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Completely true for me. I learned this skill of driving manual from my dad. I taught this by-then anachronistic skill to my wife, and then my children, both of whom passed their driver license tests on manuals. And many of the advantages of AT - lightning speed of shifts, for example - don’t move the needle for me in my particular use of the vehicle. The only reason I must consider automatic is that I’ve been looking for a manual with color and options I like and haven’t succeeded.
Certainly is an emotional attachment (then again, that’s the essence of the F-Type experience). My memory of learning to drive a stick shift was of my older brother telling me not to ride the clutch and then tossing me the keys to his brand new ‘68 Mustang fastback. His attitude was you had to jump in the lake to learn to swim. He was right, but it still took me another 5 years to do it right (toe/heel, double-clutching) when I started road racing.
Certainly is an emotional attachment (then again, that’s the essence of the F-Type experience). My memory of learning to drive a stick shift was of my older brother telling me not to ride the clutch and then tossing me the keys to his brand new ‘68 Mustang fastback. His attitude was you had to jump in the lake to learn to swim. He was right, but it still took me another 5 years to do it right (toe/heel, double-clutching) when I started road racing.
I never really got the hang of the heel/toe to the point I feel competent. I'll cop to adequate, but the ZF8 is better than I am. Most cars of mine had poor pedal positions and the Saabs had weak transmissions, so I was gentle. I didn't actually race a car until I was 50. Had plenty of motorcycle racing experience by then though. No-clutch upshifts are a piece of cake on a decent bike.
Yes, it's an emotional attachment. I want to do it even if the machine can do it better. If I were racing, I'd feel differently. I remember hard-earned tenths of a second, but the F-Type is a GT, and I'm here for the fun.
Mine is a 2017 Premium in Rhodium Silver with the Jet Black interior, regular seats. Would I have preferred contrast stitching and brighter colors? Sure, I also would have liked leather on the roof and the performance seats but they were thousands more. The silver is classic and with the 19-inch Orbit wheels and the black panoramic roof, it's pure and you see every crease in the aluminum. My mom says it's like molten metal.
I was torn between a dark blue Premium auto on 20s with the Oyster seats, or the silver Premium manual on 19s with the Jet seats. I was also looking at red and orange cars. All autos. I was so drawn to the silver, in ways that I normally wouldn't because it's boring on a lot of cars. But on the F-type, it fits. I didn't care if I bought a manual or auto, but in the end between just two cars, the manual won me over despite having the less desirable interior.
I had driven eight other F-type coupe and convertibles since the car launched, over thousands of miles. Only one was a manual, and at the time in 2016 when it was new I remember feeling, "yeah this is great, but I don't feel it compels me to get one over the auto." But the manual is so special, and will continue to be. I don't daily this car so when it comes out of the garage I'm craving it--and the stick!
What a great question. It will not be a primary car, though in warmer months as a practical matter I use it nearly daily. My area is rural so traffic in which a manual is a hindrance is a non-factor. These factors would favor manual...but...I already have an 2006 SLK350, a not-so-rare car with a rare-ish manual transmission. The obvious thought has been to sell the SLK when I find and buy the F-Type, but I guess I could rethink that and keep both. But...nah. LIfe’s too complicated. I just want the one fun car.
I could just keep this one.... Current ride...
You have a nice looking Mercedes, how fortunate we all are, love of cars and we have money to put into our cars. Btw, I am hooked on watching car programs. Whether it’s Mecum, Barrett, MAG, (been to all three) or if it’s Street Outlaws! My husband had turned me into a car freak!
enjoy your Mercedes!! Horsepower, riding comfort,
You have a nice looking Mercedes, how fortunate we all are, love of cars and we have money to put into our cars. Btw, I am hooked on watching car programs. Whether it’s Mecum, Barrett, MAG, (been to all three) or if it’s Street Outlaws! My husband had turned me into a car freak!
enjoy your Mercedes!! Horsepower, riding comfort,
I love this response, it is SO true, agonizing over car choices and colors is such a first world “problem” and we can’t lose sight of that. Thank you for adding this!!
When I took my step-daughter on a joy ride of my hours old (to me) F-Type (2017 Premium Ammonite Grey MT) she asked me a question. She asked why I had to have a manual car (she had been hearing me moan and complain about the slow death of MTs for years now). I thought about it for a second, and replied that the manual connects me to the car in ways an AT or flappy paddle shifters never would. I don't care how good or how fast the modern ATs are; that isn't what I want. Shifting the gear level involves me, and makes me happy.
I had to search for almost 2 years to get what I wanted. Though, to be fair, I had opportunities during that time, but the timing wasn't right. My only two hard points were that it had to be manual and had to be a coupe. Other medium points were that it had to be the S model and not black. Well, I got three out of the four (and couldn't be happier). Every time I drive the car, it is an occasion (even if I'm only running to the corner store).
One piece of practical advice? Use Auto Tempest! That is how I found my car. I'd check it several times a week, and it lets you filter by transmission, color, year, etc. Good luck in your seach!!
