I see discussions about Manual and Automatics.

Most the people I talk to say Manual's ONLY for MINI's (Automatics are lame!).


What do you guys think?

Discuss.

 

No discussion necessary...to each their own in MINIdom. Motor in the MINI that's right for the job. That's how we roll.

 

both have their good and bad. manuals are very fun and for a sports car would be my preference; the automatic is a life-saver in traffic. so far i've been pretty impressed with the automatic (6-speed) in our mcsa. try out both, think about how, where and when you'll be driving the most - you won't go wrong either way.

 

For me, hell yes. Driving anything but a manual puts me to sleep..

For you? maybe not, to each their own and whatnot...

 

Nice Community here...

Most people on other forums are like "YOU HAVE TO DRIVE IT THIS WAY!"

 

Entirely a personal decision. Since a MINI is not a real sports car in the traditional sense. Auto is fine, especially for rush hour traffic.

What really funny is the higher end Ferraris and Porsches are all paddle shifters now anyway. Porsche 997 TT is FASTER with the paddles ... you just can't shift faster than the computer.

To each their own.

 

Have you gone for a test drive yet?? Beware after you drive them- you'll wanna by one right on the spot

 

He isn't lying, you will want to buy one after driving one, it happened to me... Anyways I prefer Manual tranny. With the manual I feel more in turne with the car and I think they are more fun to drive, doesnt seem like you are just sitting there. Although, if you spend a fair amount of time sitting in traffic where you move like an inch at a time, you will learn to hate a clutch haha. So it really depends on what you are most comfortable with and what you normally drive in; traffic or open roads. If you get a Mini, you cant go wrong.

BEATNUT

 

MIB is a 5 speed. It is in the shop and they gave me a MC automatic for a loaner. How different the car is with the CVT.

Would I buy a MINI with CVT? NO! But I am happy to have a MINI to drive while MIB is in the shop.

 

This is the same question I struggled with. Originally I ordered an automatic. I thought, for me, I need one because this will be my primary vehicle not just a weekend toy. All my male friends asked right off, "You're getting the 6-speed right?" Of course my girl friends said that I HAVE to get the auto. Well I was set, definitely auto. THEN I had a dream where I got the manual and loved it! The next day I test drove a used MINI (closest MINI dealer is over 200 miles) with a stick. I was a bit afraid that I had forgotten how to drive a manual but it's really like riding a bike.... easy, peasy, japanesey! I had so much fun and didn't even think of the clutch. Anyway, needless to say I called my MA and changed my order. Funny thing is I haven't thought of it since.

One concern I had was going to San Francisco. I drive there often and I didn't want any stress while rolling backwards on the hills. I've driven a manual there and it's always a bit tense because everyone seems to stop so close behind you. Now I'm wondering if the automatic would roll anyway. I drove my mom's new Toyota this week to Carmel and on hills it would roll a bit even though it's an auto. I asked the salesman about it and he said they just do that. My truck doesn't budge on a hill, but he said it's a torque thing. I dunno.

 

Better watch out Chow. You could be burned at the stake for such heresy.

I'd say our little boxes on wheels are, heck yes they're sports cars.

As far as auto or manual goes. Get whatever you like. Either way it's a MINI & a damn fine sports car. For me it was the 6 speed.

 

Really, this topic has been done to death. I can't see a reason to rehash it and recreate the same old blather unless you are http://tny.se/3sJ

 

If you spend any amount of time in S.F. on hills in a car with a M/T, you are going to have to be on your toes (or, rather your left foot) working the clutch to avoid rolling backward. I have not noticed any back roll in my MCSa going up hills. I haven't tried some of the real winners in S.F. (such as Powell Street), but the MCSa does fine on the ones I have tried.

 

Oh that's good to know. I have driven a manual there so I'll just have to get use to it again. It does keep you awake that's for sure! Also a friend mentioned a trick with the hand brake to try. Now if I can just figure out how to go up lombard without running out of gas!

 

I work at a MINI dealer and drive MINI's around all of the time. I personally have a manual MCS, and I HATE driving the auto's. IMO, vs. my MINI, the pickup is very bad, shifting is not that great, and I HATE NOT being in control of my car.

