Auto vs Standard Base Vibe

[wx-babe]

Hey all,This is my very first post on the forum. For the past 2 weeks I have been browsing the many posts and really enjoy reading them.Anyway, I currently own a 5 spd 93 Acura Integra that has 306,000 km on it and now I am thinking that it is time to get a new car not only because it is costing me a lot of money, but also because of safety issues. I have finally decided that the Vibe is *the best car for me*. It totally suits my needs and personality. Now here is my dilemma. Hubby drives automatic and refuses to drive standard and I love standard and have been driving it for 5 years... I just love the feel of having that little extra control over the vehicle. I have been doing a lot of thinking and figure that maybe the Automatic is probably the more practical choice for me since I will be driving in a lot of traffic jams and also because hubby can then share the driving with me on our big road trips.Just wondering if any of you have made the transition from being a 'standard driver' to then buying an automatic VIBE. Did you have any regrets? What do you think of the drive, compared to the 5 spd. So far I only test drove the Automatic Base Vibe and thought that it felt a little sluggish between 0-60 range... is this something that I can get used to ??Anyway sorry if this is a silly post... but I am racking my brain over this one!

[Vibe Rater]

quote:Hubby drives automatic and refuses to drive standard Ouch! Are you sure your husband is a man? Buy the 5 speed VIBE and trade in the husband. Better still, get the GT 6 speed and live happily ever after.

[ragingfish]

Don't settle. Most people invest in a car, and plan to keep it for several years. If you will be unhappy with a automatic, settling for one will make you unhappy with the car.I wish I knew how to drive a manual...I'm gonna learn, though, and my next car will be a stick!

[cohocarl]

First of all, WELCOME to the forum!!!I'm a "Manual Guy". 19 of the 21 cars I've owned have been manuals. I agree with you in "having that little extra control". Drive both and see what you think. I hate to start a flame war, but the auto doesn't even compare to the manual in my opinion. (Plus it's less expensive!). Much more fun to drive and better fuel mileage. I think one drive in a manual base Vibe would answer your question.Later,Carl

[Hot Vibe]

The five speed is more fun to drive but being stuck in traffic jams and the fact that the husband will help drive on long trips is enough to decide that one. If have any children you will want an automatic. You need one hand free sometimes to reach back and give/slap/do whatever.

[Jahntassa]

No way...don't give in to the automatic!I have the 6-spd..my mom has a Passat with the auto. Hers is fun..but only because it has the tiptronic thing in it.Stick with stick. If he wants to drive it, he's gotta learn. What's so hard anyway? 1st...to 2nd...to 3rd...etcetc

[wx-babe]

Hey geys thanks for the feedback... Actually hubby and I are planning on having a family and that is another reason why I was thinking of maybe going for the automatic. Plus it is supposed act as our future family vehicle even though I will be the main driver for commuting to work etc.I must say that after reading some of the posts I am a little more stuck in the middle now leaning a bit more towards the standard ... curious to hear from the auto vibe drivers.

[NovaResource]

I drive almost exclusively in the city. A manual is a pain in my situation. About the slow 0-60 times, you get that in both the manual and auto. The engines in the Vibe don't make alot of low end torque but they make lots of power above 3000-rpm. Even more in the GT above 6200-rpm.In a base Vibe, you will get slightly better acclereation with a manual but not a bunch. If you want more, I'd suggest the GT.

[ragingfish]

Did I forget to mention I have an auto, but I find myself manually shifting a lot...both up and down...

[Reynoma]

About 5 years ago, I traded in my 90 Honda Prelude 5-speed because my wife and I were having twins. I bought a 96 Dodge Intrepid (because of the size of the back seat). It had an auto-stick feature. After driving that for 2 1/2 years, and hating every minute of it, I went to the Vibe GT 6-speed. I am so happy to be back in "manual" mode. My advice is that the connection between driver and car is one of the most important factors in driving. If you like a 5 speed, then stick with it. If you go to an auto, you risk the factor of "hating" the car because of the transmission after about 6 months.

[joatmon]

I bought a 5 speed for the better mpg's - L/100km I test drove both and it seemed like the 5 speed had more power, probably because I could wind it up into the power band where the auto shifted at lower RPMs. An automatic can be really handy at times though. Drive both,and take a realistic look at where you will be driving and how often you really need to have max power. Everybody here will tell you either way, if you get a Vibe you'll like it.

[cohocarl]

My boy will be 2yrs old on 9/11. I guess I don't see how an automatic transmission would be beneficial if you have children. The only benefit I can see with an automatic is it's easier to talk on your cell phone while in traffic.I think it's unfortunate many vehicles are not available with manual transmissions. Wouldn't a V6, ram air, 6-speed manual Grand Am be fun? How about a Supercharged Grand Prix? (And I don't want to hear about these pseudo manuals that still have a torque converter)The wife's V-6 5-speed manual Stratus R/T Coupe (based on a Mitsubishi Eclipse GT) is a BLAST to drive.Sorry to get off on a rant here. Just glad to see many vehicles in the last couple years becoming available with sticks. (Caddy CTS, Toyota Camry)

[MrRich]

I testdrove an auto,a 5 speed and a GT before i bought mine.I choosed the 5 speed because:1.The auto was a little slugish for me too(sorry auto tranny owners,I love your Vibes also)2.The GT's 6 speed wasn't that smoth as the 5 speed.Maybe it's just me!(but I love your Vibes all GT owners)I live in a small town,with only two lights,so I don't drive in too much traffick.But I was in downtown Toronto once for two hours.O boy,that was a nightmare!At that time I wished for automatic.So what I can tell is go and testdrive all 3 trannys.After that,sit down and ask yourself.Where you going to drive?How important is comfort(auto),and how important is fun driving(5 or 6 speed)?I know you going to made the right decision!Good luck!

