[baege]

If you're a manual fan, is it enough to have 1 manual in the stable to feed the need?

the reason I ask is I contemplating an r8 v10 purchase and it's getting harder and harder to find 1st gen gated ones and if you do find one they are getting very pricey...

I can almost get a 2017 non plus or a 2018 rws R8 for the same price as a 2012 and up R8 V10 gated, and the former will be much newer car with warranty and a newer platform...

so I am wondering if I should get a more ordinary manual car in the 25k range (like a used wrx or mini) and get the newer r8?

will my thirst for a manual be met with the daily such that I would be ok with the s tronic in the r8?

[XutvJet]

I need to have at least one manual in my stable. I've never had the luxury of owning two cars at once but I am currently looking at 944 turbos and 944 S2s as my fun/track car and will keep my M235 6MT as a daily. The 944 will obviously be a manual.

When comes to which car in my stable I'd want the manual, I'd DEFINITELY want my fun car to be the manual. Absolutely. For me, I have no desire to own a supercar with an auto. I want that connection, even if the car is slower. There is NO replacing that feel. If you're younger than 35, you probably wouldn't understand as you've probably spent little of your life driving a manual and probably lean more towards the tech and acceleration advantage of the auto.

There's damn good reason why manual R8s, Ferraris, Lambos, 911s, Caymen/Boxster, M BMWs, etc. all fetch more money than their automatic counterparts. Take note of how many of those owners had autos at first and then sold to get the manual.

If you're going to track this car competitively, then the auto is a no brainer. It will be faster and more reliable.

[jmack]

One is enough for me, I only need a manual on my weekend car. I very much don't want a manual for my daily driver or truck.

[G80indy]

yep...
except the SUV

[Humdizzle]

one manual is fine as long as its your fun car. i currently have two manuals, my GT3 and F80. But really the GT3 is better at everything except the comfort/dd stuff, so there is no point to a manual m3 anymore for me. I only bought it because at the time i had a 458 and 335, both auto, and was tired of flicking paddles.

dont skimp on your weekend car. get the manual R8 and cheap beater to dd.

dont buy a new R8, it will depreciate alot. The older manual R8 will hold value.

[VisualEcho]

Originally Posted by 330indy

yep...
except the SUV

This.

Daily - M2 - 6/MT
Toy - Exige - 6/MT
Family car - RDX - Auto

[Germanauto]

No but I feel very compelled now as these transmissions are all but going extinct as electrification takes over the industry. The forthcoming M2 and M3/4 may be the last stick shift BMWs ever made.

[freakystyly]

In the end it's about what makes YOU happy.

I personally wouldn't find enjoyment in 2 pedals in what is supposed to be a fun car. I feel sorry for people who don't enjoy driving stick in traffic... guess what, that's driving.

My current DD is pretty much already a dead breed. RWD, 4 doors and 3 pedals. The combo doesn't exist beyond the M3 anymore.

[henrylee]

Originally Posted by 330indy

yep...
except the SUV

F80 M3- Manual
S2000- Manual
QX60- auto

[Darth One]

All my cars don't NEED to be manual. That would be too self-limiting in this day. For instance, that would close the door on any Mclaren or modern Lamborghini or Ferrari.

OP, you're asking a different question, though. You're asking "should my fun cars be a manual if it's available?". My answer to that is hell yes

[stein_325i]

One in the house is a requirement for the wife and I. There is no replacing the engagement and fun for rowing your own gears. Although one is enough, the more the merrier!

[para38super]

One is enough for me. But there is certain cars that have to be either manual or auto. I want a Porsche 911 and it will have to be manual for me. I am somewhat partial to manual BMWs as well.

F30 Manual
Challenger Auto
Qx60 Auto

[Soterios]

My sporty/weekend cars are always manual.

My daily cars are always automatic.

[gatorfast]

Def need at least one manual but that always be the fun car with the commuter car being the auto. So in your case OP I would go the opposite and ensure your expensive fun car purchase is a manual just how you want it and then pick up an inexpensive auto car.

[m3fuz]

I will not get rid of my C4S unless there’s an equivalent or better manual car in my garage. Sure, it gets used only on nice days 3 seasons a year, but I still feel whole when I drive it.

[GERMAN M3]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

One in the house is a requirement for the wife and I. There is no replacing the engagement and fun for rowing your own gears. Although one is enough, the more the merrier!

