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Driving a stick shift? Pros and cons of cars with manual
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 9:49 pm
by Standardshifter
Fairly basic article, and slightly outdated, pros and cons of manuals versus automatics.
"While automatic and continuously variable transmissions are by far the norm among new cars, 6.5 percent of cars in the U.S. are still sold with manual transmissions. While cars with stick shifts get better fuel economy and are easier to maintain than automatics, they still have a variety of disadvantages."
Read more:
http://www.nydailynews.com/autos/drivin ... z2J8VuEw4c
Re: Driving a stick shift? Pros and cons of cars with manual
Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 1:49 am
by DKaz
I can agree with this one:
Depressing the clutch pedal is a way of life in stick shift cars, but the experience can be a bit more painful in cars with heavy clutch pedal feedback. Over time, it can definitely mess with your left leg, especially at the joints.
The Exedy Stage 1 Clutch I put on my 5 took its toll on my left knee. I'll stick with OEM clutches from now on.
Re: Driving a stick shift? Pros and cons of cars with manual
Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 8:59 am
by theholycow
How much time does it take for a heavy clutch to start hurting? I've got 2 years and 40,000 miles with a very heavy clutch and I'm still not feeling it.
Re: Driving a stick shift? Pros and cons of cars with manual
Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 9:19 am
by Shadow
Two of the three cons listed are basically irrelevant if you already know how to drive a manual transmission car.
Re: Driving a stick shift? Pros and cons of cars with manual
Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 1:24 pm
by DKaz
Less than half a year for the first incident, and then every couple of months after that. My knee problem hasn't come back since I got my Mazda 3.
It could've been anything really. I play hockey, I run.
Re: Driving a stick shift? Pros and cons of cars with manual
Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 3:03 pm
by AHTOXA
I don't think a heavy clutch in itself is really a concern for knee problems. It may aggravate underlying and preexisting conditions - yes - but by itself it's not likely. The pressing of the pedal is not an impact to the knee and doesn't cause that much stress. Even walking is putting far more stress due to weight and more frequent join movement. It's not like you move your knee more while shifting than even regular walking.
Proper driving position is important as well. People who aren't exceptionally tall like myself should have no problem keeping the knee/leg inline with the body, if the seating position is correct. I can see an issue if you're shifting with your leg bowed out, which may put lateral stress on the joint.
Re: Driving a stick shift? Pros and cons of cars with manual
Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 3:58 pm
by tankinbeans
In other words, the con to driving a stick shift is that you have to learn to drive it?