unlike some cars, the difference in highway gearing between the auto and manual isnt great (~200 rpm difference at 70 mph). however, i think auto transmissions will always feel a bit smoother than a stick. i debated this myself, but went w/ the manual (not the s model because i do not like body kits on eco cars) because i enjoy shifting and still believe i can extract the best mileage out of a stick regardless of epa estimates. i think the manual in the '09 shifts smoother than my 9th gen manual corolla did. another benefit is the stick will be cheaper than the auto.

if you really enjoy driving a manual, i think you will be disappointed driving an auto. personally, i would only buy an auto if i had a commute that required constant stop and go (like a completely bottled up freeway) or if i lost reasonable use of my left leg or an arm.

 

I got a manual and it wasn't the easiest to find. I just like to have more control over my shifting, and I hate how people drive when then have autos so didn't want to become one of them. but if I drove a lot of rush hour traffic I would have gotten the auto. my suggestion is to test both and see what you like. oh and I just noticed that you are in CA, so auto might be the way to go unless you aren't in the cities

 

Kind of a silly question to ask here since most people on this site are enthusiasts, and most enthusiast LIVE BY MANUAL...

I am not one of them and got 5-Speed Auto on the xrs... 2 reasons, the mrs. said no manual tranny, & heavy traffic on commutes to work = me riding the clutch while goin between 5-20km/h. I hate stick in traffic and i am ALWAYS in traffic every morning/afternoon. and this is the first auto tranny i've ever bought and i must say, it is growing on me, but at the same time i miss the stick.

so go with what you feel most comfortable with.

 

Here in Canada the fuel economy difference between the manual and automatic is neglible, which surprised me. I haven't heard good news on the Corolla manual, but that's just my own research, the Civic Manual is supposed to be way better than the Corolla manual.

That's why I'm getting an automatic.

 

Here in Canada the fuel economy difference between the manual and automatic is neglible, which surprised me. I haven't heard good news on the Corolla manual, but that's just my own research, the Civic Manual is supposed to be way better than the Corolla manual.

That's why I'm getting an automatic.

Civic's manual is better. My boyfriend drove both and went with the civic because it was faster (so he says).

 

thanks for the advice!! i'm never in too much traffic so i think i'll go with the manual...i agree that i can probably get better mileage out of it.

 

Also, the manual is MUCH cheaper to repair if anything ever goes wrong. Go for the manual!

 

Lets see.....I'd want a manual stick about as much as I would want a model T with a carburetor.

 

I stall my car quite often with my manual. The engine is so quiet and smooth, it's hard to tell how high you are revving it. My last car was a VW diesel, so it's a big change for me.

 

I have a stick shift XRS, and honestly, I sort of hate it. If you ever driven other cars with stick, you probably won't like the one on the Corolla.

 

To each his own....auto's are boring and emotionless. Which is okay when I'm towing a boat w/ the Tundra. But, going back/forth to work and getting around town....the 5 spd manual is just what I need. If I have to explain why.....you won't understand!

 

To each his own....auto's are boring and emotionless. Which is okay when I'm towing a boat w/ the Tundra. But, going back/forth to work and getting around town....the 5 spd manual is just what I need. If I have to explain why.....you won't understand!

havent pulled the trigger yet...but, man do i want to buy that xrs shift knob:thumbsup:

i have no problems with smooth shifts and drive agressively when i need to. i decide what gear i am going to be in. maybe a year of driving my yaris 5 speed (which is really a chore to shift smoothly) made me appreciate the corolla shifting.

i test drove the 2008 civic stick several times. it was really no smoother than the corolla and actually had lower gearing in 5th gear and poorer sound insulation.

 

Throttle by wire in these Corollas makes the stick a lot less fun. :disappoin

 

Throttle by wire in these Corollas makes the stick a lot less fun.

What is the main difference about the throttle by wire?

 

The gas pedal is not directly connected to the throttle plate. It is electronically controlled.

Before throttle by wire a shift would go like this.

at the same time...release gas while pressing in clutch, shift gear, at the same time release clutch press gas....all of this in a wave-like smooth motion, you could shift as fast as you wanted, it could do it in nearly any car.

Now with throttle by wire it goes like this:

release gas, pause, press clutch, shift gear, then try and release clutch press gas, and time when the computer decides to add the right amount of fuel. You try to shift the old way and as you are pressing clutch and releasing gas watch your tach jump 500-1000rpm. If you are near redline "hello fuel cut..."

You can try, and get it close to the old way, but it just isn't the same. Test drive one and try to shift aggressively and you will see for yourself.

 

that's why....whenever I shift, I feel kinda weird...coz I am not on the gas pedal but seems like the engine is reving up.

 

I test drove the Civic Si for about 20 minutes, and loved the tight racer feel...but with the 6-speed ,it was wearing me out shifting all (and I mean all) the time. That would get old...unless you're really wanting that.

 

okay, so this shift by wire thing is interesting...i'm going in for a test drive this week so i'll see how different it feels. thanks for the info though, i had never heard about it before!

 

Not shift by wire....throttle or gas pedal by wire....

 

get auto if you drive in traffic and if you just use your car as a beater. if your a car enthusiast and want a little playtime to work, get the stick.

 

Yeah....even though the rest of the car is all the same, getting an auto = beater...

 

I don't understand why anyone would spend an extra 1k on an automatic that takes any fun out of the driving experience unless you did drive in traffic a lot.

I've had no issues with the drive by wire & I don't think about it. The 5-speed is very smooth and easy to drive but I still feel engaged in the driving experience!

 

dude get the manual, get the twm short shiter and your stick shift corolla will a pleasure to drive.

 

I just bought a 2010 Corolla S with all the goodies and a manual transmission. I do not regret it at all, I think the auto would make this car pretty boring after a while (and it will be a while, since I bought this car new)

 

Just buy what suits your driving style and conditions the best.

Locked to prevent further escalation.