As an former owner of manual transmissions and with an autobox now. I have to say, I like the auto. I miss the downshifting part for braking but c'est la vie. I don't find the autobox too sluggish. Long as you don't floor it right off the line or while trying to pass. I find it best to push half way down to wake up the engine. Floor it, and it takes a second or two for the car to figure out you want to go. Slap shifting is neat too. Timed right you can get the sucker to go. However, it is only a 2.0. with 148 hp. So, what do you expect. Smaller engines have come a long, long way. (83 Escort, Chevette anyone?)
My vote: Auto with the slap shift as a nice touch.

But, the younger hot rods, like myself many years ago. Manual is the way to go.

2 cents.

 

hahaha the chevettes. ohhhhh i saw one the other day i was like wow its a chevette. they still around here. and the young hot rods like me XD in my 5spd manual haha.

 

manual is better no questions asked. Weighs less, dont have to wait for the transmission to downshift while passing, Better gas mileage, less price, much faster than an auto if ur gonna be racing the car. only downside is the resale value may be less becuase all the old folks out there like lord dont like having to use both feet

 

In a word, YES!!!
Less prone to trouble too.

 

'Xcuse me? I am not a young hot-rod, but still love a sportier, more controled feel in my vehicles. I always feel a tad out-of-touch when I drive somebodies automatic.

 

lol.. my left leg and my right arm don't feel like part of the team when i drive automatic. when i get into an auto my subconsciounce makes me wanna push down the clutch, and i wonder for a bit "where is it?". then i realize the situation and depression hits me hard like a bag of rocks . then i drive my car and i feel so much better .

 

haha i do that alllllll the time driving my parents cars... (all are automatic. it drives me nuts to the point i dont want to drive it again. with manual, left foot on the clutch right foot on the gas and brake left hand on the steering wheel right hand on the shifter... nothing better then that. when i get into my mom or dads or grandmas car and drive it im like AGHHH. then get into my car and as you said you feel gooooooooood

 

I cerntainly agree with what everyone says about manual.

But the city drivin. 1...2...3..4...brake....3...2......3......panic stop......brake..........1....2......3......4..... ............3..........brake....[:@][:@]

Automatic = Put it in gear, go into hum drum mode and just drive to the mall.\\

Mind you. The manuals with their hydraulic assisted clutchs are good. My wife's car is still standard. And cause I my license is AZ I ocasionaly get behind the wheel of an
18 wheeler. 18 speed anyone?

 

gahhhhh 18 wheeler. i dont think i could deal with 18 shifts. imagine that. 1...2...3..4..4...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10.. .11...12..13..14..15...16...17..18 OH CRAP STOP LIGHT18..17..16..15..14..13..12..11..10...9..8..7. .6..5..4..3..2..1 and goes like that. that would just give me carpeltunnel syndrome haha

 

i hear its tougher to drive the bigger trucks, due to the synchros or something. u have to manually match every gear with the right rpm and clutch in and match and clutch out.. wow.. if u kno how to drive that then u can drive nething.