Yeah, I guess it is when you dismiss twelve points with an insult.
I see, though, why you might have thought that my post had some WAG – I wasn’t clear on points 5, 7, and 8. I said “Nope” meaning that those points were not an advantage of a manual transmission over a “manumatic” transmission, given that both types allow the selection of gears.
If you disagree with my points, please let me know.
both of my cars are manual, one a 5-speed, the other 6.
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.
Let’s try to remember that the OP specifies he is looking for an inexpensive four cylinder with manual transmission (and leather). That’s going to be, generally, a traditional four or five speed automatic with lock-up torque converter. I will grant you that points three and four are dubious, but the rest of my points are valid for this comparison.
The advantages of a manual transmission over an unber-tech “manumatic” are blurred and the manumatic may indeed have some advantages.
But I would also venture to guess that among those on this board who do drive an automatic, the vast minority are not driving a BMW or Porsche-style “manumatic.”
I inherited my car from my mother, so it’s an automatic. It’s the first automatic I’ve owned in a long, long time. My next car with be stick.
I’m surprised that manuals are still in the lead in the poll.
For the last six years I’ve owned a stick. I bought it because all I needed was a small commuter car with good gsas mileage, it cost less with a stick, and because I knew how to drive a stick.
I estimate 95% of the miles I’ve put on it have been around town, basic stop and go driving. When it finally comes time to replace it, I’ll get an automatic. I’m not too concerned about the “feel” and “control” of a manual transmission when I seldom get past third gear. All things considered, I’d much prefer not rolling backwards on a hill.
only because for the most part manuals are relegated to the lower trim levels.
Only if it has shorter gearing.
Only if it has taller gearing. This is really stretching it, you know.
uh-huh. this reply is being written by someone who has caught himself falling asleep at the wheel of his manual-transmission car. try again.
If you’re not on the track, this isn’t better.
OK.
can do this if the automatic has a manual gear selection mode.
this is a repeat of your previous point.
only if you know how to use that “control.” Simply buying a car with a manual transmission doesn’t bestow that knowledge upon you.
I don’t drive but I guess my broom would be considered a manual because it has a "stick?
<hightails it out of here before she is attacked by people tossing rotting produce>
Learned on a stick (UK) but have rented many automatics. When I lived in the US and bought a car I sought out a manual (Accura Integra - lovely, fast little car too), which took considerable time and effort.
I’m speaking purely personally here and not intentionally dissing drivers of automatics*, but to me driving one feels a bit like driving a dodgem at the fair - you’re steering but not much else. It generally is the control factor that makes me not like it. I want to know that I have the right accelerative properties exactly when I choose them, and the ability to engine-brake (and, in the past, bump-start). The last time I drove an automatic was on a lot of hilly roads in Croatia three months ago and I found myself constantly using the low-gear selector thingummy to keep in control.
BTW Galileo comparing manuals to Tiptronics is a bit odd: I’m sure 99.9% of people who talk about automatic transmission mean the kind that changes gear for you, not the gizmos driving the clutch apparatus, or whether or not you have to use your left leg. I once experienced Tiptronic transmission driving an Aston Martin, and I think even as a dyed-in-the-wool manual driver, I would probably prefer Tiptronic transmission to manual due to the precision control it offers.
*Though you’ll forgive me for saying perhaps drivers of automatics aren’t voting in huge numbers because they expect the board to vote for them? J/k.
I currently drive an automatic, but I know how to drive a standard and I consider that a really useful skill. I get the cool factor of driving standard, but I really don’t care that much, or maybe I’m just lazy and I’m ok with driving an automatic. Or maybe because the two standard tranny vehicles I owned were both cheap Saturn beaters, I just don’t see it as all that cool.
And candy red metallic, too. 
I absolutely love it. It looks fabulous, the pickup is outstanding, it drives like it’s on rails, and the mileage really is good (about 25 mpg in mixed city driving, 29-32 on the highway, depending on how lead-footed I get). It’s absolutely my midlife crisis car. 
Well, where I come from, when a manual transmission is offered, the automatic is almost always an extra-cost option.
Oftentimes the manual does have shorter gearing in the lower gears because oftentimes the choice is 5-speed manual vs 4-speed automatic or 6-speed manual vs 5-speed automatic. Given more gear choices the low gear is usually lower in the manual.
Oftentimes the manual does have taller gearing in high gear because oftentimes the choice is 5-speed manual vs 4-speed automatic or 6-speed manual vs 5-speed automatic. Given more gear choices high gear is usually taller in the manual.
dubious, okay
It is better if you want maximum control of the vehicle during normal driving.
OK.
But you can’t if it does not have a manual gear selection mode.
this is a repeat of your previous point.
Given a reasonable amount of driver skill, the driver will know how to use that control.
I’ll send Dread Pirate Jimbo in here to talk about his new Mustang, too - his self-titled midlife crisismobile is in Kona blue. (The blue truly is gorgeous - I’ve never had people just coming up to us and complimenting our car before!)
Oooh, shiny! I also had to get my new Mustang ordered in from out of town in order to get a V-6 with a stick, but the dealer only had three V-6 models on the lot and they were all tricked out with all the bells and whistles to up the sticker price way past where I was prepared to go. I wound up with exactly what I wanted, however – the base model V-6 with 6-speed manual and no options at all except the block heater (an absolute necessity in these parts). My experience with its drivability is pretty much word-for-word the same as yours, kenobi 65; extremely fun to drive, corners very well, brakes well, and has a ton of giddyup when you punch it, all with quite respectable mileage on top of everything.
Small nitpick – That’s actually Kona Blue, a metallic finish that is hella sweet and shiny, but I did seriously consider going for the bright, almost electric Grabber Blue instead, which may be the cause of your confusion. 
Five months in, I can happily report this is the best car I’ve ever owned. I still smile when I turn the key and it roars to life and part of me still doesn’t want to believe I’m allowed to own a car this cool.
I’ve only had standards. My truck is a standard and my car was only offered with a stick, so it was an easy choice to make.
No kidding. I wonder if there’s a little self-selection bias going on. I drive a stick, but of all my friends here in the city, I could only think of one other person who does so. 90% of the people I know drive slushboxes.
I learned how to drive on a manual, but I drive an automatic now - a 1990 Volvo…boring! I also have a scooter, which I love. It’s also an automatic… but soon…someday soon, I will have a different scooter, maybe a Vespa or Lambretta with a clutch and gears!
Wow!
Again, wow!
Looks like I may be stopping by my local Ford dealer this weekend.
I have one of each but I checked manual - because most cars in my life have been stick shifts, and because I vastly prefer them.
Fair enough, but you weren’t responding to that request in the post that I addressed.
Also, the OP asks: “So, what kind of transmission do you drive?” I answered that question and pointed out that there’s another option.
Okay, but I see that you just can’t bring yourself to say that a manumatic actually has advantages. Strange that the car manufacturers offer it and people actually buy it.
Does that mean that we should ignore those who do? Also, FWIW, there are plenty of good quality used BMW’s with Steptronic available for under $20,000. Or, you can look for a VW Golf or Jetta with Tiptronic, or a Ford Focus with PowerShift, or a car from several other manufacturers that offer similar transmissions on “non-luxury” cars.
Actually, I think that it’s 99.8753% …
And why is it odd? Why ignore a choice that has been around for years and that is available from many car manufacturers? Check out the list here: Manumatic.
