Manual vs. CVT?

Discussion in '8G Lancer - Performance' started by jake, Jun 25, 2008.

  1. jake

    jake Active Member

    I'm still looking at lancers, hopefully buying soon. I was originally going to get the CVT. The deal I was working on I guess fell through because I havn't heard from the salesman in a while. Now I'm looking again. When I test drove, starting off was pretty sluggish in the CVT. I can drive a stick, but not that well yet, so I'm afraid to test drive it.

    Does first gear in a manual have any more power then starting off in the CVT?
     
  2. Evolve

    Evolve Well-Known Member

    ask for a test-drive. Don't be embarassed. It's an easy clutch. Believe me
     
  3. eg6motion

    eg6motion Well-Known Member

    Yes, it does. However the CVT also has a large "Learning" period and it drives differently than the cars you are test driving. It will still not beat a manual off the line (manual has the ability to raise RPM for launch) but its not as "limp" feeling as when you drive one that hasn't adjusted yet
     
  4. jake

    jake Active Member

    alright thanks. I'm not going to be racing or anything, but getting out of peoples way could be hard to do without power down there. Like the post earlier said, maybe I'll just give it a test drive and see how its different.
     
  5. Evolve

    Evolve Well-Known Member

    I didnt wanna mention this right-off-the-bat but me and another buddy who drives a CVT went to a dyno day and my 5speed peaked about 30 more hp than his CVT did. Not joking.

    so you can use your imagination where that power-loss is coming from.
     
  6. bras_33

    bras_33 Well-Known Member

    5 speed FTMFW...this is one of the easiest clutches on a car...it is very easy to choke the car and it will still go with not enough acceleration!!!
     
  7. Conduct

    Conduct Well-Known Member

    go for 5-speed Truuussttt meeee :D

    No more slow-matic for me :wink:
     
  8. jake

    jake Active Member

    The only thing holding me back is in traffic. Stop and go traffic would suck in a 5 speed, or stops on a hill too.
     
  9. kingklay

    kingklay Well-Known Member

    Traffic definetly sux for 5 speed but its not a good enough reason not to get it. I couldnt imagine driving a 4 cyl in an automatic.
    faster shifts, funner to drive
     
  10. kennyjai

    kennyjai Well-Known Member

    traffic becomes 2nd nature after a while!! only at the beginning its a pain but trust me... traffic is the BEST TRAINING you can have with manual transmission.. really controlling the clutch and all !
     
  11. LancerGTS

    LancerGTS Well-Known Member

    alright heres my 2cen i say if you want power go for the manual, it will bring you the "tuner car feeling" and its alot quicker then the CVT. I own the CVT and i like it but not for driving fast lol. 5 Speed will beat a CVT easily hate to say it, i have exhaust intake pulley and i bet a 5 speed could still beat me.( my friends 5speed beat me when i had intake and pulley done. it all depends on what you are looking for. cvt is great for a lazy daily driver like me. but hey if i could go back, i would have gotten the 5 speed. jus my 2cen

    xD
     
  12. jake

    jake Active Member

    I'm kinda torn, both have pro/cons. I guess its whatever I can get the best deal on. If the salesman contacts me about the CVT, then I'll probably do it(seems like a heck of a deal). I am a lazy driver...
     
  13. delphium_

    delphium_ Well-Known Member

    i learned how to drive stick when i bought my car, ive only stalled a handful of time and accidentally half geared it and grinded my clutch acouple times.
    if anybody remembers the lancer meet at hooters where i grinded the clutch going in reverse then backed into a tree..
    yeah.. i've gotten better
    HA!
     
  14. Bryn1987

    Bryn1987 Well-Known Member

    don't forget, manual is 1k cheaper ;)
     
  15. krisx11

    krisx11 Member

    yea i really wanted the manual on mine but other people in my family drive my car and i live in bronx so with all the lights and traffic and stuff it just seemed easier to get an automatic with the option of a slower manual i guess you culd say.
     
  16. bras_33

    bras_33 Well-Known Member

    prove it!!! :D
     
  17. lancer08guy

    lancer08guy Well-Known Member

    yea i learned how to drive the manual when i got my car..pretty easy i must say..what was embarrasing for me was i was trying to park and i stalled..lol.. the car however did turn off so i was kind of one step ahead..lol..also manual is just more fun you dont want a 4cyl and a auto
     
  18. lancer08guy

    lancer08guy Well-Known Member

    ^
    not to put the ppl down who do have the cvt/auto..just my .02
     
  19. lancered

    lancered Well-Known Member

    heres an another option on a manual,if your battery is dead and can barely not even turn the motor,you can push it fast enough you can pop the clutch and start your car. :lol:
     
  20. Milagro

    Milagro Well-Known Member

    My .02:


    The CVT is nice don't get me wrong, it's just slower than heck. If you are looking for more speed that the convinience of the CVT, then you should definatly go with stick. Driving it is nothard at all, I learned on the lancers at work and my X is the first manual car I've owned. Very easy.