Manual Transmission is Obsolete?

[Marukai]

I love MT and would never buy a car with an auto. I just came across an article on AOL that is alarming. I hope that MT will always be offered.
http://autos.aol.com/article/stick-shift-love-affair

 

[Bill in Utah]

There WILL be a time that manual transmission PERSONAL vehicles will be gone.

MPG and more important, CAFE/EPA will make sure of it. The computer can not control the engine well enough with a manual.

Sooner than later.

Bill

 

[Marukai]

Is the new paddle shifting automatics the replacement for the current manual transmission's? I had a loaner car with paddle shifters and it really sucked.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
The computer can not control the engine well enough with a manual.


People are too stupid to utilize physics and MTs right to extract high MPGs. Couple that to he fact that manufacturers think people have to feel "performance" oriented., and so the gearing is lousy.

At the end of the day, no smarts can outwit physics. An MT is far lighter than an AT.

People that mash the go pedal with an AT doesnt give good MPGs either. CAFE is a sham. People likely use 50% more fuel than they have to because of poor driving habits. No computer control (except power limiting) can overcome peoples' stupid driving habits.

 

[rick9009]

Computer controlled cvt transmissions are the future unforchantly.I hate auto trans.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: Marukai
Is the new paddle shifting automatics the replacement for the current manual transmission's? I had a loaner car with paddle shifters and it really sucked.


Dual clutch gearboxes are. Of course then youre buyinng a bunch of parts twice and have a significantly higher maintenance requirement, which, oh by the way, uses LOT of quarts of fluid every 20k...

 

[shrooms]

Couldn't care less.

 

[rick9009]

Originally Posted By: shrooms
Couldn't care less.

Then why did you post?

 

[gathermewool]

What about the performance and economy markets, not to mention those who prefer a diesel for its economy. For what ever reason, a good portion in the market for the aforementioned will always prefer a stick to a slush box, myself included!

 

[Bluestream]

I don't think they will go away, but they are certainly dying. Econo cars, some diesels , and sports cars will have a stick.

Funny thing I was looking into a new SUV today, and it seems Nissan Xterra is the only one left with with a manual.

 

[Smoky14]

I've driven a stick all my life, and my kids tell me I'm OBSOLETE, I guess one diserves another.

 

[parimento1]

personally I only like driving stick on cars. Manuals on trucks are horrendous to drive; long throws, sloppy clutch takeup, etc.

 

[xxch4osxx]

I always thought you could get better fuel milage with a manual transmission. I always wondered why there is such a push for automatic transmissions. I prefer a manual transmission for a car, but not a pick-up truck.

 

[severach]

Because the goal is to win the EPA drive cycle that puts numbers on the windows, not the commute that puts the bread in the pocket.

 

[Kiwi_ME]

The internal combustion engine will be obsolete before the manual transmission is. Currently, there are still plenty of manual transmission cars sold world-wide. The article only points out that less than 10% of US buyers want them.

 

[sicko]

My new car only came with an automatic, and I really miss driving a stick. I'm traveling for work and will be driving a rental car for a couple of months, so I tried to get a manual transmission vehicle but was told none are available

 

[qship1996]

Ferrari just released a new model sportscar.......automatic only, NO manual transmission offered- that says alot.

 

[The Critic]

Obsolete for mainstream cars? No doubt.
Obsolete for sports cars? Probably not, but I would still expect to see a large number of manuals be replaced by a performance-oriented DCT.

Manual will always have the true fun factor. But the newer DCTs are quicker than a manual and more efficient.

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: Marukai
Is the new paddle shifting automatics the replacement for the current manual transmission's? I had a loaner car with paddle shifters and it really sucked.


Dual clutch gearboxes are. Of course then youre buyinng a bunch of parts twice and have a significantly higher maintenance requirement, which, oh by the way, uses LOT of quarts of fluid every 20k...


Depends. The current Borg-Warner Wet Clutch DCTs do require fluid changes every 40k (not 20k), but the upcoming dry clutch DCTs from Ford should not require any servicing at all.

 

[ps49556n]

Most new model cars offered today only offer auto transmissions. A very small few still offer manual af the standard trans which I think we will continue to see for the next 10 years at least. I really think this is a shame and I am really eager to see what this looks like in 25 years.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: qship1996
Ferrari just released a new model sportscar.......automatic only, NO manual transmission offered- that says alot.

...about Ferrari and their target audience? Yes, I agree with you.