"The CVT affords a level of performance and flexibility that the standard 5-speed Cooper model can't hardly match."

We're talking different animals here...I haven't driven a CVT, but would imagine you're correct regarding flexibility. But after 20K miles on my 5- Speed Cooper, I don't find it lacking in performance when driven correctly. That means ***** to the wall screaming RPM's, wake up the neighbors with the exhaust and intake driving...

 

<<<I'd be very nervous about learning a stick on a brand new car!>>>

I practiced a little (enough to avoid killing myself and other people) prior to picking up my MCS, but the bulk of my learning took place when I drove it out of the show room. No problems--it's really not that difficult and like someone else said, you just need a few days of practice and you're set. From then on you focus on learning to drive it WELL. :smile:

And in my opinion, manuals are Waaaaaaaay more fun than automatics, including the CVT (which I wasn't terribly impressed with--but then I didn't futz with the different modes).

In the end it's a matter of preference, but it really is worth it to learn regardless of what you choose. Why not practice a bit then take a CVT and a manual Cooper out for a spin?

 

Don't worry about learning to master standard transmission driving in a brand new car - you won't wreck the car. That's what I had to do when I bought my first car, a Subaru hatchback (the price difference between the cool red manual and the boring brown automatic was $1800, so I figured it was worth learning to drive standard both financially and aesthetically). The salesman had to drive my car home b/c I could not do it! As others have pointed out, it just takes a couple of days and some patience. Perhaps a lot of patience, but you'll succeed.

Ironically, after years of driving manual (including my last vehicle, a Ford Focus stationwagon, the only manual wagon I could find, a surprisingly peppy car I should say), my Mini is a CVT. I wanted a silk green, and this was the only one available in March (the color had been discontinued for more than a month by that time). When not in city traffic, driving the CVT is a lot of fun (and since it is strange at first to shift without moving your left foot, it's a learning experience). And taking off at a traffic light on sports drive (SD) is literally a blast. So you would have 3 ways of driving (auto, SD and shifting). It is your choice, enjoy. :smile:

 

i completely agree with omtoast!
also i agree with g3. driving stick will ultimately make you a more attentive driver.


_________________

 

That's what I did. It does definitely help. I have a CVT for convenience purposes since more than half my driving is done in the city and/or in heavy traffic. :smile:

 

I am pro-choice.

 

Automatics afford a more relaxed driving experience. I drive both and consider myself to be a good driver. There are bad stick shift drivers and terrific automatic drivers. My problem with the stick vs automatic argument is how some people tend to lump the mastering of the clutch pedal, their ability to be good drivers and their masculinity one in the same. Of you don't drive a stick you are an idiot and that is simply unfair and not true.

In other parts of the world stick shifts are more common for 2 basic reasons:

Cost of fuel

Automatics are more expensive to produce and sell and often do not work reliably on rough terrain.

In Europe gas is $4 per gallon. Cars get taxed on engine size displacement, hence smaller engines often work better with stick shift and deliver better fuel economy.

In this country we have cheap fuel, bigger vehicles, bigger engines and plenty of room in our cities and roads, hence the proliferation of automatics since the 1950's.

After all the USA is different when it comes to this argument. Stick shifts will never be big sellers here.

 

I disagree with the statement "Manuals make driver's more attentive". What makes you attentive to the road is not to be using the cell phone, eating, putting make up or reading the paper....

 

"Manuals make driver's more attentive". I agree.
You are one with the car...grasshopper...

 

I am considering buying a MINI and I just test drove a couple last Friday. The CVT was surprisingly fun to drive but they did not have an S model to compare it to. My one question is that I noticed quite a bit of lurching when using the manual shift mode. It almost seemed like the pulleys moved a certain amount, then locked in at a slightly different diameter when the "shift" was complete causing the revs to change a bit and the car to lurch. Admittedly, this is the first time I've ever driven a CVT so I might not have been in the right power band or was subconciously lifting off the gas. Just wondered if anyone else had experienced this

 

All MINIs lurch, its a software problem not a transmission problem.

 

>>I disagree with the statement "Manuals make driver's more attentive". What makes you attentive to the road is not to be using the cell phone, eating, putting make up or reading the paper....

But that's exactly the point, when you're driving a manual, you don't have a free hand to be using the cell phone, putting on make up, reading the paper, surfing the Internet, smoking, eating a taco... :smile:

 

thanks for all your advice guys! I was wondering how long it will take to learn stick and does your hand always have to be controlling it? also, will this car sell for more if it's CVT? I'm also worried about the convience of stick since many people do not know how to drive it

 

>>thanks for all your advice guys! I was wondering how long it will take to learn stick and does your hand always have to be controlling it? also, will this car sell for more if it's CVT? I'm also worried about the convience of stick since many people do not know how to drive it

not at all. it is frequent movements but you shift and you put your hand back on the wheel. there really is no point in holding on to the shifter. i'm in the process of learning and its all about feel and practice. you can have someone tell you the basics but when it comes down to it practice and getting a feel for the car is what it takes. some people learn fast and others it takes a bit longer... like me

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^^ What she said.

