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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
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Replying to: nippononly (Nov 08, 2008 10:20 am) But the rest of the market? Look - the main reason they don't offer it is that any mechanic can change a clutch or crack a case and replace a couple of worn gears. But replacement mega-matics with a dozen computers and so on in it are a golden goose to the manufacturers at $4000+ a pop. Porsche had the same problem for a while, though. They tried to swap it all for their tiptronic and it failed. But some person in a Camry or Accord? Get rid of the option and 99% of the people who fit the demographic to buy one will shrug their shoulders and get over it.
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Replying to: plekto (Nov 09, 2008 10:08 am) There I pretty much agree. Add to that the green factor and you see what the manual is up against. Automatics can be programed and people can't. Just about everyone that drives a manual loves to shift late to hear and feel the engine. I am sure there are a few exceptions but not many. So it is a combination of consumer preference, apathy, and government intervention that will make manuals a niche transmission at best. To put numbers to my prediction much like Nippon did his I think manuals will not be standard in any car in 25 years and will be offered as an option only. Sports cars will more than likely use that option more than any other type of car with the exception of real 4X4s. |
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Replying to: plekto (Nov 09, 2008 10:08 am) My understanding is that the serious rock-climber 4X4s are almost alll A/Ts because the slip provided by the torque converter comes in very handy when crawling over uneven terrain at weird angles.
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Replying to: andys120 (Nov 09, 2008 2:13 pm) Depends if we are talking serious or pro. If you are doing a lot of rock crawling and are using a second gear reduction system often a manual will work quite well. If you look at some of the pictures on my Carspace site you will see several rock buggies that have manuals. The goal is to be able to crawl by just using the brake and gas pedal and not touch the clutch. Most rock crawlers can run at a walking pace in the first two gears. Many serious rock crawlers like to be able to make repairs on the road and so they opt for a manual. But Pumpers have their place as well and rock crawlers are more interested in getting up the trail than what transmission you did it with. A great place to learn about rock crawling is Pirate4X4 message board. But be warned they are not the easiest people on newbes.
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Replying to: boaz47 (Nov 09, 2008 3:31 pm) I did run across an article this weekend, though, that mentioned that manuals were showing a rise since they do get better economy(and I'll add are a lot less to initially buy and eventually replace) and people are moving to smaller cars.
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Replying to: plekto (Nov 10, 2008 8:09 am) But I am not going to hold my breath for a large resurgence of manuals even in small cars. People simply can't drive them so they don't test them, in my area, and they aren't stocked. Even Isellhondas mentioned that fact. I told a story about going to a car wash early this year before I sold the PT and Focus. At the end of the line a young girl jumps into my PT and after about two minutes jumps out and goes running for an older hispanic guy who walks over and moves it to the drying area. Of all the people working at the car wash only two could drive a stick. To add insult to injury we spent the weekend at a big historic hotel in Riverside. When we went to check out we had to wait for the one valet who could drive a stick. But to be fair between the SUVs, BMWs, and Chrysler 300s they didn't have to drive too many manuals while we were standing there. |
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Two and a half years ago my business partner and I launched a new business, and in the name of fiscal conservatism, we shed our expensive toys, my 2002 530i 5-Speed included.  That new business has since failed (in no small part due to the down-turn in the economy) and we have some debt to pay off, however, none of that prevented the Caravan I was driving from getting older and older and older, and with the old girl on the down slope to 200,000 miles, I started shopping for a new ride a couple of months back. After driving every economical car I could think of, I'd pretty much settled on a new Rabbit 5-Speed, unfortunately MK5 Rabbits have been phased out of production and the MK6 models won't start hitting our shores until next summer or fall, and that means buying from what dealers have in stock. So? Well, after weeks and weeks of patiently waiting for my local dealers to find a 5-Speed model and saying "No thanks" every time I was asked, "Are you sure we cannot interest you in a car with an automatic", I switched to "Plan-B". Last Monday I traded the trusty old Caravan in on a new 2009 Mazda3 i Touring 5-Speed, and geez is it good to be able to stir my own gears again.  This new car is double good news as both of my kids will be getting their driving licenses in the next couple of years, and they're both itching to learn how to drive a stick. Best regards, Shipo
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Replying to: shipo (Nov 24, 2008 11:37 am) Regards, Jose |
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Replying to: shipo (Nov 24, 2008 11:37 am) I almost almost bought a 3s 5-door when I got the Matrix, but the better fuel economy and larger back seat of the Matrix swayed me. The Mazda3 was the better drive between the two though. I'm just glad both are still offered with the stick, as will the updated 2010 Mazda3.  That was a hell of a concession you made when you started your business.....don't know if I could have done the same. |
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