What would be better 1.8/2.5, 5spd manual or auto?

[Firescooby]

Hello all, great site!!I'm researching vehicles. I currently commute in a 1998 Honda Civic and get about 33 mpg. I want something that will be bother reliable and have longevity. Wondering what would be the better engine to choose and transmission. Want the best MPG AND the best long lasting combination. Would the 5 speed auto be something to worry about down the road? I am good on maintenance and take care of my stuff.Opinions welcome.Thanks

[Raven]

Manual 1.8L would be the best for mpg and probably longevity too.

[tx_wrx]

+1smaller engine better gas mileagemanual trans = more gears and more driver control thus better mileage

[lowincash]

yup smaller engine is definitely better...but i'm quite surprised how well the 2.4 does...even with auto...i've read on here people have been getting 30's which i definitely don't mind at all since my current car is getting 16-22mpg haha but yah i'll be getting a 2.4 auto soon

[VibeOwnerSince02]

I like the new tap shift automatic because I still get the great fuel economy in Atlanta traffic but always have the option to shift on my own when I'm outside the city on open roads or driving up and down the foothills of the Appalachians close to where I live.

[ToolGuy]

The gap now a days between manuals and auto trans is small these days. Electronic controlled transmissions run them at the optimal range and sweet spots. More and more autos are getting more gears to pick from now too. I say get what you like or want... For a daily driver I go auto in my rides. You will probaby have to do a clutch before any major repairs on an auto trans. All except changing the auto trans fluid when needed of course. Gear shifters can wear out or turn sloppy with play in a higher mileage manual trans car too.

[lowincash]

oh yeah for the 2.4L i think the auto gets 1 more mpg hwy than the manual.

[tx_wrx]

manuals in the hand of a good driver can get better MPG. Unless there is some real big differences between the two in gearing. I coast up to stops with my manual (just push clutch in) and the car coasts while the engine is at idle. An auto will decelerate the car, or if it coasts, the engine will not be at idle. So the cumputers have gotten better but the manuals get better MPG. I dont know whhat the h*ll the EPA does with a manual when they get worse mpg. Just go to fueleconomy.gov where people report their mileage and the manuals are consistently 1-2 mpg better than the autos.

[jake75]

I am too old to shift gears.That said, my take on what I read here is that with a manual at some point you will definitely face a relatively costly service; with an automatic you might be unlucky and face a costly srevice. I'd estimate the chances at 1% or less. But then an AT adds about $900 to the cost. A 2 mpg diff over 60,000 miles is 125 gal of gas. At $4 a gallon that is $500.My bottom line is that the total cost of manual vs AT is about the same. It then all depends on how much you like driving a manual vs. automatic.

[northvibe]

manual 1.8 can get some wicked mileage. the 2.4 should get fairly decent. It also depends on how you drive!

[tx_wrx]

>>My bottom line is that the total cost of manual vs AT is about the sameyeah not really. A clutch on a low hp car is going to last 100k miles. My wrx has 94k miles on it and the clutch is just starting to slip. On the WRx it costs roughly $900 to replace, but that is atleast double what a normal car costs. So manual is $900 less than auto, will save you about $800-1000 in gas over 100k mi and will only cost about $400 to replace the clutchbut that said, i drive a manual because i cant stand driving automatics. I prefer to shift since it is more engaging driving and more fun.

[sk8r78]

I would say if you are in a rural area go with the Stick if you are urban, suburban, go with the auto. Nothing worse than having to shift 40 times to get a mile. the New auto has manual shift mode, so you can still shift on you're own should you feel the need. The mileage in either is gonna be based on your driving habits. decent mileage could be had with either

[ToolGuy]

I disagree that manuals are cheaper in the long run. You figure a clutch lasting 100K, sure... But what about gears and synchros? Those can go at any time. I have put 200,000 on some auto trans with nothing more then fluid and filter changes. You can also put them in neutral and coast to lights; hypermiling. May not be legal but you can do it. I say autos are cheaper in the long run...

[Firescooby]

Keep the replies coming.I live in a rural area and my commute is 60 miles each way every 3rd day. I also want something safer and newer than my Civic so we can use it as a "family vehicle" more to keep the miles down on our 2005 Sienna and save gas also.My Civic is a manual, and I've owned mostly manuals all my life. I've never had to replace a clutch even after driving manuals for 200k miles (knock on wood). I'm real easy on the clutch, obviously. I do like the thought of an automatic though for obvious reasons.I'd like to get at least 30 mpg, is this possible (regularly) with the 2.4/auto? Barring city traffic, hard driving, etc of course.Thanks

[vibedrivermatt]

The fw2.4 vibe with manual transmission is good. You should note the awd and gt models get double wishbone rear suspension. The regular 1.8 and 2.4 vibes just have torsion bar back there. I think the best way to speck out the vibe is to get awd,2.4 engine,manual transmission. You might get a little worse fuel mileage than in your accord. Hey what happened to the 6sp awd gt vibe? did that ever exist?

