In article <j4R5h.2674$bj1.29@trndny05>, "alfred" <tomboy83@yahoo.com>
wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I was wondering how the transmission being a manual is like to drive? Is it
> as smooth as they say? I mean as far as when you let out the clutch and what
> about the shifting? Are the gates well defined or mushy?
>
> I had a 1990 Miata 5 speed and the shifting actually made a click sound when
> you shifted from one gear to another because the gates were so presise. I
> also liked the way the Miata had really short throws, and I was wondering
> how people like the shifting on the accord?
>
> I imagine it will make the car perform better than an automatic. Gas mileage
> is so close the reason is more for performance than fuel efficiency,
> although the manual is about 800.00 less.
>
> Al

The manual transmission on my 97 Civic HX was as easy to shift as
flicking a light switch. The clutch engaged gradually so you could
shift smoothly even on bumpy roads.

The automatic transmission on my 2005 Accord Hybrid is pathetic. When
hitting the gas, the original software needed a laughable 2 seconds to
downshift from 5th to 3rd, during which time the car slowed down. A
software update decreases the time to 1 second, which I bet even Kia
would find too slow for use.

You better test drive the car for several miles.