Best Standard Transmission Cars you've had (F150, vehicle, Germany, manual gearbox)

[emilybh]

I learned to drive on a 190 Mercedes Diesel with a stick shift on the wheel column and all my cars after that have been German made VW's all standard transmissions 4 and 5 speeds from my 1976 VW Dasher wagon to the two Jettas that came after that to the three Passats.

I like good responsive handling and tight steering but I don't like bumpy rides or seats like rocks...but by the same token, I don't like seats that are like a cloud with no back support. VW seems to meet all those needs.

What does everyone else think about standard transmission cars they've owned?

[ZipZap]

We have large variety of company cars that I change every couple of month, so I tested quite a few cars.

Overall I had positive impressions with manuals on BMW 1-, 3- and 5-series. Outstanding so far Mazda MX5 (the car is not my cup of tea, but the manual gearbox is superb). On the VW's and Audis I prefer the clutchless shift (S-tronic and DSG). Mercedes is making some pretty good automatics, but none of their manuals really convinced me.

[miu]

I've owned only manual transmission cars. So I have experienced a '67 Volvo 122s wagon, two Subarus from the mid '70's, an '80's VW Golf with an irritating arrow light telling when to shift, an '89 BMW 325ix, a '90 Toyota Camry V6 and a whole bunch of Hondas ('78-'94) and Acuras... and my very favorite transmission is my GSR Integra sedan with Type-R shorter gearing and a Quaiffe LSD differential. That car drives like pure sex! The engine is stock with upgraded cams, and it has 245K miles on it.

[Visvaldis]

I've never driven an sexy cars like the ones mentioned, but all mine have been 5 speed: 1986 Ford Tempo, 1987 Nissan Sentra, and currently, a 1998 Ford Escort. My favorite was the Sentra. I never want an automatic. 5 speeds are much better on gas, have less mechanical problems, and I like the handling for snow, ice, curves, and hills.

[sunsprit]

Favorite manual trannies to drive: 1967 912 Porsche, several 1972 2002 BMW's, 1976 AlfaRomeo Spyder, 1971 250C MB, 1971 220D MB, 1967 250SE MB, and several 220SEb's MB's, Peugeot 504D's.

The MB manuals were very positive, yet easy to select gears and took all the abuse my family could dish out on these cars for hundreds of thousands of miles. The trannies were a seamlessly blended in function of driving the cars and enhanced the overall character of these cars ... even a 220D can be fun as the handling allows you to use the HP (little that it is ....)

I've driven Astons, RollsRoyce, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Maserati, OSCA, HispanoSuiza, AvionsVoisin, and a whole host of other high dollar cars in my automotive career ... and the trannies were functional, but not something I'd describe as "fun" in the context of the cars.

Most of my driver cars today are manuals, but are serviceable and functional as opposed to "fun".

Still have a '72 BMW and '76 Alfa; I've had to overhaul both transmissions as the synchro design is a little "soft" in both, and the power band/gear ratios invite you to "hurry" the 1-2 upshift ... which wears the porsche type synchro's out. But they're fun to drive firmly on the mountain roads and use the gearbox a lot.

[emilybh]

Only 4 responses so far? No wonder automatic transmissions cost more, hardly anyone knows how to drive a standard transmission!

[tinman01]

In this order:
Nissan 280zx
Honda crx
Toyoat pick up 1994/ 2000 Tacoma
Worst:
1978 CJ-7 couldnt keep synchronizers for reverse or first..
1998 ford ranger that truck spent more time in the shop than in my driveway.
Most fun cars I have driven:
Porche 911
Mercedes compressor

[Mouser]

Originally Posted by emilybh

Only 4 responses so far? No wonder automatic transmissions cost more, hardly anyone knows how to drive a standard transmission!

I learn to drive with a 3 on the tree

I really like my '96 Toyota Tercel

[miu]

Originally Posted by emilybh

Only 4 responses so far? No wonder automatic transmissions cost more, hardly anyone knows how to drive a standard transmission!

I know, sad isn't it? I've vowed never to own a vehicle with an automatic transmission. Driving stick keeps me young.

I'm planning to teach my nieces to drive stick when they get old enough. I'm also going to take them autocrossing!

[Crew Chief]

Freightliner Century with a Super 10 before they took the clutch pedal away... But when I was stationed in Germany back in '94, we had a Toyota Tercel 4WD with a 5-speed. Best car I ever owned! Darn near bullet-proof! We drove it to 110,000 miles, sold it to a friend who drove it another four years then HE sold it to another G.I. and it may still be running around Germany today... I now drive a '92 Ford F150 with a 5-speed and I sure enjoy shifting it, since I can't shift my big truck anymore!