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The Future Of The Manual Transmission

5809 messages,  Last post on Dec 03, 2009 at 12:30 PM

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What is this discussion about? Transmission


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#4960 of 5809
Re: Don't tell me, boaz47... [boaz47] by kyfdx HOST
Sep 29, 2008 (11:40 am)
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Replying to: boaz47 (Sep 29, 2008 11:27 am)

And I won't be texting in my car till they have a voice command for texting.

 
Voice commands for texting? Wouldn't it just be easier to make a phone call?
#4961 of 5809
Re: Don't tell me, boaz47... [kyfdx] by boaz47
Sep 29, 2008 (12:07 pm)
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Replying to: kyfdx (Sep 29, 2008 11:40 am)

"Voice commands for texting? Wouldn't it just be easier to make a phone call?"
 
Not at all. Unlike a kid who sends text messages just to kill time we adults text because you can't always get the person you want to get in touch with at the time you need to. So you type a text and send it and whenever that person is available the message goes through. You only need a few seconds to either send or receive a text so if you are going in or out or an area with questionable reception it still works.
 
An example: You know of an accident on the 101N, Hollywood freeway in Downtown LA. You get home and it is 3:30 PM. You know you have a friend that will be leaving work at 4 PM and he gets no reception in his building or area during the day. You can wait till 4 and try to catch them before they get in the car and tell them to take another route or you can send a text and it will be delivered as soon as that friend walks out into an area where he gets even one bar.
 
It is a great tool when used properly. I use it most when I have friends over seas. I can text them even if it is midnight where they are. They will receive it when they get up and only pay the texting charge as opposed to 10 buck a minute to talk.
 
And no I don't try to text while driving.
#4962 of 5809
Re: Don't tell me, boaz47... [boaz47] by ny540i6
Sep 29, 2008 (1:37 pm)
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Replying to: boaz47 (Sep 29, 2008 11:27 am)

The only thing I was pointing out was some have suggested that manuals had a major fuel useage advantage and I had to question how that was relevant to anyone who drove as far and as often as they felt like?
 
Well it might come down to how painful the choice made was, or it might come down to best value. So, for instance, I insist on wearing Levi 501 jeans, however I also will try to buy them at the best possible price, or, I enjoy driving down to Cape May, and have not changed how often I do so, however $2.00 a gallon is still different from $4.00. I'm lucky (or foolish) enough that my choices are not proscribed. In my case, economy was not a factor with this particular manual tranny, though it might be with another vehicle, bought for another purpose.
#4963 of 5809
Re: Don't tell me, boaz47... [ny540i6] by boaz47
Sep 29, 2008 (3:27 pm)
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Replying to: ny540i6 (Sep 29, 2008 1:37 pm)

Fair enough. I just question the assertion that driving as much as you "want" simply because you can is still a viable argument considering the concerns the rest of our society has on national fuel useage.
 
In addition it is inconsistent to complain about SUVs and Full size pickup trucks with their automatic transmissions being "un-necessary and wasteful if you indeed believed we had a right to drive just for the pleasure of driving and because we as individuals can afford it.
 
My origional contention was that the weekend family drive has fallen out of favor due to the cost of fuel and how using fuel just because has become politically incorrect.
 
I just wonder if the post that included the idea that they drove as many miles as they wanted and burning just as much fuel as they wanted could be supported as being responsible in view of how much foreign oil we import today?
 
 I wonder how such a philosophy would apply if every driver felt the same?
 
But I should appoligise to cdnpinhead and Iluve for injecting this into this topic. The future of the manual will be effected by the type of vehicles we will have offered to us far more than what we might prefer. As an example if Nippon wanted the new 5 door Yaris he has posted about in the small car forum his only option is a automatic. Toyota doesn't seem to feel a manual is necessary at this time for this car.
#4964 of 5809
Re: Don't tell me, boaz47... [boaz47] by ny540i6
Sep 29, 2008 (4:17 pm)
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Replying to: boaz47 (Sep 29, 2008 3:27 pm)

In addition it is inconsistent to complain about SUVs and Full size pickup trucks with their automatic transmissions being "un-necessary and wasteful if you indeed believed we had a right to drive just for the pleasure of driving and because we as individuals can afford it.
  
