Just curious, but doesn't that put more wear on the engine?
(ADMITTEDLY NOT A CAR GUY)

I thought clutches wear out after several years, no?

I live on top of a big steep hill, so that's a test drive up and down right there. Up the hill with the air conditioning going full blast; down the hill either shifting down or seeing what it does by itself.

I've never heard of that -is that in a particular car? Our Focus in nearly 10 years old with over 100K and no clutch problems.

But if you're not a stick fanatic, why would you consider one? In the UK it's the norm and we enjoy driving stick, so one of our cars is manual transmission, but here it's not the norm, it's not going to save you a bucketload of money, so unless you're really into it....?

I have an 01 Subaru outback. I'm happy with it.
I don't know if this applies to the new models, but for the older ones, the 5 speed manual comes with a low-range option, while the 4 speed auto doesn't.

Don't forget to take a look at the Mazda 5 and Kia Rondo. They are in their own category, the wagon/tiny minivan category. Only these 2 cars on the market in that category, and both are recommended by CR, if that's what you value. The Kia has more power and seats 7, and the Mazda seats 6. Both fold down their seats for tons of cargo room. They are small on the outside (for example both have a smaller footprint and shorter wheelbase than a Honda Accord!) and big on the inside. Small enough for driving around every day by yourself, and when you flip the back seats up, you can haul around all the grandkids when they visit. The 3rd row of seats is small in each, but the kids will be back there, so it's fine.

Not gonna turn any heads though. They are both pretty average to look at.

You could always paint go-faster stripes on them

re: clutch -- I'm not a stick fanatic, but I just miss it occasionally. Sometimes you can get a peppier engine and better gas mileage with a standard tran-but not always. Idk where I heard that you have to replace the clutch--something I read.

Probably the Mazdaspeed3 is what I'd be looking at from Mazda. I think the 5 is not what I'm looking for. The Kias . . . if I were to look at any of those, it'd be the Soul. I like the "boxy" segment

would you go for a more expensive car with a cheaper trim? or a cheaper car with a more expensive trim?

If the expensive trim was stuff I wanted (more cyl/hp, sport susp, leather etc) I'd go that route. Sometimes that stuff is standard on a more expensive car though, just have to compare.

Clutches do wear out, depends on driving style, vehicle etc., but you should be talking well over 100K miles, if not 200+, not 'every few years'

Manual transmissions also require less maintenance, no fluid flush and change every 30K

went to a Chevy dealer today and looked at (did not drive) an Equinox and an HHR. Wasn't terribly impressed with the Equinox (rear door heavy, huge blind spot), but liked the HHR--a lot! Much more "me." It's staying on the list.

http://autobash.com/wp-content/uploa...san-cube-1.jpg

http://2010chevy.org/images/2010_chevy_hrr.jpg

yes. pretty pictures. I like the funky cars and the boxy cars. My present car is so bland as to be almost invisible--I'd like to change that.

Cicero had one, you should ask her how she liked it.

Saw one in a pretty color the other day, a darker red. Looked like my old "chili pepper red" Jeep.

My hairdryer has more power than the Cube I drove. With the 4 of us in it I wanted to open the door and push with my foot...

Here ya go. ;)