Quote:
Originally Posted by LUVMY02CREW
...While I would love to have a manual, the cost to swap one in would sure buy a bunch of fuel for the automatic.
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just for one datapoint, I swapped an s-series saturn to manual for $400 (from a parts car, w/new tires on it
) and using a looong weekend. The fact you can bump start it with a hand push makes EOC and pulse and glide much less nervewracking (will the starter work this time?). I actually had to push it and and jump in the other day, hence the starter rebuild thread
A stick enables more advanced "hypermiling" techniques as well as a notable degree of reliability (dead battery? use the 9 volt in your garage door opener to jump start the alternator field, then bump start the car), plus the inherent efficiencies of no slippage or friction scrubbing or extra weight/complexity/cost.
So getting over 40mpg is easy now, was getting mid 20s with the auto. The swap in my case has paid for itself many many times over.