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Automotive News & Views The Future Of The Manual Transmission
5807 messages, Last post on Nov 26, 2009 at 7:20 AM
You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires
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Replying to: boaz47 (Oct 14, 2008 7:53 am) Probably because the "clear advantage" is not so clear. Is driving a manual easier? Well, no, not if you measure relative activity - no left foot clutch action, no right hand gear changing, no listening for where the engine is revving to, no looking at the tach for any real info. All that extra "work!" The advantage of possibly better economy is not readily apparent. For most people this is something that they heard once, but unless they drive the same route with two cars identical except for transmission, it's an academic issue. I drive a stick, love driving it, and don't plan doing anything else, however, I will tell you that my car's design kinda makes it that coffee bought on the road gets consumed AT the rest stop (you try using the cupholder in an E39 BMW, you'll understand), but then, I'm not a huge car/food person, anyway. For so many driving is a chore, and a car is an appliance - at best, driving is like really, really fast walking - it gets them from here to there, but if you were to suggest doing it if they did not have to, they'd look at you like you had two heads. So yes, for many (most?) easier, or non-involved is definitely a better idea... these are the same folk that love that there is a Lexus that can park for you, and secretly wish for the autopilot (Look Marge, I just get in, select a destination, and go to sleep... it beeps the horn when I get there! What will they think of next?!) I still believe that the fringe will continue to be there. And I plan being one of them. |
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Replying to: boaz47 (Oct 14, 2008 7:53 am) OTOH, just leave it in drive or shift the A/T manually for the same effect and it is much easier in stop/go situations. If you consider sheer ease of operation, the A/T wins. If you prefer more control and more work, shift yourself and the M/T wins. However, I submit you have just as much control manually shifting a good A/T as the M/T provides in traffic. Regards, OW
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we constantly hear in these forums that manuals are better, easier, more efficient and yet they have been rejected by the majority of American consumers. 1. Better: Pretty subjective. Depends on what you are looking for. Obviously there are plenty of folks who feel an automatic is "better". I disagree, of course.  2. Easier: Some have said they are easier to drive in traffic jams. However, if one doesn't know how to use a manual, they certainly wouldn't be easier. I am also well aware that there are many who feel an automatic is easier in traffic. I accept that I am in a minority. 3. More efficient: I know that some argue this as automatics get better but I still feel that manuals are more efficient in the mpg dept. Personally, I don't think it matters why automatics are more popular. I'm very aware that they are. I also know that they will always be that way now simply because more young drivers will never learn how to drive a stick. Mom and dad have an automatic and that's all they learn how to drive. My kids are an exception.
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Replying to: circlew (Oct 14, 2008 9:32 am) That's what I was talking about... I disagree. I find the manual easier in traffic. Again, I'm very aware that many disagree.
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Replying to: tallman1 (Oct 14, 2008 9:49 am) My mom has bad knees (arthritis) so we had to get her an auto. It's much easier for her. No contest, to be honest.
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Replying to: ateixeira (Oct 14, 2008 10:49 am)
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I agree that the manual has some advantages. But, it also depends on what kind of traffic you drive in. Is it leteral, mile after mile, stop/go? And up hill? Or is it generally moving at various speeds, with an occasional brief stop dead? And then some creeping? Mine is usually moving with sluggish pockets, some creeping, and a little bit of true stop/go. as noted, knowing how to drive a stick matters. No keeping the clutch held in. Either in gear or in neutral. saves wear on the left leg, and the clutch! Theoretically a manumatic can do the same thing, but I like the manual because you can keep it in a lower gear for cut/thrust driving. Plus, on the flats, you can rest both feet. The big problem with an AT is the damn creep. If you don't keep enough pressure on the brake, you bump into the guy in front of you. At least with a stick, it only moves when I tell it too! Even more than on the highway, I really prefer the stick for city driving. No getting caught in the wrong gear when ou have to punch it to get into a hole in traffic. So, IMO, the AT is simpler, but the stick gives you more control. and the E39 cupholders are a joke. That alone might be enough to get me to pass on one!
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Replying to: tallman1 (Oct 14, 2008 11:31 am)  I have the opposite of what you would expect - my city commuter is a manual (93 Miata) and my weekend/trip family car is an auto (07 Sienna), mostly because that's the only way they come. Early Caravans came with manuals, though I'm sure they were rare. You can still get a Mazda5 with a manual, if that counts.
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Replying to: ateixeira (Oct 14, 2008 12:22 pm) LOL! |
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Replying to: stickguy (Oct 14, 2008 12:08 pm) I submit that LA may be the car capital city in the world or at least the US. No scientific proof of that but by numbers of cars and registered drivers, any many unregistered, it seems like it. Commuting is exactly stop and go. During the heavy rush hours it is nothing but stop and go. You can't let the clutch out and let it move along at whatever speed you can idle because 40 feet ahead they come to a complete stop and they stay that was for two to three minutes. Then they might move for 100 yards only to come to a complete stop again. If you happen to be unlucky enough to take the 405 north out of LA you have a very long uphill grade to add to your driving pleasure plus the stop and go. But the one comment I do agree with is that more and more kids are not being taught to drive a manual so the demand will decrease as they get into the market. If 90+ percent of the mom and dads drive automatics now why would we expect more manuals in the future? So if you are a mega car company like Toyota why wouldn't you offer a Yaris 5 door hatch as a commuter with an automatic standard? If you are a bean counter the question answers itself. And in this economy who else will people listen to? |
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