[Mathew_M]

I test drove a GT 6 speed and then standard 5 speed. While I really wanted the manual I found that with my somewhat short arms, the Vibe's stick is a few inches too forward for my comfort. As an analogy, I felt like I was 'puppeteering' the car and was rather exhausted after the test drive. Because the Vibe fits my utilitarian needs I decided (along with some prodding by my dad) that the automatic would be my best choice. In all honostly I was never the best manual stick driver however I did enjoy it and now with my new Satellite 04' Vibe Automatic I miss some of the pleasures. Nonetheless manuals suck in traffic and urban environments. While I'm giving up some of the pleasures of driving a stick I'm also more at ease behind the wheel and feel less stressed.

[cds22]

Well I had owned nothing but standards for the past 20 years before buying my Vibe. My last car was a Honda Accord Coupe and I loved driving it with the manual tranny. However, when I bought my Vibe one of my key requirements was AWD and unfortunately you can't buy that with a standard transmission. I would LOVE to have had the 6 speed but practicallity won out and I went for the auto AWD. I've been driving it for over a year now and I'm totally used to it, no complaints. At first I found it kind of boring to drive, felt like there was just too little to do. But now I don't mind it at all. It certainly is nicer to drive in traffic than a standard although I do miss the extra control on the highway. Having said that, I'm a pretty tame driver (pretty much stick to the speed limit) so the auto is just fine. I think you just have to make a list of the pros and cons and use common sense to make your decision.

[disneydj]

Ah the age old Standard Auto debate...Budget wise it's always good to go with the standard, cheaper cost up front and you get better milage (sometimes)But if you live somewhere with bumper to bumper traffic the norm, like here in Orlando, I suggest the automatic. Less work when those red lights in front of you just won't stop flashing.Good luck, and Hammer Down

[cohocarl]

Also, from my experience, I have never had any transmission problems with any of the vehicles I've owned that had a manual. I have had problems with the few automatics I've owned.

[wx-babe]

Thanks again for the posts...I guess I am really going to have to test drive both auto and manual to firm up any final decisions. Hubby even recommended to do that... he does not want me to regret my decision since it will be mostly my car. He said that in an emergency he will drive the 5spd but that's about it Anyway I made a list of pros and cons (keeping in mind some of the posts) and would you believe that both sides came out equal for me. I forgot to mention that I am a ham radio operator and driving my current 5spd on the city streets and trying to operate the radio the odd time was not easy and actually detered me from using it. I do still have a lot to think about! The traffic is a concern and the fact that if I get the 5spd Vibe, it will not be designated as one of the road trip/ski trip vehicles since most of my friends and family drive auto only and we always share the driving on the longer trips... and I think the Vibe would be the ultimate vehicle for those trips. Anyway, I really appreciate the feedback...

[AKLGT]

i have a 6 spd GT. when i bought my vibe, the main requirement was it to be manual. i thought about the GA GT SC/T but it only came in auto. i like to feel the gears when i shift. nothing like that exhilerating feeling of controling when to shift. i am short, only 5'2" so the seat sits close to the wheel. i have no probs shifting due to where the shifter is mounted. in fact, i love running thru the gears getting on the highway. tho there's not as much traffic in anchorage as seattle or denver, i still prefer the control and pure glee of driving my manual. i wouldn't have it any other way. the only auto's i've owned have been trucks or SUV's. and then, only for towing really. i test drove all models and the base in both auto and manual. the autos just didn't do it for me. i felt like i was waiting for the gas to kick in and the car to move. way too sluggish for my tastes. keep in mind i was coming from a toyota tundra auto. when you put your foot down on the gas, it moves instantaneously. once i drove the gt, i knew which one i needed. if getting the base, definitely the 5 spd. more control and more power to dictate how you want to use it and when.

[Mathew_M]

I have noticed that the Vibe was designed for the driver to sit closer to the steering column. At 5'10 which is a pretty average height I feel scrunched up this way. I like to sit back and stretch out a little. The Vibe is perfect in terms of head and lumbar space but I do wish the steering column was a bit longer. If I were the designer I would of put the stick a few inches farther back and extended the steering column. Nothing is perfect and regardless I do like my Vibe quite a bit so far....

[goodvibe]

You've just described every Asian car under $30k. Telescoping wheels should be standard on them all. Wx-babe, autos are fine when you've got some power and toyota autos are great but if you like manuals I think that control you like is even more important in this car. If you buy an auto I think you'll find it OK for a couple of month and hate yourself for a couple of years. I'm talking about small motor stick vs auto with you in mind and not the Vibe specifically. The Vibe auto is a great car but not for me and I suspect the same will be true for you. The first one I tested was an auto because it's all the dealer had and I almost walked away from this great car. It was fine but I wanted a bit more. The stick increased the fun factor more than I expected. I actually ended up with the Gt and I use it in Chicago traffic every day. It's personal preference here and the auto's perfect for many but you don't seem to be a candidate. Comprimise, tell hubby he can have the auto if he has the baby.