I'm thinking about going to a manual transmission. I haven't driven a stick in about 7 years (and another 10 years before that). I'm wondering how easy the Mini stick is to drive. Has anybody else started driving a manual after years in an auto?

 

It's extremely easy to drive. My MINI is the first vehicle I've had, hence it was also my first manual. I drove my buddy's mustang before I got my MINI and it was much harder...the MINI was a cake-walk.

-Cody

 

The wife and I recently changed from seven years of auto (Honda Accord) to manual ('07 Cooper). We both found going from "one forward gear" to a 6-speed a little tricky and demanding of our attention for a few weeks.

In early days downshifting from the higher gears at highway speeds is maybe something you want to practise when in stress-free traffic situations. And in town, don't get flustered if you occasionally stall when the light goes green. Or red.

Once you get the hang of a manual again, in a Mini the fun factor just keeps growing on you.

 

The MINI shifter is darn good...a pleasure!!! Driving a manual is like riding a bike, I think. I had several long lapses in automatics...felt at home back in a manual in under a minute.

 

In a word, easy.

I started driving 1975, a 67' Chevy Nova with automatic. Within 6 months I was driving the other family car to summer work, a 62' Plymouth Valiant station wagon with 3 speed manual column shifter. No syncromesh.

First car I bought was in 1979, a 78' Chevy Chevette HB with automatic since my wife needed to learn how to drive. Then in 82' the fun began with a new Honda 4 Dr Sedan and 5 speed manual transmission. Best and most fun car and affordable ($6800).

In between also had 84' Nissan Sentra Wagon with 5 speed manual and 84' Honda Accord with 5 speed manual. Neither was any good nor fun to drive.

Then in 91' got a Dodge Caravan SE with 3 speed automatic (the only transmission that didn't break 50% of the time) and later a 95' Nissan Maxima SE with automatic. So from 91' to 2003 been driving essentially automatic exclusively.

Bought my MINI in Feb 2003. Went to the dealership in my Dodge Caravan, took a 6 speed MCS out for a test drive, the first time in a manual in 12 years. Only hard part is letting out the clutch slow enough to get the feel of the pedal and then smoothly getting on the throttle at the same time. Managed to do that in about 10 seconds and 100 feet then everything came back to me. Very Easy.

OK, so why didn't I buy the Maxima in manual? I didn't think it was any good although it was faster than the automatic. Why didn't I buy a MINI in automatic? I wanted an MCS and they didn't have any automatics except for the MC with CVT at the time, heck they didn't have Harmon Kardon for the radio yet. Would have had to wait 6 months.

Since then I have taught two of my children how to drive manual on my MCS and they have done fine. 2 or 3 trips out in a parking lot and they are good for the street. Just pick a flat area or even a slightly downhill area.

 

It will require a software update.

 

I'm 26 (been driving since 17) and had driven stick once or twice before I got my Mini. I pretty much learned how to drive stick when I got it. I've stalled a total of 4 times in the 1 1/2 months I've had it (and I've already put about 2500 miles on the car, lots of it in LA traffic). The Mini's transmission and clutch made learning stick easy. If you've already driven a stick it will be even easier.

 

I highly recommend making the switch. Our MINI is my first manual in 10 years and it's great. My wife learned to drive a manual once we got the car. She loves it, too.

 

If you've driven manual before, it will come back quickly even if 7 years ago.

 

It's like riding a bicycle. You don't forget. You may be a bit wobbly at first, but you'll be fine. These cars are so much more responsive with a manual.

 

I have no problem with the MINIs manual tranny. I have major problems with all other manuals though, so I'd say its easy

 

hi JoshK, i noticed that you are in LA...i'm trying to decide btw manual or auto and with the whole traffic ordeal in LA, i am not sure if i should go with the manual. I think i'm partially curious about the manual. Like you, driven a few times, or i should say i've learned, or am learning how to drive it. I drive from the southbay to burbank for work so i am not sure if i should go w. the manual..But it was pretty easy and fun during my test drive.

 

For me, it depends on where I do most of my driving. If I spend most time driving in heavy stop and go traffic on the freeway, or stop and go hilly heavily traffic areas, I would prefer automatic.

 

Hi, pandy! I drove an automatic for 18 years before returning to driving a manual tranny again with my first MINI back in 2002. I had to pay attention, which I did mainly by engine sound, to adjust to shifting again, but it came right back to me and I love it. I especially love driving my 2003 MCS 6-speed.

However, if I had to drive from the Southbay to Burbank in all that stop-and-go traffic, I would very seriously consider the automatic. Test-drive both and see what you think.

 

Going from Automatic to Manual is the second-best car-related decision you'll ever make.

(Choosing a MINI is the first)

OK, so not everyone will agree with me (of course) but that's my opinion, since you asked us.

 

I've only ever driven manuals really. Just the Reverse is the only gate which I find tricky as I've never driven a manual with the top-left Reverse. Everything else is sweet.

 

yikes..you're right. i have test driven both, i actually thought the auto was a bit too jerky. But i am afraid of hills, so maybe i should just go with the auto. It is nice not to have to pay that extra $$ and get other things! I've always wanted to learn the manual but maybe not in this fashion...i don't want to have to drive my auto car to work and make my mini a wkend car.

 

If memory serves the 07's will autimatically apply the breaks for you while you are letting the clutch out on a hill. On everything before the 07 you have to use the parking break orbe be very quick with your feet.

I am 17 and after i got my driver's license the first thing i did was learn how to drive the families 2005 MCS manual. I absolutely love it, so much so that i have pretty much told myself "i am never going to purposely buy an auto".

 

I am a died in the wool manny-tranny driver. I drive the Belt Pkwy during rush hour, and an automatic is not even an option for me. Go with a MT.

Zip

 

It's been 15 years since I sold my 86 Honda Prelude that had a 5-speed. It was the last manual transmission I had until May when I bought my Cooper S. It's amazing how my old habits died hard.... I still find myself moving the shifter to the wrong place for reverse and now, something worse....

After I've come to a stop and shifted to "first", I've found myself in REVERSE!.
To me, there's little difference between 1st and Reverse. Twice in traffic was too much. So... now when I'm stopped I plop it into 2nd then push across to 1st. Can't go from 2nd to R as easily... in fact I've never done so.

As I type this I know how @#$%ing lame it seems, but I'd rather do this than back into someone at a stop light that's just turned green.

 

Then you get to learn heel toe and rev matching YAY!!!!

Jack

 

I highly recommend going to manual. It's much, much more fun and the car is vastly more athletic. I just finished a 9-day stint driving a cooper auto as a loaner car. Boy, was I happy to get back to my six-speed. I think the only thing on pavement more nonresponsive than a Cooper automatic is one of those tiny Sharper Image electric Vespa scooters overloaded with a 180 lbs. rider.

Seriously, though, the couple of weeks learning curve is nothing compared to the fun. The MINI gearbox/gear ratios make shifting lots of fun. I read somewhere in this post a concern about having a manual in L.A. traffic--all the more reason to have a manual. More responsive!

Good luck Cadfael Tex!

 

The 07 does have hill assist but you must have the DSC option. So either add the option seperately or add the Sport package which gives you bigger wheels, front fogs, and the sport seats with taller side bolsters along with the DSC.

 

Go MT! Its the way to drive!
Transition - not that hard. If you knew how to drive MT, it will all come back to you in like 2 sec! Goodluck!