But to each their own.
-Cody Happy Motoring!

 

Sorry but this has been discussed a thousand times. . Traditional sports cars are ragtops with two seats. A more liberal interpretation allows for coupes.

MINIs are hatchbacks relegated to the Honda civic group ... hatch in the back.

Liberals may even think a mustang a sports car. Nope. Sporty ... maybe, but no way a sports car.

Its OK to disagree on a definition but if you go to say Car & Driver or Road * Track and look at comparison tests of "sports cars", your never going to see a MINI in those tests. Last comparison test was against a VW and Civic (and got wumped in many categories).

Heresy, no ... I'm just realistic. I know exactly what its is, and what it isn't.

BTW, there is nothing wrong with hatchbacks ... it allows for lots of storage spaces that traditional sports cars dont have

I can think of no car with four seats that is universally agreed upon as a sports car EXCEPT maybe a 997 and those back seats virtually do not exist.

 

The greater risk (in going up Lombard street) is burning up the clutch. If you practice the handbrake trick, it is very useful in parallel parking as well as starting off up hills. The key is to not spin the clutch too much, yet not stall the engine as you engage the clutch. I got so I could parallel park on a nice steep hill (Powell street up from Post street) using the handbrake as an assist. But alas, my days of working a clutch are past (tendonitis in my left knee).

 

The 6 speed auto in the MCS is a nice alternative to the manual. To each his/her own!

 

In case you missed it, here's another related thread: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=72419

The current James Bond (and I'm told at least one other previous Bond) didn't know how to drive manual shift and had to learn for the movie. See this about the dwindling numbers of people driving manual shift: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...toryId=5487437

 

Its just a matter of time before manuals go the way of the dinosaurs. DSG is the future. See http://www.audi.com/audi/com/en1/new...tive_test.html

 

Heh...I was joking about the running out of gas because it's happened to me before. I've never been down lombard because of it.

I'm pretty good about not stalling it's just the slight roll that bugs me. I'm a TERRIBLE parallel parker so I don't know if parking on a steep hill is in my future. I'm definitely going to try the handbrake trick and see if it works for me. I'm not really expecting too much trouble driving through the city, I'm a good driver. I think it was just one of the excuses for me. My buddy always says, "Do you want to drive, or do you want to ride." BLAH. dork. hehehe.

I'm sorry about your tendonitis. It's a shame to not have the option. I broke the cartilidge in my left knee (it never will heal) and that was another reason for not getting the manual but I don't know that it will bother me that much. I think the fun factor won over the pain factor. Oh and I hope it will strengthen the muscles in my knee!

When I was a kid my folks MADE me drive a stick. (In fact, my last vehicle is the only auto I've owned.) I didn't have a choice and now my friends oldest is beginning to drive and they want him to learn a stick but there really are few around. They were driving last night and he was caught using two feet in an auto! His mom got after him and told him that was a no no but he said the instructor said it was OK. What IS this world coming to!!! :impatient

 

thomas123456789101121314151617181920212223242526
oh, i thought this was a scratch pad thread.

 

Manual cars ... one of the few things in this world where you pay less for more fun.

(Just my personal opinion ...)

 

5% of the time, I really wish I had a manual.

95% of the time (terrible traffic, red light to red light, etc.) I'm glad I have the CVT.

Only you can decide what's best for you. It really depends on how you drive and where you drive.

 

My husband drives an automatic with both feet, using the left foot to brake and the right foot on the gas pedal. I didn't even realize this for years, and when I did finally notice it, I FREAKED!!! :impatient Apparently, this is how his father also drove and how he taught his sons to drive. Hubby is a fantastic driver and has never had any problems because of his two-footed style in automatics. (It still freaks me out, though!)

I think that when you order your MINI, you have to consider the type of driving you'll be doing in it. If you are in a lot of stop-and-go traffic, an automatic may be your better choice.

When I got my first MINI, a five-speed Cooper, back in 2002, it was the first manual tranny I had driven in 18 years, and it took me a couple weeks to adjust. With MINI #2, 2003 MCS, I LOVE driving the MCS's 6-speed tranny, even in the hideous gridlock traffic of Los Angeles.