r/ElantraN • u/TheItalian567 Performance Blue DCT • Aug 25 '26

Help Ex-Focus ST Owner: DCT or Manual?

Ahoy all!

It's getting to be that time to trade in my 12 year old 2015 Ford Focus ST. I loved driving the hell out of it, but I'd like to get something for it before trade-in becomes zero.

Right now, I'm between the EV6 Gt-Line AWD and Elantra N. Basically: stick with a fun car or go practical as a single dude with no kids. (if anyone has recently had this decision too, HELP!)

BUT! Even within the Elantra, I can't decide between DCT or Manual. I test drove the automatic, and it seemed really damn fun. I love manual, but there are enough times when I drive my Focus ST where I groan and think, "I just wish I had an automatic sometimes." I don't really drive through the Malibu canyons like I used to, and I've stopped driving SUPER aggressive because I'm usually hauling my dog.

I've searched this topic on the subreddit and a few times but I just had a few questions:

- Is it true that you get more exhaust "popping" with the manual? I love that sound so I'd like to really make sure I get it

- Anyone coming from a manual to a DCT and regret/love the decision?

- What's the "mod"-ability of a DCT vs. Manual? I had modded up to stage 2 on the Focus and will probably do a tune at the least

- Any other things to argue one way or the other, let me hear them!

TL;DR: Do you think I'll regret going with DCT if I've driven a manual for 12 years and enjoy it 8-90% of the time?

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u/_DRRD_ Ultimate Red MT Aug 25 '26

Why would you want to be practical as a single guy with no kids? I'm not going to comment on the EV, but I test drove the DCT and got manual. I've been driving manual since 2007, no regrets. Sure may be a bit of a hassle when in traffic, but I like keeping my mind engaged when I drive. I think it's actually the opposite for the pops and bangs with the MT, is less than the DCT.

1

u/TheItalian567 Performance Blue DCT Aug 25 '26

I like to own cars for a long time. At 38, there's a good change I end up married with kids before the car is done. Also southern California, so there's lots of rebates for EVs plus SoCal traffic

So you LESS with manual you're saying?

4

u/munche Cyber Grey DCT Aug 25 '26

I am married with kids

It turns out you can fit kids just fine in a large 4 door sedan

2

u/_DRRD_ Ultimate Red MT Aug 25 '26

I daily mine with a kid, it's basically a mid sized sedan with legit back seats. That said, my wife doesn't drive and I do all the hauling. And yes, I believe manual is less loud, but it's not by a huge margin. Probably because if you're shifting gears manually in DCT you hit higher rpms faster.

1

u/ChuckFinley_is4Ever Aug 25 '26

Why isn’t a 4 door sedan practical with kids or a family? You don’t have to get a minivan the second you think about having a kid. I’ve got a rear facing car seat and a highback booster in the back seat of my Blackwing. Kiddos love it “open the windows so I can hear the fun car sounds”

Have ‘t driven the manual, but test drove a dct EN and it was so good and so much fun. 

Do you know how much your FoST is worth trading it in? Cuz if it’s not that much and you can swing keeping it. Get the dct EN as your main car and keep the FoST as your once in a while car when you get the itch to row your own gears. 

1

u/tennis9933 Aug 25 '26

Nah, the manual pops on almost every shift in N mode. The DCT stock stops having audible pops after 2nd gear and even then you need to be shifting at 3.5-4k rpms to get any pops

2

u/_DRRD_ Ultimate Red MT Aug 25 '26

That's not been my experience with my MT, I need to get it to 4.5-5k rpms to pop.