Looking at buying a new P5... I've been an automatic tranny user ever since I started driving.

Should I take the plunge and go for the manual? Is it forgiving enough for a newbie?

 

I don't know about forgiving, but if you are coming from an automatic all it would take to drive a standard is practice. You might grind a few gears at first and there will surely be some jerking but I think once you get the hang of it, you will find you get more out of driving than simply having the two pedals, "stop" and "go".

A standard is also great for winter as you are in a much better position when you get to intersections as you take the power off of the drive wheels as compared to an automatic.

However having said that you will not like it too much when you are in bumper to bumper traffic but I can live with that. The clutch on the P5 is very nice. I drive my older 323 every so often and it is quite a difference.
Go for the standard, you'll love it .

 

well i did get alotta practice on other cars, but my P5 is my first standard, and i love it.

 

If you enjoy driving just for the thrill, definitely get a manual. I made the mistake of getting an auto when I bought my 99 LX and I still regret it to this day. When the day comes to get that new Protege5/Mazda 3/Mazda6, I'm definitely getting a stick unless I get one of my legs chopped off or something.

 

If you are in bumber-to-bumber traffic every day, I'd say get an auto. Otherwise, there's nothing like powering through a left-turn in 2nd at 40mph and then hitting the gas with the engine already at 4000rpm (on an empty road, of course!).

 

Ah, but how does that sportshift auto compare to the manual?

I test drove a Jetta 1.8T today with the sportshift (WOW what a ride!) and I was very impressed.

I also test drove the Protoge 5 today that was a regular automatic and it was as boring to drive as my Contour. It felt like I was driving my car all over again with the exception of the nicer interior and exterior which is kind of subjective anyway.

I appreciate everyone's comments.

 

Well I wouldn't know about the sportshift auto, never tested one.

I've also never driven a regular auto, but whenever I see ppl driving them, or I'm in a car with someone driving it, it seems so boring to me, no shifting ever required,
just gas...gas...occasional brake....gas....gas....etc...

I'd say get a manual, I praise my parents for getting the '99 LX touring edition, in manual, now that I drive it the most

I'm also in bumper to bumper traffic quite allot now days, but the manual doesn't bother me, even tho sometimes I feel like blasting thorugh the traffic hehe....

Well I'll say if you love to drive get a manual

 

Just start out with the autosport. Some people just can't learn to drive a stick, my girlfriend and a guy I work with can't. If you are going to be taking out a loan, be damn sure you can drive it.

 

manual all the way!!!

my first 4 years of driving were auto - now i'm never going back to auto !!!

learn how to drive manual before picking up your new car though.

 

Ha, easier said than done. If I had a manual car available for me to learn on, I would do it in a hearbeat.

 

Standard all the way...my ES is my first car, and although I sort of knew how to drive standard before, I refined my skills on it. The only downside is stop and go traffic, otherwise standard is way more fun.

 

Manual.


Anybody can learn to drive a stick. All it takes is practise. It's just like learning to ride a bike: once it gets through, you'll never forget.

For those who complain about driving in traffic... Give it up, ya whiners! (j/k) Seriously, if you're in a big city (New York, Toronto, etc.) and have a huge commute every day, I'd go with the sport-shift. Otherwise, DO IT!

 

wow i can't beleive you even have to ask. If you ever have a doubt rent fast and furious and see how much fun it is on the big screen. it's twice as good in real life.

Can't wait till I get mine

 

Manual! Way more fun. Even traffic's not that bad. The only thing is that eating or talking of the phone can be difficult in you're not on the highway, but you shouldn't be doing that while driving anyway.

 

i say go read the post about the guy with the P5 who wants to change his tranny, if u dont wanna be like that in a few months get the stick

-Jason