Well said stein_325i , well said!

[GERMAN M3]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

One in the house is a requirement for the wife and I. There is no replacing the engagement and fun for rowing your own gears. Although one is enough, the more the merrier!

There has been one in my house since I started driving. I agree with stein_325i , having a manual offers a true driving experience.

[ky0u]

I'm on the fence. I have an second car that's MT, and my gf's car is also an MT.

I got the e92 as a more laid back touring/cruising car and all the MT equivalents came with a premium I didn't think was worth paying. I do miss it sometimes so I might convert later on. But for how i drive it now, a flashed AT is a surprising amount of fun too

[shadowfax]

Every car I've ever owned has been a manual.

[Fined]

The car, any car, for me it is a tool. I want the right tool for the task I plan to accomplish.
My M2 is manual. It is a daily driver. It's fun.

My 911 is a dual clutch. It is for taking to the track. It is more fun. At the track I am working on focusing on the correct line, braking points, etc.. I'm out to challenge myself only. I like the repeatability and consistency a dual clutch gives so that any variation should come from my driving technique and not from differences in driveline shock or differences, even minute, in time between gears.

I find the dual clutch (PDK) more rewarding when I'm pressing on, I find the manual more rewarding when I'm terribly far from the vehicles performance envelope such as for public roadway use.

[baege]

in my scenario, I don't really have a "daily" as I don't commute by car to work and don't even see myself doing so "post" pandemic

so it's more like I need a reliable newer regular somewhat practical car in addition to my special car just for regular life

As of late, the epic v10 of the R8 is attracting me to it as my special car (maybe even a keeper???)

gated manuals are getting pricey even for a 2010 with 30000 miles...it's not much of a stretch to jump to a 2017 or 2018 non plus or rws

I definitely need a manual in my life, but I wonder if having one in the regular car will mean that I could be happy with the s tronic in the gen 2 R8

sounds like the consensus is that in fact it's more important to have the manual in the special car...

and humdizzle's point about depreciation is a good one...the gateds actually already seem to be appreciating so even though the buy in might be almost as high as for a newer gen 2, the actual cost will be lower...

[evanescent03]

Originally Posted by baege

If you're a manual fan, is it enough to have 1 manual in the stable to feed the need?

the reason I ask is I contemplating an r8 v10 purchase and it's getting harder and harder to find 1st gen gated ones and if you do find one they are getting very pricey...

I can almost get a 2017 non plus or a 2018 rws R8 for the same price as a 2012 and up R8 V10 gated, and the former will be much newer car with warranty and a newer platform...

so I am wondering if I should get a more ordinary manual car in the 25k range (like a used wrx or mini) and get the newer r8?

will my thirst for a manual be met with the daily such that I would be ok with the s tronic in the r8?

such a tough call .. the R8 is glorious ... looks and sounds so good, and the manuals must be fun. I've only driven the V10 (it was a 2017ish). We rented it for a day and really enjoyed it.

I've found that the manual is what really keeps me engaged in most cars. Here's a summary of some eye openers:

F80 DCT: fun car on the track; became bored on the street

F80 6MT: should've never gotten rid of it

718S Boxster PDK: great on track, bored on street (engine maybe a factor?) — got rid of it after a month and two track days

GT3 and Turbo PDK @ PECLA: both amazing on track, but concerned how quickly I'd lose interest on the street

'16 M6 CP GC: so fast but a bore on the track and on the street unless I was on my way 140mph... not something I wanted to keep repeating.

What I've realized is that for a short period of time in a new/exciting car...

1) a PDK/DCT can be enough for a short period of time. Most normal driving is still boring though without a manual.

2) manuals make every drive more fun therefore..

3) manuals make me happier on the street

4) for the track, I prefer PDK/DCT but manual is still fine especially with rev matching (I know, I'm a noob)

5) most of my driving is on the street even if it's my "track car" ... about 10-20 days/year...

In conclusion: if I buy another PDK/DCT, no matter how insane the car is... I will need to have at least one other manual in the garage or I will grow bored and trade the car out.

Of course, YMMV. Some folks love the technology of the fast autos/dual clutch... it's nice to be able to text, drink coffee; and straighten up the interior of your while while driving through traffic which is way easier with only two pedals and no hands (sorta kidding).

Good luck !