Outdated? If you say so...*shrug*. I also agree that the auto-shift is a waste of time. Drove a late model Maxima with it, and the computer blocks out any gear changes that the automatic programming wouldn't do itself. It's a novelty that is there to make it seem like that $30K+ car is really worth the money.
Now of course, an automatic transmission is not a waste of time, but most people on here are very biased. They want you to have to replace a clutch and be in their misery.
Hopefully a Tiburon clutch job isn't as bad as a Contour. Get what you feel comfortable with.
I like driving a stick shift, but I don't see where these people keep pulling better gas mileage out of nowhere from. Automatics are incredibly advanced today. Can't say much about a Hyundai, but I imagine it's pretty durable itself. There is nothing wrong with a slushbox. You still drive the car, you still feel the car (Electronic controls are one thing I advise against though) and you still get good gas mileage, acceleration, and durability. If you ever injure your left knee, it will thank you for not being forced to depress a clutch. Why so much ATX hate anyways? What, you forgot to change your fluid for 100K miles and then switched it and left your hydraulics in shambles? Not the ATX's fault.
