[DrewNewM2]

I’ve commuted on Long Island and all around NYC including in and out of Manhattan with multiple manual cars over the years including some pretty modified Subarus with heavy aftermarket clutches. M2 6MT is a pleasure. Easy clutch, comfy suspension and (regular)seats. I’d be more concerned about parking it anywhere as city cars get beat up.

[Vinknee]

i’m in NYC, i don’t drive to work but i’m in bumper to bumper traffic often (done 6k miles since pickup in January). it’s a breeze to drive, annoying sometimes but worth the trade off once i’m out of the city

[ando]

Here’s a fun drive Chicago to Road America. Needed to get some break in miles before it gets too cold. The way back, getting into the city would have annoyed me if I was driving a manual but that’s me.

[Ravenseal]

I wouldn't sit in bumper to bumper traffic for an hour+ with a manual. Like someone else said, I did it in my 20s and I can't do it comfortably anymore in my early 30s. I still drive into the office with in when the weather is good and I can avoid rush hour though, and that's not an issue.

[curtdragon]

My first car in 1999 was an auto. Every other car after up until my Audi S4 in 2021 was manual. This M2 I am on the fence but probably will be back to a manual.

It is personal preference and how much you can tolerate it in the traffic you experience. I was driving in central NJ from 99-2015 so traffic was a daily thing. But then before that anything that was an auto was slower and worse for driving than the auto. Now we have great auto transmissions so the choice might have been different depending on the car. Plus like we have the argument now about "manual is more sporty and manly" it was more so in the past. Also mind you my cars were all modified so a lot had really heavy clutches.

As has been said, get what you want and what you feel would make sense, rent a Turo or borrow someone's manual car for a week to see if you can deal with it.

[OGM2SG Throwaway]

Bought the manual. Thanks for everyone’s inputs. So easy to drive I don’t think it will bother me in some rush hour traffic scenarios 2-3 times a week. Regardless, the wife wants to move back to the burbs anyways so likely a moot point in 6 months. Having owned an auto and now a manual g87 I would opt for the manual as it adds a little engagement into the mix that has been lost with the increased refinement/insulation of the car but that’s just me. I commuted with my cayman t manual year round as well in relatively heavy suburb traffic so I probably have more of a tolerance than most.

[MineralGreyMetallic]

Originally Posted by OGM2SG Throwaway

Bought the manual. Thanks for everyone’s inputs. So easy to drive I don’t think it will bother me in some rush hour traffic scenarios 2-3 times a week. Regardless, the wife wants to move back to the burbs anyways so likely a moot point in 6 months. Having owned an auto and now a manual g87 I would opt for the manual as it adds a little engagement into the mix that has been lost with the increased refinement/insulation of the car but that’s just me. I commuted with my cayman t manual year round as well in relatively heavy suburb traffic so I probably have more of a tolerance than most.

Congrats. You made the right choice.