Originally Posted by AlanH
I test drove an auto roasdster and a manual coupe. I ended up with the coupe because it was 6 grand cheaper (USD) and had much less mileage (14800 vs 46000 on the roadster). A no brainer! The clutch has a long throw and takes a little getting used to. I have the 2006 model and have never had it jump out of first...they had probably solved that problem by then. There is enough power to start in second which I usually do in town, and I can drive mine smooothly enough that if I blindfolded you, you wouldn't be able to tell which transmission it has. I would not say shifting is notchy, but it has a quirk or two. I notice that shifting is flawless when accelerating hard. When changing gears in a leisurely manner, I sometimes almost miss 6th, as the shifter is spring loaded to the 3rd to 4th gates, and if you aren't positive with your shifter it will hunt that middle position. It's a "touchie feely" thing that you get used to. You'll find that when the right car comes along, it won't matter which transmission it has!
You probably know that the auto has a "Winter" mode that starts in 2nd gear and my wife drives in W all the time, I have spoken to other owners that do that just to make it a little easier in town driving. The high torque of the engine makes starting in 2nd with either transmission no problem if that is wanted. I've been looking at prices and it seems the price differential between coupes and roadsters is getting greater in the UK but there is such a variation in prices people and garages expect it is almost like there is no standard and you can drop on a real bargain if patient.