ive driven the manual, the auto that i test drove i BELIEVE was the 2.4L. i liked both. i live in florida, so no hills or anything where i'd need to be downshifting to pick up speed or anything like that.

i know most of you guys like manual, just wanna do a poll to see how many actually have each one.

also, what kind of gas milage are you guys seeing with the manual and the auto? ive heard 35+ with the 5 speed.

 

My first HHR was a 2.2 L Auto. It did fine. Never really paid much attention to the mileage because I could easily tell it was much better than the car it replaced.

 

Personally, I can't stand a 4cyl auto, period. Manual only for me. I tested the same as you it seems, a 2.4 auto and the 2.2 manual. Felt no differance in performance. After I looked at the performance numbers, it's comfirmed, no differance. They are almost identical. Those were with the 2006 models. After 06, they changed the final drive ratio on the auto's from 3.91 to I think it is now a 3.31(?) so that put the auto numbers a little higher (slower) from the 06. As far as I know, the manual still has a 4.17 final drive ratio. But have not looked into it. Not sure if the SS has the same or what.

Bottom line, drive what you like. You are the only one that has to be happy with the purchase.

 

i think i will drive a 2.2L auto, and then drive the manual one again tomorow, right before i make a purchase. lol

 

My commute is quite hilly, so gas mileage numbers from me should be taken with a grain of salt, but I'm averaging around 31 mpg's with my manual, 90% highway though.

It's going to be personal preference. I enjoy driving a manual, some people don't. I like having control of the gears when I'm overtaking cars, and merging onto the interstate, just like solman was saying, a manual with a 4-popper gives you that extra edge.

Also from the price stand point, it's a $1,000 cheaper for a manual, and because I knew that this car was just a commuter vehicle for me to put many miles on, I was just looking for the most basic you could get with it.

Ultimately this is something you can't take someone else's word on. You either like driving a stick, or you tolerate driving a stick, or you hate driving a stick. Unless you absolutely like driving a stick, don't get one.

 

 

Neither... get the manual 2.0

 

I have an '06 2.4L auto. I've average a tad over 30 mpg. I'll get 35+ on rural highways @ 55 mph. The 10% ethanol blend has dropped my mileage down by 10%.. I have a couple of 5 speed manual cars in the garage. One is getting a clutch put in in the next week or so. It's second in the 23 years I've owned the car. Manual transmission cars are fun unless you are stuck in traffic.

 

This is the age old question...

Do you *like* to shift?
Do you get stuck in traffic?
Do you think a manual is more manly and only whoosies buy automatics?
Is gas mileage important?

I buy automatics when I think I will be stuck in traffic enough it will drive me nuts. I will accept either since I don't mind shifting. I rarely get stuck in traffic. I think autos are as manly as manuals and the MPG different is minor.

If none of those matter then it's down to the difference in the sense of power if that matters. Manuals generally *feel* quicker (but it's not always true).

TK

 

I would have got a manual if they had one on the lot. I have an 2.2 auto and its ok I just like to shift and have more controll. I still get great gas mileage but think I could squeeze a few more mpgs if I had the manual. If I were to do it again I would of waited for the manual.