Life with a manual in heavy traffic cities: possibly moving to LA.

geogerf · 09-27-2017, 01:48 PM

LA manual transmission lifer (20 year’s driving) here. This answer isn’t going to be definitive (sorry) but it all depends.

The factor is where are you going to be commuting to/from? Anything under 45 minutes is doable but it will still be hard if that 45 minutes is in congested areas like DTLA or the Orange Crush.

Anything over an hour, I would recommend DCT if comfort is really your priority.

I’ve had to commute from Burbank to Santa Ana (OC) for 5 years and it was hell. I ended up taking the train some weeks - not bc of the MT but just to stay productive.

I ultimately enjoy MT cars so when I got the M2, DCT wasn’t even an option.

TLDR- try to move somewhere reasonable to your work. And just skip leg day at the gym if you have a bad commute. Haha

jmg · 09-27-2017, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lups

Some day I will figure out how a manual is an issue...

I've had a problem with manuals three times in my life.

The first time was when I was so sick I almost died, literally. I had so much abdominal pain, it was excruciating to not only shift, but to even press the clutch. Being the overly proud guy, I thought I just needed to go home and sleep it off. Turned out I needed to go to the ER. I did eventually, but not after that painful drive home.

The second time was when I broke my right arm but didn't even know it. I thought I just banged up my elbow, iced it overnight, wrapped it up tightly and went to work. I powered though the pain of shifting an hour through traffic, but it got progressively worse by the minute. My coworkers noticed how pale I looked and I admitted my arm might be broken. Stubbornly, I wanted to go to the hospital near home, so another hour drive home in my arm that was getting exponentially worse and worse. I thought I was going to pass out in the car on the I5. I would try to use my left arm, but of course in stop and go traffic, it was a pita. 2nd gear stop-and-go was a godsend. Shifting with the off hand while I was in a sling wasn't as bad as...

...the third time I had a problem with manual. I sprained my left ankle. Yes, yes, I know... another medical issue. This one lasted a few weeks while I healed in crutches. My wife doesn't drive stick, so I couldn't trade with her. I eventually figured out a specific angle my left foot could engage the clutch without too much pain. Not fun, but I got through it somehow. The meds helped.

Lups · 09-27-2017, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmg

I've had a problem with manuals three times in my life.

The first time was when I was so sick I almost died, literally. I had so much abdominal pain, it was excruciating to not only shift, but to even press the clutch. Being the overly proud guy, I thought I just needed to go home and sleep it off. Turned out I needed to go to the ER. I did eventually, but not after that painful drive home.

The second time was when I broke my right arm but didn't even know it. I thought I just banged up my elbow and went to work like normal. My coworkers noticed how pale I looked and I admitted my arm hurt. Stubbornly, I wanted to go to the hospital near home which was an hour away. Every shift with my broken right arm was alike the burning hell and I thought I was going to pass out in my hour drive. I would try to use my left arm, but of course in stop and go traffic, it was a pita. 2nd gear stop-and-go was a godsend.

The third time was when I sprained my left ankle. Yes, yes, I know... another medical issue. This one lasted a few weeks while I healed in crutches. My wife doesn't drive stick, so I couldn't trade with her. I soon figured out a specific angle my left foot could engage the clutch without too much pain. Not fun, but I got through it.

I dropped a log on my left foot about 4 years ago. The few hundred lbs kind of destroyed all the right ligaments in my ankle and after icing (not an issue in Finland lol) i had to use a stick to operate the clutch on my way home.

Medical issues happen, but i think a good rule to us all should be that of you can't drive a stick due to a condition, don't fucking drive.

Epic shit old friend. Epic.

AlpineWhite_SJ · 09-27-2017, 02:44 PM

As others have said, really depends on whether this will be a daily or occasional driver and what your commute looks like.

I used to do 1.5 hrs each way in SoCal and it finally made me get rid of a MT car after a year or so. Anything like that (405 from LAX through to the valley, I5, Downtown and parts of OC) and it can get old real quick. If I still had that commute, I'd consider DCT if I were driving every day. If it were a couple days a week or milder traffic, I'd stay with 6MT. Also, it sounds like you'll still be holding on to one or two with MT, so you can still get your rowing fix ;-)

I just picked up my F80 and went back to manual because my commute is 3-4 miles each way in NorCal.

Crimson92 · 09-27-2017, 04:26 PM

I spend a lot of time in la traffic.

