# Do you drive a manual or automatic transmission car? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 1, 2011, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drive-a-manual-or-automatic-transmission-car/604718 "2011-12-01T17:28:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Galileo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85e7bf/32.png) [@Galileo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Galileo)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drive-a-manual-or-automatic-transmission-car/604718/161 "2011-12-03T00:49:43Z")
Why is a clutch a necessary part of: 1. Dropping a gear and accelerating when the need arises. 2. Keeping in a high gear on a planned route and only adding gas as needed. 3. Being in a lower gear without having to mash the pedal to make it happen. 4. Staying in a high gear and feathering the gas without the transmission dropping down? Anyway, enjoy your new car. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drive-a-manual-or-automatic-transmission-car/604718/162 "2011-12-03T01:01:16Z")
On the subject of manumatics, I freaking loved my 330 (which I owned back in my driving every day days)–it really felt like a clutchless manual. The manumatic in a Highlander felt totally different, like I was just suggesting that it should shift sometime soon, and it started in 4th or something weird. So, I think they are rather hit and miss for people who want manuals but may have other reasons for getting an auto. ---
**Author:** ![UncleNito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/7cd45c/32.png) [@UncleNito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleNito)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drive-a-manual-or-automatic-transmission-car/604718/163 "2011-12-03T03:29:27Z")
> [@sparky\_1](#): > > I did a search and didn’t see a poll on this. > > So, what kind of transmission do you drive? > > I prefer manuals, but am getting a bit annoyed at how few cars are equipped with them these days. It seems (other than BMWs) that only the low end models come with manuals. > > Why can’t I get an inexpensive (low to mid 20s) 4 cylinder with leather, manual transmission and 30+ mpg highway? I have only read through the first page, so someone may have already posted this, but: Lightly used, first-generation (pre-2009) Acura TSX. A low-mileage '07 or '08 should be in your price range, a perky 4-banger, you get 30+ highway if you want, the only options are “loaded” and “loaded with navigation,” and a very slick 6MT. I have an '06 and there isn’t a car under about $35K I’d rather have. If you have to go new, there are plenty of cars in your price range that come with a stick, and aftermarket leather is only a couple grand. Before I got the car I have now I test-drove a Civic Si with leather. It can be done. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drive-a-manual-or-automatic-transmission-car/604718/164 "2011-12-03T03:57:34Z")
> [@UncleNito](#): > > I have only read through the first page, so someone may have already posted this, but: > > Lightly used, first-generation (pre-2009) Acura TSX. A low-mileage '07 or '08 should be in your price range, a perky 4-banger, you get 30+ highway if you want, the only options are “loaded” and “loaded with navigation,” and a very slick 6MT. I have an '06 and there isn’t a car under about $35K I’d rather have. > > If you have to go new, there are plenty of cars in your price range that come with a stick, and aftermarket leather is only a couple grand. Before I got the car I have now I test-drove a Civic Si with leather. It can be done. … > [@jz78817](#): > > if the Ford website is correct, you can get a Fiesta SES or a Focus SE with a manual transmission and leather if you have the “Interior style package.” It’s red and black leather, but it doesn’t look bad. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-drive-a-manual-or-automatic-transmission-car/604718.md?page=8)