Manual Transmissions Soon Gone

[Rmay635703]

The test is the same protocol for manuals and automatics. As mentioned earlier, those 9 speed automatics will do better than a 5 speed. I have a 5 speed automatic in my 2008 Mercedes E350 and a 7 speed automatic in my 2011 E350.

Ask the car designers about the flawed testing regimen on a manual. The EPA tests being flawed for a manual transmission is a long standing well known problem. You can read the gritty details of why on ecomodder.

I have never encountered a car old or new that got better fuel economy in the real world as an automatic vrs the manual trim version of the same car.

Automatic transmission cars gaming the test is real as the auto maker chooses the cars behavior and shift points in testing conditions , a manual can’t game the test because the shift points and throttle percentage are both unrealistic and fixed in the testing regimen .

The difference between a manual and automatic becomes even more dramatically different in cold weather. The newest car I can compare manual to auto a 2018 cruise auto gets half the fuel economy on identical winter local city trips despite being the same car.
I encountered this years ago having driven both a manual and automatic Cobalt on my way into work, the automatic car couldn’t break 20mpg no matter what I did while the manual could easily get high 30’s low 40’s In the same weather going on the same trip the same distance, and usually the manual could be driven much more aggressively at higher speeds and still get much better economy.

I'd be willing to bet that the EPA's procedure is documented. Shift at a given speed or RPM for all models ? Really doubt that is the case....

 

[OilyOrangutan]

I won’t lie I’ve always been interested in manual transmissions. However I just can’t get my head around it. Feathering the clutch just is too complex for me. I need it to be like a motorcycle where you feather it at launch and then after that you just drop the clutch. I’ve tried countless times. But ya manual transmissions just don’t seem fun to me. But my greatest respect and admiration for that that operate them flawlessly.

 

[hank2]

When I was in high school in the late 60's, the Driver's Ed course required learning basic skills with a manual trans car. Not a pony car with a floor shift, but full-sized sedans with 3 sp. column shift. Some of the students' efforts on hill starts were hilarious.

I'm haven't seen the type of generational preferences for automatics that some say they have. At least in the fairly recent past. A good many of the boomers preferred or demanded manual trans in the 60's into the 90's. There were all the VW's, muscle and sports cars. It was very fashionable even for the WWII generation to use manual trans cars in the 80's to 90's. There almost seemed to be a contest between Toyota and many others makes as to who could build a 5 speed with the most ridiculously tall top gear OD ratio. Somewhere in the later 90's the long-held advantage of a manual trans in fuel mileage and acceleration largely went away. The exceptions were the few bottom feeders and mini vans with 3 and 4 speed autos.

Both of my step "kids" have had nearly all manual trans cars since they drove. Ages 35 and 40. Most of their friends have as well. I don't see much of the "millennial anti-theft device" value of a manual trans. Of course, there are many of all ages who would be clueless on that now. Especially since that option has largely disappeared.

 

[Wolf359]

I won’t lie I’ve always been interested in manual transmissions. However I just can’t get my head around it. Feathering the clutch just is too complex for me. I need it to be like a motorcycle where you feather it at launch and then after that you just drop the clutch. I’ve tried countless times. But ya manual transmissions just don’t seem fun to me. But my greatest respect and admiration for that that operate them flawlessly.

That is basically how you drive a stick, first gear is the hardest to handle, the other gears are much easier. Drove a turbo 5 speed, it was fun when you dropped a gear and the turbo kicked in. Even though some V8 had more power and faster 0-60 times, the turbo was more fun because it seemed to have more instantaneous acceleration once it got over the turbo lag.

 

[Lubener]

I have noticed used cars with sticks are for sale cheaper because most people do not know how to drive them. Less demand and harder to sell in the used car market.

 

[TiGeo]

I have noticed used cars with sticks are for sale cheaper because most people do not know how to drive them. Less demand and harder to sell in the used car market.

Only "regular" cars maybe....any enthusiast vehicle that was offered with a sick usually brings top dollar but of course only to those that see value which typically means private sale, not dealer/trade.

 

[TiGeo]

When I was in high school in the late 60's, the Driver's Ed course required learning basic skills with a manual trans car. Not a pony car with a floor shift, but full-sized sedans with 3 sp. column shift. Some of the students' efforts on hill starts were hilarious.

I'm haven't seen the type of generational preferences for automatics that some say they have. At least in the fairly recent past. A good many of the boomers preferred or demanded manual trans in the 60's into the 90's. There were all the VW's, muscle and sports cars. It was very fashionable even for the WWII generation to use manual trans cars in the 80's to 90's. There almost seemed to be a contest between Toyota and many others makes as to who could build a 5 speed with the most ridiculously tall top gear OD ratio. Somewhere in the later 90's the long-held advantage of a manual trans in fuel mileage and acceleration largely went away. The exceptions were the few bottom feeders and mini vans with 3 and 4 speed autos.

Both of my step "kids" have had nearly all manual trans cars since they drove. Ages 35 and 40. Most of their friends have as well. I don't see much of the "millennial anti-theft device" value of a manual trans. Of course, there are many of all ages who would be clueless on that now. Especially since that option has largely disappeared.

My parents who are in their early '80s so "silent generation" both can drive a standard but never bought cars that way b/c they were buying more lux autos at the time and would want autos. Sure, in sports cars yes. The younger Millennials/GenZ that get poked about "anti-theft device" stickers etc. would be an overall "all generations" statement and maybe more at GenZ if one was to be singled out. Most of my teenage son's friends can drive a stick and there are still plenty around but they are all into cars so you have that factor.