I have a dct. And I wish I had a 6mt everyday.

eluded · 09-28-2017, 04:17 AM

California allows electric vehicles to drive in the carpool lane. I would head that route rather than trying to nurse a manual in la rush-hour traffic.

Dang3r · 09-28-2017, 04:29 AM

I was a convinced manual shift driver until I got my first DCT car ever, my past F32. Loved it from the start and continued meanwhile into my Audi.
Traffic in LA is terrible, it took me much too much time to go by car to San Diego at most times and back (except at night) and I was very glad to had a DCT car.

gatorfast · 09-28-2017, 09:11 AM

I have found the best solution in traffic heavy south florida is to simply get on the road earlier in the morning. Leaving my house at 645am instead of 745am makes a world of difference. Afternoon traffic is hit or miss but with rush hour basically from 4pm - 7pm you are likely to hit congestion at some point.

6mt driver here and wouldn't have it any other way.

KwlAznKid · 09-28-2017, 11:57 AM

there's traffic in LA any time of the day pretty much, i would advise against the 6spd

LiquidMercury · 09-28-2017, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rik84

I am more than just my sack and take offence that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lups

Oh shut it you manist!

He has a name, and it's delicious.

shay2nak · 09-28-2017, 12:53 PM

Wow, 68% go for MT...I'm pleasantly surprised.

angelr · 09-28-2017, 02:28 PM

Yes, for years. My left leg is bigger than my right but apart from that no drama....when I broke my right hand I used my left, learning to wipe with the left was tougher than driving.

infinitekidM2C · 09-28-2017, 02:28 PM

OP i'll back you up for a moment as a long time Central LA guy. I lived in Central LA and commuted to Century City. 6 miles but 35 minute commute. Your first goal is to make sure you live within 10 miles of your work. Ideally within 5. In L.A. people don't talk about how far things are, they talk about how long it takes because you don't travel as the crow flies round here. That said, if you live within 5 miles or so you should be fine. Anything over that it's gonna be rough. I remember driving between glendale and LA which isn't that far and damn if my legs didnt start to cramp up.

TLDR - Live within 5 miles or so = fine, after that = OUCH

MyKmYk · 09-28-2017, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M4RAUDR

What area are you considering?

/

I honestly have no idea yet. The position would be in Playa Vista, AKA Silicon Beach. My friends live in Downtown, so I will likely stay with him when I visit and see how that commute goes.

As a younger guy, I'd like somewhere pet friendly (although I've heard most of LA is), with enough interesting stuff nearby (decent restaurants, nightlife, walk-able) to keep me sane. Id also like to keep my commute to 45 mins or less.

infinitekidM2C · 09-28-2017, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyKmYk

I honestly have no idea yet. The position would be in Playa Vista, AKA Silicon Beach. My friends live in Downtown, so I will likely stay with him when I visit and see how that commute goes.

As a younger guy, I'd like somewhere pet friendly (although I've heard most of LA is), with enough interesting stuff nearby (decent restaurants, nightlife, walk-able) to keep me sane. Id also like to keep my commute to 45 mins or less.

That's a SUPER nice area and i'd definitely live there; i would not live downtown. Not only would the commute be hilariously bad on the 10, but theres not much incentive to live downtown even though its getting better.

Red Bread · 09-28-2017, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infinitekid2002

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyKmYk

I honestly have no idea yet. The position would be in Playa Vista, AKA Silicon Beach. My friends live in Downtown, so I will likely stay with him when I visit and see how that commute goes.

As a younger guy, I'd like somewhere pet friendly (although I've heard most of LA is), with enough interesting stuff nearby (decent restaurants, nightlife, walk-able) to keep me sane. Id also like to keep my commute to 45 mins or less.

That's a SUPER nice area and i'd definitely live there; i would not live downtown. Not only would the commute be hilariously bad on the 10, but theres not much incentive to live downtown even though its getting better.

Haha, this, 1,000x this.

M4RAUDR · 09-28-2017, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyKmYk

I honestly have no idea yet. The position would be in Playa Vista, AKA Silicon Beach. My friends live in Downtown, so I will likely stay with him when I visit and see how that commute goes.

As a younger guy, I'd like somewhere pet friendly (although I've heard most of LA is), with enough interesting stuff nearby (decent restaurants, nightlife, walk-able) to keep me sane. Id also like to keep my commute to 45 mins or less.

You definitely want to be somewhere on the west side... Downtown commute will suck... no need for it. Stay west of the 405.