[Firescooby]

I doubt I'll get AWD, no real need for it. I have a 2500HD 4wd if I need it during snow.

[vibedrivermatt]

I have the front wheeled 2.4 manual. Try to test drive one and see if you like it. Just have to accept the fact that your not getting double wishbone rear suspension. Not a biggie. My engine runs at about 3500rpm in fifth gear at 80mph. I thought this was a little high but with all that variable valve timing stuff it doesn't matter too much. 65mph is around 2700rpm if im remembering right. Maybe a few less rpm's Yeah I dont need awd vibe either, I was trying to come up with the best specs for performance. I wonder what would go faster around a twisty race track, a gt vibe or a awd vibe with 2.4?

[Firescooby]

Have you got a GT? What kind of mileage are you getting and what kind of driving do you do?

[vibedrivermatt]

nope not a gt. its a 2.4 with manual transmission. I do a mix of highway and back roads driving. Ive have never tried to calculate my fuel mileage, so I cant be too helpful there. I plan to do this soon. I agree with that guy who said the 1.8 can get wicked fuel mileage with manual. My brother has a 2006 5pd corolla(same 1.8 engine as vibe I think) he was getting around 45mpg by driving a certain way. The vibe might weigh a bit more but not much

[sk8r78]

The engine in the 06 Corolla is not the same as the 1.8 in the new Vibe. the New engine has Variable Valve Timing on the Intake and Exhaust, whereas the older 1.8 was only on the Intake. AWD is only available with 4spd Auto trans

[jerryn]

I've got a 2009 GT. 29mpg if I drive it like I stole it, 32mpg driving to work.mostly @45mph with AC if it's real humid, otherwise sunroof open and windows down.It's as fast if not faster than the 2001 Turbo Beetle I had. So.. I'm thinking about gettinga Greddy Supercharger! It bolts on the 2.4L engine.

[tx_wrx]

>>"But what about gears and synchros? Those can go at any time."huh ive never known anyone whos gears and synchros went. I have known many people whos auto transmissions had to be completely rebuilt or replaced due to manufacturing defects. My moms 2003 TL had the trans replaced at 50k miles due to a manufacturer defect. (under warantee of course).but yeah there is not enough difference between manual and auto to worry about cost, just drive what you like.As for driving a manual in traffic, i really prefer that to an auto. I feel like i have to stand on teh brakes with an auto to keep it from rolling when i dont want it to. With the manual i just barely have the brakes depressed which is more comfortable for me.

[ToolGuy]

Quote, originally posted by tx_wrx »>>"But what about gears and synchros? Those can go at any time."huh ive never known anyone whos gears and synchros went. I have known many people whos auto transmissions had to be completely rebuilt or replaced due to manufacturing defects. My moms 2003 TL had the trans replaced at 50k miles due to a manufacturer defect. (under warantee of course).but yeah there is not enough difference between manual and auto to worry about cost, just drive what you like.As for driving a manual in traffic, i really prefer that to an auto. I feel like i have to stand on teh brakes with an auto to keep it from rolling when i dont want it to. With the manual i just barely have the brakes depressed which is more comfortable for me.FWIW, I bought my Corvette used. It had a bad synchro, I found it when I drove it and was replaced by the dealer car had 53,000 on it when I got it. My car at 60,000 now does still have the original clutch however. I know others that have had a synchro go too and others that have have their auto trans blow up on them all out of warranty. Some of the auto trans were shifted manually and had their line pressures adjusted thus shortening the life of the trans. But then other auto trans were bone stock. GM has a great transmission or their supplier does but failures will still happen. On a side note:I recently had to replace my clutch petal return spring. I bought a new one because I know springs lose tension as time goes on. It is a $10 spring and installs from inside the car. Upon looking at my spring, one of the three arms was broken off! The piece was not on the floor and I assume it was like that when I bought the car because I never . The car also shifted just fine with it broken. Glad I bought the new spring! I also had to align the shifter. Not for an issue but because the bolts get loose from all the shifts to make up the 53,000 miles. Shifter alignment is a normal procedure for manual trans vehicles, those that can have it done. Think of all the "one arm rowing" you do just to drive the car and shift! I changed out my clutch fulid as you should because it gets old and degrades over time. I also changed out my trans fluid which was done when the synchro was replaced and should have been at that mileage anyway IMO but I changed it out because I wanted to run Mobil1 in it. These are more reasons why I say manual require more money over the long run. Reverse light switches can break on manual shifting cars as well as the clutch safety switch inside the car that detects if the clutch is depressed in order to start it or not. Do not get me wrong, I wanted my 6-speed, had to look a long time to find it too and would not buy a Corvette any other way but for daily driving I just prefer an auto or my Jeeps CVT.

[mbc]

recommend a 1.8 w/automaticthe different in gas mileage between the manual and automatic isn't much and you'll have no transmision/clutch problemsI consistly get 35+ mpg w/about 75% highway driving.

[Celtic_Curse]

I don't recommend the 1.8 w/Supercharger. My gas mileagehas gone way down....but fun factor way up.