Ive got a driving question.....and a purchase one?

Robert P

go automatic on your first car...it's safer and cost effective...1st time manual shift drivers have a tendency to burn clutches out rater quickly...expensive! and wouldn't you rater have that right hand free to ...hold on to your lady?)

Greywolf

If you live in a metro area, I vote the same as your parents. Go with an automatic for right now. It's a fact: most people get into a wreck within the first 6-12 months of getting their driver's license. Having a stick will increase those odds jsut because a teen driver has so much that draws his attention away from the road.

Buy a stick when you've got your first professional job, have mellowed out a little, and can enjoy the true beauty and style of a real sports car.

Besides, as you learn to get good on a stick shift, you'll end up stripping the gears and spending more money on the car in the long run.

lorraine

You don't really have to shift but you don't keep the clutch down. Since you are a new driver do you have the funds to replace the clutch (a fairly expensive repair) Do you think you'll ever need your folks to rescue you and drive your car for you?

HappilyEverAfter

With stop & go traffic, it would be best to get an automatic, since you don't have to worry about switching gears - you just press on your foot brake & that's it. It's good though that you can drive a stick, because they are cheaper vehicles, but you've also got to learn how to work on them, cause being as how you're a beginning driver, you might wear it out a little bit more. Plus, depending on what kind of traffic you're in, you're going to have to react at a drop of a dime, and sticks sometimes don't alow you that option w/o killing your vehicle.

Doug R

When driving a standard and stopping at a stop sign or light, I depress the clutch, brake, and leave the car in first gear. Sometimes, if the light is a long one, I shift to neutral so I can release the clutch. There is always the danger that your foot could slip off the clutch at a stop sign, but that will usually kill the car. So far as an automatic transmission being safer - Hog wash. You just need to know how to drive. One big advantage of the standard is apparent when you have a dead battery - your car can be pushed off to get it started. I still prefer an automatic, but enjoy the thrill of the manual every once in a while. Fuel economy is usually better for the standard as well, but on the 2007 Pontiac G5, the difference would probably be insignificant. The choice is up to you. If you are going to be in a lot of traffic, I would opt for the automatic. Young people have a general tendency to ride the clutch which will cause premature failure of the clutch - I'm not saying that you will, but that has been my experience in the 3 dozen or more teens I have witnessed driving. Properly driven, a standard is very safe and gives you that connected feel for the road. Good luck and enjoy your new car whatever you choose.

Just Me

as far as having to shift in stop and go traffic, that all depends on how much up to speed the traffic gets before having to stop again.
As far as the manual vs automatic, it's whatever your preference is. I prefer a stick, but my wife refuses to drive a stick, so we have an automatic.

filthboyzx81

first off i think you should learn how to drive before you buy a 2007 pontiac G5 pursuit...(is that a big car?) in England we mostly drive manual gears automatics are for lazy drivers who stay in the "fast lane" on the motorway.

secondly or thirdly whatever, all cars are dangerous in the wrong hands and i think that automatic cars are especially dangerous specialy cos a 9 year old could drive one like any other idiot.

does that help

iwingameover

Get the standard. They're more fun when you get out of traffic. And you push the clutch in when you need to stop. You could shift to neutral but then you're not ready to move when traffic does. You'd have to push the clutch in and shift back to first then go.

Agent47

If you come to a complete stop, you should always begin on 1st gear (recommended by most car makers). If you don't stop completely, you should be able to manage by only downshifting to 2nd gear and going from there. Next, it's fun having a stick shift car and faster and more economic (if you drive it right), but I've come to prefer an automatic in the big city just because of the so many frequent stop and go's and plus it gets tedious after a while.

eviot44

shift whenever is needed you can drive with 2nd gear in traffic automatic trans is easier but stick is cheaper longer life and on long trips keeps awake because you got to shift I'm young i go stick good luck

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