[arpad_m]

I learned to drive on a stick instructor vehicle (a small Ford, heh) and had manual cars for years before even trying an automatic. It took me days of hesitation to pick a transmission when it came to buying my Camaro, but in the end the automatic won out for various reasons.

My personal view is that the Tremec M6 in the Camaro is an excellent transmission, and, after proper tuning, so are these modern Hydra-Matics, but no matter which one you choose, you'll make sacrifices. Nothing like a proper 3-2 downshift before a turn with the manual, the Tremec even rev matches for you if you want it to, but the WOT bang (fuel cut) shifts or performance shift mode on my A8 are pure joy as well, and I could go on about both transmissions.

So, I don't regret choosing the automatic, but I did have to acknowledge the loss and move on. The same will apply no matter which one you choose.


(PS I love the phone angle SamSmoothCastel brought up, it would be much more relevant than even a few years ago. The number of distracted drivers is astounding.)