Did my test at 16 on an auto after 2 years with a motorcycle license. Older (much) GF at 18 taught me how to drive her manual Datsun 610, um, and many other things. I've never owned an automatic. Ah, memories.

 

Times have changed since you and I were 16.
The Student Drivers' company teaching my son this spring didn't have a stickshift for him to learn on and pass his test, which is really what I wanted for him.
So now I'm in a bit of a pickle as the Volvo XC is auto and the manual C2 is not really the right clutch-smoking test bed for him.

 

Anti theft system.

 

I'm solidly in the PDK camp. It shifts smoothly and quick but yet still lets me be in control with the manual mode for those quick passes on the highway.
Frees up my right hand to waive at other PCars, skip songs on my iPod or just put my arm around my girl.

 

I have heard of those stats.
Does it mean that a 6-speed stickshift has more deterrence potential than a 5-speed one?

 

The "control" thing is the one thing that I didn't like about the PDK. In my EVO X, the dual clutch tranny would stay in whatever gear you left it in. So for example if I drove and revved the engine to redline... the car would stay bouncing off the rev limiter and wouldn't shift. If I was in a high gear and decided to accelerate... it wouldn't downshift. The car would always hold the gear you asked it to (unless you were going to stall).

Now I don't know if there's different programming in the GT models... but in my 4S the car seems to shift on it's own at extremes.

 

I'll have to pay attention. I know if you leave it in automatic mode and just override with the paddles, it will quickly reset and move back to the 'appropriate' gear. But if you have it in manual mode.....thought it would stay in that gear unless it neared the red line. Yes, it still does have a safety built in.

 

Buy a POS manual car for $500, get a 10 day permit for it for $15, some insurance (maybe a month worth) and then teach your son to drive a manual. 10 days is 240hrs....more than enough time to learn to drive a manual. Then when the 10 days are up, sell it to the closest junkyard for $300. This is the cheapest way to do this if you don't want to use an expensive car or can't find a driving school that offers this.

 

And then spend a little more so he can learn how to use a Stanley Steamer!!!

 

Priceless!

 

why not buy a corolla if you want to focus on other things behind the wheel ?

 

Exactly if your aim is to be posserific!!!

 

Yeah, cause only pcars with manual trannies are real pcars.....pfff.

 

Because Corolla's don't drop panties like Porsche do... lol

(jokes)

 

Same BS as to be a real Porsche the engine has to be in the back... The 911 manual transmission luddites can sit in a corner and all stroke each other with how superior their cars are... I never like the elitist attitude that some (not all) Porsche owners have.. Then we have the Porsche owners who turn up their noses and other Porsche owners because "it's not a proper Porsche". Really lame...

Me, I just love cars, I have favorites, and I have reasons for driving what I drive. I don't judge others on their choice, if they have passion for their car, I have respect for them... NASCAR, drifting, drag racing, not really my choice, but good for you if you love them.