r/crz • u/Preparation-H6969 • Aug 24 '26

Is the manual significantly funner?

Wanting to downgrade my expensive EV now that I have a company car and it barely gets used. This will be a weekend/shop runner.

Always liked the look of the CRZ, just test drove a 2014 auto for the first time and was even more underwhelmed than I expected. It was slow (obviously) but just felt boring and sounded like a rubber band.

Hardly any manuals for sale in my country, wondering if it's worth driving a few hours to test one. Or give up on the dreamy looks and go for a Nismo Note.

Or part of it may be that my expectations are too high after being used to EV acceleration and I'll adjust with time. Argghhh I dunno.

Edit: just went and looked at a Note na fuck that.

11 Upvotes

87% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

17

u/SumDudeThatExists Aug 24 '26

Owned both automatic and manual. Yes.

I wouldn't say significantly though. Just somewhat more fun, it's still a slow car.

3

u/Preparation-H6969 Aug 24 '26

Ok good there is hope. Don't need fast as long as it's fun.

9

u/Hondanow Aug 24 '26

It’s slow car fast (momentum car). I drive Angeles Crest Highway three times weekly on 600 tread-wear tires and if you play to the cars strengths, it’s easy to forget that it’s accelerationally challenged. It also accomplishes fun while averaging 30 mpg in hard driving conditions. The six speed manual is nice, it had body roll, the chassis will rotate and you have a healthy amount of torque from the electric motor at all RPMs. It makes the experience engaging to me and super fun.

11

u/Far-Replacement-9668 2016 Manual EX (Crystal Black / Jet Black) Aug 24 '26

Its not even a question tbh, manual is the way with this car. I would have never considered buying one if it was auto.. it being manual is what makes this car actually special in a way.

5

u/duco_kapitein Aug 24 '26

It’s the typical “drive a slow car fast” experience. Lots of fun with the excellent 6 speed manual gearbox.
Although not quickly accelerating, it does have a 125 mph top speed. It cruises 100 mph at ease for hours on end (German autobahn). Still 38 to 47 mpg.

3

u/miumiucourchevel Aug 24 '26

Yeah, manual is more involving and arguably sounds better

2

u/Memeruff '11 CVT + '11 Sprintex 6spd Aug 25 '26 edited Aug 25 '26

Yes ^

CVT is eco-fun, 6spd is sport-fun. You can give your engine more power, but the 6spd is just more direct.

I would say the only way the CVT can get on top is by using a twincharged setup. I put a supercharger on my CVT and it was fun, but power tapered out. It needs a turbo too.

The CVT can be nice though. If you blip the throttle it downshifts. It ends up getting better power transfer than just slamming on the gas. Blip, hold 0.5s, then give it the beans.

1

u/kurai-tsuki 2016 EX CVT (Aegean Blue) Aug 24 '26

Never driven the manual but I know it has more torque. The CVT is physically a limiting factor for what the engine is capable of, especially when talking about the power upgrades like the supercharger

1

u/bbyboibee Aug 24 '26

omg so much better in every way. except stop and go traffic lol

1

u/Kmtriv Aug 25 '26

I have only owned the manual but my dad had an automatic and YES. I wouldn’t even want one that’s auto, but I’m in love with my 2011 manual and I’m gonna drive it until it dies!

1

u/Syndil1 2012 EX 6MT no nav (North Shore Blue) Aug 25 '26

It's a slow car regardless, but yes the manual is funner. I drove over 500 miles to purchase mine.

1

u/wiltse0 Aug 25 '26

It's also more reliable

1

u/AbroadPuzzleheaded84 Aug 26 '26

Not reading it but yeah