Originally Posted by DoubleParadoxx

My G is my first manual. I drove a '92 BMW 325 around for a week beforehand. I've had the G 3 weeks now and I'm shifting just fine. Its definately a little more finicky than the BWM was. I've found that if you give it just a little bit of gas when you're letting off the clutch on an upshift itll be a lot smoother. I also tend to neutral->first about 1250-1750 RPMs to start off.

Reverse I think is the most difficult. It just wants to give it so much power idling in reverse.

Its totally been worth it, even in traffic (fun!). I'll never drive an auto again. 6th->4th + gas = bye bye anyone on the highway.

Originally Posted by xdram

Dude, go for the stick! This is my 2nd manual I learned on a BMW and yea I stalled the crap out of it at first so if the same happens to you, don't worry. I don't think you do much damage by stalling it. You'll learn quick. I found it only takes a few minutes to learn to drive, the rest of your life to perfect it but you get better and better all the time.

I test drove the auto and wasn't very impressed. Then I took the MT for a spin and I was sold. It felt quicker but more importantly, it was so much fun to drive!!!

Also, this might be my last car in a MT because auto technology is getting better and better all the time. Pretty soon MT will be rare so I figured I'll get one while I can

The only tricky part is starting from a complete stop while on a hill. Rolling back will get you worried but do what I did. I drove to my school's parking garage on a weekend and practiced going up the ramps. It wasn't long until I mastered it.

Get the MT and you'll never look back. Don't worry, you'll figure it out. Millions of us had the same situation and we all survived.

Originally Posted by bboysteele

I recommend a 6mt BUT make sure you learn how to drive one first. Have your dad show you or one of your friends. My second car was a 97 Geo Metro which was a stick. I drove it off the lot not really able to drive a stick. I had done it a couple times before but I would always stall. After a month or so of this I had my best friend who drove a stick very well show me how to drive one. After his 1hr session, I was an expert. We went to our high school which has an open road and drove up and down the road until I could do it smoothly then we went to a steep hill so I could do it without rolling back and stalling. The clutch is also light on the G37 so you shouldn't have any troubles.

Originally Posted by raptorius

AAARGGGGG! I am in the same boat as you vinny and now this thread has me all confused!!!

I somewhat know how to drive stick, and I love it more than an auto, but I spend a decent amount of time in traffic (but more time on open road) but just thinking about how I could ruin my clutch if I did get the 6MT just hurts thinking about it. The other thing is that sometimes when you aren't in the mood, you could leave it in auto and just forget about it (though Im sure after enough time behind the wheel you could also just drive the manual without thinking about it too).

The only thing that I would want in the manual is the paddle shifters (i love those things for some reason).

Now I too am back onto the fence (though I have more time to stay here, wont get my G for a couple months . Anywho, decide which is best for you but even now I am considering just saying to hell with it and sticking with the 6MT.