my gf is getting a new car very soon
shes been driving stick for almost 8 years and her dad knows this
he is co signing so he has a say in what she gets
so far she likes the 04 civic sedan ex
he wants her to get auto because he thinks its easier to maintain

i want to say it costs more to maintain and to buy

 

What does she want?

I'm no expert, but I've talked to a couple of transmissions specialists lately (cause of my auto prelude) and they say that automatics have about a 50% higher failure rate than a manual.

I'd also push the issue, he's just signing, not driving. Unless he really will be. But if he's not then I'd say he gets no say in what she gets.

 

just tell him that she likes to drive "stick" :rick:

 

she wants a manual 04 civic ex 4dr
he wont be driving but he is overbearing and a bit :screwy:

 

5spd: better gas mileage, cheaper to fix, purchasing price of vehicle will be cheaper.

 

what makes it cheaper to fix

 

Gas mileage
More control in winter

 

call any tranny shop,..auto trannys are more expensive to fix,..changing fluids in an auto tranny is more of a bitch than a manual IMO

 

for reference, it cost me $3k to replace my auto tranny.

 

Have the father get a quote for a new stator or planetary gearset or solenoid for an AT, then get a quote for a new clutch. Given that your gf is experienced in driving an MT, stick with what works, I say.

Honda clutches, when treated fairly, are phenomenally rugged. The DC4's clutch lasted 97,000 miles.