Hi Jeff,

Three weeks ago, I let go of my automatic 99 9-3 for a manual 05 9-3. I learned to drive on stick shift when I was maybe 14 or 15, but then drove an automatic ever since I could legally drive. I had my doubts about getting a stickshift, but went with it anyway for a change. Since I am leasing, I am not worried about being stuck with something I don't want forever.

After a couple weeks, driving a stick is second nature again to me. My friend praised at how smooth my shifts were this weekend compared to another friend of his, who has driven stick all his life. So you'll get used to it after you learn the basics. Be sure to get someone qualified to teach you though. Otherwise, you may be in for some dangerous situations.

For me, driving a stickshift is simply more involvement. I like feeling involved with my car. It also keeps me awake. There are times, however, when I miss my automatic, and Saab's Sentronics are sensational. I know, because my mother has an automatic 04 9-3. I never really use the manual feature though, because why bother, when you can just leave it in drive. It's not the same as a manual and is more annoying to me than anything else. Having said that, the transmission is sensational in that it really adapts to the driver. When I first get into the car after my mother has been driving it for a while, the car shifts extremely awkwardly, obviously used to the driving pattern of my mother. After a while, though, it completely adjusts its behavior, and its shift pattern is completely different. So it is an extremely smart and rewarding transmission. If you get a manual, and just don't ever get the hang of it, you can never say the same thing for your new car.

In conclusion, if you have never had a stick shift, and do not mind an automatic, stick with the automatic, unless you have a really compelling reason to get a manual.

posted by 68.198....

• Manual vs. Sentronic Automatic, js, Mon, 13 Jun 2005 21:57:11
  • Re: Manual vs. Sentronic Automatic, pocmonster, Tue, 14 Jun 2005 20:55:29 <-- Viewing This Message
  • Burned clutches and crunched gears...., Mike Lynch , Tue, 14 Jun 2005 13:18:20
  • Sentronic is a good compromise, BrianD, Tue, 14 Jun 2005 07:13:07
  • Re: Manual vs. Sentronic Automatic, jc, Tue, 14 Jun 2005 06:24:01
  • Downshift smoothly, JJ Jax, Tue, 14 Jun 2005 05:13:44
  • Re: Manual vs. Sentronic Automatic, jeff, Tue, 14 Jun 2005 03:59:39
    • Praise for auto from stick loyalist., Rafe, Tue, 14 Jun 2005 20:01:16
  • Re: Manual vs. Sentronic Automatic, Randy Thatcher , Tue, 14 Jun 2005 00:04:43
    • I think they had them in Canada ..., Canadian_Saab, Tue, 14 Jun 2005 05:26:24
    • oops, sensonic or sentronic?, Randy Thatcher , Tue, 14 Jun 2005 00:06:45
      • Sensonic is what the NG900s had..., turrbo , Tue, 14 Jun 2005 01:26:20
        • Re: Sensonic is what the NG900s had..., JimBlake , Tue, 14 Jun 2005 04:58:02
          • You're right, it IS completely an auto.., turrbo , Tue, 14 Jun 2005 09:31:25
          • Re: Sensonic is what the NG900s had..., js, Tue, 14 Jun 2005 06:42:12

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