My origional contention was that the weekend family drive has fallen out of favor due to the cost of fuel and how using fuel just because has become politically incorrect.
  
I just wonder if the post that included the idea that they drove as many miles as they wanted and burning just as much fuel as they wanted could be supported as being responsible in view of how much foreign oil we import today?
  
 I wonder how such a philosophy would apply if every driver felt the same?

 
As much as it pains me to say this I must agree with you....
 
There is often an inherent hypocrisy in attempting to balance the enjoyment of an activity with the social responsibility... and there is also a blindness when I sit in my overpowered V8 car and scoff at the guy driving the V8 pickup because the bed is so clean... I do believe that a shift is happening, slowed somewhat by the retreat (temporary?) in the price of gas. My concern though, is that much of the shift has been for economic, rather than "societal good" reasons; we care about "foreign oil" because it is expensive, and because "they" could always jack the price, we care about more economical vehicles because they are cheaper to run, not because we REALLY believe the planet is in peril etc.
#4965 of 5809
Re: Don't tell me, boaz47... [ny540i6] by circlew
Sep 29, 2008 (4:29 pm)
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Replying to: ny540i6 (Sep 29, 2008 4:17 pm)

Well, I want my cake and eat it, too. I want a 400 hp/500lb-ft, coupe with Auto/Manual tranny with 3 pedals that I can turn on/off when conditions dictate.
 
I also want 30 MPG city, 80 MPG Hwy.
 
'87 Mustang
 
If this guy can do it, why can't any of the global manufactures???
 
I know it's a stretch but I am sure we are advanced enough to get this done.
 
Regards,
OW
#4966 of 5809
Re: Don't tell me, boaz47... [ny540i6] by boaz47
Sep 29, 2008 (5:22 pm)
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Replying to: ny540i6 (Sep 29, 2008 4:17 pm)

Well at least my point wasn’t lost. I believe we need to start looking at something other than petroleum driven vehicles and hybrids are only the beginning. If we can keep ICE but come up with renewable fuel, all the better. But if we can’t and hybrids, fuel cells and EVs become the solution I can’t see any way we can be both responsible citizens and realistic if we resist that change if it doesn’t include a manual transmission. I also believe that when someone says that they will stop driving if they stop making manuals it is nothing by hyperbole.
#4967 of 5809
Re: transmission manuelle [boaz47] by cdnpinhead
Sep 29, 2008 (5:48 pm)
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Replying to: boaz47 (Sep 25, 2008 5:57 pm)

"You sound like a person I would like to have coffee with. But do it before some tree hugger has you stoned."
 
In my haste, I overlooked this phrase in your post. I concur. Are you a SoCal person? I should know by now, but don't. I travel quite a bit, so maybe we can make it happen.
 
As far as being stoned by a tree hugger, I at least look responsible as I tootle about in my TSX (with a 6-speed manual I might add) getting a mixed driving MPG number a little over 28. My previous (as yet unsold) vehicle did 20 around town on a good tank and 18-19 most of the time, so I'm not completely oblivious to the conservation mantra.
 
I do feel, however, that the market tends to make it work out. Those who can afford it will do what they prefer (a distinct minority). Those who can't will make the adjustment -- witness the overall reduction in fuel demand earlier this year.
 
Either way, you're on for the cup of coffee, if we can get the logistics worked out.
#4968 of 5809
Re: transmission manuelle [cdnpinhead] by boaz47
Sep 29, 2008 (7:27 pm)
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Replying to: cdnpinhead (Sep 29, 2008 5:48 pm)

Next month I am heading towards Denver. The conservation effort may be a bit extream in my state but in Denver it is even worse if that is possible.
 
However as far as manual transmissions go I believe we may have the most hybrids of any state. The hybrid has become the darling of the PC in this state and so far they simply aren't coming with manuals.
 
It is that type of future view I wonder about when I look at the future of manuals.
 
Let me know if you are ever down where I might be and I'll buy.
#4969 of 5809
Re: Don't tell me, boaz47... [boaz47] by lilengineerboy
Sep 29, 2008 (7:51 pm)
Reply

Replying to: boaz47 (Sep 29, 2008 11:27 am)

That sounds just a bit feckless to me but I am trying not to judge. And I won't be texting in my car till they have a voice command for texting.
 
Kind of like Ford's SYNC on a 14,000 Focus?

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