My thoughts about the 240D stick vs 300D-t:

When I took a fluid power course in college, I wrote a report on auto transmissions and I found that they were 60 to 75% effecient at transferring power. Manual transmissions are around 99% efficient.

I have had both the 240D and 300D-t as daily drivers (100 miles a day). If your drive is mostly highway, either car will do. Like others said, the turbo will accelerate quicker, but both cars are the same when cruising. However, from a stand still, I feel the 240 is quicker up to about 25 mph. The 240's also get better fuel mileage. My old 240 used to get 33mpg at 65mph. The 300 can get 28 mpg. After driving both, I would take the 240D with a manual trans any day. The 300D is super reliable, but a 240D with a manual trans is ultra-reliable.

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'82 300D Turbo 219k miles