zoom . The paddle shifters are amazing and work flawlessly. I love the MINI for the handling and parking advantages. Truth be told, I have been considering going back to the 6speed stick...in a trade or getting in line to buy the new 1 series 128 or 135. But my car is paid for, so I should enjoy it while I have no payments.

 

Addedum,
I just noticed pandy is in torrance...I'm in Redondo Beach and my pattern of driving is about the same. You may pm me if you want more info or opinion on this....

 

The decision for manaul vs. auto is such a personal decision. I learned to drive manual when I was 15 and with the exception of my gianormous van, that's all I have ever driven. I could not stand the idea of having the auto over the manual and besides you could spend the money saved on other options. But then again if all you ever plan on doing is driving in rush our traffic or the auto just fits your needs, then get one.

 

Actually, my bf has a s2k and i've practiced on it, but his car isnt that fun cause his car is lowered and if you've sat in that car, you know the seat is pretty low, makes me uncomfortable, he's got the sports clutch too so my left foot gets really tired and just a few drives around the block, i am not having fun(in the very beginning when i wasn't that used to it)... Surprisingly, i've done pretty well except that time i downshifted from 2nd to 1st when i meant to go 3rd driving like 30 miles...LOL...thankfully, late at night and nobody was behind me. I do like to drive, it's fun, traffic doesn't get to me, i don't get road rage..My bf had me take a 2 hr lesson with a professional instructor before he let me touch his car. I've tried the manual a long time ago but never had enough consistent practice to get the hang of it, then last yr, took the lesson and had some practices at the parking lot while my bf did red light, green light scenarios..but yet i still don't feel that confident...that is why i worry, maybe i'm just not cut out to be a manual driver??? maybe i just need to drive it everyday...(i didn't do that). I swear i'm a good automatic driver.

 

What a commute, then again you are in 6th gear..hehe..i can only rely on neutral and 1st gear comments here.. , for i am a newbie. jk.
My bf tried out the paddle shifters for me , he thought they were kinda useless

 

If you have a daily one hour or more commute each way in jam packed heavy urban traffic then manual transmission is going to get old fast no matter how much you might initially like it.

For that, it's easier to live with an automatic.

If you rarely get heavy traffic or it is limited to about 30 minutes each way then manual is an option.

If you do long weekend trips with lots of fun places to drives with lots of curves then manual transmission is very nice.

MINI makes a good manual and good automatic transmission so either way you are OK but you have to live with what you choose.

From 1991 to 2003 I had only automatic transmissions and not much heavy traffic to deal with. I got my MINI with 6 speed manual and used it in heavy traffic for the last 4 years and deal with it. I choose times to commute with slightly less traffic so it's a bit easier. Leave early or leave later.

 

I used to commute in my Mustang. Bucked like a unbroken horse in stop start. Bit of a pain, but I'd never trade it for an auto because of when I wasn't in stop start traffic.

For newbies to manual, you really just have to make a choice. There are compramises with both. If you're scared and uncertain, I thik the decision has already been made, you just don't know it!

But if you want to add stick driving to your repetoir, don't let a commute keep you from doing it. You will get good faster than you know.

Matt

 

If this is a commuter car and you are dealing with LA traffic...no way would I buy a manual. I think you'd be much happier overall with an automatic.

Of course, that's just an opinion...I just think you'd get tired of the constant shifting...my $.02

 

I wouldn't worry about not being proficient right away. I started out with an automatic 2004 MINI Cooper. Then, after just two lessons (once in a large parking lot for 10 minutes with a friend, and again for a few hours with the MA after I signed the paperwork for my new MINI), I traded in my 2004 auto for a 2006 MCS manual! It was a little rough at first, but when you're *forced* to drive it (it's my only vehicle), you'll be surprised at how quickly you pick it up!

Having said that though, I don't know if I'd want to deal with hours of traffic day in and day out with a manual. My foot would tire out pretty quickly! The automatic is just about as much fun as a manual in a MINI, especially once you get the feel for the paddles and electronic manual modes. I had the 'slowest' MINI that was made, and it still never failed to put a smile on my face!


-Paul!

 

hey everyone,
so i finally put in my order! thank you for all your advice, insight, thoughts...i appreciated them all! so you wanna know what i ended up with?
ok...here goes!!

07 Mini
Dark Silver
Blk roof
Premium Package
DSC
Xenons
Ipod interface
MANUAL! -> Oh, what the heck!!
Chrome Line Interior
Cloth Seats
Nav
Bluetooth
Arm rest
Interior Surface Fluid Silver

The stripes and chrome mirror i will add later...

 

Good choice !! You surly know the fun of Mini. :P

 

I really appreciate the options my 03' Cooper CVT affords me. Vancouver traffic can be a real pain . You don't drive around Vancouver half the time, you crawl around it. I love my CVT when I have to drive downtown and when I want to have fun....well there's SD and manual mode it's win win the way I see it

 

I have an auto MC now as a loaner for a loong trip (thank you, Mini of pittsburgh - GREAT dealer and James really helped me out). I normally drive an '06 Checkmate MCS so the MC was a change. VERY pleasant, great handling, seats, smell (mmm, leather!), but I have to say the MC auto sounds a little like a Cavalier at full chat...

 

pssh you complain about that commute, im usually 30 min over 9 miles miles in cincinnati. and we dont have many people I drive a manual and i dont think its a big deal in traffic. Main thing is just stop and go up hill thatll start to get on your nerves. Manuals are great for the quick lane changing anyways, nothing like instant response.

 

That's funny, I live in Pittsburgh but am in Cincy this week and part of next... see a black/white roof '07 MC on 75 South lately? Hopefully you'll see my black/silver roof MCS next week though (had it in for a CEL).

Traffic in Cincy is congested, to be sure, but not NJ/CA/Boston kind of congested... and the drivers are less clueless and FAR less rude!

 

I'm die-hard manual myself...would move closer to work before I'd switch to an automatic.

That being said, if you can't move closer to work , you might get quite sick of the 1st, 2nd..1st, 2nd, 3rd...1st...routine. It can make your left thigh really start to ache from hovering--like one-legged pilates. But maybe you need the exercise?

 

The automatic gives you choice in heavy traffic. In my heart, I'm a 6 speed gal. However, I am a realist as to the terrain in which I live: hills, stop and go traffic. Clutching all the time is wearying.

Know yourself. Test drive both. And, know that the automatic gives you these choices:

1) Full automatic
2) Full automatic in Sport Mode
3) Paddle shifters
4) Paddle shifters in Sport Mode
5) Manual stick shift
6) Manual stick shift in Sport Mode

Am I forgetting anything

Happy Trails

 

Yes, that it isn't manual stick shift.

The "manual mode" of the automatic MINIs is an extremely poor substitute for a real manual.

(yes, I'm sure you already realize this since you're a "6 speed gal", but the way you presented all of the choices, I wanted to make it clear that it isn't an apples vs. apples comparison - not even close!)

 

I agree...the manual is just that much more fun!

PS> I commute 1+ hr each way to work everyday in stop & go traffic (Bay Area Hwy 101)