If You Are Holding Off On That New M Car With A Stick You Might Get It Now Rather Than Later

For the past 3+ decades, I insisted on a stick! It's sportier. It's cooler. It's more fuel efficient. It gives the driver more control. These are arguments from a bygone era.

Today, the best car racers use paddle-shifters and sequential transmissions. A good 8-speed auto will deliver better fuel economy than a 5-speed manual, not to mention better acceleration. I've come to a mind-set in which I can truly enjoy a slick, smooth-shifting 8-speed auto. In fact, I prefer it over a stick, and that's new for me.

Today, the biggest reason to get a stick is "I really like it." That's a big reason, and a very valid one. Go for what turns your crank :-)

It still gives the driver more control. You can feed in power while slipping the clutch under certain circumstances while exiting corners. Also it is protection against most car-jackers :).

valhallakey writes "[A stick] still gives the driver more control. You can feed in power while slipping the clutch under certain circumstances while exiting corners..."

In guess Formula 1 racers have higher priorities for winning a race than "having more control" and "feed[ing] in power...under certain circumstances".

Teasing aside, when it comes to racing, "principles" go out the window, and "what works" is king. That's why anyone who enters an F1 race, and hopes to win, is using paddle shifters linked to a sequential automatic transmission. For the average street driver -- one who isn't a trained or skilled racer -- they have no need to drive a car anywhere near its limits, and they don't (can't) for their lack of skill.

Having a manual transmission in a street-going car is purely a matter of personal preference, wrapped in all colors of rationalization and justification. I say to drivers, you don't need to justify anything to anyone! If you like a stick, then that's a good enough reason to get one! There's no need to convince others that it's "better." And I also doubt most drivers get an automatic transmission because it's "better" or it's what F1 racers use. They get one because that's what they prefer or it's all they know.

Steve - - - You make it sound as if there is no advantage to driving a stick other than preference or feel. Actually there are still a few advantages to buying a manual transmission:
- Cost compared to manual option (BMW M4 $2900) (Audi S4 $1400) (Audi R8 $9000) (Porsche Cayman $3200)
- Weight - Automatics weight more affecting handling and mechanical wear
- Cost of repair/replacement - Double clutch transmission are very, very, very costly to repair
- People asking to barrow your car - almost none
- Theft deterrent - becoming better than Low Jack

I don't race my car on a track. For a daily commuter on twisty back roads, a manual still proves to be the more engaging option, allowing for a more enjoyable experience. It's as simple as that.

For me, dual clutch > stick > auto

But I hate to see choices removed.

My friend works for BMW and he said its surprising how many people have gone back to manual from th previous generation M cars. So, maybe in the Chicago market stick shift has gotten more popular, but I am not sure about the other markets.

Totally agree with TheSteve and t_bone on this one. It's a personal choice, but no question that dual clutch is the best for manual control and quick response. Personally, I drove a stick as my daily driver from around 1983-2014 (Accord, Prelude, SVT Contour, E46 M3, CTS-V, E90 335i). Now driving a dual clutch paddle shifted E90 M3 and I don't miss the stick one bit.....