 

[Hall]

I won’t lie I’ve always been interested in manual transmissions. However I just can’t get my head around it. Feathering the clutch just is too complex for me. I need it to be like a motorcycle where you feather it at launch and then after that you just drop the clutch. I’ve tried countless times. But ya manual transmissions just don’t seem fun to me. But my greatest respect and admiration for that that operate them flawlessly.

If the car has a nice gearbox (and "synchros" ??), you often don't need to use the clutch after 1st gear. I had a Honda Prelude Si that I could easily shift gears without using the clutch and it wasn't a jerky, annoying drive either. You just get the feel with light pressure and when things lined up, move the gear selector fully into position.

 

[PF52]

Only "regular" cars maybe....any enthusiast vehicle that was offered with a sick usually brings top dollar but of course only to those that see value which typically means private sale, not dealer/trade.

It'll be interesting to watch something like the CVT WRXs as the years go by, if they hold value or not.

I watch a lot of WRX videos, and the ones with CVTs usually get a lot of mean comments. But who knows, some of those might be coming from kids who haven't even been behind the wheel of a car yet.

 

[Dave Sherman]

When I had my 2004 CR-V with a stick, it was great vehicle. Bought it new right off the dealer's lot, and they were probably glad to get rid of it. Had fun driving it, until I moved and had to go through bumper-to-bumper traffic every day. Then it wasn't much fun. Finally broke down and traded it for a 2008 CR-V with an auto after enduring that for too long. After 2006 the CR-V was no longer available with a stick. Still have the MG that I can row gears in, but not so fond of having a stick in the daily driver anymore.

 

[parshisa]

I guess I'll keep my 6speed Civic for as long as I can. I haven't owned to many cars (most of them were manuals) but this one is definitely the best one.

 

[Hall]

The majority of the feedback in this thread alone - and from "car people" - show why manual transmissions have and are going away.

 

[sk_pete]

with ev you will not need a one,,,,,

 

[Elkins45]

Both my cars are manuals. Both were really good deals because the dealer was having trouble moving them.

My 2017 Titan is the first AT vehicle I ever bought. Manuals always gave me the triple advantage of (1) lower price (2) better gas mileage (3) less likely to require costly repair. Unfortunately everything left with a manual is in a body style I don’t want, except maybe a Miata.

 

[Slow Car Sport Mode]

This is so true. I could leave the keys in my 94 Z28 and it would still be wherever I parked it when I got back. I've tried to teach a few people to drive stick in the past decade and its essentially a waste of my time, no one seems to be able to understand how that 3rd pedal works. They all treat it like a brake despite numerous attempts to get them to understand how it actually functions.

Nope, not a brake, although you should be all the way on that third pedal when at or almost near a full stop before you get rolling again into what I will assume is 1st when it's time again to move.

My first two cars were manuals.. actually my first three were.

MBUSA doesn't import "utilitarian" mercedes, except the van. They don't want to tarnish their brand image. When I was a kid and there was a war in Beirut I thought they were the richest place in the world because all the taxis were w123 sedans.

Wasn't the G-class starting life as a utilitarian model?

 

[PF52]

MBUSA doesn't import "utilitarian" mercedes, except the van. They don't want to tarnish their brand image. When I was a kid and there was a war in Beirut I thought they were the richest place in the world because all the taxis were w123 sedans.

Some years ago, Car and Driver did an article about some Mercedes economy-car model sold only in Europe.... Maybe not even in western Europe; just old eastern-block countries like Slovakia and Ukraine. Anyway, it was Mercedes' version of what a Chevy Cavalier would be if it was made by Mercedes, plastic hubcaps and all. The author concluded we would never see it in North America, because it would dilute the brand too much. Wouldn't want to be rubbing shoulders with the commoners down at the MB dealer, now would we!

 

[John105]

I actually was thinking of getting tires at Costco for my BMW, as I did our other two cars, but thought I'm not sure the techs would be able to drive a stick. I can't just assume that, and they're not going to say anything. Maybe I'll just politely ask. Even at the dealer once I saw a young woman valet approach my car, peer in, then walk away. I was relieved.

 

[TiGeo]

I actually was thinking of getting tires at Costco for my BMW, as I did our other two cars, but thought I'm not sure the techs would be able to drive a stick. I can't just assume that, and they're not going to say anything. Maybe I'll just politely ask. Even at the dealer once I saw a young woman valet approach my car, peer in, then walk away. I was relieved.

Pretty simple to just ask and if it's a concern you can just tell them you'll drive it in/out etc. Someone there will know how to drive it, folks make it out like this is some lost art but most folks in that industry can drive one well enough to get in/out of the bay.

 

[wpod]

Modern automatic transmissions are both more efficient and faster than a stick shift. But this is a recent development; the opposite used to be the case. Yet this misses the point, or the reason why some people (like me) prefer stick shift. It's about the driving experience and engagement. I spent a lot of hours honing my stick shift skills, launching, heel & toe, rev matching, etc. It's tremendous fun and makes me feel one with the car. The article linked in the OP describes this well.

Indeed , though is has been 24 years since I drove a Semi, I thrived driving the Road Ranger 8, 9, 10 and 13 Speed Transmissions [there are pretty much the same] . They were magic to my soul it was an amazing experience.

 

[wpod]

Now you did it... You created a panic buy situation. Everyone is going to head to the dealer and buy a new car with a stick shift. On the way home, they will load up on T.P.

I like TP.