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I am lookikng to buy a used Focus, 2005-2010, but I'm not sure whether to buy a auto or manual tranny.

My main concern is FE. I'd say my drive is about 50/50 city /highway....somewhat suburban, but with stretched of highway in the middle.

I'm not the greatest hypermiler...but I would like to improve, and wanted some input on which tranny would be better to achieve this.

Thanx in advance...Bri.

If you are willing to shift, the manual is best. Easier to control your rpms, coasting, etc.

I don't think you will find anyone here recommending the auto for best fuel economy. I had an '07 Focus base model hatch. I knew nothing of hypermiling at the time and typically got about 29.5 mpg with almost all hwy @ 75-85 mph. As far as I know it could not be bump started.

Kirk

Does Ford have a fuel cutoff for auto trannys?

I got a 98 civic now, and I know it has a fuel cutoff when throttle is cut and the vehicle is going over 35 mph...

I also remember reading a discussion about whether a Civic got better FE with auto or manual, and the concensus was that it depended on the drivers commute (for the most part)

The only place an automatic civic can do better mileage is on the interstate with cruise control. That's where the better gear ratios help. In any other situation, including active high-speed hypermiling on the highway, the manual is better.

If you can find a manual, get it. Settle for the automatic if you can't find one, or maybe shop for an different model that you can.

Manual, without a doubt. The upper limits of automatics are much lower than those of manuals, and are reached very quickly.

My preference is a manual but an auto is more practical for other members of your family.

Manual if you can get one (difficult if you're shopping for a Focus wagon, very easy for the hatchback styles, not too difficult for sedans). What everybody said above: you have a lot more control over what the car is doing, and can more easily optimize your economy.

My dad has a 2nd gen Focus 5 speed, my sister has a 1st gen Focus automatic. I hate driving my sister's car, but dad's is a blast to drive. Microsoft SYNC is great too. He's always calling me from his car. If I were to buy a Focus, I would not even look at an automatic, unless it was severely underpriced.

My preference is a manual but an auto is more practical for other members of your family.

Only if they're unwilling to learn to drive stick. I have a colleague who has taught all girlfriends* and his wives* to drive stick so they could drive him in case of emergency. ;)

* Ex-girlfriends, ex-wife and current wife. He's not a bigamist or adulterer as far as I know.

IF ... you intend to aggressively hypermile ... I believe the general consensus is manual.

However if you are considering "casual" driving there is some comparative numbers from EPA's http://www.fueleconomy.gov/mpg/MPG.do?action=browseList

My preference is manual as well...as a car guy it's simply more satisfying, and it ultimately has more potential for fuel economy even if you're only using some of the techniques you find here (I myself am on the casual end of the spectrum here).

Only if they're unwilling to learn to drive stick. I have a colleague who has taught all girlfriends* and his wives* to drive stick so they could drive him in case of emergency. ;)

* Ex-girlfriends, ex-wife and current wife. He's not a bigamist or adulterer as far as I know.I taught both my first serious girlfriend and my wife to drive stick. Don't know about the girlfriend anymore, but my wife is definitely a lifetime convert and at least as dedicated to manual shifting as I am.

I taught my ex-wife,two daughters and one stepdaughter to drive manual. The three young ones all have manual cars. The ex ?
Dunno.

Only Manual, auto is only for disabled people.

Only Manual, auto is only for disabled people.

European? That's what my aunt always says (she's from Austria) :D

In our top 50 gas mileage logs, there are only 5 automatics.

Ptero's Smart
ducvader's Corolla
Xcel's review Saturn Aura
joesgot4's Accent
A024523's Tercel

In the Focus, go manual. The auto really sucks the gas mileage down. Love me 2011 Focus, comfortable and easy to hypermile, my commute starts at 8,000' altitude down to Denver's 5280' so I roll most of the way down there....it's the getting back up that kills my average.

I dont know your situation but maybe instead of a focus, would consider something like a civic or a tdi, something like that. Those cars will probably better the focus in FE, the tdi for sure will. But if not, and you are wanting a focus I would definitely go with the manual tranny

Good luck!