The only time your hand is making frequent trips to the stick is in traffic or city/stop-n-go driving. Once you're on the highway, cruisin' in 5th or 6th your hand is free as a bird.

As far as time, I practiced twice, for about 20min each, then drove my MCS out of the showroom. It really doesn't take much time to learn how to get the car to move when you need it to. From there it's just perfection of technique.

You can do it!!!

 

>>>>I disagree with the statement "Manuals make driver's more attentive". What makes you attentive to the road is not to be using the cell phone, eating, putting make up or reading the paper....
>>
>>But that's exactly the point, when you're driving a manual, you don't have a free hand to be using the cell phone, putting on make up, reading the paper, surfing the Internet, smoking, eating a taco... :smile:


With practice and skill, you can do tons of things while driving a stick shift car. I used to eat, drink, talk on the cell and write quick notes while driving my old '89 Accord LX 5-speed. It is not rocket science, really. You can be driving an 18-speed truck mule and if you are distracted, you can still get into trouble...

 

"My one question is that I noticed quite a bit of lurching when using the manual shift mode. It almost seemed like the pulleys moved a certain amount, then locked in at a slightly different diameter when the "shift" was complete causing the revs to change a bit and the car to lurch. Admittedly, this is the first time I've ever driven a CVT so I might not have been in the right power band or was subconciously lifting off the gas. Just wondered if anyone else had experienced this"

The CVT does take getting use to. If you give it a touch of gas right when you shift, you will feel no lurch. My break-in period is almost over and I am starting to wind the RPM's up to more FUN levels. This car sure is spunky near the red zone.
I'm going to get a ticket, I just know!!

Bye. Jim

 

>>I am pro-choice.


You made me laugh!

I do like the idea of learning stick so you can actually test drive them both! and then you choose what you want!

anyway, learn the stick now so anytime if you have to drive a friends car, like being the designated driver, you can do it no matter what type car he has!!! You never know when a friend at work may get ill and you have to drive him home in his own car.

 

^^ You know, Pebbles, I was just thinking of that the other day! My mum and I were out and I was beginning to feel yucky... but she couldn't drive my car. I mean, it was no big deal, I just drove us home, but what if I'd contracted food poisoning or something while out? Of course, that's likely never going to happen, but when you're queasy and faced with a drive home, it goes through your mind.

It really is a super good idea to learn just in case--I mean, at least be comfortable moving the vehicle, if nothing else. Cause you never know when you'll have to step up to save the day. And once you're a hero, people are lots more likely to buy you chocolate and send you flowers and stuff

 

>> i completely agree with omtoast!
also i agree with g3. driving stick will ultimately make you a more attentive driver.

I also agree. When your driving a manual your focused on shifting, in an auto you just step on the gas and go. Its easier to fall asleep or get tunnel vision or something in an auto I think.

Don't worry about driving a manual at first. I learned a few months before I got my MINI and when I did get my MINI I stalled a lot, especially up hills. Just keep practicing and you'll be a pro at it in no time.

 

>>"My one question is that I noticed quite a bit of lurching when using the manual shift mode. It almost seemed like the pulleys moved a certain amount, then locked in at a slightly different diameter when the "shift" was complete causing the revs to change a bit and the car to lurch. Admittedly, this is the first time I've ever driven a CVT so I might not have been in the right power band or was subconciously lifting off the gas. Just wondered if anyone else had experienced this"
>>
>>The CVT does take getting use to. If you give it a touch of gas right when you shift, you will feel no lurch. My break-in period is almost over and I am starting to wind the RPM's up to more FUN levels. This car sure is spunky near the red zone.
>>I'm going to get a ticket, I just know!!
>>
>> Bye. Jim
>>

Especially with that rear decal.
Put me down for two tickets already.

 

I was wondering if what I was feeling was the stumble issue everyone is talking about, it just seemed a little different than what I had read here as it was not a problem when taking off from idle but at speed when using the manual shift mode. It was quite startling and would probably make my wife carsick (he he, more ammo to just get a MCS as I can drive a stick without making her sick fine).

Also, I noticed that the marked out red zone was much lower on the CVT when compared to the 5 speed and I didn't want to wind it out too much as the demo I drove only had about 750 miles on it. Will the sport mode take the engine up to its true redline around 6750 RPM?