Unpopular opinion: manual transmission swaps are overhyped for daily drivers

I swapped a 5-speed into my 2005 Honda Civic last spring in Denver, and while it's fun on backroads, the stop-and-go traffic here makes me regret it every day. I spent about $800 on parts and a junkyard transmission, but my left knee started hurting after just 3 weeks of commuting. I learned that the extra control isn't worth the constant clutch work if you live in a city with bad traffic. Has anyone else done a swap and wished they kept the automatic?

3 comments

3 Comments

kellys7810d ago

My buddy did a WRX swap into a Subaru wagon last year and swore it would be the best daily driver ever. Now he just complains about his leg cramping up on his drive to work while I'm perfectly fine sipping coffee in my automatic beater. Different strokes for different folks I guess, but traffic jams really change the equation.

the_elizabeth10d ago

Different strokes for different folks" is polite but I think it misses that some of us actually prefer the manual in traffic. I'd take rowing my own gears over sipping coffee while my car shifts for me any day, even if my knee gets a little stiff. Feels more connected to the road, and that engagement is worth a little leg burn to me.

drew_reed629d ago

Preach brother, my knee is begging for mercy by mile three of stop and go.