[deneed4spd]

Manual Tranny Itch and Truck

I always wanted a M2 since I was little so I finally got one couple years back. But I had to compromised. Wife can't drive a stick so had to get a DCT. I have never had a manual car and although this M2 is amazing, there still is a part of me wanting a manual M2. To complicate things, my wife wanted a new ride so we got her a new X5. Well her SUV is usually the car I use for mt biking, towing fishing boat, etc so she she has to drive my car. Not to mention use it to haul wood, etc for house projects. Seems like to nice of a car to just beat up.

A part of me wonders if I should sell my LCI M2 with 10k miles on it right now since the values are unreal right now and buy myself a truck. Payoff truck in 3 yrs and buy a new M2. Initial pics show no ugly front! Although slightly bigger than F87, it does come with s58, carbon roof and not to mention a manual! Thoughts? I could get a third car now but having 3 car payments isn't so cool. Thoughts?

[DanG]

Your M2 is hardly broken in. Enjoy it. I too got a DCT because my wife refuses to learn how to use a manual. In reality I don't miss having a manual and have a blast driving my M2.

I would keep the M2 and revisit my decision when the G87 M2 comes out.

[Djphonics]

I've known a few people who have given me the excuse that their wife can't drive a manual after purchasing an automatic. With the exception of one person, they've all regretted it. These are people who have drive a manual their whole life.

If you haven't owned a manual, why not buy a cheap beater to see how you like it. Pick something up that you can use for the activities you mentioned. An older ranger may fit the bill.

[BMWF87Melb]

Originally Posted by Djphonics

I've known a few people who have given me the excuse that their wife can't drive a manual after purchasing an automatic. With the exception of one person, they've all regretted it. These are people who have drive a manual their whole life.

If you haven't owned a manual, why not buy a cheap beater to see how you like it. Pick something up that you can use for the activities you mentioned. An older ranger may fit the bill.

Agree - if you've never owned a manual, go and buy a cheap manual (like a brz or miata?) to see how much you would actually like living and driving with it.

Plus gives you a chance to practice your manual driving skills as it sounds like you might not have had that much experience driving manual?

[M2C-NLUSA]

My wife is from Europeland so she knows stick more than auto. If you're picking your fun cars transmission choice based on your wife or your wife unwillingness to learn a stick either find a new woman or stick with the DCT....

[samsamdar]

I had an OG DCT for 3 years, got bored, sold it, bought the manual, and never looked back

[kfscoll]

Here's my (abridged) manual transmission story:

I bought a 2001 Corvette new with an automatic because I didn't know how to drive a stick and didn't want to learn on a new car. My wife, who could drive a stick, thought I was being a wuss (although she used stronger language).

In 2009 she bought me a new Nissan 370Z with a manual transmission and taught me how to passably drive it in about 20 minutes. She was 100% right about that Corvette - what a mistake getting it with an automatic. And I was being a wuss.

I eventually replaced the 370Z with a 2015 BMW 335i with a 6MT. I later traded that for a 2018 M2 with a manual. These days, if I'm buying a new car, and a manual is available, that's what I'm buying.

The point of my story is this - don't make excuses to yourself for settling with an automatic. If you want a manual, get a manual and learn how to drive it -- you'll be so glad you did. It makes the drive so much more fun. Besides, now's the time to get one - in a few years stick-shifts will be extinct.

[BruceM]

Plus, the OG M2 is an easy manual to learn on. The 1-2 shift is a little difficult at first (especially with the integrated CDV in there), but the clutch effort is light and the stick is easy to operate.

Although once you do get the hang of it I predict you'll want to stiffen the pedal a bit and tighten up the stick throw and engagement.

I treasure my manual cars. They are a dying breed.

[BigKutta]

Originally Posted by deneed4spd

I always wanted a M2 since I was little so I finally got one couple years back. But I had to compromised. Wife can't

You went from being little to M2 to marriage in no time. I didnt know the M2 has been around for more than 5.5 years...

[e90post_user]

Glad I’m married to a wife that drives a six-speed Camaro.
MT for the upcoming M2, and an auto in the family SUV.

[Moflow]

Originally Posted by kfscoll

In 2009 she bought me a new Nissan 370Z with a manual transmission and taught me how to passably drive it in about 20 minutes.

This. As you said, it takes like 20 minutes. Not worth spending thousands and thousands of dollars on the wrong car because you were scared of those 20 minutes.

[Djphonics]

Originally Posted by e90post_user

Glad I’m married to a wife that drives a six-speed Camaro.
MT for the upcoming M2, and an auto in the family SUV.

If the family suv was available with the correct number of pedals, would you have gone for it?

[akkando]

Originally Posted by Djphonics

If the family suv was available with the correct number of pedals, would you have gone for it?

The feeling of connection to the family SUV is indescribable.

[Djphonics]

I had a manual ranger ('96) and it was one of my favourite vehicles. The manual made it worthwhile. I have driven a couple of them with an automatic, and understand the whole "just get a full-size" comment.

My wife wanted a CX-5. I wanted a Cayenne. The only SUVs available with manuals that I'm aware of (other than a wrangler). Just curious on another persons point of view.

My wife and I refuse to loose a pedal. If you spend all this money on a car, why would you want to be missing something from the start?

[deneed4spd]

I have driven a manual here and there so I'm sure I can pick it up quickly.

I still scratch my head a bit saying in 2.5 years I could buy a new m2 in manual. My wife said just get a manual when it comes out. But I only have two garage spaces. I'm not sure I can put a lift in my second stall to stack two m2s. A part of me has this idea that I should sell my m2 right now while market is hot. Get a midsized truck to haul the boat, mt bike, etc. then park the truck outside while the new m2 in manual sits inside. Picturing having a m2 outside in MN even if it is a LCI seems like blasphemy!

Other spot is held by my wife's x5 and that has to stay warm in winter

[e90post_user]

Originally Posted by Djphonics

If the family suv was available with the correct number of pedals, would you have gone for it?

No. I believe at this point in history the manual transmissions should be reserved for sporty nimble cars. I.e. I’d never get an automatic in a Miata, Corvette, M2/3/4, but at the same time I think getting a manual in a current M5 isn’t necessary, let alone in an SUV. Our Stelvio doesn’t even have paddle shifters.

[grl.racr]

Originally Posted by M2C-NLUSA

My wife is from Europeland so she knows stick more than auto. If you're picking your fun cars transmission choice based on your wife or your wife unwillingness to learn a stick either find a new woman or stick with the DCT....

THIS. My husband taught me how to drive stick. He obviously married the right one

[happyjack]

a few years ago, we were we shopping for a weekend convertible and my wife wanted a Z4. we walked into a dealership to look at a CPO in the exact specs that we wanted. a CA greeted us and my wife says, "we're here to check out your black & tan Z4." the CA says, "yes, ma'am, we have the car, but unfortunately, i need to tell you that it is a manual transmission." my wife didnt miss a beat and responded, "why do you think i'm here."

long live the manuals! ...and the women who drive them!

[KevinC]

Originally Posted by happyjack

"yes, ma'am, we have the car, but unfortunately, i need to tell you that it is a manual transmission." my wife didnt miss a beat and responded, "why do you think i'm here."