Hey everyone...another thing i'm pondering over. Should i get a manual or an automatic?

I know a lot of ppl on this forum drive a manual. The mini seems like it was meant to be a fun car driven in manual, but i drive from the Southbay to Burbank (for those who live in So Cal know what that traffic is like). And for those who aren't around here, it's 33 miles and i probably take like an hr to work and 1 hr and 15 mins home. I hit traffic....and another thing is, i am new to driving a manual. I'm still learning. I think the mini's manual is actually pretty easy to drive. With the turbo, it feels less jerky because you have more control of how you drive the car.

Soo...i'd like to know from your experience...do you think it's really a big deal that i'll clutch often, am i going to get used to it? My bf says it's not a big deal once i get used to it , my other friend says get the manual too...and i do save some money, another great thing because after reading this forum more and more, there are soo many specs i'd like to add...like the anthracite headliner...i didn't even think about that until i stumbled on a thread here tonight!

 

If you've never driven manual before, I think you're going to get a LOT of clutch practice in LA traffic. Here's a thread that might help you decide:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=110701

 

WASSUP, I live in N.J.and my wife bought me season tix to the METS and we bought an R56 MCS in auto because we go through the lincoln tunnel at least 3 x a week I would love to have manual trans. when just driving around but everytime I'm in traffic I'm glad I went with the auto hope I could help! but whatever you choose the car is so much fun 2 drive also the tiptronic shift on the wheel is fun 2 shift!

 

It really is a tough decision. I'm a gear-rower at heart, but my SO doesn't know how to drive stick (yet). I drive a similar commute in Norcal, though I have been driving manuals for 7-8 yrs (the last 5 in that commute). I do think it's a terrific compromise if you're doing alot of traffic driving, want some shifting fun if not knowing how to drive stick, or for other potential drivers (who can't drive stick). I test drove both on the Mini (both S and base), and though I could see the novelty of the autobox, that's what it was...a novelty - it just didn't have the same fun factor as the manual FOR ME. So...I got the manual, and am in the process of trying to teach my SO. Though the constant shifting can get a bit of a burden in traffic day-after-day, it's just sooooooooooooo much fun, and worth it to me. Again, I'm a gear-rower at heart (so take that with a grain of salt), and hopefully I can convert my SO since she wants to drive it so bad (motivation? =D). I definitely think it's something you can get used to...and at least you'll be getting alot of practice! =D I'd say if you enjoy driving a manual, go for it! Extra bonus is the +mpg and $$ savings!

My best advice is this. Test drive both, and see which YOU like better. Try and feel both. Nothing beats first hand experience. Good luck! Let us know which one you end up choosing!

 

I was in L.A. about a month ago and got stuck in traffic from Hollywood to Anaheim. All I could say was I'm glad I don't live in L.A.! I think you would burn out a clutch pretty fast if that was your daily commute. I ordered a manual but if I drove in the L.A. traffic....Automatic all the way!

 

pandy, I posted in the other thread, but I think that considering the heavy traffic you have to commute in, the automatic may be better for you. Test-drive one and ask the Motoring Advisor to show you how to use the paddles and sport mode. The automatic in the MCS is very versatile! Good luck!

 

I grew up in West Los Angeles. First car was an Alfa Romeo with a 4 speed manual. Learned to drive in rush hour. Recently drove my MCS (manual) through rush hour on the Santa Monica frwy. Also have transversed Silicon Valley during rush hour to get to MINI of Mountian View several times. I didn't find it a big deal. Not sure how I would feel doing it every day.

I would really miss the manual trans when not in a traffic jam. So, I think it boils down to how much you like having a manual.

Also, you can get really cool shift ***** for the manual, but not for the automatic.

 

i live in LA.. there is alot of traffic here.. so i bought an automatic..

 

The MT got old really fast in Atlanta traffic.
I have two Minis --- both AT.

 

Driving a Mini in manual is really fun, even i am live in Hong Kong area. Stop and Go is my daily life, but it all become nothing, when you driving around the winding road on the maintain. Your Baby will become part of you when running around the winding road. You can hear her laughing!!!! :P

 

Thats beautiful poetry Adampoon.

 

Thank you. I will stay in manual mode, even for R58

 

if you can control the throttle well enough, you can just roll around in 2nd in traffic, keep a bit of a space and let all the automatics free wheel and brake, while you engine compress to slow and then ease the gas to keep it from stalling.

There lots of traffic on my comutes in the week, but my wife and i both drive manuals and would never go anyother way.

 

I've been a gear-changer my entire life, but when I'm dealing with the NY area traffic I much prefer an automatic. When I was in my twenties I could deal with a manual in traffic jams, but not since. No fun. Too much work.

 

With a long-ish commute and traffic, the automatic seems a good choice. Besides, when you want to have more manual engagement, you can always use those nifty paddle shifters.

 

I have done it a dozen times and didn't like it. Thank goodness my commuting isn't a stop-and-go!

 

I live in LA, and I used to commute from Northridge to Huntington Beach. Unless you really enjoy giving your left foot a work out, I would go with the automatic. You can really easily spot a manual driver in traffic. Those would be the people leaving about 2 cars length in front of them in traffic, so they don't have to use the clutch.

 

This was a concern that I had when picking out my MINI. I decided to go with a MT and never regretted it. The MT is a lot more fun driving the AT I felt like I was driving an appliance, really didn't feel that much more fun than my crappy old car. Even when stuck in traffic I never wished for an auto, most of the time I just let the car roll in 2nd but (and I doubt this would happen) if you burn your clutch out under 36K miles you'll get it replaced with the maintenance plan.

 

I regularly commute from NJ to the far reaches of Long Island, in rush hour traffic, and I have no issues with the manual. Sure an Auto is the lazy option but I can deal with the hardship of having complete control of my car.

 

I live in Boston and this is my first standard. I wouldn't dream of owning this car as an auto. Admitibly, the auto would be easier in commuter traffic, but I would kick myself for getting it when I'm on the open road. But that's just me! Get whatever you are most comfortable with. Do yourself a favor though: if you do get the manual practice in a parking lot, just going from a stop into first, before you tackle rush-hour.

 

this is what my friend said too, leave it in 2nd..
But question for you is, did you already know how to drive in manual before you got the car? That's my worry i guess..i'm still new to it.

 

It sounds to me, your thinking is, practice,practice,practice until i like it?? Cause in the end, it's all worth it??

 

haha, dang , you are hardcore! probably easier for you with years of experience i'm guessing?

 

I have no doubt you can learn to drive a clutch like a pro, but for an hour each way in traffic it could get really old. The automatic would save you tons of stress, I think.

 

Traffic wasn't too bad today. I don't think i'm hitting a lot of traffic. I hit maybe some on a particular fwy (110 fwy by downtown if you know) and i hit
it again when going thru a tunnel to another fwy (the 5).
so you are saying not worth it, sorry i misread on the earlier post then.