Why did I pick our 2007 Honda Civic, boring to drive as heck, over the snazzy 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS for my ride last night?
Because it was raining, I had to drive to West Hollywood and I didn't feel like dealing with a manual in rush-hour cross-town traffic amid Angeleno motorists afraid of a little downpour.
OK, let the name calling begin.
But I'll have you know, I wasn't the only one who made this same choice when presented with the same two cars. Editor Warren Clarke picked the Civic GX for his ride this past holiday weekend.
Caroline Pardilla, Deputy Managing Editor @ 37,015 miles
PS: In the end, it didn't rain after all and there was hardly any traffic (took me 20 minutes to get to West Hollywood from Santa Monica when it usually takes double that) since it appeared most Angelenos opted to stay in.
hybris says:
10:27 AM, 01/20/10
It for that reason why I will never own a manual car all my driving is city and having to deal with the clutch and picking a gear its more inconvenience than its worth.
And before anyone says "I can't drive stick and won't learn" I can.
vt8919 says:
11:16 AM, 01/20/10
Hybris I don't blame you. I drive a stickshift every day and the other car is an automatic. Sometimes I just feel like letting the car shift for itself. Sometimes it's fun for me to just put my foot down and let the car do the work.
carguy622 says:
11:38 AM, 01/20/10
Since I only own one car at this point*, it has to be a manual. However, I could see the benefit of owning an automatic equipped car on the side.
* Truth in commenting dictates that I also let you know I am leasing a Miata, but I would never get that in an automatic.
bankerdanny says:
12:06 PM, 01/20/10
carguy, I am the opposite, I share one car with my wife, who learned to drive on a manual BMW 2002. But 25+ years later, spending 99% of her time in city traffic in Chicago, you couldn't get her to drive a stick for any amount of money. So slushbox it is for us.
I do sometimes miss the manual box. But at least I have my motorcycle to indulge my shift-it-myself needs.
adavis2493 says:
01:01 PM, 01/20/10
I was at the Auto Show this past weekend, and I sat in a Camaro for the first time.
Originally, I never really liked the Camaro. I felt that it was kind of like a novelty car like the Pt Cruiser (especially with the painted plastic inner door panels), and I also felt that it was trying to be something it wasn't.
I got in the passenger seat and some young buck was sitting next to me in the drivers seat.
We tore it apart from the floormats to the ceiling liner.
However we did not take too long. I have a hatred for those people who get in a car at the Auto Show, and sit in it for 30 Minutes as a line piles up around it.
For Christ's Sake, chances are your not going to buy it.
brn says:
01:13 PM, 01/20/10
Civic GS vs Camaro SS? Apples and oranges.
Sounds like it's time for an Edmunds comparo.
greenpony says:
05:54 PM, 01/20/10
I would have chosen the Camaro. There are no convenient CNG stations near me.
trjnflip says:
09:32 AM, 01/21/10
You were driving one of the greenest cars sold in America. Thanks for saving the planet!
powell_jr says:
12:29 PM, 01/21/10
I hope youre joking trjnflip. If not then you just made me throw up. You and Al Gore should start a blog together and not read this one...
kingkhalas says:
03:33 PM, 01/21/10
How come the Edmunds car has no HOV sticker?