/

shoei · 09-28-2017, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyKmYk

Quote:

Originally Posted by M4RAUDR

What area are you considering?

/

I honestly have no idea yet. The position would be in Playa Vista, AKA Silicon Beach. My friends live in Downtown, so I will likely stay with him when I visit and see how that commute goes.

As a younger guy, I'd like somewhere pet friendly (although I've heard most of LA is), with enough interesting stuff nearby (decent restaurants, nightlife, walk-able) to keep me sane. Id also like to keep my commute to 45 mins or less.

You will NOT want to do that commute from DTLA to Playa and vice versa every single day - automatic, DCT, manual - nothing can save you...

You?re going into startup - unless it?s an entry level job or you can?t negotiate salary to save your life, you?ll be able to live in Playa Vista / Playa Del Rey, Marina Del Rey etc... If you want to save a few bucks, you can even move to El Segundo...

Live in PDR for a long time, have no desire to leave, even with the one lane bullshit they keep trying to implement around these parts...

infinitekidM2C · 09-28-2017, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shoei

You will NOT want to do that commute from DTLA to Playa and vice versa every single day - automatic, DCT, manual - nothing can save you...

You?re going into startup - unless it?s an entry level job or you can?t negotiate salary to save your life, you?ll be able to live in Playa Vista / Playa Del Rey, Marina Del Rey etc... If you want to save a few bucks, you can even move to El Segundo...

Live in PDR for a long time, have no desire to leave, even with the one lane bullshit they keep trying to implement around these parts...

It's unreal what they are doing to some of the streets!

atinybug · 09-28-2017, 08:02 PM

Is driving a manual in traffic really that big of a deal? I just leave it in 1st or 2nd and take my foot off the clutch/brake/throttle and kinda creep along.

2000Z3M · 09-28-2017, 09:46 PM

i have done it. i have an auto now and i hate it.

[IMG]https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...qwl3LgKLZj8LHM[/IMG]

Fundguy1 · 09-28-2017, 09:52 PM

Lived in NYC area with a corvette that had a heavy race clutch. Loved every second of it. Owned a g35 with an auto. Hated it every second. It depends on what trans you like. Not where you have it.

View Poll Results: Should I keep the 6MT option, knowing heavy traffic is likely in my future commute?
YES! I drive in congestion regularly with a manual and couldn't be happier.	28	46.67%
I'd still go with the 6MT, but you should know its not going to be a cakewalk everyday.	12	20.00%
No, I love a manual, but save yourself the headache. I switched to DCT/Auto and am happier.	12	20.00%
NO! LA traffic is beyond terrible and you will regret your decision if you go with 6MT.	8	13.33%
Voters: 60. You may not vote on this poll

