DK SPL Audio

I am going to be getting a 97-98 SE. I am not sure if I should get a manual or automatic. I have never driven a manual before (well more than 5 minutes on a friends beater) so I would be learning on this car. I think it would be fun but am worried that I may get sick of it after a while. I also am intrigued because manuals are always quicker. I talked to my dad tonight and he said he advises against it. He says it is fun but they are a pain to get going in bad snowy weather, to park up or down hill, to get going on a steep hill if someone is on your a**, etc. What do you guys think?

sryth

I think your dad needs to learn how to drive

Get the 5spd and don't look back!

Should've made this a poll...

NCSU_MAX

iTrader: (36)

definitely a manual - its sooooooooo much fun

PLUMMAXSE

iTrader: (2)

Just go to a used car lot and testdrive each one. It will take you about 10 minutes to make up your mind. If there are any curvy roads, get the 5 speed. You will not regret it!!

kcryan

iTrader: (1)

i was in the same exact position as you a few months ago, per my dads advise i got a auto 98 I30. im happy i got the I30 and happy with the car but i really really wish i had gotten a manual. Im now considering doin a swap which will cost me $$$$$. I would highly advise you get a manual i really really wish i had

mansurxk

iTrader: (14)

haha yeah, 10 minutes if even. i have a 95 GLE with every option possible and and 95 SE with every option just like the SE....id pick the 5speed over the GLE in a heartbeat.

NCSU_MAX

iTrader: (36)

your dad has a good point tho - learning in the snow may prove to be a little "fun"...............

maxima_kenny96

iTrader: (10)

I have an automatic and WISH I had a manual, go witht the manual, esp if ur in the race scene

Bobo

Its a heck of a lot easier to get unstuck with a manual in snow than with an automatic. Learn on a friends beater and go the test drive route. When was the last time your dad drove a manual if ever?

Deagle

iTrader: (1)

9/10 if not 10/10 auto Maxima enthusiasts would say manual. I sure as hell know I would.

G4nismo

iTrader: (9)

no offense but i don't know why u made this a thread. i'm sure u been drivin an auto since u said u never driven a stick. trust me, auto's get really boring. all u do i steer,
and push gas pedal. first time i drove stick was in a ford ranger and i never stalled out. its not that hard to drive stick. just gotta get used to it. sticks are funner,
and performance is greater than auto. cost will be less too

sryth

Yeah, but can you eat a Big Mac, smoke a cig, and drink a Coke while driving with a 5spd?

(for the record, I don't think that's possible with an auto either)

I voted for the 5spd because they are so much fun to repair

Mr.Duck

iTrader: (8)

the only problem i have with owning a 5spd is that during traffic hours, it kind of gets annoying, but after a while, it becomes like a 6th sense, and you dont even notice yourself shifting, you just do.. haha

if you plan to modify your car, than def go with a 5spd, and you will NOT regret it. if you dont plan to modify your car, than there is no point in my opinion to get a 5 spd

juani

iTrader: (15)

I absolutely hate my autoTragic

DK SPL Audio

I was always leaning towards the manual. I heard traffic sucks with them too. My Dad has driven manuals most of his life. He has a friend who has a pickup that is a manual and we borrow it all the time to haul stuff. Manuals are all he had when he was growing up, he was a huge car guy, had muscle cars up the a** Now that he has a family and all it is not as practical to him, makes sense.

I was just checking with you guys. A car is not a cheap purchase, didn't want to regret it.

Thanks

Addicted2Bass

yup, def get the stick....it might be difficult or a hassle the first few days, but before you know it it'l be like walking or breathing, u wont even think about it, and you'l love it....

MaxGordon7

iTrader: (36)

MANUAL! MANUAL! dont drop the bills on an automatic. Its no joke, they even get better gas milage.

RicoSuave98

iTrader: (2)

driving a stick will never get old. i had a 5speed beater and upgraded to an auto max. i love my car, but there are those times i wish i had my stick back. and driving in snow is no prob, especially if you get good during the summer, you will have no probs, like rmurdoch said it's easier in snow with a manual, in most cases anyway. so like everyone else said get a stick

shmad

i hate my manual. it sux.


for real tho, manual rules. ive been drivin a manual for 6 yrs now, and not sick of it yet. you actually feel that the maxima has power.

oh yea... i can smoke a cig, talk on the phone, turn around a corner, shift, and adjust the volume on the radio at the same time. with allthat goin on, i forget to breathe, so i try not to do that often.

lilaclucymaxima

iTrader: (16)

auto's are boring, get a manual

sryth

The only time I wish I had an automatic was sitting for 2 hours in NYC traffic right after I put my ACT in...that sucked! (I'm used to it now)

Akumachan

iTrader: (12)

when i was first getting my car, i didnt know crap about maximas, and i saw it was manual, and kinda saw that as a downside, but man oh man, i got so lucky, fully loaded SE with 5-speed, and i absolutely love driving. had it only since august, but ive never once wished it were automatic, and yes, ive been in traffic plenty of times. you dont even notice that you're clutching after awhile, it becomes completely second nature.

sryth

I didn't mind either...until I got an ACT! Now my left leg is bigger than my right

Batxel

iTrader: (1)

Manual
Pros: better in snow, faster, better on gas, reliability (not sure about 4gen maximas but other cars its almost always more reliable), and last but not least FUN FACTOR

Cons: stopping on steep hills, traffic


Eventually after a couple of months you don't think about it at all.

lefty

Depends on what you enjoy. I prefer an AUTO and love my AUTO max as it I dont' have to work the shifter when driving.

MOre personal preference and also purpose. i.e. if you are one that drives stop and go traffic daily, eat, on the phone etc...than stick with an AUTO.

As for fast, how much faster off a light do you really need to go? Will a manual really give you that edge off a light? if you are not going to a track, who care.

Just my 2 cents . I did have a 5 spd 240sx and did not like it.

Chief Brody

iTrader: (2)

I think the mileage of the auto is very slightly better than the manual on the 4th gen Maxima's. The 5 speed has more aggressive gearing which is another reason why it is quicker and more fun. The autos seem to be pretty relieable while there have been some problems (differential bearings) with the 5 speed.

But I would put it this way, how many org members do you hear wishing they had an automatic instead of thier manuals. 5 speed all the way.

monty95

iTrader: (1)

M-A-N-U-A-L!!!!!! as the guys have said before me...its not a pain once you get used to it. You become really good after a while and dont realize when you shift. Whenever i drive an automatic, first thing i look for when i start is the clutch! so yeah...its addicting...

DanIAm

iTrader: (5)

you'll never regret buying a 5spd, and its not hard to learn, no one ever taught me i just told people i knew how to so theyd let me drive their cars and i never had any problems with it

i've been drivin an automatic cherokee for the last 4 months and after drivin my friends wrx the other day with about 300hp to the wheels, i cant even begin to explain how bad i want my car back on the road even if it is 100 less hp

--Dan

Goran

manual for sure, it never gets boring

macallik

iTrader: (6)

Get the manual, you won't regret it. I took me less than a week to learn....