What do you guys think I should get when I get one?

That's a rather broad question. Personally I'd recommend something fun to drive but without too much power so that you won't be tempted to test your legal luck. 1st gen Mazda3, 7th or 8th gen Honda Civic, Acura RSX or first gen TSX, fifth gen VW Golf. Something like that.

That could also be due to a lot of other things. There are plenty of confounding variables that could be why people who drive automatic cars seem to focus on the road less. I can't say I've personally experienced that sort of thing. It's not like your concentration when driving isn't something that you can't control. You could easily focus more on the road.

I've never been super fond of manuals. Yes, they are fun, though in my opinion for driving on a fun road for a shorter amount of time. They can be a b*tch in traffic, and to me they've never been miles ahead of an automatic or paddle shift transmission. I love the PDK we have in the Porsche. It's very fast, and it is still plenty fun to drive. Maybe when I try my brother's BMW with a manual I'll change my mind (as the 348 is the only recent manual I've driven). Though I mind to relax a bit more while driving, and I tend to dot that easier in an automatic.

My point exactly. Manual's fun for a bit untill you hit heavy traffic or have to go up a hill with someone right behind you. I haven't tried any paddle shifters yet though but really want to at some point.

Sorry I had to abbreviate both of you guys' posts. My response wouldn't fit in the comment box otherwise.

Yes, I realize there are a lot of different variables that cause driver inattentiveness, but in my experience it usually comes back to the automatic trans and the lack of required driver involvement. Even though it's supposedly illegal, I still see people texting while driving, talking on their phone while driving, putting on makeup, etc, and they're driving like mad men (or women) as a result. With the very rare exception of maybe one or two examples a year, nearly everyone I see doing any of the afore-mentioned actions and driving like that is behind the wheel of a vehicle that isn't even offered with a manual. I don't see how there isn't a connection. Most people don't seem to enjoy driving either, and the less amount of driver involvement they have, the less attention they will pay to the road.

I think part of my issue with automatics is that we drive older cars, and the ones we have with automatics (2000 Passat 1.8T and 2002 Allroad 2.7T) shift very slowly and roughly, and want to get to the highest gear possible. They both have Tiptronic manual-shifting modes, and the Allroad has thumb shifters on the steering wheel, but it's not the same. Whenever I drive either car, I leave it in manual mode because the transmissions won't downshift and are far too clunky, but even then it takes ages for them to respond to manual shift commands and they still shift roughly. Even if they shifted the instant I hit the upshift button, I'd still want a manual because absolute performance (read as the fastest acceleration possible) doesn't matter on normal roads.

Sorry to change the subject but there was just a 4.0 earthquake in Michigan!

EDIT: They upgraded it to a 4.2

M3 E46, M5 E39 or 07 STi

You know, we do have a post for that...

I know this. (Im the one who made that post) But i felt like more people would notice it here than there.

well that was random.

People would notice it equally in either spot. There's no point in pointlessly changing the subject.

I felt it was okay considering earthquakes in Michigan are one in a million. Especially a freaking 4.2. But, note taken.

Earthquakes are so fun though.

They may be rare, but I don't ever see a news company posting an earthquake article in the politics section.

Yeah, in fact, some people are starting to think that too many auto cars is a problem. If you're not shifting, there's a lot more opportunity to go on your phone or whatever while you're driving, which can obviously cause accidents.

Still, driving an auto is great for spotting, especially at red lights, when you're moving just a little bit with camera in hand, to get just the right shot. Freeway spotting in a manual would still be possible, I guess.