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Toyota RAV4 Manual Transmission for 2008

24 messages,  Last post on Mar 12, 2010 at 2:36 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota RAV4, SUV

Messages Page 3 of 3

#15 of 24 Re: No more manual transmissions for RAV4? I'll have to buy something else! by dieuwer

Mar 09, 2010 (10:25 am)

Replying to: iheartrav4s (Jan 21, 2008 8:02 pm)
It seems you can actually special-order a RAV4 with manual transmission. At least that's what my colleagues told me. Should be even cheaper than the automatic one.\
Not sure if you need to "bully" the dealer for that.

#16 of 24 Unintended acceleration and manuals by blueiedgod

Mar 10, 2010 (10:51 am)

Jus think how Toyota could have avoided all this unintended accelration issue if they only offered vehicles with manuals. Manual driver would instantly clutch if the engine start surging, or throw it in neutral.
 
People who drive automatics have no clue what they are doing or what to do. they just know D is for Drive and just like drone they keep on chugging.
 
Automaitcs also allow bad driver to be on the road. Jus think how better our roads would be without the people who should not be on the road in the first place.

#17 of 24 Re: Unintended acceleration and manuals [blueiedgod] by steve_ HOST

Mar 11, 2010 (4:30 am)

Replying to: blueiedgod (Mar 10, 2010 10:51 am)
My wife's broken left leg still hasn't completely healed after one full year. How do you expect her to get around if she can't clutch?
 
She test drove several MT cars before the ski crash btw, and still hopes to get into one. May not happen now though.

#18 of 24 Manual Transmissions by johnc19

Mar 11, 2010 (10:50 am)

I recently bought a 2010 RAV4 (automatic of course) and noted that a manual transmission was not available. I assumed this was because there was not enough demand for the manual, but some earlier posts here suggest this is due to safety and liability issues????
 
My other car is a 2005 Matrix with manual transmission, and I much prefer the control it gives versus an automatic. (All my previous cars have been manual as well.) Can someone enlighten me about what is so inherently unsafe about manual transmissions and FWD or AWD?

#19 of 24 Re: Unintended acceleration and manuals [blueiedgod] by tidester

Mar 11, 2010 (11:16 am)

Replying to: blueiedgod (Mar 10, 2010 10:51 am)
People who drive automatics have no clue what they are doing or what to do.
 
Oh, my. I missed that report. Link, please? Thanks!
 
Automaitcs also allow bad driver to be on the road.
 
And we know that all manual drivers are good drivers. That's why insurance companies offer reduced premiums to owners of cars with standard transmissions. Oh, wait, they don't!
 
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

#20 of 24 Re: Unintended acceleration and manuals [steve_] by blueiedgod

Mar 12, 2010 (11:04 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Mar 11, 2010 4:30 am)
My wife's broken left leg still hasn't completely healed after one full year. How do you expect her to get around if she can't clutch?
  
She test drove several MT cars before the ski crash btw, and still hopes to get into one. May not happen now though.
 
Had she broken the other leg, she wouldn't have been able to operate the gas or the brake in the automatic. What would she do then?

#21 of 24 Re: Unintended acceleration and manuals [tidester] by blueiedgod

Mar 12, 2010 (11:08 am)

Replying to: tidester (Mar 11, 2010 11:16 am)
People who drive automatics have no clue what they are doing or what to do.
  
Oh, my. I missed that report. Link, please? Thanks!
 
It takes more concentration to operate a manual vehicle and requires the operator to be in tune with the vehicle. It also requires the operator to anticipate events and prepare (kind of what hypermilers are doing), rather than "Stomp and steer" video game approach that it takes to operate automatic.
 
  
Automaitcs also allow bad driver to be on the road.
  
And we know that all manual drivers are good drivers. That's why insurance companies offer reduced premiums to owners of cars with standard transmissions. Oh, wait, they don't!
 
Insurance for manual shifted vehicles is lower than same for automatic because of their lower purchase price.
 
NEXT!

#22 of 24 Re: Manual Transmissions [johnc19] by blueiedgod

Mar 12, 2010 (11:14 am)

Replying to: johnc19 (Mar 11, 2010 10:50 am)
I recently bought a 2010 RAV4 (automatic of course) and noted that a manual transmission was not available. I assumed this was because there was not enough demand for the manual, but some earlier posts here suggest this is due to safety and liability issues????
  
My other car is a 2005 Matrix with manual transmission, and I much prefer the control it gives versus an automatic. (All my previous cars have been manual as well.) Can someone enlighten me about what is so inherently unsafe about manual transmissions and FWD or AWD?
 
There is nothing unsafe about manuals. It was just someone's attempt to justify the general populations lack of interest in anything that requires thinking of muscle effort, aka LAZYNESS!
 
They attempted to explain that a manual shifter may inadvertently place the shifter in the wrong gear while downshifting, i.e. 2nd instead of 4th, which will send the engine RPM's through the roof and possibly cause damage.
 
While it is a possibility, and there is no way to DUMB-proff a manual like automatic (the interlocks prevent drivers from shifting from D into R or P while in motion), chances are that a person who does that will not have the capacity to coordinate 3 pedals with 2 feet and 2 hands to operate manual shifter ans steer, and thus will not be driving stick in the first place. Absence of automatic would also prevent such person from driving, which would be a good thing. However, automatic transmission allowes this same person to be on the road and pose threat to other motorists.

#23 of 24 Re: Unintended acceleration and manuals [blueiedgod] by tidester

Mar 12, 2010 (12:58 pm)

Replying to: blueiedgod (Mar 12, 2010 11:08 am)
It takes more concentration to operate a manual vehicle and requires the operator to be in tune with the vehicle.
 
I.e., they are more stressed and, thereby, more prone to mental fatigue and miscalculation.
 
Insurance for manual shifted vehicles is lower than same for automatic because of their lower purchase price.
 
So you agree that their alleged superior driving skills are not a factor affecting insurance premiums. We're making progress!
 
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

#24 of 24 Re: Unintended acceleration and manuals [tidester] by steve_ HOST

Mar 12, 2010 (2:36 pm)

Replying to: tidester (Mar 12, 2010 12:58 pm)
Don't forget the hand throttle and left leg braking for folks with a bad right leg.

Messages Page 3 of 3

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