Do you drive a manual or automatic transmission car?

[Galileo]

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.

[Rand_Rover]

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.

[UncleNito]

@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.

[jz78817]

@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.