hey guys,

my friend is going to order a 05 cooper really soon but he is debating on whether or not he should get the manuel tranmission or if he should put more money down for the automatic. me personally, i like automatic but, thats probabaly because i dont know how to drive stick . what would you guys recommend? he drives well with a manuel and understands how to drive it, without killing the clutch but, he is just wondering if it is going to cost him a lot more money in the long run if he gets the manuel. he just really wants his cooper now but, he doesn't really want to pay extra for the automatic if the manuel is going to be eating away at his pocket in the future (he would rather spend that extra cash for some mods:smile. he really is a fan of manuel tranmission driving (if there is not heavy traffic).

 

I Have a MCS and I love the 6spd. More fun to drive if you ask me. I would go with the 5spd .

 

2 good arms 2 good legs GET THE MANUAL

 

Don't get Manuel, get the 5-speed manual!

 

I think that knowing how to drive stick is one of life's great simple pleasures. It puts you more in touch with the road, the car, and the world around you. A German friend of mine said that a manual transmission forces you to be a driver, while an auto makes you a passenger with a steering wheel. Manual transmissions are more fun, and, if you have delusions of race-car-drivership like I do, can make any car feel like it's a performance vehicle. Tell your buddy to take the plunge; the best (and, in my opinion, only) way to learn how to drive a stick is to own a car that forces you to learn.

And did I mention that it's cooler? Yeah, it is.

 

Get the manual.

 

No debate needed, go with the manual

 

I have a 6 speed MCS and an auto Lexus IS300. As good as the IS300 is it is no where near as fun as the 6 speed to drive. I'm just not as connected IMO.

 

as long as you have 2 good arms and 2 good legs. get the manual

after driving the S, my first manual from the automatics i used to drive.. i made an oath the day i own an auto is the day i break a limb

 

If he is a fan of driving a manual, then there's no point considering the auto.

 

I learned to drive a manual on my husband's EVO so I could drive my MINI when I get it and I am very comfortable with my decision to own my first manual :smile: I was really nervous the first time I drove on a real street by myself, but it didn't take too long to get comfortable driving it around. Get the manual, you'll be proud of yourself for learning

 

I'm getting a new tranny in my MC today,bad seals,cold weather problems,has nothing to do with how I drive.The tech. phoned me to say it was going to take longer to get the car back,coolant leak,bad water pump,but my clutch looks great,near newI have 45K miles on it,motoring for 19 months:smile:
And the X3 they gave me,automatic,is a real bore

 

Pay an extra $1,200 now for the CVT automatic, and if it lasts long as most Gear type automatic transmissions, you won't have to rebuild it ($$$) until some time after 150,000 miles. I have no idea how long a CVT should last, or what a replacement will cost.

Get the manual. Save the $1,200 now. Better gas economy. If you are not a "rabbit start" driver, the clutch should last 120,000 miles, and it will cost you about $1,500 to replace it.

Urban traffic will significantly affect these mile points.

I was all set to get a CVT Cooper, as we live in an urban area, and we had not owned a manual transmission in 20 years. I liked the technology of the CVT. My wife insisted on trying the Cooper S, as she remembered the "fun" of our manual transmission cars.

We have had our S with the 6 speed for 18 months, and are quite happy with it. On the occasional trips into bumper to bumper traffic, we just remember to be kind to the clutch.

John and Lizz