09-27-2017, 01:48 PM	#23
geogerf First Lieutenant 117 Rep 306 Posts Drives: MY17 LBB M2 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pasadena iTrader: (1) Garage List 2017 BMW M2 [0.00]	LA manual transmission lifer (20 year’s driving) here. This answer isn’t going to be definitive (sorry) but it all depends. The factor is where are you going to be commuting to/from? Anything under 45 minutes is doable but it will still be hard if that 45 minutes is in congested areas like DTLA or the Orange Crush. Anything over an hour, I would recommend DCT if comfort is really your priority. I’ve had to commute from Burbank to Santa Ana (OC) for 5 years and it was hell. I ended up taking the train some weeks - not bc of the MT but just to stay productive. I ultimately enjoy MT cars so when I got the M2, DCT wasn’t even an option. TLDR- try to move somewhere reasonable to your work. And just skip leg day at the gym if you have a bad commute. Haha
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09-27-2017, 02:44 PM	#26
AlpineWhite_SJ Banned 1579 Rep 1,024 Posts Drives: 2018 F80 M3 ZCP, 2020 F97 X3MC Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	As others have said, really depends on whether this will be a daily or occasional driver and what your commute looks like. I used to do 1.5 hrs each way in SoCal and it finally made me get rid of a MT car after a year or so. Anything like that (405 from LAX through to the valley, I5, Downtown and parts of OC) and it can get old real quick. If I still had that commute, I'd consider DCT if I were driving every day. If it were a couple days a week or milder traffic, I'd stay with 6MT. Also, it sounds like you'll still be holding on to one or two with MT, so you can still get your rowing fix ;-) I just picked up my F80 and went back to manual because my commute is 3-4 miles each way in NorCal.
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09-28-2017, 04:17 AM	#28
eluded 2JZ-GTE 3170 Rep 4,145 Posts Drives: 340 6MT, 50e, others Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Sofia iTrader: (0)	California allows electric vehicles to drive in the carpool lane. I would head that route rather than trying to nurse a manual in la rush-hour traffic. __________________ A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.
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09-28-2017, 04:29 AM	#29
Dang3r Schmollbraten 12482 Rep 1,985 Posts Drives: M4CPC // HP4 Comp. Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Liandri Central Core iTrader: (0)	I was a convinced manual shift driver until I got my first DCT car ever, my past F32. Loved it from the start and continued meanwhile into my Audi. Traffic in LA is terrible, it took me much too much time to go by car to San Diego at most times and back (except at night) and I was very glad to had a DCT car. __________________ Citizen of ///M - Town, where too much is just right Some say, that my scrotum has its own small gravity field and when Im slowing down that brake lights come on at my buttox
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09-28-2017, 09:11 AM	#30
gatorfast Major General 5080 Rep 6,883 Posts Drives: 718 Cayman Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SoFla iTrader: (4)	I have found the best solution in traffic heavy south florida is to simply get on the road earlier in the morning. Leaving my house at 645am instead of 745am makes a world of difference. Afternoon traffic is hit or miss but with rush hour basically from 4pm - 7pm you are likely to hit congestion at some point. 6mt driver here and wouldn't have it any other way.
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09-28-2017, 11:57 AM	#31
KwlAznKid Brigadier General 379 Rep 3,037 Posts Drives: BMW/MERCEDES/PORSCHE Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Los Angeles/Fremont USC/UCSD Alum iTrader: (6)	there's traffic in LA any time of the day pretty much, i would advise against the 6spd __________________ BMW E93 M3 / Mercedes Benz W209 CLK500 BMW E64 650I(sold) / BMW E92 328I(sold) / BMW E46 M3(sold) / BMW E92 335I(sold) Porsche 996 911 C2(sold) / BMW E46 325CI(totaled)
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09-28-2017, 12:53 PM	#33
shay2nak smoke if ya got 'em 1067 Rep 2,177 Posts Drives: F80 M3/Lotus Exige/500 Abarth Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Calipornia iTrader: (0)	Wow, 68% go for MT...I'm pleasantly surprised.
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09-28-2017, 02:28 PM	#34
angelr Lieutenant 191 Rep 518 Posts Drives: 07 aw/ir m coupe, 2013 S4 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cedarpines park, Ca iTrader: (1)	Yes, for years. My left leg is bigger than my right but apart from that no drama....when I broke my right hand I used my left, learning to wipe with the left was tougher than driving.
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09-28-2017, 02:28 PM	#35
infinitekidM2C Major General 4298 Rep 5,737 Posts Drives: 2019 M2 Competition Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2019 M2 COMPETITION [9.75] 2008 135i (my old car) [7.56]	OP i'll back you up for a moment as a long time Central LA guy. I lived in Central LA and commuted to Century City. 6 miles but 35 minute commute. Your first goal is to make sure you live within 10 miles of your work. Ideally within 5. In L.A. people don't talk about how far things are, they talk about how long it takes because you don't travel as the crow flies round here. That said, if you live within 5 miles or so you should be fine. Anything over that it's gonna be rough. I remember driving between glendale and LA which isn't that far and damn if my legs didnt start to cramp up. TLDR - Live within 5 miles or so = fine, after that = OUCH
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09-28-2017, 08:02 PM	#42
atinybug First Lieutenant 78 Rep 375 Posts Drives: 07 e92 335i 6mt Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	Is driving a manual in traffic really that big of a deal? I just leave it in 1st or 2nd and take my foot off the clutch/brake/throttle and kinda creep along.
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09-28-2017, 09:46 PM	#43
2000Z3M Captain 647 Rep 847 Posts Drives: 2016 435i ZHP Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: IL iTrader: (0)	i have done it. i have an auto now and i hate it. [IMG]https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...qwl3LgKLZj8LHM[/IMG]
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09-28-2017, 09:52 PM	#44
Fundguy1 Major General 2043 Rep 8,339 Posts Drives: 335 e93 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Orlando, fl iTrader: (0)	Lived in NYC area with a corvette that had a heavy race clutch. Loved every second of it. Owned a g35 with an auto. Hated it every second. It depends on what trans you like. Not where you have it.
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